Before Hardin could extricate himself from the circle of his
advisers, the long-expected girl he has seen for the first time
has disappeared with Madame de Santos. He has no control over her
now. Too late!
His blood is bounding through his veins. He has been juggled with.
By whom? Natalie, that handsome fiend. And yet, she was paralyzed
at the apparition of the second beauty, who has also vanished.
He must see Natalie at once before she can frame a new set of lies.
After all, the MINE is safe.
As he strides swiftly across the plaza, the thought of the senatorial
election, and the lady whom he has to placate, presses on his mind.
As for the election, he will secure that. If Natalie attempts
exposure, he will claim it to be a blackmail invention of political
enemies. Ha! Money! Yes, the golden arguments of concrete power.
He will use it in floods of double eagles.
He will see Natalie on her way to Paris before the second hearing.
Yes, and send some one out of the State to watch her as far as New
York. He must buy her off.
A part of the money in hand; the rest payable at Paris to her own
order. She must be out of the way.
Mariposa boasts two hotels. The avoidance of Hardin's friends brings
all the strangers, perforce, together in the other.
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