“It was tremendously clever of you to think of it, Mr. Hawley,” the girl said enthusiastically. “Your ingenuity in all probability has saved President Felix’s life. It isn’t likely that Portiforo will feel so much like resorting to desperate measures now.”
“Let us hope not,” Hawley responded quietly.
Something in his tone caused the girl to regard him with great concern. “Has anything happened to make you believe the contrary?” she asked quickly.
“I don’t know,” the Camera Chap answered, with a frown. “I heard a report at the Red Cross Hospital this afternoon which I don’t like. They say there that General Replife, the minister of war, has suffered a relapse, and is not expected to live another twenty-four hours.”
“And you think,” said Virginia fearfully, “that if Replife dies Portiforo may decide that it would suit his purposes to get rid of poor President Felix despite the reassuring news from New York?”
Hawley shrugged his shoulders. “At all events, it will be as well for us not to take any chances,” he said quietly. “You remember that plan for getting the picture that I was telling you about yesterday, Miss Throgmorton? Well, the time has come to carry it out. Under the circumstances we cannot afford to delay any longer.” He lowered his voice. “I have decided to make the attempt to-night.”
CHAPTER XXII.
HIS PLAN.
“I have decided to make the attempt to-night,” the Camera Chap repeated, looking earnestly at the daughter of the American minister to Baracoa. “The more I think about my scheme, the more convinced I am of its practicability.”
“And you will take me as your assistant?” Virginia inquired eagerly.
Hawley hesitated. “Well, I don’t know about that. There would be some danger, and I don’t feel like letting you run any risk. Of course,” he added wistfully, “the danger wouldn’t be so very great. No matter how the venture should turn out, I don’t think they would dare to harm you. The fact that you are a woman, and the daughter of the United States minister, ought to be——”