The Buccaneer Farmer eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 374 pages of information about The Buccaneer Farmer.

The Buccaneer Farmer eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 374 pages of information about The Buccaneer Farmer.

“He certainly won’t have much money,” Olsen agreed.  “It’s going to cost him all he can raise to turn Alvarez out, but he’ll have something to give at the country’s expense; sugar and coffee concessions, and perhaps monopolies.  If I can get my share, it will pay my employers well and I allow they’re generous.”

He stopped, as if he thought he had said enough, and after ordering another drink looked up with a grin.  Two girls in light dresses had passed the cafe once or twice with a male companion and a fat old woman who wore black clothes.  Kit had not noticed them particularly, because other groups were moving about, but he now remarked that the man had gone and the duena was a yard or two in front.  One of the girls looked round and he thought her glance searched the cafe and then stopped at his table.

“The senorita’s a looker,” said Olsen.  “I wonder which of us she fancies.  She’s been round this way before.”

“I’m not remarkably handsome and there are other people in the cafe,” Kit replied.  “Anyhow, I don’t want to get a jealous senorita’s knife in my back.”

“You’re a blamed cautious fellow,” Olsen rejoined in a meaning tone.  “However, you’ll find me at the casino evenings if you feel you’d like a talk, and now I’ll get along.”

He went off and Kit smoked another cigarette.  He thought Olsen had, so to speak, been sounding him; the fellow had certainly given him some hints.  Kit imagined he had taken a prudent line by keeping the other in the dark about his partnership with Adam and their plans.

When he had smoked his cigarette he crossed the street to the alameda and went up a broad walk beneath the trees.  The sky had cleared, the moon was high, and in front of the openings pools of silver light lay upon the ground.  By and by Kit saw the group he had noticed a few yards ahead.  They were moving slowly and although he walked no faster he soon came up with them.  The girl who had looked into the cafe was nearest and the moonlight touched her face as she turned her head.

Kit gave her a half curious glance and felt some surprise, for he could see her better now and thought her a pure-blooded Spaniard.  The Peninsulares were aristocrats, the girl had a touch of dignity, and her dress was rich.  It was strange if a girl like that was willing to defy conventions and risk an intrigue with a stranger.  Yet he imagined he had seen her smile, and she carried a little bunch of purple flowers in the hand nearest him.  He looked again and saw that she was beautiful and moved with the grace that generally marks the Peninsulares when they are young.  The path was broad and he could keep level with the group without exciting curiosity, but he thought it curious that the fat old woman, who ought to have guarded the others, was in front.

He resolved to go past, and just before he did so the girl gave him a glance that he thought was half amused and half provocative.  Then she turned her head and next moment he saw a flower near his feet.  He noted a faint smell of heliotrope and knew she had dropped the flower for him.  This meant something, although it would not have much significance unless he picked up the heliotrope.  He did not, and walking past with a quicker step, heard a soft laugh.

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The Buccaneer Farmer from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.