"I don't see her. By the way, I wonder where De Garros met them. Queer that, although they know each other, as De Garros admits, they never speak."
"They probably met abroad somewhere," hazarded Sam.
"I suppose so," was the reply, and then the talk drifted to other subjects. But Jack had shifted his chair so as to watch Jarrold without appearing to do so. Before long, the man turned and strolled in the direction of a terrace which opened on the palm garden.
Jack half rose from his chair as if he intended to follow him.
"I don't mean to let Jarrold out of my sight, that's all," said Jack. "But look! He has stopped. He is talking to someone. That chap in a sun helmet. I can't see his face, but somehow he looks mighty familiar to me."
The young man who had joined Jarrold strolled along the terrace with him till they both found chairs. Then they sat down and seemed to be engaged in earnest conversation. The stranger, who yet seemed familiar to Jack, had his back turned to them so that it was impossible to see his features.
At length they arose, shook hands as if they had come to an agreement on some matter, and parted. Jarrold came into the garden and took a seat at a table. He scowled heavily at the boys as he passed them, but gave no other sign of recognition. Suddenly Jack rose to his feet.
"I'm a fine chump!" he exclaimed. "I ought to have brought my camera along. Hanged if I didn't forget it!"
"Why don't you go back to the ship for it?" asked Sam. "It's not very far. You can get there and back in twenty minutes or less if you drive."
"That part of it is all right. But I hate to leave His Nibs, there, unwatched."
"Oh, as for that, I'll take care of him till you get back," Sam promised.
"Bully for you! Then I'll go. And say----"
But at that moment a page came into the garden. He was calling for "Mr. Ready."
"Means me, I guess," laughed Jack, "although it sounds new to be called 'Mr. Ready.' What do you want?" he asked, stopping the boy.
"You are Mr. Ready? All right then, there's a telephone message for you. You're wanted back on the ship as soon as possible."
"That's a funny coincidence," murmured Jack; "just as I was ready to go, too."
As the page hurried off, Jack turned to Sam: