f his nose, and began devouring the plans
in a way that showed both of us that it was not the first time he had
looked over a set of blue-prints.

"This estimate is for the ironwork alone," the stranger said, "and is,
as you see, good for three months. The time, as you will note, has
expired. Do you now ask for an additional sum, or will the price
stand?" All this in the tone of a Tombs lawyer cross-examining a
witness.

Mawkum murmured that, as there had been no advance in the cost of the
raw material, the price would stand.

"Very well. And now, what, in your judgment, should be added for the
cost of erection?"

"Can't say," answered Mawkum; "don't know the coast or kind of labor,
or the bottom of the reef--may be coral, may be hard-pan, may be sand.
Do YOU know?"

"Yes--the coast is an ugly one, except four months in the year. Site is
twelve miles from San Juan, exposed to the rake of the sea; bottom
coral, I understand; labor cheap and good for nothing, and appliances
none--except what can be shipped from here." This came with the air of
one who knew.

I now took charge of the negotiations:

"We have refused to erect the structure or be responsible for it after
it leaves our dock. We told Senor Garlicho so."

Onativia lowered his chin, arched his eyebrows and looked at me over
his glasses.

"I don't want you to erect it," he said in a purring tone with a
patronizing strain through it. "I'll do that. What I want to know is
what it would cost HERE? That's what I came to New York to find out."

"Has Senor Garlicho been awarded the contract?" I asked. It was useless
to distribute any more bread upon the waters; certainly not on the
ripples washing the shores of Moccador. If there were any business in
sight I could very easily give either one of them an approximate cost;
if there were none the bakery was closed.

"No, Senor Garlicho has NOT been awarded the contract. I am here to
keep the affair alive. If I had thought it necessary I would have
brought a certified check with me drawn to your order, which I would
have handed you with my card. The standing of your firm prevented my
doing so. This is business, and I want to get back home as quick as
possible. Our coast is a dangerous one and the loss of life increases
every year. Do you want this matter hung up for six weeks until we can
communicate with Mr. Garlicho? Every hour's delay in putting the light
on the Lobo means that many more deaths." As he spok