In fact, she knew nothing at all about the affair, which had only come to light when the little steamer arrived. At the breakfast table the next morning the cabin party learned for the first time that the big four had tumbled into an adventure, which was then related to them in full. Louis's mother did not make any scene this time, as usual; for Dr. Hawkes had practically cured her of her nervousness, at least in his presence. But Louis had been on deck, and happened to be there when Chickworth and his engineer came for the Salihé.
"Mr. Gaskette reports to me this morning that he found some policemen on the shore at Algeciras when he arrived, and that they called the chief of the customs from his bed," Captain Ringgold explained. "He put his officers in charge of the Golondrina, and the police committed the smugglers to the jail. The capture of the little steamer was a felony, and they will be prosecuted for it. You are all wanted as witnesses over there at three o'clock this afternoon. The officers of the customs believe that the Salihé was implicated, and they wanted to detain her; but Mr. Gaskette managed his case so well that he brought her back with him. Here is the owner of the little steamer," added the commander, as Chickworth stepped down from the gangway steps.
"Which I 'ave a little bill of two pun ten against you, sir, for the steam-yacht," said Chickworth, touching his cap to Louis.
"I don't know about that," interposed the commander. "The Salihé is mixed up with smugglers over on the other side of the bay, and the customs officers may want her."
"Which it is with smugglers, sir!" exclaimed the owner of the Salihé.
"Precisely so; and your friend Gray, and your other friend Captain Diego Velazquez, of the Schooner Golondrina, are in prison over there, and their vessel will be forfeited for smuggling, with her valuable cargo," added the captain; and he related what had happened to the big four on their cruise. "But I don't believe your boat can be held. We shall know more about it this afternoon."
He held the steamer till the matter was decided.
CHAPTER XIII
WHAT IS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT GIBRALTAR
Louis was willing to pay for the use of the Salihé; but the customs officers on the other side of the bay had some suspicions in regard to her, and the commander would not permit him to pay anything; besides, the little steamer was wanted to convey the witnesses to Algeciras. Chickworth received the report that Gray and his associates had actually captured the boat with consternation. He was invited to go over with the witnesses in the afternoon; but he declined to do so. The captain thought it more than probable that he had been concerned in contraband operation with Gray.