Those who obeyed his dictates came frequently to his apartment, where he held conferences in this office. Hendrix gave many orders by telephone, and, while he was away, he left matters temporarily in the hands of Jermyn, who was the embodiment of secretarial efficiency.
This afternoon, Hendrix looked about his office; then sat down at a big desk, and began to go through a list of papers that Jermyn had left for his consideration. Hendrix disposed of the papers one after another, making terse statements that Jermyn appeared to understand.
Hendrix stopped suddenly as he came to one penciled notation. Jermyn watched his employer as Hendrix read the sheet a second time. Then the financier swung in his swivel chair and faced his man.
“What did Mr. Legira have to say?” he questioned.
“Just what I have noted there, sir,” replied Jermyn. “He is very anxious to see you, sir. He called the afternoon that you went out of town, and seemed very annoyed when I told him that you would not return for two days.”
“Bah!” ejaculated Hendrix. “Why should he be annoyed? I waited for him one entire week, and heard nothing from him. Why should he become hurried, of a sudden?”
“I do not know, sir. He left that telephone number that I have noted. He wants you to call there and ask for Mr. Lengle. He acted as though it were quite urgent, sir.”
“It is urgent,” declared Hendrix thoughtfully. “Let me see” — he glanced at his watch — “three o’clock. Suppose you call the number, Jermyn. If Legira is there and wants to speak to me, let me know.”
“Very well, sir.”
Jermyn went to a telephone, and put in the call. Hendrix heard him ask for Mr. Lengle. Then the servant spoke to the financier, holding his hand over the mouthpiece of the telephone.
“He wishes to see you as soon as possible, sir. It is Mr. Legira.”
“Tell him to come here!” snapped Hendrix.
Jermyn relayed the message and hung up the telephone.
HENDRIX began to go over other papers, but tossed them aside, and arose from the chair. Pacing the floor, he appeared to be perplexed, and Jermyn watched him with an air of apprehension.
“He wants to see me,” muttered Hendrix. “He is coming immediately, you say, Jermyn?”
“Yes, sir.”
“He did not state his business previously?”
“No, sir.”
“Of course not — of course not. I know his business. Nevertheless, this is a bit odd. Very irregular, Jermyn — very. Our arrangement calls for me to deal with Legira, alone. That is fortunate for him. If the others knew of this delay and this secrecy, there might be objections.”
“Mr. Legira was very secretive, sir,” observed Jermyn. “He asked that I say nothing whatever about his call — that I speak only to you, sir.”
Hendrix nodded and continued his pacing. Then he returned to the desk, and busied himself with other matters. His work was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. Hendrix looked at Jermyn. The faithful underling understood. This must be Legira. Jermyn left to answer the door.
He returned with Alvarez Legira in person. John Hendrix glanced askance at his visitor.
Usually well and smoothly groomed, Legira now formed a marked contrast to his usual self. His clothes were rumpled, his face was poorly shaven, and his mustache was drooping. Yet his smile was suave as he held out his hand to Hendrix.
“A surprise, eh?” he questioned quietly. “Ah, Mr. Hendrix, I am sorry that you were away. It has caused me great inconvenience. Yet it will not matter greatly—”
He paused and looked doubtingly at Jermyn.
“Proceed, Legira,” said Hendrix gruffly. “Jermyn is my confidential man. Do not worry about his being here with me. What do you want, Legira?”
“The time has come for the delivery of the money,” declared the consul solemnly. “The shipment must be made at once — in accordance with our agreement.”
“Very well. Where shall I send it?”
“I do not wish you to send it,” said Legira. “I wish to take it.”
The man’s tone was suave as he began to curl the points of his disarrayed mustache. Hendrix blinked solemnly. Legira smiled. In characteristic fashion, he produced his cigarette holder and a package of cigarettes.
“This is irregular, Legira,” declared Hendrix, in a disapproving voice. “It was my understanding that I was to arrange shipment of the funds when you requested it—”
“That is not entirely correct,” interposed Legira. “The terms of agreement expressly called for final negotiations to be terminated between ourselves. Thus I have given you my definite proposal. I should like to obtain the ten million dollars this afternoon.”
As Hendrix appeared doubtful, Legira became insistent. He pressed his plea with all his accustomed suavity.
“You have confidence in me,” he purred, “just as I have confidence in you. You are the agent of the financiers; I am the agent of Santander. There is reason in my method. Hence I am relying upon you—”
“I should like to know the reason.”
Legira bowed and drew a sheet of paper from his pocket. He laid it upon the desk, and indicated a tabulation with his forefinger.
“You see,” he said, “there are three ships that sail within the next four days. I intend to travel upon one of them. I shall have the money in my custody. Every one of those boats either calls at a port near Santander or connects with another ship that will serve my purpose.”
“Which one do you intend to take?”
“I do not know. That I shall decide later.”
“Legira” — Hendrix spoke in an emphatic tone — “this proposal calls for careful consideration. Our payment of ten million dollars was based upon the belief that there could be no complications in a deal transacted with the government of Santander. Your present actions indicate an uncertainty.”
Legira was cunning in his reply.
“Uncertainty with Santander?” he queried. “Indeed no, Mr. Hendrix. Your man here will tell you that I called you two days ago. Had you been in town at that time, there would have been no difficulty. I had made arrangements then.
“It was you who caused the uncertainty. Because of that, I thought it best to adjust my plans accordingly. I had arranged passage on this ship” — he indicated one on the list — “but I canceled it for fear that I would not be able to communicate with you in time. Canceled passages — with reengagements — are not a good practice, Mr. Hendrix. That is why I have thought it best to be secretive.”
THE explanation was vague and unsatisfactory to Hendrix. Nevertheless, the financier was forced to admit that he had been at fault. He could not question Legira’s present actions, because he himself was somewhat responsible. The shrewd South American saw that he had gained a point. He was quick to press it.
“Why worry, Mr. Hendrix?” he asked quietly. “Nothing has arisen to change our negotiations. You are authorized to give me the money; I am authorized to receive it. I have stated that I wish it now — so that I may ship it as I see best.
“I understand Santander, Mr. Hendrix. False rumors there might lead to difficulties. It has seemed best for me to deliver the ten million dollars in person. That is to your great advantage.”
“Perhaps,” agreed Hendrix. “But it might be best to call another conference.”
“No!” exclaimed Legira. “That would be a grave mistake. We settled our plans when we met before. Steamship sailings have been a trouble to me. One week I was forced to wait for a suitable vessel. Now, I have the opportunity to sail — but you have caused me a delay. It is wise to act at once; to let me do however I have planned.”
Hendrix slowly opened a desk drawer. He took out a stack of papers. He began to go over them, while Legira watched him craftily. Hendrix pondered on a typed agreement. Legira leaned close and indicated certain paragraphs.