Terry asked evenly, "Is that a way of asking me to hurry up and do it?" "_Pero no! Por supuesto no!_" protested Horta. "But it is said that you have new and definite plans." "What do you know about them?" demanded Terry. Police Captain Horta said pleasantly, "Officially, nothing. Privately, that you will aid some _ricos americanos_ to do experiments in--_oceanografía_? Some study of oceanic things. That you regret having agreed to do so. That you consider changing your mind. That you are angry." The girl, of course, could have inferred all this from his angry charge out of the shop with the money in his hand, too late to stop her taxicab. But Terry snapped, "Now, who the devil told you that?" Police Captain Horta shrugged. "One hears. I hope it is not true." "That what's not true? That I leave? Or that I don't?" "I hope," said Horta benignly, "that you do as you please. I am not on duty at the moment. I have my car. I offer myself to chauffeur you if there is any place you wish to go--to a steamer or anywhere else. If you do not wish to go anywhere, I will take my leave. With no pre ... prejudice," he finished. "We have been friendly. I hope we remain so." Terry stared at him estimatingly. Police Captain Horta was a reasonable and honest man. He knew that Terry had contributed to matters giving the police some trouble, but he knew it was accidental on Terry's part. He would hold no grudge. "Just why," asked Terry measuredly, "did you come here to offer to drive me somewhere? Is there any special reason to want me to get out of town?" "That is not it," said Horta. "It could be wished that you would--take a certain course of action. Yes. But not because you would be absent from here. It is because you would be present at a special other place. The matter connects with _La Rubia_, but in a manner you could not possibly guess. Yet you are wholly a free agent. You will do as you please. I would like to make it--convenient. That is all." He paused. Terry stared at him, frowning. Horta tried again. "Let us say that I have much interest in _oceanografía_. I would like to see certain research carried on." "Being, I'm sure, especially interested in fish-driving," said Terry skeptically. "You sound as if you were acting unofficially to get something done that officially you can't talk about." Horta smiled warmly at him. "That," he pronounced, "is a logical conclusion." "What's the object of the--research, if that's what it is? And why pick me?" Horta shrugged and did not answer. "Why not tell me?" "_Amigo_," said Horta, "I would like nothing better than to tell you. I would be interested to see your reception of the idea. But it would be fatal. You would think me cr-azy. And also more important persons. But especially me."