[XVII]
I made this remark with a pleasant smile to give the appearance of passing a joke, in case Pedro's partner should prove to be on board and watching us. Dicky smiled back, but nevertheless acted upon my hint without delay; and as a combined result of our smiling faces the gateman grinned as well and permitted our car to debark first.
The delay on the pier, where we were obliged to proceed at a snail's pace, was a dreadful strain. Suppose that Pedro's cries were to be heard, and, rescued, he bore down upon us? I shuddered at the thought. But at length we were past officialdom and speeding up the hill and into the city's silent and deserted ways. Dicky turned his head to question me, almost colliding with a lamp-post by so doing, but his usual nonchalant skill saving us by a hair—or so it appeared to me.
"Now what the devil did you say you did?" he wanted to know.
"Pedro—the detective," I said—"I locked him up on the boat!" I repeated.
"Good heavens, Freedom! How?" cried Peaches.
I told them briefly. Richard, the chauffeur, gave a long whistle.
"Then it's more than likely we are headed right!" said he. "Gosh Almighty, Aunt Mary, I hope I never get in wrong with you!"
"Why?" I demanded. "I simply do the obvious thing as occasion arises."