"Nothing. We don't want to, because it will raise our taxes. We shall be forced to pay larger contributions to the governor. Caramba! Señor, you do not know this country!"
Strawbridge came to a halt at last.
"Your taxes will be raised if you look prosperous!"
"Seguramente!" affirmed the clerk, excitedly. "To look prosperous is a sort of crime in Venezuela. If we seem too well off, perhaps the dictator will take over our whole business. We dare not risk it. So we keep everything out of sight. That is best."
Thomas Strawbridge stood confounded. He doubted his ears.
"Look here: is that straight goods?"
"It is true, señor," asseverated the little man, solemnly, "if that is what you mean."
"But take your business from you? Take it from you!"
The clerk evidently thought the American did not understand his Spanish, for he elucidated:
"I mean occupy it—receive the money—have the key to the door."