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.