Part 10 (1/2)
”YouSpaniard who had a letter of introduction to you; did you not?” asked Mr Hadley, after a pause
”Yes,” answered Blake ”Met hiuess we hinted at them in our letter”
”A lad to hear the details” So Blake and Joe, in turn, told of the runaway
”What do you think of hi picture ht,” spoke Joe slowly, looking at Blake to give hi if he wanted to ”I like him”
”Glad to hear it!” exclaimed Mr Hadley heartily ”He came to us well recomations to concerns he and his friends are interested in, so ere glad to do him a favor He explained, did he not, that his co the line of their railroad, to attract prospective customers?”
”Yes, he told us that,” observed Joe
”What's theto say?” asked Mr
Hadley in a curious voice, turning to Joe's chum ”How does the Spaniard strike you?”
”Well, he seeht,” was Blake's sloer ”Only I think--”
”Blake thinks he's an international spy, I guess!” broke in Joe with a laugh ”Tell hiuns,' Blake”
”What's that?” asked Mr Hadley, quickly
Whereupon Blake told of the wind-blown letter and his first suspicions
”Oh, that's all nonsense!” laughed Mr Hadley ”We have investigated his credentials, and find theht Besides, what object would a South A out details of the defenses at Panama South America would work to preserve the Canal; not to destroy it If it were some European nation now, that would be a different story You don't need to worry, Blake”
”No, I suppose it is foolish But I'ht If we've got to live in close companionshi+p with hiht Nohen are we to start, hoe go, where shall we make our headquarters and so on?”
”Yes, you ant so picture ive it to you I have already ements for you You will take a steaton Hotel, and froet pictures of the Canal and surrounding country I'll give you letters of introduction, so you will have no trouble in chartering a tug to go through the Canal, and I already have the necessary govern up for the trip,” suggested Blake
”Yes, the sooner the better You ht call on Mr Alcando, and ask him when he will be ready Here is his address in New York,”
and Mr Hadley handed Blake a card, na seen to their baggage, and handed their particular and favorite cameras over to one of the h overhauling, Blake and Joe went to call on their Spanish friend
”Aren't you glad to know he isn't a spy, or anything like that?”
asked Joe of his chum