The League of the Leopard

by Harold Bindloss

  CHAPTER X

  RIDEAU'S BARGAIN

  Some time after Dane's departure, a smartly uniformed hammock trainapproached Dom Pedro's factory. That worthy ceased his leisurely pacingup and down the veranda, and watched the bearers wind out from thesteamy shadow with ill-concealed anxiety, hoping that he might bemistaken. Then as they came on at a steady trot with the poles of thelurching hammock upon their woolly crowns, he stamped on the flooring;and even a sleepy Krooboy started at his vivid maledictions. There wasno longer room for doubt that he was about to be honored by a visit fromhis former partner, Monsieur Victor Rideau, and it was very evident thatDom Pedro was not pleased to see him. His sister, a portly lady, ofdoubtful age, sat in a shady corner of the veranda, but she passed muchof her time in Africa in peaceful slumber, and was now asleep asusual--or appeared so.

  "It is too hot for anger, father," a voice said; and Dom Pedro, turning,saw his daughter leaning languidly over the balustrade. She, too, waswatching the hammock with a curious expression.

  "There is good cause!" Dom Pedro answered, cutting short his flow ofexpletives. "This Rideau comes another time to torment me. Why is itthat when so many honest men die up yonder this one should always comeback safely?"

  "He will not always do so. Some day he, too, will be lost in theforest," said Bonita quietly; and the man glanced at her with hope inhis eyes, for several of his daughter's predictions had curiously beenfulfilled. This may have been due to coincidence, or a shrewdcalculation of probabilities; but Dom Pedro, having lived long in a landwhere occult influences are believed in, was not free from superstition.

  "I would send half, or at least a third, of all I have, to the hospitalin Lisboa if that were so," he declared. "Nina, you speak as though youknew."

  Bonita laughed a little, though there was anxiety in her face.

  "Padre, one might doubt the efficacy of such a bribe. Perhaps I do. Itis money he wants, as usual?"

  "Yes." There was a certain hesitation in the man's answer which did notescape his daughter. "It is, of course, the silver, and I have not muchto give him. You have no regard for this Rideau, nina?"

  Bonita's face was a study. Anger, loathing, and the faintest trace offear were stamped upon it.

  "Regard! I have only hatred for _el perro_!"

  The emphasis on the last word was significant: while it means simplydog, and is used on occasion to designate a person jestingly, theCastilian can, by change of inflection, make it imply a rabid cur of thelowest degree; and Bonita used the epithet in that manner.

  Dom Pedro raised his shoulders, and drew in his breath. He was slightlyafraid of his daughter; but, unfortunately for them both, he was moreafraid of Rideau, and he did not look at her when he spoke again.

  "It is strange the Senor Dane did not return for the book he left,since it shows the path through the forests of Shaillu's country, and hecannot find his way without it."

  Bonita smiled upon him pityingly.

  "You do not know those men as I do. They plan all from the beginning andleave nothing to chance. The Senor Maxwell is a man of system, and hewill have safe in his memory all the book could tell him."

  "They are a curious people," observed Dom Pedro dryly. "One of thosetwo, however, was surely a trifle blind."

  A faint trace of color crept into Bonita's face.

  "It is time for you to receive your guest," she said.

  Dom Pedro did so with the utmost cordiality, his hat in his hand, andthe two men--one of whom despised the other, who feared and hatedhim--expressed their mutual delight at the meeting with greateffusiveness. Bonita Castro watched them meanwhile from a green latticedwindow, and shivered a little, though the day was as hot as it usuallyis at that season in West Africa. She slipped her fingers under thelaces at her breast, and her face was not attractive when they touched alittle piece of wrought silver. It was not a mere adornment, for therewas a slender blade of steel attached to it. Again she said, with anintensity of detestation: "_El perro!_"

  Dom Pedro played chess and discoursed upon the shortcomings of theirrulers with his guest all afternoon, and the five o'clock _comida_ hadbeen eaten before either hinted that Rideau could have any possiblemotive for his visit beyond the pleasure of seeing his former partner.Time has no great value to men of Latin extraction in the tropics; andit is possible that one of them found pleasure in prolonging theother's anxiety. At last, when they sat out on the veranda, the visitor,lighting a maize husk cigarette, thrust his wineglass away.

  "It is always a gratification to see my old friend Dom Pedro, and I havetraveled a long way to give myself that pleasure," he observed; and hishost, knowing how much this was worth, braced himself to meet whatshould follow. "Being here, there is, however, a little affair we candiscuss together. I have an opportunity for a small investment to laybefore you."

  "I am honored, but trade is very bad, and silver scanty," Dom Pedro saidhastily. "I have received no profits yet on the last venture."

  Rideau spread out his palms deprecatingly.

  "They are very dishonest men up yonder in the bush, as you, my friend,should know, and have robbed me shamefully; while it was but an hoursince I rejoiced at your prosperity. I saw the cloth and gin shedsempty--and they were full not long ago."

  Dom Pedro groaned inwardly, but attempted a show of resolution.

  "I repeat that trade is bad. It is, I fear, impossible to oblige evenyou."

  Rideau laughed a little, but his merriment was akin to mockery.

  "I can only hope you are mistaken, and this time there will be a profit.There is also another affair I would discuss with you. I am a man with aconscience, and something we are concerned in up in the bush countrytroubles me. It is told me that these troublesome English make protestwith the Administration that when the Emir invaded their dominions hismen carried good rifles which could only have been obtained from thiscolony. The Captain Oger stated publicly that it is a stain on thenational honor, and there will be strict inquiry. I am a good friend ofDom Pedro, but first of all patriotic Frenchman, me."

  There was no need to speak more plainly, because Dom Pedro understoodhim thoroughly, and inquired forthwith the lowest sum that would set hisvisitor's uneasy conscience at rest. Rideau promptly named it; and thePortuguese, being desirous of gaining time, shook his head.

  "It is impossible. I also have considered about those rifles often," hesaid. "Now I think it would be better for me, being an innocent man, toexplain to the Administration how the Emir robbed me."

  Rideau was not in the least deceived, for he smiled sardonically.

  "Is it not a little late, my friend, and the Commandant is a mostsuspicious man. It is possible he might not believe you, and it is notpermitted to arm even one's carriers for protection with rifles; whilethere is in existence a scroll signed by the Emir and another whichshows a voluntary sale. But you say what I ask is impossible. Well, I'llconsider, and to-morrow may make a more feasible offer. The last time Icame you entertained the sick comrade of the Englishman Maxwell. He hasnot given you any information about Niven's mine?"

  "He did not," said Dom Pedro, with so much earnestness that Rideau didnot believe him, and dismissing the subject, airily proposed anothergame of chess.

  The next morning, Dom Pedro, being perhaps anxious to postpone the evilmoment, set out for a bush village where he stated he had business; andhis guest, feeling sure of his own position, was not wholly sorry tosee him go. It would allow him to enjoy Miss Castro's societyundisturbed, and also, if circumstances permitted, to glance through thebooks in her father's office, which he had long desired to do, with aview to discovering how far the man might be taxed. Dom Pedro was not agood bookkeeper, it is true, but his late partner understood his system,or rather the lack of it.

  An opportunity did not present itself until all the occupants of thefactory had apparently retired, as usual, to sleep in the coolest placethey could find during the heat which follows noon. Rideau slipped intothe iron-roofed room where Dom Pedro kept his accounts. A
s it happened,however, Bonita was rather more wide-awake than usual, and shortlyafterward she also entered the office, to find her guest glancing into abig folio with evident interest. He was in no way disconcerted, andsmiled upon her affably.

  "There was a difference in the weight of the last gums I sent down," heexplained. "I would find the entry before I speak to Dom Pedro."

  Bonita Castro was quick of wit.

  "Then, as I help my father with the accounts, you will give me thedetails," she said.

  Rideau's inventive genius was apparently unequal to the task, for hebowed ceremoniously.

  "It is impossible to consider any question of business in the brightnessof the senorita's presence."

  Miss Castro laughed.

  "You have my full permission. Now, as regards this gum?"

  Rideau seated himself languidly.

  "I am a man of affairs, but I have also sensibility, and shall I troublethe senorita about a bag of gum? To touch those dusty books is adesecration to her fingers."

  "Still, it is of business I wish to talk to you, and you will give meyour attention, senor," said the girl. "You have the power to cause myfather some anxiety."

  Rideau leaned forward a little in his chair.

  "It is true, but I am too devoted a servant of the senorita's to wish todo so. It is for her sake I have concealed an indiscretion of DomPedro's which would excite the anger of the Administration. As I havesaid, I would do very much to win the senorita's approval."

  "But this is very little, and Dom Pedro pays you well," returned thegirl. "The Commandant, who is not a friend of yours, might not credityour story if you told it to him."

  Rideau smiled significantly.

  "It is very little for me to do if it pleases the senorita; but it ismuch for Dom Pedro. You will know there is provided confiscation andbanishment, and even a worse penalty, for selling the Indigene modernrifles, and I have therefore carefully hidden the Emir's agreement andsafe conduct made in the Arabic when he is at war with this colony. Itis misfortune that Dom Pedro has written his name to it."

  Bonita Castro felt a chill run through her, though her face was calm.The man had shown his power plainly, but the desire in his eyes, as hewatched her, caused her greater uneasiness. She could, she fancied, seethe African nature beneath the indifferent veneer of civilization, andshe trembled, knowing that under sufficient pressure her father mightbe capable of selling more than forbidden rifles. Therefore, even if shehad no other motive, it was of the first necessity to lessen that power.

  "Such generosity should not go unrewarded," she said. "You have longdesired the gold you think the Englishman Niven found, but, unless Ihelp you, you will never discover it. Even the man with the cross on hisforehead does not know where the river lies. What would you give for amap showing Niven's road through the Leopards' country? It is so plainthat a child could understand it."

  Rideau's eyes glistened, but he was cautious.

  "There is only one man who can have such a book; and I know he wouldnever part with it."

  Bonita laughed.

  "Yes--the Senor Maxwell. You know he would not part with it? Then youhave tried and failed to obtain it from him? The Senor Maxwell is a veryclever man. Nevertheless, I have the map. Would you recognize that itwas genuine if I showed it to you?"

  Rideau rose carelessly, and strolled toward the window. There was nobodyon that side of the veranda--the compound lay empty under the pitilessheat below, and a slumbrous silence pervaded the factory. There was achange in him when he turned toward the girl, who held out an unfoldedpaper so that he could see a portion of it. The man was usually cunning,but it was not without results that he had inherited a strain of nativeblood, and now the instincts of the savage rose uppermost. Brute passionand unreasoning avarice were stamped on his face. He had hitherto madehis admiration for the girl very plain, and had accepted her rebuffswith the serenity of one strong enough to wait. Now, however, hiscompanion conceived it possible that he intended to retain his hold uponDom Pedro and secure the map as well. It was her person he desired, andwhether her good will accompanied it or not was probably immaterial.

  "The sun has dazzled my eyes, and you will give it to me for nearexamination," he said, and his voice was husky. When she made a gestureof negation, he halted close in front of her with the veins on hisforehead swollen, and one big, dusky hand partly raised.

  Bonita Castro had not studied the native character profitlessly, and sheknew that very little was required to cause those fingers--and they werethe fingers of a negro--to fasten upon her shoulders, or even about herthroat; but she had arranged accordingly. She clapped her hands sharply,and Rideau let his arm drop to his side when a patter of bare feet drewnearer along the veranda. A huge muscular Krooman in white uniform stoodin the doorway, and the girl smiled a little.

  "Call Andres, Pobrecito. Tell him to bring the wine and the last of thesteamer ice; but stay there on the veranda yourself. I may want you. Itis so hot that you will not refuse if I offer you refreshment, senor?"she said.

  Rideau's lips twitched a little, and his face was greasy, but the lookof the African had faded from it, and he might have passed for a nativeof southern France when he bowed.

  "Who could refuse anything offered by the senorita?"

  The wine was brought, and the man, who a few moments earlier might haveposed for a study of avarice and passion debased to ferocity, smiled ashe compared his companion's eyes to the sparkling ocean when he raisedhis glass. Then, while the big negro squatted just outside the doorway,Miss Castro read extracts from the notes on the back of the map.

  "This would be very valuable to a bold man," she said. "What would yougive for it? It is no use offering a small thing."

  "I would give"--the man hesitated--"I would even give the agreement inArabic signed by Dom Pedro and the Emir!"

  "Then it is yours," said Bonita Castro. "Now it is too hot for furtherbusiness, even the underweighed gum. You may sit there and tell me ofyour adventures in the bush country."

  Rideau had a large share of vanity, inherited from both parents, and hewas in no wise reluctant; if Miss Castro failed to believe all he toldher she did not say so. Indeed, she made the man feel that she acceptedhim as a hero, and fooled him so tactfully that he was several times onthe brink of making confidences which might have jeopardized his plans.Fortunately for himself, however, he reflected in time, and did not doso. When at last he withdrew, Miss Castro walked somewhat limply to herroom, and sank down into a basket chair in the manner of one who hasundergone a heavy nervous strain. Her aunt found her there presently,and placed a hand caressingly on her shoulder as she bent over her.

  "This Rideau is a bad man. He has terrified you?" she saidcompassionately.

  "No." The girl's voice trembled, though she smiled. "No, I hardly fearedthe cur. I have sent him to his own destruction. It is my own sin Ifear. I have betrayed the man who trusted me; but still I do not thinkhe will suffer from my treachery."

  The elder lady shook off her somnolent expression, and noddedsagaciously.

  "The big Englishman who was sick?--I comprehend," she said. "I do notask questions; but take comfort if it was for your father, nina. Also,that Englishman is not clever, but he is very stubborn and strong, and Ido not think it will be well for Rideau if he interferes with him."

  When Miss Castro found Dom Pedro alone in his sweltering office thatnight she said to him: "Here is a present, father. I have drawn thedog's teeth."

  Dom Pedro's eyes glistened as he clutched at the scroll handed him,then, though he first burned it over the lamp, his forehead grewfurrowed, and his jaw fell.

  "The cur may have other teeth left, and is of the blood of the African,"he said. "Twice I repulsed him when he spoke of marriage. Little one,you have not sold yourself for this?"

  The man positively quivered with impatience, but the girl laughed.

  "No. I have sold him the blind Englishman. Rideau has the map thatbelonged to the Senor Maxwell."

  "Thanks b
e to heaven!" Dom Pedro exclaimed piously; but his sallow facegrew grave again. "It is a great deliverance, but it is not well to makeone's profit from the blood of white men. This Rideau, who is verycunning, will follow and bring disaster upon the Englishmen up yonder.Already, I have suffered many things because of the black men the Emirstole from me."

  Bonita's eyes shone.

  "You do not see clearly, father, or know the manner of those other men.What is it to me if these strangers do not find the gold--but I wouldnot have them die. I have been in their country, and if the cur dogfollows, plotting treachery, as I think he will, the Senor Maxwell willsurely kill him."

  "_Ojala!_ Heaven send it so," murmured Dom Pedro, and would haveembraced his daughter, but that, shrinking from him, she slipped outinto the moonlit veranda. The little olive-faced gentleman stood staringat the papers before him, and hoping that it might come about as she hadpredicted.