“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!
CHAPTER IX. THE LAST WARNING
DUSK had fallen. Two men stepped into the glare of the street lamp that lighted the front of Alvarez
Legira's residence. One bore the features of Legira. The other was the consul's secretary, Lopez.
Together, the men ascended the brownstone steps and entered the house.
They did not speak as they went up the stairs to the second floor. Perry Wallace, in his part of Alvarez
Legira, had become solemn and taciturn. Lopez, also, indulged in very little conversation. The secretary
seldom became loquacious in English, for he had little occasion to converse in the tongue.
