Part 25 (1/2)
The boats had gone away loaded, but they had left Don Martin and three coustin, whose rusty black cassock jarred upon the blaze of light and color, leaned back in a canvas chair with a wineglass in his olive-tinted hand
”I'm surprised to find you in such company, Father,” Grahame said to him
The priest's eyes twinkled
”It is not only the rich and respected we are sent out to seek, though I think they need us as ht find their help useful,” Walthew suggested
”True, if one could buy it! As a rule, they do not give, but sell, and the price they ask is often high”
”Some bribes are hard to resist when they are offered in the name of charity; for example, hospitals founded and new churches built,” Grahaood use of”
Father Agustin looked at him steadily
”An honest man does not take a bribe, as you, my son, should know,” he said
”Ah!” Grahame returned carelessly ”I did not think you had heard of--a certain affair”
Walthew gave hiustin ss Besides, my companions take precautions
Sometimes they find them needed”
”I suppose if I had done what I was asked and pocketed the reward, I should have ested
”One does not talk of suchtrusted friends,” one of the ence departround for believing the opposition's is quite as good,” Grahame said, and related what had happened at their last port
”Care will be needed after this,” said Don Martin ”Now that they know your boat, it is fortunate we changed the landing place; but you are safe here This coast is low and unhealthy; the President's friends are prosperous and do not live in the swale”
”One can understand that,” Grahame responded ”Your appeal is to those who must live how and where they can No doubt, they suffer now and then for helping you”
”Ah!” exclaiive s”
They listened with quickening interest, and he kept his promise well, for there is in southern peoples, contaminated by darker blood, a vein of sensual cruelty that sometimes leads to the perpetration of unutterable horrors Graharew quietly stern, Walthew's hot and flushed, and Macallister clenched his hand, for the tales they heard fired their blood
”You have told us enough,” Walthew said at last ”I went into this business because I was looking for adventure and wanted to h if it costs me all I have!” He turned to his comrades ”How do you feel about it?”
”Much as you do,” Grahame answered quietly, and Macallister put his hand on Sarmiento's arm