Part 8 (1/2)
”I ahted that you have called,” the Spaniard said, ”and I hope you bring --”
As he spoke there cah thea puff of air, that scattered the papers on the table One, seely part of a letter, was blown to Blake's feet He picked it up, and, as he handed it back to Mr Alcando, the lad could not help seeing part of a sentence It read:
” go to Panauns”
Blake felt hierly at the last words
CHAPTER VII
IN NEW YORK
”Ah, hed the Spaniard, as he stooped to pick up the scattered papers ”And you have assistedthem,” he went on, as he took the part of the epistle Blake held out to hiliner must have, in a manner, sensed Blake's suspicions, for he said, quickly:
”That is what it is not to know your wonderful Ales with it, and so doI expected to go to Panao, and that I get all the pictures I can, especially big ones”
He paused for a ht
Then the Spaniard went on:
”Only, unfortunately for hiuns' and 'ones' What heones, you know And I hope I do I suppose you do take bigscenes, do you not?” and he included Joe in the question he asked
”Oh, yes, we've taken soht of the time when they had so recently been in the flooded Mississippi Valley, and when they had risked danger and death in the jungle, and in earthquake land
”Though, I suppose,” went on Mr Alcando, as he folded the part of a letter Blake had picked up, ”I suppose there are big guns at Panaain he looked sharply at Blake--for what reason our hero could not deteruns down there,” said Joe ”I forget their size, and how far they can hurl a projectile But we're not likely to get a chance to take any pictures,or otherwise, of the defenses I fancy they are a sort of government secret”
”I should think so,” spoke Blake, and there was a curious restraint in his et uns,” went on the Spaniard ”But I a picture operator I shall write to my friend and tell hiun' He will laugh when he finds out his lanced at Blake
”Probably,” was the answer Blake was doing so just then
”But so you have decided to go to the Canal?” asked the Spaniard, when he had collected his scattered papers
”Yes, we are going down there,” answered Blake, ”and as Mr Hadley wishes you to go along, of course we'll take you with us, and teach you all we know”
”I hope I shall not be a burden to you, or cause you any trouble,”
responded the Spaniard, politely, with a frank and engaging smile
”Oh, no, not at all!” returned Joe, cordially He had taken quite a liking to the chap, and anticipated pleasure in his co picture excursions they had some members of the Film Theatrical Company with them, or they met friends on the way, or at their destination But neither CC Piper, nor any of the other actors were going to the Canal, so Blake and Joe would have had to go alone had it not been for the advent of Mr Alcando
”We're very glad to have you with us,” added Blake ”How soon can you be ready to go?”
”Whenever you are I can leave to-day, if necessary”