Dick nodded. Their fuel was nearly exhausted, for owing to strikes and shortage of shipping Fuller had been unable to keep them supplied.
“Then you have got some coal? As there’s none at Santa Brigida just now, where’s it coming from?”
“Adexe. Four big lighter loads. Stuyvesant has given orders to have them towed round.”
“I understood the Adexe people didn’t keep a big stock. The wharf is small.”
“So did I, but it seems that Kenwardine came to Stuyvesant and offered him as much as he wanted.”
Bethune lighted his pipe. “Yes, Kenwardine. As the wharf’s supposed to be owned by Spaniards, I don’t see what he has to do with it, unless he’s recently bought them out. Anyhow, it’s high-grade navigation coal.”
“Better stuff than we need, but the difference in price won’t matter if we can keep the concrete mill going,” Dick remarked thoughtfully. “Still, it’s puzzling. If Kenwardine has bought the wharf, why’s he sending the coal away, instead of using it in the regular bunkering trade?”
“There’s a hint of mystery about the matter. I expect you heard about the collier tramp that was consigned to the French company at Arucas? Owing to some dispute, they wouldn’t take the cargo and the shippers put it on the market. Fuller tried to buy some, but found that another party had got the lot. Well, Stuyvesant believes it was the German, Richter, who bought it up.”
“Jake tells me that Richter’s a friend of Kenwardine’s.”