Brandon of the Engineers

"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?"