Part 26 (1/2)
Blake had telegraphed to New York that the one picture above all others desired had been obtained--that of a big slide in the Culebra Cut He did not tell how Joe had nearly lost his life in helping get the films, for Blake was modest, as was his chum, and, as he said, it was ”all in the day's work”
Joe was left to recover froht injuries at Gatun, while Blake and Mr Alcando were at Culebra For the shock to the young reater than at first supposed, though his bodily injuries were coramme?” asked Joe of Blake, about teeks after the accident, when Blake had returned from Culebra Most of the work there was done, and the Canal was again open, save to vessels of extre pictures of Gatun Dah,” spoke Blake ”How do you feel?”
”Pretty fair How did Alcandofast We can trust hiood I say, Blake,” and Joe's voice took on a confidential tone, ”you haven't noticed anything strange about hie? What do youthe captain of that vessel that sunk the _Nama_?”
”No, that was only coincidence, I think Why, I can't say that I've noticed anything suspicious about him, Joe, if that's what youtone
”That's what I do mean,” spoke Joe ”And if you haven't I have”
”Have what?”
”I've been watching Alcando since you and he came back, and I think he's decidedly queer”
”Suspicious, youto happen”
”Another landslide?” asked Blake with a laugh ”No chance of that here at Gatun Da else could happen, I think”
”You mean the--dam itself?” asked Blake, suddenly serious
”Well, I don't exactly knohat I do mean,” Joe said, and his voice was troubled ”I'll tell you what I noticed and heard, and you can uess”
”Go on,” invited Blake ”I' matter,” retorted his chum ”Haven't you noticed since you and Alcando caoes about by hi at the dah he'd never seen it before He is wonderfully impressed by it”
”Well, anybody would be,” spoke Blake ”It's a wonderful piece of engineering But go on”
”Not only that,” resu to hiood one,” laughed his chum
”They say when a fellow talks to himself he either has money in the bank, or he's in love You can take your choice”
”Not when it's the kind of talk I overheard Alcando having with himself,” Joe resu at it He didn't seeto himself”
”What did he say?” Blake wanted to know