"Not a long one, I beg?"
"Oh no," replied Brian jauntily. "A week or ten days. My nephew and I would like to have a shooting trip up the Rio Tinto."
"It is dangerous—very dangerous," declared Ramon Diaz. "And, Señor, we do not want to lose your valuable services just yet."
"Perhaps not," rejoined the Englishman. "But there are other ways of doing that without running risks on the Rio Tinto."
"What do you mean?" demanded the Rioguayan suspiciously.
"For instance, I might have brain fever through overwork," replied Brian. "I feel pretty confident that on my return I can tackle the present perplexing problem with a far better chance of success."
Ramon Diaz considered the matter. He realized that he was in a position to refuse to grant permission. But at the same time, it was too early to show himself in his true colours. He had to make more use of the Englishman's undoubted skill before Rioguay was in a position to throw down the gauntlet to the British Empire. And Señor Strong's request was not unreasonable. He was supposed to be a free agent in the employ of the Rioguayan Government. To thwart him might cause trouble. He had not asked to go for a holiday to San Benito or anywhere in that direction. He wished to go up-country into the wilds beyond which was an impassable mountain chain, or at least impassable except with a train of mules to carry provisions and stores for a prolonged and perilous trek. No, there was no risk as far as Don Ramon was concerned. The Englishman would still be a prisoner in Rioguayan territory.
"Very good, Señor Strong," he said. "We can spare you for ten days. I hope you have good sport. Of course, if you like, we will send along a flying-boat to see how you fare in case your boat meets with a mishap and you are stranded."
"I should be delighted, Señor Diaz," replied Brian, without as much as a flicker of his eyelids. "Say in a week's time. She would be quite able to spot us up the Rio Tinto. I do not suppose we'll ascend for more than thirty kilometres."
The two parted, Ramon Diaz shaking hands with himself at the prospect of being able to verify his suspicions as to what Señor Strong's secret invention actually was; Brian chuckling with satisfaction at the thought that he had bluffed the Rioguayan so neatly.