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Courtenay even laughed Elsie as the Jonah of the ship was a quaint

conceit

"I mentioned Ventana because I was told he took some part of the

insurance on his own account," he explained "But he was a 's copper syndicate, and, indeed, was spoken of as a h repute Believeto conclusions

on that account"

"I know him to be a very bad man," said Elsie, slowly Her face was

white and her eyes downcast It was evident that the sudden

introduction of Ventana's personality was distressing to her, but

Courtenay, preoccupied with the dastardly attempt made to sink his

ship, did not observe this feature of a peculiar discussion

"Bad! In what sense, Miss Maxwell?" he asked unguardedly

"In the ether

detestable If Mr Baring knew his character as I know it, Ventana

would not be allowed to enter his office"

"Pedro Ventana?" interrupted Christobal "Is he a half-caste, a tall,

brown-skinned lish--a enerally?"

"Yes," said Elsie

"That is odd, exceedingly so I once heard a rumor--but perhaps it is

unfair to mention it in this connection Yet it cannot hurt any one if

I state that Isobel Baring and he were--well--how shall I put it?--at