“Señor Fuller has informed us that he means to see you get fair play,” Don Sebastian interposed.
“Well, he has my thanks for that, and my sympathy, which I think he needs,” Kenwardine rejoined with a twinkle. “There’s no doubt that he owes Mr. Brandon something, and I flatter myself that he rather liked me. It must have been embarrassing to find that he couldn’t be friends with both. However, you had better tell me what you want. My clothes are not packed, and I must land as soon as possible, because I have some business to transact to-night.”
“I am afraid you will be unable to do so,” Don Sebastian said politely.
“Why?”
“The explanation is rather long, but, to begin with, you no doubt know I was ordered to watch you.”
“I must admit that I suspected something very like it.”
“The President imagined you might become dangerous to the neutrality of the State, and I learned enough to show that he was right.”
“What did you learn?”
Don Sebastian smiled. “I will be frank and put down my cards. I would not do so, señor, if I thought you could beat them.”
He began a concise account of the discoveries he had made; showing Kenwardine’s association with the German, Richter, and giving particulars about the purchase of the Adexe coaling wharf. Jake leaned forward with his elbows on the table, listening eagerly, while Dick sat motionless. Part of what he heard was new to him, but the Spaniard’s statements could not be doubted, and he envied Kenwardine’s nerve. The latter’s face was, for the most part, inscrutable, but now and then he made a sign of languid agreement, as if to admit that his antagonist had scored a point.