There was scarcely a chance for a preliminary bout before luncheon was announced, and we entered the cozy little dining-room to seat ourselves at the daintiest of tables.  One could feel the hostess radiating hospitality, even on such a cross-current set of guests as we were, and for the time, I almost felt that it had been Kennedy’s purpose to promote a love-feast instead of an armed truce.

Nothing was said about the main cause of our being together for some time, and the small talk almost lifted for a time the incubus that had settled down on all our lives since the tragedy in the den at the other end of the suite.  But the fact could not be blinked.

Tacitly every one seemed to wait on Kennedy to sound the gong.  Finally he did so.

“Of course,” he began, clearing his throat, “there is no use making believe about anything.  I think we all understand each other better now than we have ever done before.  As for me, I am in this case under a promise to stick to it and fight it to the end.  I suppose the rest of you are, also.  But that need not prevent us agreeing on one thing.  We can work together to protect Senorita Mendoza, at least, from such danger as threatened her last night.”

“It’s a dastardly shame,” Lockwood exclaimed angrily, “that a man who would attempt a thing like that should go unpunished.”  “Show me how to trace him and I’ll guarantee the punishment,” rejoined Craig drily.

“I am not a detective,” replied Lockwood.

Kennedy forebore to reply in kind, though I knew there was a ready answer on his tongue for the lover.

Ever since they had arrived, the Senorita had seen that they were well supplied with cigarettes from the case in which she and they supposed were the genuine South American brand of her father.  Kennedy and I smoked them, too, although neither of us liked them very much.  The others were smoking furiously.

“However,” resumed Kennedy, “I do not feel that I want to intrude myself in this matter without being perfectly frank and having the approval of Senorita Mendoza.  She has known both of you longer and more intimately than she has known me, although she has seen fit to place certain of her affairs in my hands, for which I trust I shall render a good account of my stewardship.  It seems to me, though, that if there is, as we now know there is, some one whom we do not know”—­he paused—­“who has sunk so low as to wish to carry her off, apparently where she shall be out of the influence of her friends, it is only right that precautions should be taken to prevent it.”

“What is your suggestion?” demanded Whitney, rather contentiously.

“Would there be any objection,” asked Kennedy, “if I should ask my old friend,—­or any of you may do it,—­Deputy Commissioner O’Connor to detail a plainclothesman to watch this house and neighbourhood, especially at night?”

We watched the faces of the others.  But it was really of no use.