The three men therefore were joined by Date, when they came along the cinder path abreast of the cottage, and the quartette proceeded further immediately, walking amongst the bents and grasses to the rude old wooden jetty, near which Hervey intended to stop his ship.  The night was quite clear of fog, strange to say, considering the late sea-mist; but a strong wind had been blowing all day and the fog-wreaths were entirely dispersed.  A full moon rode amongst a galaxy of stars, which twinkled like diamonds.  The air was frosty, and their feet scrunched the earth and grasses and coarse herbage under foot, as they made rapidly for the embankment.

When they reached the top they could see the jetty clearly almost below their feet, and in the distance the glittering lights of Pierside.  Vague forms of vessels at anchor loomed on the water, and there was a stream of light where the moon made a pathway of silver.  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.  The inspector was pointing out-stream to a large vessel which had steamed inshore as far as was safe.  Probably Hervey was watching for them through a night-glass, for a blue light suddenly flared on the bridge.  Don Pedro, according to his promise, fired a pistol, and it was then that Date learned that his companions were armed.

“What the devil did you do that for?” he inquired angrily.  “It will bring my constables down on us.”

“I do not mind, since you can control them,” said De Gayangos coolly.  “I had to give the signal.”

“And we all have revolvers,” said Random quickly.  “Hervey is not a very safe man to tackle, inspector.”

“Do you expect a fight?” said Date, while they all watched a boat being lowered.  “If so, you might have told me, and I should have brought a revolver also.  Not that I think it is needed.  The sight of my uniform will be enough to show this man that I have the law behind me.”

“I don’t think that will matter to Hervey,” said Archie dryly.  “So much as I have seen of him suggests to me that he is a singularly lawless man.”

Date laughed good-humoredly.

“It seems to me, gentlemen, that you have brought me on a filibustering expedition,” he said, and seemed to enjoy the novel situation.  Date had been wrapped up in the cotton-wool of civilization for a long time, but his primitive instincts rose to the surface, now that he had to face a probable rough-and-tumble fight.  “But I don’t expect there will be any scrap,” he said regretfully.  “My uniform will settle the matter.”