“I see, sir,” Sard said, “that you do not take it very seriously. Well, perhaps it is best not to cross rivers till you reach the water.”
“Threatened men live long.”
“Not in seaport towns,” Sard answered.
“Well,” Hilary said, smiling, “what do you think we ought to do?”
“I have passed word to the police to stand by,” Sard said. “But you know how much that is worth, among these Occidentales. I would say this, Mr. Kingsborough: take your sister in to the hotel in town, the Santiago, until you leave Las Palomas. I understand that that will be to-morrow.”
“You really think that the danger is as great as that?”
“I don’t know the danger,” Sard said, “only the risk. That is what I should do, if it were myself and a sister of mine.”
“Thank you, Mr. Harker. Will you smoke?”
“Thank you, I don’t smoke.”
“Will you drink something?”