But
the Professor did not seem to be greatly astonished, and the sole
sound which broke the stillness was his sardonic chuckle.
Perhaps the little man had progressed beyond the point of being
surprised at anything, or, like, Moliere's hero, was only
surprised at finding virtue in unexpected places.
As for the Peruvian and the skipper, they were both on their
feet, eyeing one another like two fighting dogs. Hervey was the
first to find his very useful tongue.
"I guess you've got the bulge on me," said he, trying to outstare
the Peruvian, for which nationality, from long voyaging on the
South American coast, he entertained the most profound contempt.
But in De Gayangos he found a foeman worthy of his steel.
"I think not," said Don Pedro quietly, and facing the
pseudo-American bravely. "I never forget faces, and yours is a
noticeable one. When you first spoke I fancied that I remembered
your voice. All that business with the chair was to get close to
you, so that I could see the scar on your right temple. It is
still there, I notice. Also, I dropped my cigarette case and
forced you to pick it up, so that, when you stretched your arm, I
might see what mark was on your left wrist.
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