He tied
him to that porch column and flogged him with a quirt. While I cannot
defend Okada's action in releasing Loustalot, nevertheless, Mr.
Farrel--" Don Mike's black eyes burned like live coals.
"Nevertheless--I--well--" Parker hesitated.
Don Mike's lips were drawn a trifle in the ghost of a smile that was
not good to see.
"I think, sir," he said softly, distinctly, and with chill suavity,
"that Mr. Okada might be grateful for the services of the excellent
Murray, if the potato baron is, as I shrewdly suspect he will be,
leaving within five minutes."
"Good Heavens, man, I believe it will be an hour before he can walk!"
Farrel glanced critically at his wrist-watch and seemed to ponder this.
"I fear five minutes is all I can permit, sir," he replied. "If he
should be unable to walk from his room, Murray, who is the soul of
thoughtfulness, will doubtless assist him to the waiting automobile."
Five minutes later, the potato baron and the potato baron's suitcase
were lifted into the tonneau of the car by Murray and William. From
over by the blacksmith shop, Don Mike saw Parker bid his Japanese
confrere adieu, and as the car dipped below the mesa, Parker came over
and joined them.
"Thought you were going in to El Toro this afternoon," the young man
suggested.
"I had planned to, but changed my mind after beholding that Nipponese
ruin. To have driven to El Toro with him would have broken my heart.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198