Brandon of the Engineers

"Then you have heard from my father?"

"Yes. I have a cablegram. It was sent in a roundabout way through other

people's hands and took some time to reach me. Herr Kenwardine left

Kingston last night."

"But there is no boat yet."

Richter nodded. "He is not coming to Santa Brigida. I do not think that

he will come back at all."

For a moment or two Clare felt unnerved, but she pulled herself together.

She realized now that she had long had a vague fear that something of

this kind would happen.

"Then where has he gone? Why didn't he write to me?" she asked.

"He has gone to Brazil and will, no doubt, write when he arrives. In the

meantime, you must wait and tell people he is away on business. This is

important. You have some money, and the house is yours for a month or

two."

"But why has he gone? Will you show me the cablegram?"

"You could not understand it, and it might be better that you should not

know," Richter answered. Then he paused and his manner, which had been

friendly and sympathetic, changed. His short hair seemed to bristle and

his eyes sparkled under his shaggy brows as he resumed: "Herr Kenwardine

was forced to go at the moment he was needed most. Your father,

fräulein, is a bold and clever man, but he was beaten by a blundering

fool. We had confidence in him, but the luck was with his enemies."

"Who are his enemies?"

"The Englishman, Brandon, is the worst," Richter answered with keen

bitterness. "We knew he was against us, but thought this something of a

joke. Well, it seems we were mistaken. These English are obstinate; often

without imagination or forethought, they blunder on, and chance, that

favors simpletons, is sometimes with them. But remember, that if your

father meets with misfortunes, you have Brandon to thank."

The color left Clare's face, but she tried to brace herself.

"What misfortunes has my father to fear?"

Richter hesitated, and then said deprecatingly: "I cannot be as frank as

I wish. Herr Kenwardine's work was most important, but he failed in it. I

know this was not his fault and would trust him again, but there are

others, of higher rank, who may take a different view. Besides, it will

be remembered that he is an Englishman. If he stays in Brazil, I think he

will be left alone, but he will get no money and some he has earned will

not be sent. Indeed, if it were known, fräulein, I might be blamed for

paying you this small sum, but I expect you will need it."

He got up, as if to go, but Clare stopped him.

"You will come back as soon as you know something more and tell me what

to do."