Brandon of the Engineers Part 47

Towards sunset the sea-breeze dropped and the mist gathered thicker about the hills. Faint puffs of hot wind began to blow off the land, which faded suddenly as darkness rolled down. A thin haze drifted out across the water and the speed slackened as the vessel closed with the sh.o.r.e.

Then dim lights blinked out ahead, the engines stopped, and a detonating rocket burst high up in the sky. Soon afterwards a steam launch came off, and the purser stopped near d.i.c.k on his way to his room.

"We are going in, but will have to wait until the agent gets formal permission from the guardship's commander, who must see our papers first," he said. "As this may take some time, perhaps you had better dine on board."

When the bell rang d.i.c.k and his companions went to the saloon. There were not many pa.s.sengers, and the room was nearly empty, but as they entered d.i.c.k saw Kenwardine at the bottom of a table. He glanced up as he heard their footsteps, and with an abrupt movement turned his revolving chair partly round. Next moment, however, he looked at d.i.c.k coolly, and after a nod of recognition went on with his dinner. Don Sebastian indicated a table between Kenwardine and the door, and they sat down.

Jake played with his food, and d.i.c.k had not much appet.i.te, although he partook of the dishes set before him, because he wanted an excuse for occupying the table until Kenwardine had finished. The latter showed no anxiety to get away and now and then kept the steward waiting while he studied the menu. d.i.c.k, who envied his coolness, thought it indicated one of two things: Kenwardine knew he was beaten and was philosophically resigned, or had some plan by which he hoped to baffle his pursuers. Now and then d.i.c.k looked at Don Sebastian inquiringly, but the Spaniard answered with an enigmatic smile.

In the meantime, the pa.s.sengers went away to pack or get ready for a run ash.o.r.e, and at last the saloon was empty except for d.i.c.k's party and Kenwardine. Then Don Sebastian crossed the floor and bowed to the latter.

"It would be a favor if you will take a gla.s.s of wine with us," he said.

"Certainly," said Kenwardine, getting up, and Don Sebastian, who gave an order to a steward, led the way to a corner table where they would not be disturbed.

"You were, perhaps, surprised to see us, senor," he resumed, when the others joined them.

"I was," Kenwardine admitted. "Still, I suppose I ought to have been prepared for something of the kind."

Don Sebastian bowed. "One may understand that as a compliment?"

"Perhaps it is, in a sense. But I certainly did not expect to meet Mr.

Fuller. We are told that his people mean to preserve a strict neutrality."

Jake colored. "I'd have stood out if you had kept your dago friends off my partner. That's what brought me in; but I'm still trying to be as neutral as I can."

"Senor Fuller has informed us that he means to see you get fair play,"

Don Sebastian interposed.

"Well, he has my thanks for that, and my sympathy, which I think he needs," Kenwardine rejoined with a twinkle. "There's no doubt that he owes Mr. Brandon something, and I flatter myself that he rather liked me.

It must have been embarra.s.sing to find that he couldn't be friends with both. However, you had better tell me what you want. My clothes are not packed, and I must land as soon as possible, because I have some business to transact to-night."

"I am afraid you will be unable to do so," Don Sebastian said politely.

"Why?"

"The explanation is rather long, but, to begin with, you no doubt know I was ordered to watch you."

"I must admit that I suspected something very like it."

"The President imagined you might become dangerous to the neutrality of the State, and I learned enough to show that he was right."

"What did you learn?"

Don Sebastian smiled. "I will be frank and put down my cards. I would not do so, senor, if I thought you could beat them."

He began a concise account of the discoveries he had made; showing Kenwardine's a.s.sociation with the German, Richter, and giving particulars about the purchase of the Adexe coaling wharf. Jake leaned forward with his elbows on the table, listening eagerly, while d.i.c.k sat motionless.

Part of what he heard was new to him, but the Spaniard's statements could not be doubted, and he envied Kenwardine's nerve. The latter's face was, for the most part, inscrutable, but now and then he made a sign of languid agreement, as if to admit that his antagonist had scored a point.

"Well," he said when the other finished, "it is a story that might do me harm, and there are parts I cannot deny; but it is not complete. One finds awkward breaks in it. For example, you do not show how the raider got coal and information from the Adexe Company."

"I think Senor Brandon can do so," said Don Sebastian, who turned to d.i.c.k.

Taking his cue from the Spaniard, d.i.c.k related what he had noted at the coaling wharf and learned about the movements of the tug when the auxiliary cruiser was in the neighborhood. His account to some extent filled the gaps that Don Sebastian's narrative had left, but now he came to put the different points together and consider them as a whole, their significance seemed less. He began to see how a hostile critic would look at the thing. Much of his evidence was based upon conjecture that might be denied. Yet, while it was not convincing, it carried weight.

There was a pause when he finished, and Jake was conscious of a strong revulsion of feeling as he studied his companions. In a way, the thin, dark-faced Spaniard and tranquil Englishman were alike. Both wore the stamp of breeding and were generally marked by an easy good humor and polished wit that won men's confidence and made them pleasant companions.

But this was on the surface; beneath lay a character as hard and cold as a diamond. They were cunning, unscrupulous intriguers, who would stick at nothing that promised to serve their ends. Jake knew Kenwardine now, and felt angry as he remembered the infatuation that had prevented his understanding the man.

Then he glanced at d.i.c.k, who sat waiting with a quietly resolute look.

d.i.c.k was different from the others; he rang true. One could not doubt his rather nave honesty, but in spite of this there was something about him that made him a match for his scheming opponent. Kenwardine, of course, had courage, but d.i.c.k was armed with a stern tenacity that made him careless of the hurt he received. Now, though he had nothing to gain and much to lose, he would hold on because duty demanded it. The contrast between them threw a lurid light upon Kenwardine's treachery.

Then the latter said: "You have stated things clearly, Brandon, but, after all, what you offer is rather plausible argument than proof. In fact, you must see that your evidence isn't strong enough."

"It's enough to justify our handing you to the military officers in Kingston, who would, no doubt, detain you while they made inquiries."

"Which you don't want to do?"

"No," said d.i.c.k shortly. "But I may be forced."

"Very well. This brings us back to the point we started from," Kenwardine replied and turned to Don Sebastian. "What is it you want?"

"To know where Richter is, and who supplied him with the money he paid for the coaling business."

"Then I'm sorry I cannot tell you, and you certainly wouldn't get the information by having me locked up, but perhaps I can meet you in another way. Now it's obvious that you know enough to make it awkward for me to carry on the Adexe wharf, and my help is necessary for the part of the business you object to. If I retire from it altogether, you ought to be satisfied."

The Spaniard did not answer, and while he pondered, the beat of a launch's engine came in through the open ports. Kenwardine lighted a cigarette, spending some time over it, and as he finished the launch ran alongside. There were footsteps on deck, and a few moments later a steward entered the saloon.

"We are going in," he announced. "Will you have your luggage put on deck?"

"You can take ours up," said Don Sebastian, who indicated Kenwardine.

"Leave this gentleman's for the present."

Kenwardine did not object, but Jake, who was watching him, thought he saw, for the first time, a hint of uneasiness in his look. Then Don Sebastian got up.

"I must think over Senor Kenwardine's suggestion, and you may want to talk to him," he said, and went out.

When he had gone, Kenwardine turned to d.i.c.k. "There's a matter I would like to clear up; I had nothing to do with the attempts that seem to have been made upon your life. In fact, I suspected nothing of the kind until you told me about the accident at the dam, but Fuller afterwards showed me that it was time to interfere."

"That's true," said Jake. "Anyhow, I gave him a plain hint, but as he didn't seem able to stop the accidents, I put Don Sebastian on the track."

"You can't with any fairness make me accountable for the actions of half-breeds who hold life very cheap and meant to keep a paying job,"

Kenwardine resumed, addressing d.i.c.k. "You knew what kind of men you had to deal with and took the risk."

"It's hard to see how a white man could make use of such poisonous colored trash," Jake remarked. "But I expect you don't want me, and I'll see what Don Sebastian is doing."

He left them, and there was silence for a few moments until the screw began to throb and they heard the wash of water along the steamer's side.

Then Kenwardine said quietly, "Fuller has tact. There's a matter that concerns us both that has not been mentioned yet. I'll clear the ground by stating that although our Spanish friend has not decided what he means to do, I shall not go back to Santa Brigida. I imagine this will remove an obstacle from your way."

"Thanks for the lead," d.i.c.k answered. "I resolved, some time ago, to marry Clare if she would have me, though I saw that it would mean separating her from you."