Jake nodded. "You have already warned Brandon that he might be in some
danger in the town."
"That's so. Since then, I reckoned that they were getting after him
here, but we were more likely to hold them up if they didn't know we
knew. That's why I called out to show I thought it was Pepe who was in
the shack."
"Very well," said Jake. "There's nothing more to be done in the meantime,
but you'd better tell me if you find out anything else."
Payne went away and when Dick came in Jake took him into his room and
indicated the blotter.
"Have you torn off the top sheet in the last few days?"
"I don't remember doing so, but now I come to look, it has been torn
off."
"What have you been writing lately?"
"Orders for small supplies, specifications of material, and such things."
"Concrete, in short?" Jake remarked. "Well, it's not an interesting
subject to outsiders and sometimes gets very stale to those who have to
handle it. Are you quite sure you haven't been writing about anything
else?"
"I am sure. Why do you ask?"
"Because, as you see, somebody thought it worth while to steal the top
sheet of your blotter," Jake replied. "Now perhaps I'd better tell you
something I've just learned."
He related what Payne had told him and concluded: "I'm puzzled about
Oliva's motive. After all, it could hardly be revenge."
"No," said Dick, with a thoughtful frown, "I don't imagine it is."
"Then what does he expect to gain?"
Dick was silent for a few moments with knitted brows, and then asked:
"You have a Monroe Doctrine, haven't you?"
"We certainly have," Jake agreed, smiling. "We reaffirmed it not long
ago."
"Roughly speaking, the Doctrine states that no European power can be
allowed to set up a naval base or make warlike preparations in any part
of America. In fact, you warn all foreigners to keep their hands off?"
"That's its general purport; but while I support it patriotically, I
can't tell you exactly what it says. Anyhow, I don't see what this has to
do with the matter."
"Nor do I, but it seems to promise a clue," Dick answered dryly. He
frowned at the blotter and then added: "We'll leave it at that. I've some
vague suspicions, but nothing to act upon. If the thing gets any plainer,
I'll let you know."
"But what about Payne? Is he to hang around here nights with his gun?"
"No," said Dick, "it isn't necessary. But there'd be no harm in our
taking a few precautions."
He stretched his arms wearily when Jake left him, for he had had a tiring
day and had now been given ground for anxious thought. He had not
troubled much about Oliva while he imagined that the fellow was actuated
by a personal grudge, but his antagonism began to look more dangerous.
Suppose the Adexe coaling station was intended to be something of the
nature of a naval base? Munitions and other contraband of war might be
quietly sent off with fuel to fighting ships. Richter, the German, had
certainly been associated with Kenwardine, who had made an opportunity
for telling Jake that they had disagreed. Then suppose the owners of the
station had learned that they were being spied upon? Dick admitted that
he might not have been as tactful as he thought; and he was employed by
an influential American. The Americans might be disposed to insist upon a
strict observance of the Monroe Doctrine. Granting all this, if he was to
be dealt with, it would be safer to make use of a half-breed who was
known to have some ground for hating him.