Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

358 is this just a social call or a business visit?” ‘““ Both, if you will permit, since I have come to your home, senor,” Ricoro said, his engaging smile growing even broader. “To sit here on your terrace and survey our city—it is wonderful! To speak at the same time of pleasant little business matters—that is better yet! No?” ‘““T should say that it might depend on the business matters.” ‘Of a certainty!” chuckled the amia- ble gentleman. “And these, senores, I think you will find pleasant. I come, with your permission, to buy of you the extensive tobacco interests so ably con- ducted by yourselves.” “To buy theme” “ For cash, senor!” Ricoro went on smoothly. ‘“‘ Why fence, sefores? You know, I know, that the plantations have cost you perhaps one million and a half dollars United States.” “And they’ve been paying dandy in- terest on two millions!” said Girton. “And for that reason, senor, I come to pay you, here and now, in cold cash, as you say, two millions and a quarter!” said the surprising Ricoro. ‘Shall we have the papers drawn this evening and conclude the deal, or may I call in the morning ?”’ An explosion of dynamite in the center of the terrace might have startled them a little more, but very little! This was Ricoro, absolutely tobacco-poor as re- garded ready cash; this was Ricoro, who had scorned their own splendid holdings not two years ago! Steve Girton kicked Hemmett’s foot in the darkness. Mr. Hemmett said simply: ‘‘ Nix!” “TI do not comprehend, senor?” Ricoro inquired. “Tt’s a nice offer, but I don’t think we'll accept it. For one thing, you are not talking actual spot-cash.”’ “ But senior!” cried Ricoro. “ Before ten in the morning, at the National Bank of Guanama, the money shall be handed to you in gold, if you wish!” THE ARGOSY. ‘““Aha? And for another thing, we don’t care to sell. Tobacco-land here is more valuable than ever, and when the tariff in the United States has had a few more changes it’s going to be more val- uable still.” “The offer is not enough?’” ‘‘ Not nearly.” “Two millions and one-half!’ said Ricoro. “Yes, but what’s the idea of it?” Girton rasped. ‘‘ Has somebody found gold on the plantations, or is tobacco going to join ‘the high-cost-of-living performers in some way we don’t sus- pect? What is it?” “It is simply that, having: prospered, I wish to increase my holdings, sefior.”’ After which Ricoro waited silently, giving them the vague impression that his feelings had been wounded, while Hemmett and Girton conversed in that wordless telepathic fashion that comes now and then to men who have known and understood each other through many long, trying years. Ricoro was seeking, of course, to give the affair the aspect of an ordinary big business proposition. Yet an intelligent ten-year-old boy, conversant with Gua- naman affairs, must have known that it was—well, something else. A clairvoyant might have been able to delve into Ricoro’s brain and find the answer; for themselves the certainty re- mained that if their holdings were worth two and one-half millions to Ricoro they held the same value for Hemmett and Girton. “You’ve sprung it suddenly, and at first glance it looks good, Ricoro,” said Hemmett. “ But we’re not trust mag- nates, and we're not used to slinging millions: around like cigars. I’m frank to say that if you offered three millions we should not accept this evening. But when we've had a week to think it over—” ‘“ But a week, senor!” “Well? Why note” The native drew a deep, disappointed breath. MICLOOOK C©