“Yes,” exclaimed the old man excitedly, “that is it! Bien, I told no one of my discovery of years before. I had never had money enough to get the title to it. Besides, I was afraid. But when it seemed that I might soon have use for it I sold my finca for funds and had Lázaro apply through Don Mario for title to a mine called––called––”
“The Chicago mine,” said Josè, again coming to the rescue.
“Just so! Bien, Lázaro got the title, which I never could have done, for at that time Don Mario would not have put through any papers for me. I then had the unsuspecting Lázaro transfer the title to me, and––Bien, I am the sole owner of La Libertad!”
Reed examined the paper at some length, and then handed it back to Rosendo. “Can we not talk business, señor?” he said, speaking with some agitation. “I am so situated that I can float an American company to operate this mine, and allow you a large percentage of the returns. Great heavens!” he exclaimed, unable longer to contain himself, “it is your fortune!”
“Señor,” replied Rosendo, slowly shaking his head, “I want no share in any of your American companies. But––your friend––he has suggested just what has been running through my mind ever since you came to Simití.”
Josè’s heart suddenly stopped. The wild, terrifying idea tore through his fraught brain. He turned quickly to Reed and addressed him in English. “No––no––it is impossible! The old man wanders! You can not take the girl––!”
“Certainly not!” ejaculated Reed with some warmth. “Such a thing is quite out of the question!”
“Stuff!” exclaimed Harris. “Now look here, Mr. Priest, Reed’s wife is in Cartagena, waiting for him. Came down from New York that far for the trip. Kind of sickly, you know. What’s to prevent her from taking the girl to the States and placing her in a boarding school there until such time as you can either follow, or this stew down here has settled sufficiently to permit of her returning to you?”
Reed threw up a deprecatory hand. “Impossible!” he cried.
“But,” interposed Harris exasperatedly, “would you leave the ravishing little beauty here to fall into the hands of the cannibals who are trailing her? Lord Harry! if it weren’t for the looks of the thing I’d take her myself. But you’ve got a 337 wife, so it’d be easy.” He leaned over to Reed and concluded in a whisper, “The old man’s going to make a proposition––listen!”