“I don’t think I’d quite like to do that, dad. He isn’t the sort of man one offers money to.”
“Every one’s the sort of man one offers money to—if it’s enough,” retorted her father. “And a hundred dollars will look pretty big to a scientific man. I know something about their salaries. You try him.”
“So far as expenses go, I will. But I won’t hurt his feelings by trying to pay him for something that he would do for friendship or not at all.”
“Have it your own way. When is he coming in?”
“Up on the mountain trail, when I ride tomorrow afternoon.”
“I don’t quite like to have you knocking about mountain roads by yourself, though Mr. Sherwen says you’re safe anywhere here. Where’s that little automatic revolver I gave you?”
“In my trunk. I’ll carry that if it will make you feel any easier.”
“Yes, do. But I can’t see why you can’t send word to Perkins that I want to see him here.”
“I can. And I can guess just what his answer would be.”
“He’d tell you to go to the bad place, or its scientific equivalent.” She laughed.
“Would he?” Mr. Brewster did not laugh. “And perhaps you’ll be good enough to tell me why.”
“Because you sent word that you were out when he called.”
“Humph! I see people when _I_ want to see _them_, not when they want to see me.”
“Then Mr. Perkins is likely to prove permanently invisible to you, if I’m any judge of character.”
“Well, well,” said Mr. Brewster impatiently, “manage it yourself. Only impress on him the necessity of getting the message on the wire. I’ll write it out to-night and give it to you with the money to-morrow.”
After luncheon on the following day, Polly, with the cablegram and money in her purse and her automatic safely disposed in her belt, walked in the plaza with Carroll. The legless beggar whined at them for alms. Handing him a _quartillo_, the Southerner would have passed on, but his companion stood eyeing the mendicant.
“Now, what can there be in that poor wreck to captivate the scientific intellect?” she marveled.
“If you mean Mr. Perkins—” began Carroll.
“Then I think perhaps the reason for some of that gentleman’s associations will hardly stand inquiry.”
The girl turned her eyes on him and searched the handsome, serious face.
“Fitz, you’re not the man to say that of another man without some good reason.”