Practically all the inhabitants, preceded by the alcalde, came out to see the unwonted sight of a huge airship flying the British colours, the mayor tendering the hospitality of Nazca to the visitors during their stay.
"We do not remain long, señor alcalde," replied Gerald Whittinghame. "We are in pursuit of an outlaw, one Reno Durango, who has fled from Valderia. We heard, on good authority, that he came hither."
"All strangers arriving at Nazca are known to us, señor," said the portly alcalde. "No one of that name has set foot in our town."
Gerald Whittinghame showed no sign of disappointment at the information. It was as he had expected.
"I believe, señor," he remarked, "that you have an inventor who has built a kind of boat that is capable of flying?"
"Ah, yes," replied the alcalde. "Then you, too, are anxious to purchase the boat? I fear you are too late, for an English milord has just taken her away."
"I think I know the gentleman," said Gerald. "Would you mind describing him to me?"
The mayor's description left no doubt as to the identity of the supposed English "milord." Durango had forestalled them.
"Ask the alcalde if the inventor of the boat is present," suggested Vaughan, after his brother had explained the conversation.
"Here he is, Señor Jaurez is his name," announced the mayor, indicating an alert little Peruvian, who was paying more attention to the visible details of the "Meteor" than to the conversation between the chief magistrate of Nazca and the officers of the airship.