"It is not a bad idea," he said. "We'll see what can be done."
Andrew then changed the subject.
"How's business generally?"
"Pretty fair; we have made some profitable ventures in South America. You will remember my bringing Señor Piñola down? We made some money out of him."
"How?" Andrew asked without much interest. "The fellow had a dash of the nigger or Indian in him."
"He was Dictator Valhermosa's secret agent."
"Then you supported Valhermosa's administration during the unsuccessful revolution?"
"We did. They wanted to re-arm the troops quietly in preparation; Piñola came over to buy new rifles and machine-guns, and as he couldn't pay ready money we arranged the matter. There was a risk, but we got some valuable concessions as security, and turned them over afterward to a German syndicate on excellent terms."
Andrew's face was grim when he looked up.
"And I gave Piñola two days' shooting instead of pitching him into the nearest bog! To think of Allinson's backing that brute Valhermosa is somewhat of a shock."