Alvarez smiled.  “Our climate is unhealthy, but if you had died and suspicion was excited, your countrymen would have made the president responsible.  That would have been another embarrassment and I have enough.”

“Galdar’s friends are a cunning lot,” Adam replied.  “Well, I think your doctor has fixed me up for a time.  What about your plans?”

“I had some talk with my supporters last night and we agreed to strike when the Rio Negro’s cargo arrives.  We need the guns and money to pay my troops, and when we get them we will arrest the leading conspirators.  This will start the revolution, but it will fail if my blow is struck before Galdar is ready.”

“Yes,” said Adam.  “We can trust Mayne; he knows he’s got to hustle.  I’ve fixed it for him to get the Spanish money at Havana and that will mean losing a day or two, but the old Rio Negro can hit up a pretty good pace and Mayne won’t spare his coal.  I reckon we’ll hear from him soon.”

Adam stopped and Kit, seeing that it cost him an effort to talk, took the president away.  They met the doctor on the stairs and Kit waited at the bottom until he came down.  Senor Martin was a fat, dark-skinned, Spanish Creole.

“Your uncle is an obstinate man and will not take a hint,” he remarked.  “I had some trouble to save him and he may not escape next time.”

“Then you imagine there will be another time?”

Senor Martin shrugged expressively, “I am a doctor not a politician, but in this country much depends upon the risk of being found out.  Senor Askew is old and not strong.  One must pay for leading a strenuous life and he has had malaria for some years.  He ought to remain in the North.  It is your business to persuade him, but do not disturb him yet.”

“I will try,” Kit said doubtfully.  “You think it needful?”

“If he does not go soon, he will not go at all,” the doctor replied in a meaning tone.

He went away and some time afterwards Kit returned to his uncle’s room.  The shutters were pushed back from the balcony window and the strong light, reflected by the white wall, showed the thinness of Adam’s figure and the deep lines on his face.  His skin was a curious yellow color and his eyes were dull.

“You haven’t been well for some time and the stuff you got last night has shaken you rather badly,” Kit remarked with a touch of embarrassment.  “I think you ought to go back with Mayne.”

“You imagine you can manage things better without me?” Adam rejoined.

“No,” said Kit, coloring.  “It’s a big and awkward job, but perhaps I can manage.  I feel you ought to go.”

“It looks as if the doctor had put you on my track.  He’s been arguing with me.  What did he say?”

Kit hesitated and Adam smiled.  “I can guess, partner, and perhaps he was right.  Well, I’m getting old and have a notion I won’t live long, anyway.  Don’t see that it matters much if I go or stay, and I’ve a reason for staying you don’t know yet.  Besides, I hate to be beaten and mean to put over my last job.”  He paused and gave Kit a steady look.  “There’s one drawback; putting it over may cost you something.”