storehouse of my country, giving it not only to aliens, but for a
pittance, for a share which is not a share, but a bribe, to blind
the eyes of the people. It has been a shameful bargain, and I
cannot say who is to blame; I accuse no one. But I suspect, and
I will demand an investigation; I will demand that the value not
of one-tenth, but of one-half of all the iron that your company
takes out of Olancho shall be paid into the treasury of the
State. And I come to you to-night, as the Resident Director, to
inform you beforehand of my intention. I do not wish to take you
unprepared. I do not blame your people; they are business men,
they know how to make good bargains, they get what they best
can. That is the rule of trade, but they have gone too far, and
I advise you to communicate with your people in New York and
learn what they are prepared to offer now--now that they have to
deal with men who do not consider their own interests but the
interests of their country.''

Mendoza made a sweeping bow and seated himself, frowning
dramatically, with folded arms. His voice still hung in the air,
for he had spoken as earnestly as though he imagined himself
already standing in the hall of the Senate championing the cause
of the people.

MacWilliams looked up at Clay from where he sat on the steps
below him, but Clay did not notice him, and there was no sound,
except the quick sputtering of the nicotine in Langham's pipe, at
which he pulled quickly, and which was the only outward sign the
boy gave of his interest. Clay shifted one muddy boot over the
other and leaned back with his hands stuck in his belt.