Brandon of the Engineers

"To know where Richter is, and who supplied him with the money he paid

for the coaling business."

"Then I'm sorry I cannot tell you, and you certainly wouldn't get the

information by having me locked up, but perhaps I can meet you in another

way. Now it's obvious that you know enough to make it awkward for me to

carry on the Adexe wharf, and my help is necessary for the part of the

business you object to. If I retire from it altogether, you ought to be

satisfied."

The Spaniard did not answer, and while he pondered, the beat of a

launch's engine came in through the open ports. Kenwardine lighted a

cigarette, spending some time over it, and as he finished the launch ran

alongside. There were footsteps on deck, and a few moments later a

steward entered the saloon.

"We are going in," he announced. "Will you have your luggage put on

deck?"

"You can take ours up," said Don Sebastian, who indicated Kenwardine.

"Leave this gentleman's for the present."

Kenwardine did not object, but Jake, who was watching him, thought he

saw, for the first time, a hint of uneasiness in his look. Then Don

Sebastian got up.

"I must think over Señor Kenwardine's suggestion, and you may want to

talk to him," he said, and went out.

When he had gone, Kenwardine turned to Dick. "There's a matter I would

like to clear up; I had nothing to do with the attempts that seem to have

been made upon your life. In fact, I suspected nothing of the kind until

you told me about the accident at the dam, but Fuller afterwards showed

me that it was time to interfere."

"That's true," said Jake. "Anyhow, I gave him a plain hint, but as he

didn't seem able to stop the accidents, I put Don Sebastian on the

track."

"You can't with any fairness make me accountable for the actions of

half-breeds who hold life very cheap and meant to keep a paying job,"

Kenwardine resumed, addressing Dick. "You knew what kind of men you had

to deal with and took the risk."

"It's hard to see how a white man could make use of such poisonous

colored trash," Jake remarked. "But I expect you don't want me, and I'll

see what Don Sebastian is doing."

He left them, and there was silence for a few moments until the screw

began to throb and they heard the wash of water along the steamer's side.

Then Kenwardine said quietly, "Fuller has tact. There's a matter that

concerns us both that has not been mentioned yet. I'll clear the ground

by stating that although our Spanish friend has not decided what he means

to do, I shall not go back to Santa Brigida. I imagine this will remove

an obstacle from your way."