"I think my business is yours, but there is no time for explanations," he said. "Tell your man to go full speed." The launch quivered and leaped ahead with the foam curling at her bows, and Dick did not look round when he heard an expostulating shout. Jake and Bethune must get ashore as they could; his errand was too important to stop for them, particularly as he could no longer see the boat in front. She had crossed the glittering belt of moonlight and vanished into the shadow near the mole. Her occupant had had some minutes' start and had probably landed, but it might be possible to find out where he had gone. "Screw the valve wide open," Dick told the fireman. The rattle of the engine quickened a little, the launch lifted her bows, and her stern sank into the hollow of a following wave. When she steamed up the harbor a boat lay near some steps, and as the launch slackened speed Dick asked her crew which way their passenger had gone. "Up the mole, senor," one answered breathlessly. "It is all you will learn from them," Don Sebastian remarked. "I think we will try the _telegrafia_ first." There was no time for questions and Dick jumped out as the launch ran alongside the steps. Don Sebastian stopped him when he reached the top. "In Santa Brigida, nobody runs unless there is an earthquake or a revolution. We do not want people to follow us." Dick saw the force of this and started for the telegraph office, walking as fast as possible. When he looked round, his companion had vanished, but he rejoined him on the steps of the building. They went in together and found nobody except a languid clerk leaning on a table. Don Sebastian turned to Dick and said in English, "It will be better if you leave this matter to me." Dick noted that the clerk suddenly became alert when he saw his companion, but he waited at a few yards' distance and Don Sebastian said: "A man came in not long since with a telegram. He was short and very dark and probably signed the form Vinoles." "He did, senor," said the clerk. "Very well. I want to see the message before it is sent." "It has gone, senor, three or four minutes ago." Don Sebastian made a gesture of resignation, spreading out his hands. "Then bring me the form." Dick thought it significant that the clerk at once obeyed, but Don Sebastian, who stood still for a moment, turned to him. "It is as I thought," he said in English, and ordered the clerk: "Take us into the manager's room." The other did so, and after shutting the door withdrew. Don Sebastian threw the form on the table. "It seems we are too late," he said. CHAPTER XXV THE WATER-PIPE