“Reminds me of home, just a little bit,” said Britt, as the tall glasses were set before them.  The Englishman was still clothed in reticence.  His slim, pinched body seemed more drawn up than ever before; the part in his thatch of straw-coloured hair was as straight and undeviating as if it had been laid by rule; his eyes were set and uncompromising.  Mr. Saunders was determined that the two Americans should not draw him into a trap; after what he had seen of their methods, and their amazing similarity of operation, he was quite prepared to suspect collusion.  “They shan’t catch me napping,” was the sober reflection of Thomas Saunders.

The Enemy planted the mint in its bed of chipped ice.  “The sagacity that Taswell Skaggs displayed in erecting an ice plant and cold storage house here is equalled only by John Wyckholme’s foresightedness in maintaining a contemporaneous mint bed.  I imagine that you, gentlemen, are hoping to prove the old codgers insane.  Between the three of us, and man to man, how can you have the heart to propose anything so unkind when we look, as we now do, upon the result of their extreme soundness of mind?  Here’s how?”

Selim passed the straws and the three men took a long and simultaneous “pull” at the refreshing julep.  Mr. Saunders felt something melt as he drew the subsequent long and satisfying breath.  It was the outer rim of his cautious reserve.

“I think we’ll take you up on that proposition to trade mint for cigarettes,” said Mr. Britt.  “Mr. Browne, my client, for one, will sanction the deal.  How about your client, Saunders?”

Saunders raised his eyes, but did not at once reply, for the very significant reason that he had just begun a second “pull” at his straw.

“I can’t say as to Lady Deppingham,” he responded, after touching his lips three or four times with his handkerchief, “but I’m quite sure his lordship will make no objection.”

“Then we’ll consider the deal closed.  I’ll send one of my boys over to-morrow with a bunch of mint.  Telephone up to the bungalow when you need more.  By the way,” dropping into a curiously reflective air, “may I ask why Lady Deppingham is permitted to ride alone through the unfrequented and perilous parts of the island?” The question was directed to her solicitor, who stared hard for a moment before replying.

“Perilous?  What do you mean?”

“Just this, Mr. Saunders,” said the Enemy, leaning forward earnestly.  “I’m not responsible for the acts of these islanders.  You’ll admit that there is some justification in their contention that the island and its treasures may be snatched away from them, by some hook or crook.  Well, there are men among them who would not hesitate to dispose of one or both of the heirs if they could do it without danger to their interests.  What could be more simple, Mr. Saunders, than the death of Lady Deppingham if her horse should stumble and precipitate her to the bottom of one of those deep ravines?  She wouldn’t be alive to tell how it really happened and there would be no other witnesses.  She’s much too young and beautiful to come to that sort of an end.”