“It's possible, of course.” Across the desk the eyes of the two men met squarely. “That part of it's easy enough. But why? and who's going to pay for it?”
“I'm going to pay for it! What did you suppose?” exploded Blair. “It's worth that and a lot more to me just now to keep her from getting away. Oh, I'm in earnest all right. I mean it! Look here! Can't you see how that woman can be a perfect gold mine to me? You know enough about my work to understand that I'm really out here after Indians myself, and she—well, I'll wager a cool thousand there isn't a spot on this whole island that ever dreamed of seeing an Indian that she doesn't know all about!”
The clerk nodded. “But—”
“But nothing!” Impatiently Blair brushed aside all objections. “Why, I hadn't the remotest idea how I was going to get started. It's a rattling piece of good luck, and we'll fix it up right now!”
“Yes, but—” Still the other man hesitated. “It sounds all right enough,—from your end of it especially, but you'd better see her first. She's a proud little piece,—doesn't like obligations of any kind,—and a stranger,—a man—I'm sorry to discourage you, but I don't believe she'll have a thing to do with it.”
In Blair's eyes impatience threatened to become something more emphatic.
“It's a business proposition pure and simple,” he argued. “She gives me all the information she's been able to get together, and I pay her expenses while she does it. That gives her a chance to finish her own work, don't you see? A mighty good proposition for her, too, I should say, and if she doesn't see it that way herself,—why,—well, she isn't as intelligent as she looks, that's all!”
“Providing you can persuade her it is just business. I'd advise you to talk with her first, just the same. And you'll have to be quick about it, too. She's planning to wait in the village tonight for the morning boat, and she'll be starting down about now.”
Outside was one of those radiant nights intended for dreams and the makers of dreams. Over an ocean white with light long breakers rolled crests gleaming with silver that fell in soft thunder on the beach. Miss Hastings, hurrying along the board-walk to the village, glanced at them and looked quickly away.
“Oh, I say!” came a voice out of the darkness behind her, “if you don't mind, hold on there a minute, will you? Wait for me, please!” The voice was that of a man, pleasant, but exceedingly determined. Without so much as turning her head Miss Hastings quickened her steps.