After all, however, this was not very important. He must be careful, but do nothing to suggest that he understood the risk he ran. If his antagonists thought him stupid, so much the better. He saw the difficulty of playing what Jake called a lone hand against men skilled in the intricate game; but he could not ask for help until he was sure of his ground. Besides, he must find a way of stopping Kenwardine without involving Clare. In the meantime he had a duty to Fuller, and throwing away his cigarette, resumed his work. Two or three days later he met Kenwardine in a cafe where he was waiting for a man who supplied some stores to the camp. When Kenwardine saw Dick he crossed the floor and sat down at his table. His Spanish dress became him, he looked polished and well-bred, and it was hard to think him a confederate of half-breed ruffians who would not hesitate about murder. But Dick wondered whether Clare had told him about his proposal. "I suppose I may congratulate you on your recent promotion? You certainly deserve it," Kenwardine remarked with an ironical smile. "I imagine your conscientiousness and energy are unusual, but perhaps at times rather inconvenient." "Thanks!" said Dick. "How did you hear about the matter?" "In Santa Brigida, one hears everything that goes on. We have nothing much to do but talk about our neighbors' affairs." Dick wondered whether Kenwardine meant to hint that as his time was largely unoccupied he had only a small part in managing the coaling business, but he said: "We are hardly your neighbors at the camp." "I suppose that's true. We certainly don't see you often." This seemed to indicate that Kenwardine did not know about Dick's recent visit. He could have no reason for hiding his knowledge, and it looked as if Clare did not tell her father everything. "You have succeeded in keeping your young friend out of our way," Kenwardine resumed. "Still, as he hasn't your love of work and sober character, there's some risk of a reaction if you hold him in too hard. Jake's at an age when it's difficult to be satisfied with cement." Dick laughed. "I really did try to keep him, but was helped by luck. We have been unusually busy at the dam and although I don't know that his love for cement is strong he doesn't often leave a half-finished job." "If you work upon his feelings in that way, I expect you'll beat me; but after all, I'm not scheming to entangle the lad. He's a bright and amusing youngster, but there wouldn't be much profit in exploiting him. However, you have had some accidents at the dam, haven't you?" Dick was immediately on his guard, but he answered carelessly: "We broke a crane-drum, which delayed us." "And didn't a truck fall down the embankment and do some damage?" "It did," said Dick. "We had a big molded block, which cost a good deal to make, smashed to pieces, and some others split. I had something of an escape, too, because I was standing under the block."