"So it seems, but I'm afraid it will be a long time before I'm worth
robbing," Jake replied, and then remembered with embarrassment that the
other was one of the party whose winnings he had not yet paid.
Don Sebastian smiled, but said suavely: "For all that, you should not
take an unnecessary risk. You have been attacked once already, I think?"
"Yes, but it was my partner who got hurt."
"That is one of the ironies of luck. Señor Brandon is sober and
cautious, but he gets injured when he comes to protect you, who are
rash."
"He's what you say, but I didn't know you had met him," Jake replied.
"I have heard of him; you foreigners are talked about in the cafés. They
talk much in Santa Brigida; many have nothing else to do. But have you
and Señor Brandon only been molested once?"
Jake hesitated for a moment. He liked the man and on the whole thought he
could be trusted, while he imagined that he was not prompted by idle
curiosity but knew something. Besides, Jake was often impulsive and
ready, as he said, to back his judgment.
"We were only once actually attacked, but something rather curious
happened not long ago."
"Ah!" said Don Sebastian, "this is interesting, and as I know something
of the intrigues that go on in the city it might be to your advantage to
tell me about it. There is a quiet wine-shop not far off."
"Would it be safe to go in?" Jake asked.
"I think so," his companion answered, smiling.
Jake presently followed him into a small, dimly lighted room, and noted
that the landlord came to wait on them with obsequious attention. Two
peons were drinking in a corner, but they went out when the landlord made
a sign. Jake thought this curious, but Don Sebastian filled his glass and
gave him a cigarette.
"Now," he said, "we have the place to ourselves and you can tell your
story."
Jake related how a stranger had stolen into their shack a few days ago,
and Don Sebastian listened attentively.
"You do not think it was one of the peons employed at the dam?" he
suggested.
"No," said Jake. "Anyhow, Payne seemed satisfied it wasn't."
"He would probably know them better than you. Do you keep money in the
house?"
"Very little. We lock up the money for wages in the pay-office safe.
Anyhow, I'm not sure the fellow came to steal."
"If he did so, one would not imagine that he would be satisfied with
blotting-paper," Don Sebastian agreed. "You said there was some coffee on
the table."
"There was. Payne reckoned the fellow meant to dope it. What do you
think?"
"It is possible, if he had ground for being revengeful. Some of the
Indians from the mountains are expert poisoners. But why should anybody
wish to injure your comrade?"