After a casual glance the three men proceeded down the slope to the jetty.

Three of them at least had revolvers, since Hervey was an ill man to tackle; but probably Date, who was too dense to consider consequences, was unarmed.

Neither did Don Pedro think it necessary to tell the officer that he and his two companions were prepared to shoot if necessary.

Inspector Date, being a prosy Englishman, would not have understood such lawless doings in his own sober, law-abiding country.
When they reached the jetty Don Pedro glanced at his watch, illuminating the dial by puffing his cigar to a ruddy glow.

It was just after eight o'clock, and even as he looked an exclamation from Date made him raise his head.