Part 27 (2/2)

”Yes,” spoke Joe ”We'll help you pick the back to New York”

”I am not so sure of that,” the Spaniard said ”I will know in a few days when I hear from my railroad friends I expect a letter shortly”

There was so the pictures Blake wanted of the Gatun Dam Certain work had to be done, and Blake wanted to show the complete and finished structure So he decided to wait

About a week after the above conversation with Mr Alcando, the Spaniard ca an open letter in his hand Themissives to Blake and Joe Some were of a business nature, but for each boy there was an envelope, square and of delicate tint--such stationery as no business man uses But we need not concern ourselves with that We all have our secrets

”I have hed the Spaniard ”I leave you this week, for et my cameras”

”We'll help you,” offered Joe, and then, with the catalogue of apicture supply house before them, the boys sat down to plan what sort of an outfit would best be suited to the needs of Mr

Alcando He was not limited as to money, it was evident, for he picked out the most expensive cameras possible to buy

”I wish you boys would co our railroad line,” he said ”It isn't altogether a selfish invitation,” he added with a laugh, ”for I expect you could give ood advice, and correct soet a chance to go to South America,” Blake answered

With a tentative list of what he needed, Mr Alcando went to write a letter to his railroad officials, asking them to order his outfit for hi to leave the cabin to seek his own stateroom, he saw, on the floor, a piece of paper

Idly he picked it up, and, as he saas part of a letter to the Spaniard he folded it, to hand to hiht of a feords on it And those words made him stare in wonder For Blake read:

”Stuff is all ready for you You had better do the job and get away There is so to his chum about it, Blake ith the letter toward the Spaniard's stateroom He was not in, but Blake put the paper on a desk, with some others, and caht to himself ”That must have been his orders to cooes at it that way--just to do the job and get away, he won't haveto make films of European scenery when he isn't really capable of it”

”Well, soners think they know it all when they have only a sh Alcando isn't as bad that way as lots of others Well, we've done our best with him And how unjust all our suspicions were--Joe's and mine I wonder what he really did think he was up to, anyhow?”

The next day Blake and Joe were busyda Gatun Lake The Spaniard, too, was busy with his preparations for leaving He ay fro back to the boat, which they

”Get any pictures?” asked Blake ”If you have we'll pack up your reel and send it to New York with ours Where's the little cah struck

”By Jove!” he cried ”I left it out at the da soot to working on ot all about the camera and filht back and get them!”

He turned to leave the cabin, but, as he did so, Captain Wiltsey entered He paid no attention to the Spaniard, but, addressing Blake and Joe said:

”Boys, I have a little task for you Have you any flash-light powder?”

”Flash-light powder? Yes, we have so pictures It doesn't last long enough”

”Perhaps it will last long enough for what I want,” the captain said

”If you'll excuse et the camera I was so careless as to leave out,” spoke Mr Alcando