“I guess I surprised him, Unk—just in time,” he said breathlessly.
“Just in time to see him get away,” said Denis Keen significantly. “My pajama pocket....”
“You mean, Unk....”
“That my letter has been stolen.”
CHAPTER III
PIZELLA, THE INSCRUTABLE
Before Hal had recovered from his astonishment, there burst into the cabin, the sailor, who was leading a cringing, ratlike little man. Behind them came the captain, wringing his hands excitedly and talking in vociferous Portuguese.
“Many pardons, Señors!” said he, bowing apologetically. “This half-caste, Pizella—he come up from steerage to rob you—yes?”
“I’ve been robbed of something important,” Denis Keen answered and explained in Spanish the importance of his letter.
The captain was irate with the half-caste, Pizella, and with the aid of the sailor proceeded to search him most thoroughly. But this availed them nothing.
“Nothing?” Hal asked. He glanced at the sailor. “You sure this is the bird I told you to beat it after?”