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Updated: May 26, 2025
The promised coal had not arrived, and, as fuel was running very short at the concrete mill, Dick had gone to see that a supply was sent. It was late when he reached Adexe, and found nobody in authority about, but three loaded lighters were moored at the wharf, and a gang of peons were trimming the coal that was being thrown on board another. Ahead of the craft lay a small tug with steam up.
We cannot, for example, have it claimed that we allowed a foreign power to buy a coaling station and use it as a base for raids on merchant ships." "Have the Germans bought the Adexe wharf?" Don Sebastian shrugged. "Quién sabe? The principal has not a German name." "Isn't Richter German?" "Richter has gone. It is possible that he has done his work.
Commercial and political jealousies were very keen, and citizens of all ranks fought and schemed against their neighbors. The place was rank with plots, but it was hard to see how he could be involved. Yet it certainly began to look as if he had been stabbed by Oliva's order, and Oliva was now employed at the Adexe coaling wharf. This seemed to throw a light upon the matter.
To go on would bring him into conflict with Kenwardine, and perhaps end in his losing Clare, but he must go on. For all that, he would leave the Vice-Consul alone and trust to getting some help from his employer's countrymen. If it could be shown that the enemy was establishing a secret base for naval operations at Adexe, he thought the Americans would protest.
Stuyvesant granted it and Dick resumed: "Do you mind giving me a blank order form? I'm going to Adexe, and the storekeeper wants a few things we can't get in Santa Brigida." Stuyvesant signed the form. "There it is. The new coaling people seem an enterprising crowd, and you can order anything they can supply."
Dick hired a mule and took the steep inland road; but on reaching Adexe went first to the sugar mill and spent an hour with the American engineer, whose acquaintance he had made. Then, having, as he thought, accounted for his visit, he went to the wharf and carefully looked about as he made his way to the manager's office.
"Well," he said when the other finished, "it is a story that might do me harm, and there are parts I cannot deny; but it is not complete. One finds awkward breaks in it. For example, you do not show how the raider got coal and information from the Adexe Company." "I think Señor Brandon can do so," said Don Sebastian, who turned to Dick.
Their fuel was nearly exhausted, for owing to strikes and shortage of shipping Fuller had been unable to keep them supplied. "Then you have got some coal? As there's none at Santa Brigida just now, where's it coming from?" "Adexe. Four big lighter loads. Stuyvesant has given orders to have them towed round." "I understood the Adexe people didn't keep a big stock. The wharf is small."
Before he had gone far the tug steamed towards him with the other barges in tow, apparently bound for Adexe. "It is not possible to go on," the skipper hailed. "Give me a rope; we take the lighter." "You shan't take her to Adexe," Dick shouted. "We want the coal." Though there was danger in getting too close, the captain let the tug drift nearer. "We bring you the lot when the wind drops."
"Then I'm sorry I cannot tell you, and you certainly wouldn't get the information by having me locked up, but perhaps I can meet you in another way. Now it's obvious that you know enough to make it awkward for me to carry on the Adexe wharf, and my help is necessary for the part of the business you object to. If I retire from it altogether, you ought to be satisfied."
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