“That is correct.”
“So I try to work the deal,” continued Ballou, “but Legira stalls. I waited until to-night to make the last
threat. As soon as I come out of the place, I find that Silk Dowdy has trailed Martin Powell. I went to the
phone where I knew Silk would call and he tells me Powell is seeing Hendrix.”
“So you went there, too,” prompted Zelva. “That was both wise and unwise. Wise to learn what was
happening. Unwise because of things that might happen— as they did happen.”
“I thought it was wise,” declared Ballou. “I got in the apartment with a phony key. What do I hear but
Hendrix saying that it's going to be impossible for Legira to get the dough—if his telephone call goes
through.
“I figured then that Powell must have spotted something. Two of them— both bad. I had to stop that
phone call. So I did. Hendrix thought I was Legira. I bumped him and got Powell and the old bird in
addition.”
“And now?” questioned Zelva. “Do you think it will be easy for Legira to get the money now?”
Ballou's face turned blank.
“You killed,” declared Zelva, “because you thought it would help Legira if Hendrix could not speak. By
killing Hendrix, you disposed of the man with whom Legira was to deal. It has probably placed suspicion
upon Legira. It will give him an excuse to ask an extension of time— or to tell you that the whole deal is
ended.”
“I never figured it that way,” said Ballou, in a dejected tone. “I guess it makes it pretty bad. I've bungled
everything.”
“Perhaps,” said Zelva, calmly. “Perhaps not. It means that I shall have to use other methods besides the
simple ones that I had planned at first.”
“You'll let Legira wait?”
“No!” Zelva's tone was emphatic. “Legira is a danger to me. He cannot connect me by proof with this
matter, but he may suspect me. If he cannot secure the money before the time he has been given, then it
will be his end.”
“To-morrow at midnight?”
“Yes. Unless Legira has called you before that time, strike as you have told him. Wait at the Hotel
Oriental, just as you have planned. Then do your work.”
“That will queer the deal.”
“Did you stop to think that it would make trouble in any event? When I send threats, they are not idle
ones. Legira must arrange to have that money before midnight. Otherwise, we strike—and then—”
“And then?”
“After that,” smiled Zelva, “the government of Santander will hear from Rodriguez Zelva, who will kindly
offer to arrange affairs with the New York financiers!”
BALLOU'S eyes blinked in admiration. Now he understood Zelva's cunning. The arch conspirator was
trying to work through Legira because it appeared to be the most simple method. But with Legira
unwilling to come to terms, the elimination of the consul from Santander would leave the way open for
another alternative plan.
“Rodriguez Zelva,” said the man himself. “That name is important in South America. I have always
chosen to keep it so. None would suspect me. The men in Santander would agree.
“And then, unfortunately, Rodriguez Zelva would be forced to reveal himself as the clever ringleader of a
