The Washington times., 1911-11-24

~
in a tone Of authority, and his
IL voice was vibrant with right
eous Indignation. = Sparhawk
smiled slightly at the governors sudden
change of front.
II am glad to observe, your excel
lency. that you arc so thoroughly in
earnest in your desire tc get me to work
without further delay" Srarhawk re-
piled. This makes me confident that
when l tell you that want the Gerfal-
con to take me to Moreno, which appar-
o sntley is the base Of construction sup
plies. Your excellency will not refuse
my request"
Don Antonio's newly recovered sedf-
assurance suddenly took flight. This
enigmatical American had him wonder
You want to go to Allariz?" he said
sullenly.
Believe me, 1 have not the slightest
intention of leaving Quincatan. As
chief engineer it is essential that I
make an inspection of the line and get
In touch with the men who are in
charge of the various sections. For
the present I shall regard Moreno as my
BASE
But the headquarters OF the COM
pany are in Valo. 1t is here that the
sions"
Moreno is between the Andes range
end the cordillera. and 1t Is from there
that all mountain work Is to be con-
Quoted. Over this work l want to cx-
ercise personal supervision"
The governor shrugged his shoulders.
That Is quite unnecessary. senor,' he
replied re 3D., The purpose Of the company
fit Of your counsel rather than your
services in the field"
MY counsel would be valueless were
/ not ,ns perfectly ssiS familiar with conditions
Don Antonio was gazing at sparhawk
thoughtfully when the door opened and
McCann entered; The youth placed an
IT isn't ssaied and Mrs sasaS sparhawk
says you can read it," explained Nc
Cam. in his usual gloomy manner.
wait, Bob" said Sparhawk, as he
dressed to Colonel Mosquero.
In this Barbara briefly Informed her
uncle that she was the wife Of James
Sparhawk, and requested him to send
to her as speedily as possible all her
with her to Quincatan. 1t was signed
Barbara Sparhawk."
Sparhawk, handing the letter to Do
Antonio, said: THE colonel may =
request unless he is assured that 1t has
your excellency approval"
The governor scanned the letter hast
lily. II fear senor, that this visit | am
ink and pens" he remarked. but under
Barbaras signature he wrote:
Dear Mosquero-Having learned that
your niece has become s,,tf the wife wife Of
beg Of you to grant her request;
This he gave to ,sparhawk, who after
reading it turned to Mccain. Bob he
said, give this letter to Mayta and tell
him to take 1t at once to Colonel
Mosquero.
The boy went out and for several min
utes no word was spoken by the oc-
who had helped himself to fresh
cigar, was the first to break the silence.
"You already understand, do You no
senior, that the section between Vale and
Moreno is to be completed before that
between Moreno and San Felicidad?"
he asked
Ion Antonio's manner was becoming
distinctly friendly now.
ores" Sparhawk replied. What rea-
sons have Jed you to this decision. I
do not know, of course. It seems to
n however, that vast deal of time
pleting the San Felicidad section.
1--WE could then bring our materials
from San Felicidad by rail to Moreno,
instead of being obliged to transport
them them BY the long water route from
Don Antonio nodded with some degree
of complacency.
What you y,ss say Is perfectly saitfyy true true,
ever, a Certain condition in the affairs
of our republic which. from the point
Of view of the Calistar people, makes it
plain that the Valo section must be
completed first.
"The interests Of the promoters Of the
Calistar railroad are centered in Valo,
which has around 1t the richest mineral
dc Josits in the world. Moreno, in the
l..
S way between W e vaio % and San Feiicidad.
AS civil engineer you will see. Of
course, that the possession Of Moreno
is of the greatest strategical impor-
opening up Moreno to San Felicidad. we
must first open 1t up to Valo."
I'm short, then, fearing that the terri.
tory east Of Moreno Will be invaded
by t6 fTG
tions between Valo ana Moreno. and
put Moreno in strong position OF de-
fense."
ded approvingly. "Senor sparhawk, /
fear / have underrated the ability of
the man Quexores was sending down to
me. regret that my failure to grant
us from getting more thoroughly in
touch with one another before"
Sparhawk bowed gravely, but, putting
his pipe vigorously, he did not reply.
president of our republic, is disposed to
be somewhat rapacious," Don Antonio
went on. His government granted us
a right of way readily enough, but
have some reason to believe that when
the line is completed Munez will try
to obtain possession of it. I presume
our American bondholders would not
insist on exposing us to any such pos
sibility."
Mono" drawled Sparhawk, '1
scarcely think they would stand for
that"
"And So" Don Antonio went on, I'VE
must put Moreno In shape for defense" I"
'Is the cost of the defense of Moreno
to be charged to our construction ac-