They were felt to be dangerous and subversive.
The Americano, however, who stood before him did not offensively suggest these national qualities.

A man of middle height, strongly built, bronzed and slightly gray from the vicissitudes of years and exposure, he had an air of practical seriousness that commended itself to Father Pedro.

To his religious mind it suggested self-consciousness; expressed in the dialect of the stranger it only meant "business." "I'm rather glad I found you out here alone," began the latter; "it saves time.

I haven't got to take my turn with the rest, in there"-- he indicated the church with his thumb--"and you haven't got to make an appointment.

You have got a clear forty minutes before the Angelus rings," he added, consulting a large silver chronometer, "and I reckon I kin git through my part of the job inside of twenty, leaving you ten minutes for remarks.