need is capital. If I had your father's backing--Say! It's a
mighty good thing you came to see me. I can do your old man a lot
of good. I'm conservative, I am, and what he needs is a good,
conservative man to manage his investments. Why, talk about quick
money"--the speaker thrust forth a finger that looked like a
peeled banana--"I've got a gold-mine--"

"Not a bit like it." Kirk shook his head. "They don't behave."

"This one will. It's an old Spanish mine and hasn't been worked
for three centuries. It's rich, RICH! I'll take you in as my
partner, and we'll get your father to open it up. What do you say?
If he doesn't like that, we'll get him a street-railway franchise;
I'm close to the government, and there isn't a steel rail in any
city of the republic. I know all the Spiggoty politicians."

"The what?" "The Spiggoties! That's what we call the Panamanians.
They 'no spiggoty English'; understand?"

"It's a funny name."

"Now, my boy, there's one thing I want you to be careful of. Don't
let some of these fellows around here get you excited. This
country is full of promoters, cheap skates, and that sort, and
they'll try to stampede you into some investment. You trust to me;
I'm conservative. I'll put you up at the club, and when you get
straightened around we'll talk business. Meanwhile, I'll send this
cable."

Mr. Weeks was even better than his word. He took Kirk with him,