Part 47 (1/2)

Towards sunset the sea-breeze dropped and the mist gathered thicker about the hills. Faint puffs of hot wind began to blow off the land, which faded suddenly as darkness rolled down. A thin haze drifted out across the water and the speed slackened as the vessel closed with the sh.o.r.e.

Then dim lights blinked out ahead, the engines stopped, and a detonating rocket burst high up in the sky. Soon afterwards a steam launch came off, and the purser stopped near d.i.c.k on his way to his room.

”We are going in, but will have to wait until the agent gets formal permission from the guards.h.i.+p's commander, who must see our papers first,” he said. ”As this may take some time, perhaps you had better dine on board.”

When the bell rang d.i.c.k and his companions went to the saloon. There were not many pa.s.sengers, and the room was nearly empty, but as they entered d.i.c.k saw Kenwardine at the bottom of a table. He glanced up as he heard their footsteps, and with an abrupt movement turned his revolving chair partly round. Next moment, however, he looked at d.i.c.k coolly, and after a nod of recognition went on with his dinner. Don Sebastian indicated a table between Kenwardine and the door, and they sat down.

Jake played with his food, and d.i.c.k had not much appet.i.te, although he partook of the dishes set before him, because he wanted an excuse for occupying the table until Kenwardine had finished. The latter showed no anxiety to get away and now and then kept the steward waiting while he studied the menu. d.i.c.k, who envied his coolness, thought it indicated one of two things: Kenwardine knew he was beaten and was philosophically resigned, or had some plan by which he hoped to baffle his pursuers. Now and then d.i.c.k looked at Don Sebastian inquiringly, but the Spaniard answered with an enigmatic smile.

In the meantime, the pa.s.sengers went away to pack or get ready for a run ash.o.r.e, and at last the saloon was empty except for d.i.c.k's party and Kenwardine. Then Don Sebastian crossed the floor and bowed to the latter.

”It would be a favor if you will take a gla.s.s of wine with us,” he said.

”Certainly,” said Kenwardine, getting up, and Don Sebastian, who gave an order to a steward, led the way to a corner table where they would not be disturbed.

”You were, perhaps, surprised to see us, senor,” he resumed, when the others joined them.

”I was,” Kenwardine admitted. ”Still, I suppose I ought to have been prepared for something of the kind.”

Don Sebastian bowed. ”One may understand that as a compliment?”

”Perhaps it is, in a sense. But I certainly did not expect to meet Mr.

Fuller. We are told that his people mean to preserve a strict neutrality.”

Jake colored. ”I'd have stood out if you had kept your dago friends off my partner. That's what brought me in; but I'm still trying to be as neutral as I can.”

”Senor Fuller has informed us that he means to see you get fair play,”

Don Sebastian interposed.

”Well, he has my thanks for that, and my sympathy, which I think he needs,” Kenwardine rejoined with a twinkle. ”There's no doubt that he owes Mr. Brandon something, and I flatter myself that he rather liked me.

It must have been embarra.s.sing to find that he couldn't be friends with both. However, you had better tell me what you want. My clothes are not packed, and I must land as soon as possible, because I have some business to transact to-night.”

”I am afraid you will be unable to do so,” Don Sebastian said politely.

”Why?”

”The explanation is rather long, but, to begin with, you no doubt know I was ordered to watch you.”

”I must admit that I suspected something very like it.”

”The President imagined you might become dangerous to the neutrality of the State, and I learned enough to show that he was right.”

”What did you learn?”

Don Sebastian smiled. ”I will be frank and put down my cards. I would not do so, senor, if I thought you could beat them.”

He began a concise account of the discoveries he had made; showing Kenwardine's a.s.sociation with the German, Richter, and giving particulars about the purchase of the Adexe coaling wharf. Jake leaned forward with his elbows on the table, listening eagerly, while d.i.c.k sat motionless.

Part of what he heard was new to him, but the Spaniard's statements could not be doubted, and he envied Kenwardine's nerve. The latter's face was, for the most part, inscrutable, but now and then he made a sign of languid agreement, as if to admit that his antagonist had scored a point.

”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.”