Brandon of the Engineers

"Well," he said when the other finished, "it is a story that might do me

harm, and there are parts I cannot deny; but it is not complete. One

finds awkward breaks in it. For example, you do not show how the raider

got coal and information from the Adexe Company."

"I think Señor Brandon can do so," said Don Sebastian, who turned to

Dick.

Taking his cue from the Spaniard, Dick related what he had noted at the

coaling wharf and learned about the movements of the tug when the

auxiliary cruiser was in the neighborhood. His account to some extent

filled the gaps that Don Sebastian's narrative had left, but now he came

to put the different points together and consider them as a whole, their

significance seemed less. He began to see how a hostile critic would look

at the thing. Much of his evidence was based upon conjecture that might

be denied. Yet, while it was not convincing, it carried weight.

There was a pause when he finished, and Jake was conscious of a strong

revulsion of feeling as he studied his companions. In a way, the thin,

dark-faced Spaniard and tranquil Englishman were alike. Both wore the

stamp of breeding and were generally marked by an easy good humor and

polished wit that won men's confidence and made them pleasant companions.

But this was on the surface; beneath lay a character as hard and cold as

a diamond. They were cunning, unscrupulous intriguers, who would stick at

nothing that promised to serve their ends. Jake knew Kenwardine now, and

felt angry as he remembered the infatuation that had prevented his

understanding the man.

Then he glanced at Dick, who sat waiting with a quietly resolute look.

Dick was different from the others; he rang true. One could not doubt his

rather naïve honesty, but in spite of this there was something about him

that made him a match for his scheming opponent. Kenwardine, of course,

had courage, but Dick was armed with a stern tenacity that made him

careless of the hurt he received. Now, though he had nothing to gain and

much to lose, he would hold on because duty demanded it. The contrast

between them threw a lurid light upon Kenwardine's treachery.

Then the latter said: "You have stated things clearly, Brandon, but,

after all, what you offer is rather plausible argument than proof. In

fact, you must see that your evidence isn't strong enough."

"It's enough to justify our handing you to the military officers in

Kingston, who would, no doubt, detain you while they made inquiries."

"Which you don't want to do?"

"No," said Dick shortly. "But I may be forced."

"Very well. This brings us back to the point we started from," Kenwardine

replied and turned to Don Sebastian. "What is it you want?"