Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/191

Rh Oviedo Runtu.… He is in your way, as he is in mine…. And, believe me, I am as sorry for you as for myself."

"That's the man. I can see his hand in it all."

"As I said before, force is out of the question. But though I cannot fight the Bed Ponchos, you can bribe them. They are Quichuas, and any Indian can be bought. That is why I asked if you had any money."

"No, I have none," replied the Marquis, who had been listening to the Dictator eagerly. "We left in a hurry, and I had not time to think of it." "Fortunately, though, I have."

Garcia whistled in a certain manner, and the Minister for Finance came in.

"Where is the war chest?"

"Under the bed, Excellency." The Minister went down on his knees, and dragged an iron-bound box to Garcia's side.

"You may go now."

When they were alone again, Garcia took a little key from his pocket, opened the box, and took out a bundle of bank-notes, which he threw on the table. Locking the box, he pushed it under the bed again, picked up the notes, and handed them to the Marquis.

"Count them afterwards, and pay me back in