he picked up a spoon and stirred the contents of the pot.

"I wish Nicolas were here," said Hazelton.

"Why?" Tom wanted to know.

"I'm bothered about what's etiquette in Mexico. I don't know
whether it's right to eat this stuff with a knife, or whether
we're expected to spread the stuff on the rolls."

"It is pretty thick stuff," Tom agreed, after taking a look.
"But let me have the pot and the spoon. I think I can manage it."

After some work Tom succeeded in reducing the chocolate to a
consistency that admitted of pouring, though very slowly.

"It took you almost three minutes to pour two cups," said Harry,
returning his watch to his pocket. "Come on, now! We've got
to make up for lost time. What will Don Luis think of us? And
yet it is his household arrangements that are keeping us away
from our work."

Chocolate and rolls were soon disposed of. Then the two engineers
sat back, wondering whether Nicolas had deserted them. Finally,
both rose and walked to stretch their legs.

"No restaurant in New York has anything on this place for slow-march
service!" growled Hazelton.

As all things must come at last, so did Nicolas. He carried a