“Let us waive that,” replied Reed calmly. “The fact is, you are in a hard way just at present, is it not so?”
“Fellows,” said Ketchim, with an air of penitent humility, “the officers and stockholders of the Molino Company have been grossly deceived and unfortunately––”
“All right,” interrupted Reed, “we’ll pass that. But Harris and I have played square with you. And we are going to continue to do so, and to offer you a possible opportunity to do something for your poor stockholders, and incidentally for yourself and us. The fact is, we do know of another property down there, but we haven’t the title––”
“That makes no difference!” interrupted Ketchim. “I mean, it can be acquired––” striving to restrain his eagerness.
“That’s just the question,” replied Reed. “The title is at present vested in a young Colombian girl, who, unfortunately, is lost. This girl came up to the States with us––”
“Ha!” exclaimed Ketchim, unable longer to hold himself. “Then you broke your contract, for that stipulated that whatever you might acquire there should belong to me! I engaged your services, remember!”
“I believe,” put in Harris dryly, “we were employed by the Molino company.”
“But my mother advanced the funds to send you down there!” cried Ketchim.
“How about the poor stockholders?” queried Harris, with an insinuating grin.