"I am a little bit anxious about a friend of mine," said Tony frankly. "He has been running a motor company in Portriga for the last two years, and from what he has told me I am afraid that he has made one or two rather awkward enemies--business enemies, you know. They are not the sort of crowd to miss a chance like this, and just in case he was in difficulties, I should like him to know that the _Betty_ was coming to Braxa. Then if he wanted to slip out of the country quietly he could." Congosta accepted the explanation in what appeared to be perfectly good faith. "I understand," he said. "You shall give me your friend's name and address, and then if our people can reach him you may be sure that he will get your message." Tony walked across to the writing-table and seated himself in the chair. "That's good," he said cheerfully. "One doesn't like to leave a pal in the lurch--especially in Livadia." He took a sheet of paper from the case in front of him, and in his best handwriting copied out the following address. SEÑOR JAMES DALE, Garage Anglais, Praca D. Porto, Portriga. "I think it would be simplest," he said, "if you just told him that the _Betty_ was expected at Braxa in two days' time. He would probably like to see me, even if there's nothing the matter." Congosta took the paper and glanced at its contents. "If the thing is possible it shall be done," he repeated. Tony put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his cheque book. "And now let's get to work," he observed. "I shall be pretty busy if we are going to sail to-morrow morning, so I think I had better leave the cartridge business entirely to you. I will give you an open cheque on my bank, and you can cash it on your way back." Congosta nodded his approval. "That will be the easiest plan," he said. "Then I can also make the arrangements for sending them off." "'Steam yacht _Betty_, Southampton,' will be enough address," continued Tony, writing the cheque as he spoke. "I will wire my captain instructions to be on the lookout for them." He blotted the slip and handed it to Congosta. "I don't know what they will come to," he added; "I have made the cheque out for four thousand." Congosta gazed with surprised awe at the little piece of pink paper in his hand. "Four thousand pounds?" he repeated slowly. "But it will not be so much as that!" "Never mind," said Tony, getting up from his chair. "Ask for the rest in gold and bring it back here. We can take it along with us. If your people are as hard up as you say, I daresay a few English sovereigns will come in useful. They are a wonderfully effective weapon with Royalists as a rule." Congosta folded up the cheque reverently, and put it away in his pocket. Then he picked up his hat. "Señor!" he exclaimed with a tremble of emotion in his voice. "Again I offer you the thanks of my country. It is only in England that such splendid generosity is possible."