issued six or seven weeks ago at Manila. He was serving in the ranks
over there. Got back to this country broke, most likely, and fell into
the hands of those schemers up North, willing enough to do anything for
a bunch of coin. The poor devil probably has n't got a friend on
earth."

"But someone know he come here."

"Only the two who sent him, and they 'll never dare tell, and the
woman. She is safe enough. Nigger Pete drove them out here, and we
can close his mouth easily enough. It's been easy, Herman, and now
with these two settled it leaves me a clear field."

"Maybe so--yes. But vat you think it all mean? I would know how eet
vas dey come."

The younger man shuffled the papers restlessly, his eyes on the face of
the other.

"I confess there are some details missing, Herman," he said slowly,
"but in the main it is clear enough. I take it this man Neale is a
damned rascal. He went North to find the heir, discovered that he was
either dead, or had disappeared, ran into some scamp of the same kidney
as himself, and, between them, determined to cop the coin. That's my
guess. Then they picked up this penniless soldier, who, by the way,
resembles the missing son a bit, and sent him down here to play the
part. Wrote him out full instructions," tapping the papers
suggestively, "and then sat down there to wait results."

"Vel, maybe so--but vat about the girl, hey?"