She had followed the discussion in the chart-room with
full appreciation of its significance. Valuable as the ship and cargo
were, there was far more at stake in the effect of the loss on the
copper markets of the world. The most important copper-exporting firm
in Chile would practically be ruined, while the Paris "ring," of which
she had read in the newspapers, would have matters its own way.
Financial interests of such magnitude would hardly be bound up with the
carousals and quarrels of Frascuelo and Jose the Wine-bag. Yet--
"Have you ever heard of a Senor Pedro Ventana?" she asked suddenly.
"Has he to do with mines?" inquired the Chilean, tentatively.
"Yes."
"I know him by sight, senorita."
"Would he be acquainted with this man, Anacleto, do you think?"
"Can't say. Jose would know anybody whom he could touch for a few
pesetas."
She left him, promising to visit him daily in the future. As she
walked back towards the bridge companion, she met Dr. Christobal. His
fit of ill-humor had gone: he was all smiles; but Elsie, having
extracted such information as Frascuelo possessed, was bent on adding
to her store of knowledge.
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