“Safe? I should say so! And closed-mouthed as a mummy. The course I have named seems the only available one just now. And then I shall wait for Leonard to turn up. He knows how to take care of himself, and I do not doubt that he will put in an appearance soon.”
“Possibly. But he wrote that he was a prisoner, and helpless.”
“Yes, I know; but my conviction is as I have stated. It is not easy to outwit Leonard.”
The merchant’s eyes twinkled, as if experience had filled him with confidence in the pluck, shrewdness, and good judgment of his foreign agent.
“I’ll call Mishler now. You sit in the corner here and look in this ledger.” Mr. Duncan opened a large account-book and spread it on a small writing-table. “If any outsider comes in, you can pass as an accountant in my employ. Don’t look up from your work, and nobody will see your face.”
Carlos took a seat before the table, with his back toward the door, and prepared to bury himself in the columns of figures before him on an instant’s warning.
Mr. Mishler soon entered in obedience to a call from Mr. Duncan.And, as soon as the latter had briefly stated the leading facts of the case, the two great merchants were absorbed in a discussion as to the best means of secreting a fugitive from the law.
A conclusion was at length reached.
Mr. Duncan introduced Carlos to Mr. Mishler.
“You need trouble yourself to make no explanations,” said the latter; “I understand all. I am going out, and in ten minutes you will please follow me and step into a close carriage which will be standing outside.”