It must have cost a small fortune. He carried a
dapper little cane, with which he tapped his former prisoner to
attract his attention.
At sight of him Kirk drew down his brows and said, gruffly:
"Don't poke me with that umbrella."
He turned away, but again Alfarez touched him with the rattan.
"I will spik' wit' you, hombre," he said.
"If you keep jabbing me with that crutch I'll break it, and then
you can't walk home."
Ramen jerked his head toward the square outside in an imperious
fashion, and Kirk, curious to learn the cause of this unusual
excitement, followed him without demur. When they had reached the
street the Spaniard turned with flashing eyes and a mirthless
smile.
"Well!" he said, dramatically.
"Pretty well. How goes it with you?"
"So! You 'ave socceed in your cowardly attemp'."
"My what?"
"I am lose my poseetion as Commandante of Police."
"You don't say so!" Kirk's face broke into a smile of real
pleasure.
"Ha! Makes it you to laugh, then?" exclaimed the Panamanian,
excitedly. "Per'aps you shall answer to those detestable actions,
senor."
"Perhaps! I see you blame me for the loss of your job. Well, maybe
you won't beat up the next American you get your hands on."
"Bot--I 'ave another poseetion!" Ramen exulted.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279