Hal was not quite in Bantoc when a Tagalo on a pony rode by him at a gallop. Hal glanced at the fellow indolently, but did not recognize him, as it was not Tomba, but one of that worthy's messengers.
Up and down the principal street Sergeant Overton wandered. He glanced into shops, though only idly, for to-day he was not on a buying mission.
At last the cool-looking interior of a little restaurant attracted him. He entered, ordering an ice cream. When this was finished he ate another. It was so restful, sitting here, that when he had disposed of the second order, he paid his account but did not rise at once.
"The sergente is newly arrived here?" asked a white-clad Filipino, rising from another table and joining Overton.
"Yes."
"Then you have not seen much of Bantoc?" asked the Filipino, speaking in Spanish.
"Not as much as I mean to see of the town," Hal answered in the same tongue.
"Then possibly, Señor Sergente, you have not yet seen the collection of ancient Moro weapons in the shop of Juan Cerverra."
"I haven't," Hal admitted.
"Then you have missed much, señor, but you will no doubt go to see the collection one of these days."