The members of the group shifted their chairs. While they puffed their cigars, Alvarez Legira calmly dangled his cigarette holder from his fingers, and watched them with a beaming smile that betokened his assurance. He looked toward Hendrix.
“Go ahead, Legira,” said the portly man. “We want to hear your summary. Then there will be some questions. Our discussion has been favorable. It’s up to you, now.”
Legira smiled. These men were just the type that he had expected to meet. In appearance, they resembled the standardized pattern of American businessmen whom he had encountered so often since his arrival in New York.
He felt a vast superiority over men of this type. His suavity, his keenness, his clever ease of speech — these were all to his advantage. Legira had a mission with these men, and he could picture himself swaying them by his persuasive arguments.
Yet there were elements present that made his task a mighty challenge. These men were more than ordinary businessmen. They were financiers who represented vast interests. That, in itself, was a factor that required skill and diplomacy of speech. But to Alvarez Legira it was only a secondary matter.
The great challenge to the man from Santander was the tremendous stake that hinged upon tonight’s negotiations. If he could be calm, keen, and persuasive, he would gain his mission. If he should betray anxiety and lack assurance, he would lose.
This thought was uppermost in Legira’s mind as he began to speak. He had come here to ask for something. Before he left, he would have the final answer from this group. That answer would be either “yes” or “no” — without further qualification.
The matter that thus hung in the balance was a sum of money which Legira hoped to receive in return for concessions that he had offered.
That sum was exactly ten million dollars!
CHAPTER II
LEGIRA ANSWERS QUESTIONS
THE silent group of financiers listened with intense interest while Alvarez Legira spoke persuasively. The soft, purring voice of the South American carried a convincing tone.
With keen eyes watching his auditors, Legira unfolded a large map and spread it upon the table. All eyes followed his finger as it indicated the territorial divisions that Legira had marked upon the chart.
“The state of Santander,” explained the consul, “has always been regarded as an important territorial division of the Republic of Colombia. It has at times been practically an autonomous government; at other periods, it has been merely a province of Colombia. It bears a close relationship to bordering territories of Venezuela, leading to Lake Maracaibo, which provides outlet to the Caribbean Sea.
“The Spanish conquerors swept past this district when they drove southward. It was also a scene of strife during the campaigns of Simon Bolivar, the Liberator. Thus the natural resources of Santander have always been neglected.
“We, of Santander, had great hopes that through trade with the United States, we could develop the tremendous mineral wealth that has not, as yet, been touched. Unfortunately, the controversy between Colombia and the United States that followed the affair of the Panama Canal produced a prejudice throughout Colombia.
“Now, through the work of important men in Santander, we have virtually established a new republic, an offshoot of Colombia, with a territorial grant from Venezuela. We have managed to curb the factions that have demanded violent revolution.
“The Republic of Santander is organized for peaceful development and stable government. With the payment of indemnities to Colombia and Venezuela, we shall take our place among the nations of the world.”
As Legira completed his remarks, his face took on the expression of the zealous patriot — a complete change from the air of an intriguing schemer. His quiet, effective tones produced nods of approbation from the listeners.
Legira sensed that he had gained results. He paused and waited for a full moment. Then, in an easy manner, he added:
“We require ten million dollars to assure the independence of Santander. In return for that amount, we shall grant full and exclusive concessions to the American interests which you represent. You have already been presented with the details of the plan. I have summarized my proposal. I await your answer.”
Legira resumed his seat at the end of the table. His languorous assurance returned. He replenished his cigarette holder and leaned back in his chair, puffing away. He was expecting questions; and one came from John Hendrix, the spokesman of the financiers.
“YOUR proposal has been carefully considered,” declared the portly man. “It appears bona fide, Legira. I may add that we have discussed it — confidentially, of course — with certain men well acquainted with affairs in South America. They have spoken in its favor.”
Legira smiled in confident manner.
“In fact,” resumed Hendrix, “we have obtained opinions from certain South Americans, themselves. One man in particular — Rodriguez Zelva — studied the proposal in detail.”
Legira’s eyes opened suddenly at the mention of the name. He stared intently toward Hendrix; then quickly resumed his air of indifference. Only the sharp clicking of his teeth against the stem of the cigarette holder indicated Legira’s momentary perturbation.
“Mr. Zelva,” continued Hendrix, “is a prominent Venezuelan, who is at present in New York. He spoke highly of the Santander plans, and gave us full assurance that the newly formed government would abide by its agreements.”
Legira’s surprise turned to perplexity; then his face assumed an expression of pleased confidence. He smiled as he looked about the group. Then his features froze as he encountered the cold stare of a man seated at the side of the table.
Until now, Alvarez Legira had considered these men as a group, not as individuals. It was with both surprise and alarm that he discovered this one man who was different.
Legira saw a face that was firm and impassive, a countenance as rigid and as impenetrable as his own. The eyes that peered from the masklike visage were inscrutable in their glance. Legira realized that those eyes were searching, watching him with hawkish attitude.
Who was this stranger, so different from the other financiers? What was the meaning of his inscrutable gaze?
Legira was ill at ease. He knew that he had met a man who was more than his match. Was the man a friend or an enemy?
The voice of John Hendrix came in tones that seemed far away to Alvarez Legira. The South American shook himself from the hypnotic stare that had so amazed him, and managed to look toward Hendrix.
“The chief question,” Hendrix was saying, “concerns the manner of these negotiations. Frankly, Legira, the secrecy upon which you have insisted has raised doubts in our minds. You asked me to arrange this meeting at this unusual time, and in this unusual place. We want to know why you have insisted on that point.”
Legira regained his suavity with an effort. He looked about him, taking care to avoid the glance of the hawk-faced man at the side of the table. He spoke with polished dignity.
“Gentlemen,” he declared, “the sum of ten million dollars is vital in the affairs of Santander. All is settled; all is waiting. It is the desire of the new republic’s officials to call an expected meeting of sworn delegates from Colombia and Venezuela; and to pay them in full at that time.
“Talk of negotiations, discussion of money that is on the way — these are elements that might lead to changes of policy on the part of our neighbors. Hence I, alone, have been entrusted with the obtaining of the necessary funds.
“All that has been covered in the proposal given you, although it has not been stated in so many words. It is our desire to bring the final arrangement into the hands of two men — myself as representative of Santander; yourself, Mr. Hendrix, as representative of the American interests.