He turned quickly to Sydney. "The only obstacle between the transfer of the arms and success was the activity of an American consulate. Those lighters were not to carry goods to other islands. They were really destined for Mexico. It was profitable. And the scheme for removing opposition was evidently safe."
Kennedy was holding up another bottle of keratin and some fruit seeds.
"I found these in a room in the hotel," he added.
I did not comprehend. "But," I cut in, "the hand-bag—the dinner—what of them?"
"A plant—a despicable trespass on hospitality—all part of a scheme to throw the guilt on some one else, worthy of a renegade and traitor."
Craig wheeled suddenly, then added, with an incisive gesture, "I suppose you know that there is reputed to have been on one of these hills the headquarters of the old pirate, Teach—'the mildest manner'd man that ever scuttled ship or cut a throat!'"
Kennedy paused, then added, quickly, "In respect to covering up your gun-running, Whitson, you are superior even to Teach!"
XII
THE SUNKEN TREASURE
"Get story Everson and bride yacht Belle Aventure seeking treasure sunk Gulf liner Antilles."
Kennedy and I had proceeded after a few leisurely days in St. Thomas to Porto Rico. We had no particular destination, and San Juan rather appealed to us as an objective point because it was American.