Lockwood, too, seemed to be ill at ease still.  But it was a different uneasiness, rather directed at Norton than at us.  Once before I had thought he was on the point of excusing himself, but the entrance of de Moche seemed to have decided him to stay at least as long as his rival.

“I beg your pardon, Senorita,” he now apologized, “but I really must go.  There are still some affairs which I must attend to in order to protect the interests we represent.”  He turned to us.  “You will excuse me, I know,” he added, “but I have a very important appointment.  You know Don Luis and I were assisting in organizing the campaign of Stuart Whitney to interest American manufacturers, and particularly bankers, in the chances in South America which lie at hand, if we are only awake to take advantage of them.  I shall be at your service, Senorita, as soon as the meeting is over.  I presume I shall see you again?” he nodded to Kennedy.

“Quite likely,” returned Kennedy drily.

“If there is any assistance I can render in clearing up this dreadful thing,” went on Lockwood, in a lower tone to us, “you may count on me absolutely.”

“Thank you,” returned Craig, with a significant glance.  “I may have to take up that offer.”

“Do so, by all means,” he reiterated, bowing to Norton and backing out of the door.

Alone again with Inez Mendoza, Kennedy turned suddenly.  “Who is this Senor de Moche?” he asked.  “I gather that you must have known him in Peru.”

“Yes,” she agreed.  “I knew him in Lima”; then adding, as if by way of confession, “when he was a student at the University.”

There was something in both her tone and manner that would lead one to believe that she had only the kindliest feelings toward de Moche, whatever might be the case, as it seemed, with his mother.

For a moment Kennedy now advanced and took Senorita Inez by the hand.  “I must go now,” he said simply.  “If there is anything which you have not told me, I should like to know.”

“No—­nothing,” she answered.

He did not take his eyes from hers.  “If you should recall anything else,” he persisted, “don’t hesitate to tell me.  I will come here, or you may come to the laboratory, whichever is more convenient.”

“I shall do so,” she replied.  “And thank you a thousand times for the trouble you are going to in my behalf.  You may be sure that I appreciate it.”

Norton also bade her farewell, and she thanked him for having brought us over.  I noticed also that Norton, though considerably older than any of us, had apparently succumbed to the spell of her wonderful eyes and face.

“I also would be glad to help you,” he promised.  “You can usually find me at the Museum.”

“Thank you all,” she murmured.  “You are all so kind to me.  An hour ago I felt that I had not a friend in all this big city—­except Mr. Lockwood.  Now I feel that I am not quite all alone.”