“You see?” he questioned in a low voice. “See there? It empowers us, as agents, to deal as we see best—”
“Certainly,” interposed Hendrix. “Nevertheless, it calls upon our mutual satisfaction with any proposed arrangements. I am simply considering the limits of my power, Legira.”
“Ah!” Legira’s voice was triumphant as he snatched a paper from the pile that Hendrix was holding. “You have forgotten this, Mr. Hendrix! You will remember that it was in those papers which I submitted with my plan!”
Hendrix looked at the paper. It bore the wording of a receipt, stating that Alvarez Legira had been intrusted with the funds supplied by the New York financiers.
“Yes,” mused Hendrix, “I had forgotten this. I recall it now; we had it so that I or any other agent who might take the money to Santander could deliver it to you there—”
“It does not mention Santander,” interrupted Legira. “That paper was intended for such a situation as this, Mr. Hendrix. If you will deliver the money to me, as I have just requested, I shall sign that document, and thus relieve you of all responsibility.”
Hendrix was weakening. The discovery of the special paper among the other documents was a clinching argument for Legira. With the tables swinging in his favor, the South American used all his natural gift of persuasion.
“It is a matter of mutual trust and confidence,” he declared serenely. “You were chosen by your friends; I was chosen by mine. I foresaw that the final negotiations in this matter could best be handled by two men who saw alike.”
“Where were you when I called you by phone?” demanded Hendrix suddenly. “Who is Lengle?”
“Lengle is myself,” smiled Legira. “Surely, you must understand the situation, Mr. Hendrix. When I realized that it would be necessary for me to go in person to Santander, I did not engage a passage in my own name.”
“Why not?”
“Because I was not sure of you. The word might have reached my country that I was coming there — then I would not appear. That would be very bad. It would create an impression of uncertainty. So I signed as Lengle — Albert Lengle — and called you afterward.
“When I learned that you were out of town, I decided it would be best to remain as Lengle at the Corona Hotel. I have been very careful while there, for I must not be recognized. You understand?”
“I don’t like it,” said Hendrix bluntly.
“Perhaps it is because you do not understand our ways,” remarked Legira. “In Santander, there has been much intrigue. We of that country know well that we must be careful in our dealings. I am giving you assurance that all is well. It would be a great mistake for you to have doubts, Mr. Hendrix. My plans are made. Why should they be destroyed?”
HENDRIX folded his arms and looked dubious. He stared at Legira, and the South American met his glance with a frankness that was disarming. It seemed that Legira had a faculty for reading the thoughts of others.
“You are wondering about my appearance,” said the South American, stroking his roughened chin. “Ah, Mr. Hendrix, you forget that I have been staying at a hotel, wondering when I should hear from you — waiting in anxiety.”
Hendrix nodded. His doubts were fading. He felt that he was confronted by a difficult problem.
He could not well refuse Legira’s request. It would not be wise to consult with other members of the financial group. Hendrix wanted a middle ground; and he found it.
“All right, Legira,” he said suddenly. “I can let you have the funds. How soon do you need them?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Where do you want them delivered?”
“I shall call for them.”
“Alone?”
“No. With my trusted man, Francisco.”
“Very well.”
Hendrix called Jermyn. He gave the man certain telephone numbers to call. As each of the numbers were obtained, Hendrix took the telephone and gave orders to subordinates. Legira looked on, calmly enjoying this display of efficiency, the manner in which the financier was arranging for the accumulation of ten million dollars in cash and government bonds.
At length, the work was ended. Hendrix turned to Legira and indicated the paper which served as a receipt.
“It would be best for you to sign this before you leave,” said the financier. “I have arranged for the funds to be delivered to you at the Baltham Trust Company, tonight at nine o’clock. I shall give you a signed order.
“You should leave here at quarter past eight. You can wait until then before signing the receipt. Unless, of course, you feel that you should not sign the receipt until you have actually received the funds.”
Legira reached for the paper. He took a pen and affixed his signature to the bottom of the sheet.
“Your word is sufficient, Mr. Hendrix,” he said. “I consider the funds as already in my possession. I am satisfied.”
Hendrix nodded in acknowledgment of the confidence which Legira felt. Everything had been done in fair fashion. Legira had heard the discussion of all the arrangements.
“You will receive the ten million from Roger Cody,” declared Hendrix. “Since you have signed the receipt, I shall give you the order now. Cody is my representative who will be at the Baltham Trust Building. He will have the funds in a special box.”
“Excellent,” said Legira. “Now, I shall call my servant, Francisco. He is not at my residence. He left a few days ago. May I use your telephone?”
“Certainly,” said Hendrix.
While Legira was calling, Hendrix leaned over the desk and began to write the order to Cody. He inscribed a few paragraphs; then crumpled the paper and threw it away. He began again, and concluded the work. Legira finished phoning; Hendrix blotted the paper and gave it to the South American.
“Come,” said Hendrix, in a friendly tone. “You will be my guest until quarter past eight. We can have dinner served here. Let us go into the library. Perhaps you would like to see its unusual arrangements.”
Legira smiled as he accompanied the portly financier. He had good reason to feel elated. His persuasion had accomplished much to-day.
Legira, as a schemer, felt a marked superiority over Hendrix, whose negotiations were all conducted in a methodical, open manner. It had been an easy triumph. Hendrix and Jermyn! In Legira’s estimation, they were two simple souls who could not hatch even the ingredients of a conspiracy.
In that, the suave South American was mistaken. For while he and Hendrix were strolling through the spacious apartment, Jermyn was busy back in the office. The solemn-faced servitor was opening the crumpled paper that Hendrix had written and then tossed aside.
Instead of an incomplete order to Roger Cody, Jermyn discovered definite instructions.
Communicate with Martin Powell. Tell him to be here by eight fifteen. Important.
Also call Cody. Tell him funds must not be delivered until after nine o’clock. Hold until that time.
Jermyn indulged in a smile as he tossed the paper in the wastebasket. He had heard all that had passed between Hendrix and Legira. Now, by a simple and effective method, the financier was planning to frustrate Legira’s schemes, should they be false.
Between eight fifteen and nine, Hendrix would confer with Powell. Should the financier and the investigator decide against Legira, the suave consul from Santander would be balked. One word to Roger Cody, over the telephone, would end any scheme for possession of the funds.
Yet Hendrix was managing this so artfully that Alvarez Legira could not possibly suspect the doubts which the financier still maintained!