"Why, Colonel Joe!" he
begins.
"Look here; no nonsense!" says Joseph, firmly. "It's a little matter
of five thousand dollars to you, if you can trace what I want."
There is no foolishness in Lee's set features. He throws himself
back, studying his cigar ash. That five thousand dollars is an
"open sesame."
"What's her name?"
Joseph produces his notes.
"Do you remember Hardin sending some people to Panama, in '65?"
begins the Colonel. "Two women and two children. They sailed on
the GOLDEN GATE."
"Perfectly," says the iron captain, removing his cigar. "I watched
these steamers for the government. He was a Big Six in the K.G.C.,
you remember, Colonel Joe?"
Joe winces; that Golden Circle dinner comes back, when he, too,
cheered the Stars and Bars.
"I see you do remember," says Lee, throwing away his cigar. "Now
be frank, old man. Tell me your whole game."
Woods hands him the list of the passengers. He is keenly eying Lee.
"Who was that Madame de Santos?" he says eagerly.
"Is it worth five thousand to know?" says the detective, quietly.
"On the dead square," replies Joe, "Cash ready."
"Do you remember the 'Queen of the El Dorado'?" Lee simply says.
"Here! Great God, man!" cries Lee, for Joe Woods' fist comes down
on the table.
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