"We were chasing a thief, sir," Darrin continued, "and this waiter told us that the fugitive ran this way."
"I—I thought he did," stammered the waiter in Spanish, though it was now plain that he understood English.
In deep disgust and with dawning suspicion, Dave Darrin glared at the waiter until that fellow changed color and trembled slightly. Dave was now certain that the waiter, probably by previous arrangement, had shielded the escape of Mr. Green Hat.
Turning to the English officer, Dave quickly recounted what had happened. At the same time he introduced himself and Dan as American naval officers, and both tendered their cards.
"And you, sir? Who are you, and what did you lose?" inquired the British officer, turning to the young man in the gray suit.
"May I answer that question to an officer of my own country?" appealed the young man in the gray suit.
"Yes," assented the British officer, after keenly regarding the stranger who claimed to have been robbed.
"Will you step a few yards down the street with me?" urged the unknown American, addressing Dave.
"Certainly," Darrin nodded, for he saw insistent appeal in the stranger's gaze.
"Mr. Darrin," began the stranger, using the name he had heard Dave announce in the introductions to the Britisher, "do you really belong to the American Navy?"