"No, I never heard of him."
Lubito gave the drummer a side glance.
"It is not a bad idea to say you don't know him, at any rate."
"Why, I don't!" repeated the drummer, emphatically, looking around at the bull-fighter in surprise.
Esteban interrupted:
"You see, Lubito, he is far more discreet than you gave him credit for. Perhaps he recognized you on the street corner of Caracas."
The bull-fighter looked at Esteban and then at Strawbridge.
"Caramba! I never thought of that!"
This conversation was getting too cryptic for Strawbridge.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, "so, once more with your permission, I'll go." He turned to leave his companions.