. "And I always wondered why, for he doesn't
go into things that he can't control. There's where I was a fool! He
shouldn't have been sold a dollar's worth! He knows we can't return
the money; and now he's tightening the screws! He has something up his
sleeve; and we've fallen for it!"

He settled back in his chair and groaned aloud. "Why did he buy? Did
he think he'd reach Uncle Ted through us? By Jove! that's it! For a
year or more he's wanted to oust Uncle from the C. & R., and now he
thinks by threatening the family with disgrace, and us fellows with
the pen, he can do it! What fools we've been! Oh, if I ever get out of
this I'll steer clear of these deals in the future!" It was his stock
resolution, which had never borne fruit.

The door opened slightly, and the noiseless Rawlins timidly announced
the arrival of Reed and Harris.

"Show them in at once!" cried Ketchim, jumping up and hastily passing
his hands over his hair and face. Then, advancing with a wan smile, he
courteously greeted the callers.

"Well, fellows," he began, waving them to seats, "it looks a
little bad for Molino, doesn't it? I've just been reading your
report--although of course you told me over the 'phone yesterday
that there was no hope. But," he continued gravely, and his face
grew serious, "I'm glad, very glad, of one thing, and that is that
there are men in the world to-day who are above temptation."

"Which means--?" queried Harris.

"Why," continued Ketchim, smiling pallidly, "the little joker that
James inserted in the contract, about your getting fifty thousand in
the event of a favorable report. I told him it didn't look well--but
he said it would test you. He would be funny, though, no matter how
serious the business. But you showed that you were men."

Harris snickered; but Reed turned the conversation at once. "We have
been studying how we could help you pull the thing out of the fire.
Suppose you give us," he suggested, "a little of Molino's history.
Then perhaps something may occur to us."

"There isn't much to tell," replied Ketchim gloomily. "The mines were
located by a man named Lakes, at one time acting-Consul at Cartagena.
He is half Colombian, I believe. He came up to New York and interested
Bryan, Westler, and some others, and they asked us to act as fiscal
agents."

"But you never had title to the property," said Reed.

"Certainly we have the title! Why do you say that?"

"Because, on our way down the Magdal