Brandon of the Engineers

"I haven't seen him since lunch, but he spent the morning interviewing

the British authorities."

"Do you think he told them to send after Kenwardine?"

"No," said Jake with a twinkle, "I rather think he's put them off the

track, and although he had to give them a hint out of politeness, doesn't

want them to know too much. Then there's only an old-fashioned cruiser

here and I understand she has to stop for a guardship. In fact, Don

Sebastian seems to imagine that Kenwardine is safe so long as he keeps

off British soil. However, an official gentleman with a refined taste in

clothes and charming manners called at our hotel and is coming to see you

as soon as the doctor will let him."

Next morning Dick saw the gentleman, who stated his rank and then asked a

number of questions, which Dick did not answer clearly. He was glad that

his bandaged head gave him an excuse for seeming stupid. He had done his

part, and now Kenwardine could do no further harm, it would be better for

everybody if he got away. After a time, his visitor observed: "Well, you seem to have rendered your country a service, and I expect you

will find things made smooth for you at home after our report upon the

matter has been received."

"Ah!" said Dick. "It looks as if you knew why I left."

The gentleman made a sign of assent. "Your Spanish friend was discreet,

but he told us something. Besides, there are army lists and London

Gazettes in Kingston."

Dick was silent for a few moments, and then said: "As a matter of fact, I

am not anxious to go home just yet."

"Are you not?" the other asked with a hint of polite surprise. "I do not

think there would be much difficulty about a new commission, and officers

are wanted."

"They're not likely to want a man with one eye, and I expect it will come

to that," Dick said grimly.

His visitor was sympathetic, but left soon afterwards, and Dick thought

he was not much wiser about Kenwardine's escape than when he came. Two or

three weeks later he was allowed to get up, although he was tightly

strapped with bandages and made to wear a shade over his eyes. When he

lay in the open air one morning, Jake joined him.

"We must get back to Santa Brigida as soon as we can," he said. "They're

planning an extension of the irrigation scheme, and the old man and Ida

are coming out. The doctor seems to think you might go by the next boat

if we take care of you. But I'd better give you Kenwardine's letters. We

took them out of your pocket the night you got hurt, and I've been

wondering why you haven't asked for them."