The Kidnapped President

an sprang to his feet

n, but that you were expected back this evening. Doubtless you are surprised at seeing me, but when I tell you everything, I fancy your

urhood I could not for the life of me imagine. But when I remembered the questions he had put to me on board the Pernambuco, I began to fe

Harveston, played you a shabby trick af

ear he has not only lost me my berth, but that he has prejudiced other owners against

wered. "At the same time I must confess that I am n

ivil thing to say, is it?" I inquired with some asperity, for,

will tell you why. Do you remember that story I told you on board, a

of one of the Republics of

, the sa

ctly," I replied. "But what

strong notion that if he could only get his rival out of the country

hat seems to me to be the question. Besides, it's one of the rules of

In this affair, if the man cannot be induced to go o

ky concern, I

of buying Mexican Rails or English Consols, backing a racehorse, or going a long railway journey.

, in a remarkably short space of time, standing against a wall, with your eyes bandaged, and half

, as if it were a point worthy of consideration. "Still

seems wonderful now that I should not have thought of it, I ha

the air, and bestowing an approving glance at his exquisitely made boots. "I think when I had the

very different matter. I've lost my position, and with it has gone my hope of soon being made a

nt," he answered. "May I ask what capital y

ed a year," I replied. "I'm not a man with big no

say ten thousand pounds? You are certainly

t the present moment I stand as much chance of getti

hen he looked at me out of half-closed eyes, and eventually added:

taught me that our fellow-man does not pay away ten thousand pounds u

sting with me," I replied, when I had recovered

l. I very rarely do so. I say definitely that it is in my power to put that

at? That may make

a very simple one. All I require in exchange for the ten tho

t of the South American Republic, whom you call your friend, is in reality y

nod

ne that you should happen to be disengaged at this particular time. Had you not been, I should have made you an offer, in the hope of having been able to induce you to leave the Company's service, and to join me. That would have been unfortunate, and it might very probably have given rise to suspici

eplied. "I have had no experience in such affairs

, "that is to say, not in the sense you mean. All I am going to ask of you is the exercise o

n the deportation of your rival from the

and it is for this that I am willing to pay the sum of ten thousand pounds, which

eplied. "I have never dreamt that I should be

our decision as quickly as possible, for the reason that, if you don't like the thought of taking on the work, I must f

then informed him that, before I could give him a

he had consulted his watch. "Won't you dine with me? We could talk the matter over

l the Don had made to me. It seemed almost impossible that I, quiet Dick Helmsworth, should be asked to undertake the abduction of a South American President. So far, I knew next to nothing of Don Guzman's scheme; but I had a very fair idea of the risk I should be called upon to run. Ten thousand pounds was a very large sum; but would it be large enough to compensate me for what I should have

y. "You want a little cheering up after the trou

last voyage, that he was a Spaniard, and

d I cannot say that I liked him. Your father did not consider him trustw

ocent little remark had set my imagination working. What if Don Guzman should be hoodwinking me, and that there was more behind his offer

me with much politeness, and we presently sat down to our meal together. During its progress nothing was said regarding the scheme we had discussed an hour before. The Don did the honours of the table with the greatest courtesy, and in numerous little ways showed me th

n a brilliant one, and the last faint tints still lingered in the sky. Under the bridge the river stole noiselessly on its way to the sea; the swallows darted up and down its glassy surface as if they were resolved to make the most of the waning daylight; while, soft and low, from a

Guzman, when we had seated ourselves on the stone balustrading o

s, and to know exactly what will be required of me, before I shall be able to give you a definite decision. Remembe

I begin, I can rely upon your treating the matter as strictly confidential, can I no

my word that whatever you may say to me r

of Government himself. The name of that man is Manuel Fernandez; he is about fifty years of age, of iron physique, and I will do him the credit of saying, of indomitable courage. His subjects do not love him, but they fear him, which is much more to the point. Whether I was loved or not I am unable to state, but the fact remains that a large number of the population are most anxious that I should return to them to take up my former position. This I am very anxious to do, but I do not see how I am to accomplish it unles

opose to get him o

ympathizer of mine in the United States. He has offered to lend her to me for the purpose in hand. Now, if you are willing to assist me, you might go out to the West Indies, join her at Barbadoes, and board her in the capacity of a rich Englishman. You steam away to Equinata, and go ashore, in order to stud

aningly, and I gathered

to happen t

you, land him, and place him with some people who will take charge of him until s

about the officers and men of the yacht? How will you prevent the

k," the other replied. "You need have no fear t

to make. Supposing I am cau

and," he answered; "but that, of course, is your own

isk," I answered. "I have the gir

ry her on your return to England," he re

tion; if it were not for that, I'd have nothing to do wit

u can help. As I said a few minutes ago, if you don't care ab

when will it be necessary

way to doing so, I should like you to leave by next week

I give you my answer to-

cheque for five thousand pounds shall be handed you at once, and the remainder on the day you deliver

eplied. "I could not wi

at the organ in the chancel, the light from the two candles on either side illumining her face. When the practice was at an end, she dismissed her boys and came down to join me. Then, bidding the old verger a good-night, we made our way home together. She inquired how I had enjoyed my dinner, and what my friend had had to say to m

ough he does monopolize your society. I know you will transact the business beautifully, and then perhaps it may lead to

ed; "but I have not yet decided whet

tates," she continued. "I know that wh

d to declare I would have nothing whatsoever to do with it. But the money and the knowledge tha

I were caught, no power on earth could save me. My own Government would certainly not interfere in such a matter, while Don Guzman would, far from taking any responsibility, in all probability, repudiate entirely any connection with me and the affair. Then, from

prang from my bed, "I'll do it! Come wh

pe in the garden, and had given the matter a bit more consideration, set off for the inn where Don Guz

e shook hands, "what

accept your pr