I shall hope not to detain you long." "My time and my house are yours." Jose Medina had clearly become a _caballero_ since those early days of adventure.

Hillyard noted the point for his own guidance, thanking his stars meanwhile that the gift of the house was a meaningless politeness.
"I arrived at Palma this morning, in a yacht," said Hillyard.
Jose Medina was prepared for the information.

He bowed.

There had been neither smile nor, indeed, any expression whatever upon his face since he had entered the room.
"I have heard of the yacht," he said.

"It is a fine ship." "Yes." Jose Medina looked at Hillyard.
"It flies the English flag." Hillyard bowed.
"As do your feluccas, senor, I believe." A mere twitch of the lips showed that Medina appreciated the point.
"But I," continued Hillyard, "am an Englishman, while you, senor----" Jose Medina was not, if he could help it, to be forced to cry "a hit" again.
"Whereas I, senor, am a neutral," he answered.