All these strange sights seemed to divert Lee's thoughts from the heavy basket which they were carrying, and he was still staring about when Diego stopped before a large, low, two-storied building, with a great arched entrance into a court-yard, around the four sides of which the building extended. Above the arch hung a sign, with "Hotel de los Estados Unidos," painted upon it. "Well, I know what _that_ sign means," said Lee; "and it's the first one I've seen which I _did_ understand." "Yes, here we are at last," replied Diego. And they turned in and came out in the large court-yard, which presented quite an animated appearance. A fountain was playing in the middle, surrounded by orange trees, bananas and flowering plants, in great green tubs. All around, the doors of sleeping rooms opened upon the court, while above, another set of doors opened upon a balcony, which was reached by steps below. On the pavement of stone were many little tables, at which gentlemen and ladies were taking breakfast, and waiters in white jackets were bustling about and supplying their wants. On the left, as the boys entered, was an office, with a half door and a shelf upon it, from which a clerk hailed them: "_Hi, muchachos, qui quiere?_" (What do you want, you boys?) "The clothes, senor," answered Diego, in reply, pointing to the basket, which they had deposited on the flagstones. "Ah, that's all right! Are they from Dolores? There's a gentleman here who has inquired half a dozen times already about his clean things. He wants to leave to-day." "What's his name? I have the lists here." "What _is_ his name? I never _can_ remember these English and American names. But here he comes himself." As he spoke, a tall, fine-looking man, of about forty, with light hair and complexion and wearing gold spectacles, came hurrying in from the street. "Now, then, senor," said he, addressing the clerk, "are those my things? All right. Take them to my room, No. 17, on the balcony. The steamer sails for Ruatan this afternoon, before sunset, and I must send my baggage on board at once. Where is the servant you promised to engage for me?" "Senor, the young man I hoped to get will not go on such an expedition as yours, and has backed out, at the last moment, after promising me he would be ready." Lee and Diego both pricked up their ears at the word "expedition," and Diego took off his cap and said: "Where might the gentleman be going?" "I'm going to make some explorations, and to try to find some ruined cities in Central America. Not an easy task, for their situation is not precisely known, and many have been baffled in trying to find them. I want a young man who is a good traveler and handy, and who speaks both Spanish and English, so that he can act as an interpreter." "But just where are you going, sir?"