"It is what we should call here the esplanade--the sea and harbour on
one side, the houses on the other. The band plays under the palms in
front of the Casino on summer nights. I----" and he took the last words
at a rush--"I was sitting in a lounge chair in front of the club, when I
saw Mr. Hillyard pass. An Englishman is noticeable in Alicante. There
are so few of them."

"Yes," Hillyard agreed. No recollection was stirred in him by Escobar's
description. Escobar turned away, but he could not quite conceal the
relief he felt.

"Yes, my friend," said Hardiman to himself, "you have taken your
water-jump too. And you're uncommonly glad that you haven't come a
cropper."

After that noticeable moment of tension, the talk swept on into
sprightlier channels.




CHAPTER IV

THE SECRET OF HARRY LUTTRELL


"Shall I take you home?"

"Oh, will you?" cried Stella Croyle, with a little burst of pleasure.
After all, Hillyard was the great man of the evening, and that he should