mitting that all I want is the money. I want to get out of this
confounded country; but I don't want to leave till I have made a
fortune."

The subtle influence that Meredith wielded seemed to have reached him
too, warming into expansiveness his hot Spanish blood. His voice was
full of confidence.

"Very right and proper," said Meredith. "Got a grudge against the
country; make the country pay for it in cash."

"That's what I intend to do; and it shall pay heavily. Then, when I've
got the money, I'll know what to do with it. I know where to look, and I
do not think that I shall look in vain."

Guy Oscard shuffled uneasily in his camp-chair. He had an Englishman's
horror of putting into speech those things which we all think, while
only Frenchmen and Italians say them. The Spaniards are not so bad, and
Victor Durnovo had enough of their blood in him to say no more.

It did not seem to occur to any of them that the only person whose
individuality was still veiled happened to be Jack Meredith. He alone
had said nothing, had imparted no confidence. He it was who spake first,
after a proper period of silence. He was too much of an adept to betray
haste, and thus admit his debt of mutual confidence.

"It seems to me," he said, "that we have all the technicalities arranged
now. So far as the working of the expedition is concerned, we know our
places, and the difficulties will be met as they present themselves. But
there is one thing which I think we should set in order now. I have been
thinking about it while I have been waiting here alone."

The glow of Victor Durnovo's cigar died away as if in his attention he
was forgetting to smoke; but he said nothing.

"It seems to me," Jack went on, "that before we leave here we should
draw up and sign a sort of deed of partnership. Of course, we trust each
other perfectly--there is no question of that. But life is an uncertain
thing, as some earlier philosopher said before me; and one never knows
what may happen. I have drawn up a paper in triplicate. If you have a
match, I will read it to you."

Oscard produced a match, and, striking it on his boot, sheltered it with
the hollow of his hand, while Jack read:

"We, the undersigned, hereby enter into partnership to search for and
sell, to our mutual profit, the herb known as Simiacine, the profits
to be divided into three equal portions, after the deduction of
one-hundredth part to be handed to the servant, Joseph Atkinson. Any