Part 13 (1/2)
”He--Jose? Not possible!” he stuttered ”Jose--this ainst his companions?”
”Exactly”
The Brazilian slowly shook his head Then suddenly he nodded as if an illuht had crossed his mind
”I see Jose is very well paid”
”One dollar a day,” was McKay's dry retort
At that er tray than before, bearing lowed a golden liquid Tirunt and helped hiarded the drinks, but lit the cigar as if he needed it
”_De noite todos os gatos sao pardos_,” he said ”At night all cats are gray I aood as to enlighten ain at Jose as if the _puntero_ had suddenly groings or horns
”All right,” nodded Knowlton, biting and lighting his cigar ”We are somewhat in the dark ourselves as to why Jose has been so zealous, for he has been very taciturn since the recent fight at our camp Perhaps Jose also is a bit hazy about our expedition--he looked rather surprised just now So here is the situation”
Briefly then he outlined the object of the search, stating that the identity of the mysterious Raposa was a matter of some concern to certain persons in the United States and that the expedition had been for the question Fro at Re complete details of Schwandorf's activities, Francisco's offense, and the final attack by the crew While he talked the coronel's frown deepened Also, Jose gradually assumed the expression of a thundercloud
And when the tale was done the _puntero_ exploded
”_Sangre de Cristo!_” he yelled ”_El Ale the cannibals? We? Peruvians? _Madre de Dios!_ If ever I get within knife length of hirimly
”I see that he planned to have all of you destroyed Senhor Knowlton, that black-bearded and black-hearted ested that you take Mayoruna women? He told you they were shapely of body and tried to put into yourthem your paramours? The snake!
”He did not tell you, then, that the Mayorunawith their wo to embrace one of them would be killed But it is true If you should succeed in establishi+ng friendly relations with the men--which is not at all likely--you would forfeit all friendshi+p, and your lives as well, by the slightest dalliance with any of the women
”He told you that more than one man has risked his life to win a Mayoruna woave you a false impression as to the way in which the risk was incurred He did not tell you that Peruvian _caucheros_ have someti down the irls to be victims of their bestial lust He did not tell you that for this reason any Peruvian is considered their enemy and is killed without uides into their country He knew the Peruvians would be killed on sight--and you with them”
CHAPTER IX
FIDDLERS THREE
Black looks passed a the men as the duplicity of Schwandorf lay plain before their eyes Tirowled Jose hissed curses The coronel whirled to hi to destroy you and your crew? You have been his man You know much about him He wanted to stop your mouth, yes? Dead littered For a ht he was about to reveal ied
”I know no reason e should be killed,” he declared
”I do not believe you,” the coronel declared, bluntly
Jose shrugged, calar, leaned back in the coronel's chair, and eyed the coronel with imperturbable insolence
”See here, Jose,” de Now coar, saying nothing