Brandon of the Engineers

In the meantime, the passengers went away to pack or get ready for a run

ashore, and at last the saloon was empty except for Dick's party and

Kenwardine. Then Don Sebastian crossed the floor and bowed to the latter.

"It would be a favor if you will take a glass of wine with us," he said.

"Certainly," said Kenwardine, getting up, and Don Sebastian, who gave an

order to a steward, led the way to a corner table where they would not be

disturbed.

"You were, perhaps, surprised to see us, señor," he resumed, when the

others joined them.

"I was," Kenwardine admitted. "Still, I suppose I ought to have been

prepared for something of the kind."

Don Sebastian bowed. "One may understand that as a compliment?"

"Perhaps it is, in a sense. But I certainly did not expect to meet Mr.

Fuller. We are told that his people mean to preserve a strict

neutrality."

Jake colored. "I'd have stood out if you had kept your dago friends off

my partner. That's what brought me in; but I'm still trying to be as

neutral as I can."

"Señor Fuller has informed us that he means to see you get fair play,"

Don Sebastian interposed.

"Well, he has my thanks for that, and my sympathy, which I think he

needs," Kenwardine rejoined with a twinkle. "There's no doubt that he

owes Mr. Brandon something, and I flatter myself that he rather liked me.

It must have been embarrassing to find that he couldn't be friends with

both. However, you had better tell me what you want. My clothes are not

packed, and I must land as soon as possible, because I have some business

to transact to-night."

"I am afraid you will be unable to do so," Don Sebastian said politely.

"Why?"

"The explanation is rather long, but, to begin with, you no doubt know I

was ordered to watch you."

"I must admit that I suspected something very like it."

"The President imagined you might become dangerous to the neutrality of

the State, and I learned enough to show that he was right."

"What did you learn?"

Don Sebastian smiled. "I will be frank and put down my cards. I would not

do so, señor, if I thought you could beat them."

He began a concise account of the discoveries he had made; showing

Kenwardine's association with the German, Richter, and giving particulars

about the purchase of the Adexe coaling wharf. Jake leaned forward with

his elbows on the table, listening eagerly, while Dick sat motionless.

Part of what he heard was new to him, but the Spaniard's statements could

not be doubted, and he envied Kenwardine's nerve. The latter's face was,

for the most part, inscrutable, but now and then he made a sign of

languid agreement, as if to admit that his antagonist had scored a point.