CHAPTER XL.AN INTERRUPTED DINNER.
The guests of theKearsargehad no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality. If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate. The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor. From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers. The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room. At tables set together so as to form a huge horseshoe, covered with fine linen and laden with massive silver, the guests were served with a feast of rare daintiness.
There were several women present at the banquet, for the officers of the garrison had been invited to bring their wives, sweethearts, sisters, and daughters. Gale had discovered that the girl next to him was the niece of the commandant of the fortress, and he exerted himself to be agreeable to her, not only because she was a young woman of fascinating personality, but because, always having an eye for the main chance, he foresaw that her relationship to the man in charge of El Torro garrison might come in useful to him later on.
Although he kept up a sprightly conversation withher and appeared to give her his entire attention, he was all the time keeping a close watch on Virginia and Captain Reyes. That interesting pair, as luck would have it, sat almost directly opposite to him, and he was able to observe every move they made.
Just as the last course of the dinner had been served and the speeches were about to begin, Gale saw the daughter of the American minister lean back in the chair and half close her eyes, while a look of distress came to her pretty face.
This action was not lost upon Captain Reyes. He bent toward her solicitously. “What is the matter, señorita?” he inquired. “Are you ill?”
“Maybe it will pass away soon,” the girl answered, apparently making a brave effort to pull herself together. But she seemed to grow worse instead of better, for presently she whispered, in response to an anxious inquiry from the captain: “If my father were not down on the program for a speech I think I should ask him to take me home.”
“There is no need to bother your father, señorita,” Reyes said promptly. “If you wish to go home, I am at your service.”
“You are very kind,” Virginia said faintly, flashing him a grateful smile; “but, of course, I could not dream of taking you away. I must try to wait until my father has finished his speech. I wish he was first on the list, but I am afraid——”
“I shan’t mind it at all,” her escort cut in eagerly. “In fact, I shall be delighted to accompany you.” And his eagerness was not feigned, for he was glad to exchangethe terrors of the postprandial oratory for the pleasure of a boat ride and automobile jaunt with this pretty girl.
“Well, if you insist,” said the latter, “let us try to leave as unobtrusively as possible. I think the trip home will do me good.”
They left the table so quietly that few noticed their departure; but a few minutes later, as they were stepping toward the port gangway, Reyes became aware of a hand placed on his shoulder, and, turning, learned that Gale had followed them out.
“A word with you,” the reporter whispered. “It is of the utmost importance.”
The frown which came to the other’s face showed that he resented this intrusion, but something in Gale’s manner caused him to draw back and allow Virginia to go on alone.
“What is it?” he demanded sharply. “I must say, señor, that I am beginning to grow very weary of this confounded interference——”
“Where are you going?” theNewsman cut him short. “Tell me quickly: Has she fooled you into going away with her?”
“Fooled me!” The Baracoan’s frown deepened into a scowl. “I do not understand,” he said haughtily. “Miss Throgmorton is feeling indisposed and I am taking her home.”
To his astonishment and indignation, Gale received this with an ironical laugh. “I guess it is about time to open your eyes,” he said. “I am wise now to the whole game.” He whispered a few words in thearmy officer’s ear. What he said caused the latter to give a start of surprise.
“This is astounding!” Reyes muttered. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I am not sure,” the reporter replied. “But you’ll see that I am right.”
Virginia, noting her escort’s absence from her side, turned at the head of the gangway, and a worried look came to her face as she saw with whom he was talking.
“The launch is waiting for us, Captain Reyes,” she called out impatiently. “Are you ready?”
The Baracoan hesitated a moment. Then, with sudden decision, he whispered a few words to Gale, stepped to the girl’s side, and assisted her down the ladder. As they got into the boat, Gale followed them. “Guess I’m going ashore, too,” the reporter said, with a grin. “I have some business which needs my immediate attention.”
Virginia glanced at her escort’s face. She observed with concern that he did not seem to resent this intrusion.