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I shall be safer, too, after President Paredes has marched with his army for the Rio Grande. So I hope for war. Anyhow, the commander at Vera Cruz is a friend of mine." "I guess I understand," said Ned. "I heard what you said about the way things are going. But what did you mean about our being in the Nicholas Channel? What has that got to do with it?"
Silas Blackburn walked to the fire, and stood with his back to the smouldering logs. In this light he had the pallor of death the lack of colour Bobby remembered beneath the glass of the coffin. The old man, always so intolerant and authoritative, was no longer sure of himself. "Why do you talk about ghosts?" he whined. "I I wish I hadn't waked up." Paredes sank back in his chair.
"Can you account for Silas Blackburn's return?" the doctor asked eagerly. "That's right, Doctor," Paredes said. "Stick to the ghosts. I fancy there are plenty in this house. I'm afraid we must look on Silas Blackburn as dead." "You don't mean we've been talking to a dead man?" Katherine whispered. "Before I answer," Paredes said, "I want to have one or two things straight.
Graham drew a chair between Paredes and the doctor. Bobby lounged against the mantel, trying to find in the Panamanian's face some clue as to his real feelings. But Paredes's eyes were closed. His hand drooped across the chair arm. His slender, pointed fingers held, as if from mere habit, a lifeless cigarette. "Asleep," Graham whispered.
I am not aware that modern history presents a parallel case in which in time of peace one nation has refused even to hear propositions from another for terminating existing difficulties between them. Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties, even at a remote day, or of preserving peace with Mexico, could be cherished while Paredes remained at the head of the Government.
"I'm right so far, am I not, Jenkins?" Jenkins bobbed his head jerkily. "Then," Paredes went on, "you might answer one or two questions. When did the first letter that frightened your master come?" "The day he went to Smithtown and talked to the detective," the butler quavered. "You can understand his reflections," Paredes mused. "Money was his god.
Wiser men than he, looking at the matter from the outside, might also have understood how greatly it was to the credit of President Paredes that he was making so good a stand against the power of the United States while hampered by so many difficulties.
The Cedars was too quiet. What had happened since he and Paredes had left? "Katherine! Hartley!" he called. He heard running steps upstairs. Katherine leaned over the banister. Her quiet voice reassured him. "Is the doctor with you?" He nodded. Paredes yawned and lighted a cigarette. He settled himself in an easy chair. Bobby and Doctor Groom hurried up. Katherine led them down the old corridor.
"Miss Perrine aroused you. This foreigner Paredes was awake and dressed and in the lower hall." "I think he was in the court as we went by the stair-well," Graham corrected him. "I shall want to talk to your foreigner," Robinson said. He shivered. "This room is like a charnel house. Why did Howells want to sleep here?" "I don't think he intended to sleep," Graham said.
"You must answer," Graham urged. "I don't see that it makes the slightest difference," Paredes drawled. "What has it got to do with the case as it stands to-night?" Robinson snapped at him. "You keep out of it. Don't forget there's a lot you haven't answered yet." Silas Blackburn looked straight at Bobby. Slowly he raised his hand, pointing an accusing finger at his grandson.
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