human
Going to Washington to see the President!
gpt
Who is Yew-neth?
human
Evidently intended for Nunez, the Managuayan minister at Washington, and one of de Socotra's creatures of course.
gpt
What do you make of it?
human
I believe I'm beginning to see what he's up to, Estuban replied slowly.
gpt
It's a devilish scheme, worthy of de Socotra!
human
You mean he's going to impersonate Bareda when he sees the President?
gpt
Exactly! Not content with murdering my poor friend he intends to blacken his memory. Nunez will introduce him as Antonio Bareda. The visit will be reported in the newspapers--Bareda sees the President, and the news will be cabled to Managuay. What de Socotra will tell the President one can guess; it will certainly not be anything that will lead him to take action in Managuay. Perhaps that will be reported in the papers too: 'Bareda tells the President Managuay is happy and contented under the present regime!' In any case when Bareda fails to return to Managuay his poor followers, who are so anxiously hanging on the result of this visit, will believe that their champion has betrayed them. How simple!
human
How devilish!
gpt
De Socotra must be arrested before he gets on the train.
human
That won't do you any good, he said quickly.
gpt
You couldn't prove in advance that he intended to impersonate another.
human
I could prove the murder.
gpt
Not without Señorita de Socotra. And she won't testify against him.
human
Then must he go free?
gpt
No. Let us get the little black book from him and he is helpless. You could carry that to the President yourself.
human
How do you purpose getting hold of it?
gpt
I don't know yet. I have four hours before train time. I'll find a way. At least I know now that it is on his person.
human
Go ahead and see what you can do. But if you fail I must hold myself free to act. I will be on the train on which he travels to Washington.
gpt
But he must know you,
human
I shall be disguised.
gpt
Do you know anything about disguises?
human
Oh, yes, said Estuban smiling grimly.
gpt
That's a very necessary part of a conspirator's work in Managuay.
human
Could you disguise me?
gpt
What as?
human
A shabby old cabman.
gpt
That oughtn't to be hard with the examples we have before us down here.
human
Good! I have to meet a man up-town at two forty-five. You get together what materials you need, and I'll be back at the yard in an hour.