"That's a good idea," said he, and he sat down at once and began to figure out the expense. "A couple of hundred dollars will do it."
"Not well," said I.
"We don't want it done well," said Juan. "Two men on a plank will, be enough. A couple of hundred dollars is too much. Half that will be quite sufficient. By the way"--and he sat with his pen poised--"just run after--her--and tell her that Vandeleur is landing to-morrow at Trinidad. I invented some business for him there."
He bent down over the desk. His back was towards the door. As I turned the handle, someone was opening it from the other side. It was Olivia Calavera.
"I came back," she said, with the colour mantling in her face. "You see, I am going away to-morrow--and I hadn't said 'Good-bye.'"
Juan must have heard her voice.
"Please go and give that message," he said sharply. "And shut the door! I don't want to be disturbed."
Olivia drew back quickly. I was amazed to see that she was hurt.
"His message is for you," I said severely. "Harry Vandeleur lands at Trinidad to-morrow."
"Thank you," she said slowly; she turned away and walked as slowly down the passage. "Goodbye," she said, with her back towards me.