"Here is the payment I promised you for your work in Bank of England notes," he said. "Just run your eye over them, will you, and see that the amount is right?"
A few moments' investigation convinced me that the notes in question amounted to the value of five thousand pounds. As I dropped the bundle into the inside pocket of my coat, I reflected that it would be a big sum to carry about with me continually. As I had no safer place, however, I had to put up with it.
"And now there's a question I want to put to you," I said. "My work is at an end, so when will it be possible for me to leave for England?"
"You can go when you like," he answered. "You will find that I am prepared to stick to my side of the contract as faithfully as you have done to yours. Shall we say the day after to-morrow? If that will suit you, the yacht can take you across to Cuba, drop you on the coast after dark, and you can then find your way to Santiago, or elsewhere, as you please."
"The day after to-morrow will suit me admirably," I replied. "As you may suppose, I am all anxiety to get home. And when do you propose sailing for Equinata?"
"When the yacht returns," he answered. "I desire to get to business as soon as possible."
"And do you still think that you will be successful in your enterprise?"
"Why not?" he asked. "I have run the risk before, and I am going to do so again. I've got some powerful friends at my back, and with one or two of my worst enemies, Fernandez and his niece, for instance, out of the way, I am fairly confident I shall be able to manage it. I suppose it would be no use asking you to come with me? I could make it worth your while to do so."
"I would not go with you for all the money in the world," I answered. "I have had enough of Equinata to last me a lifetime. I never want to see the place again."
"Our tastes differ, I see; for I am as anxious to settle there for the remainder of my existence as you are to remain away from it."