Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/311

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MENDEZ EXPLAINS
295

for what I, personally, do not consider a crime. So I flee—I vamoose. I go, and take all I can with me. Then, later, when it has all been blown up——"

"Blown over," suggested Frank.

"Blown over, yes, I thank you. When it is all blown over I come back. I have no more smuggled cigars. I am not in danger of being pinched. I come back to open my little store, and be the take-care man on Crest Island.

"As for the gold pin, some time after I leave, so that I may not be pinched, I meet in New York the Senor Blasdell. He greet me kindly and say to me do I not want to buy of him a gold pin. I deal in jewelry on the edge—I mean side—and I remember that Senor Boswell have commission me for an old-fashioned pin. I think I have just what he want. I buy it from Senor Blasdell, and bring It to Senor Boswell at his college here. That is all," and he bowed to all.

"That's how I got the pin," said Boswell, coldly, looking at Tom. "I hope you are satisfied."

"Of course," murmured Tom. "But I don't understand. Where is Blasdell? Where is that rascally pawnbroker? Where is the rest of the jewelry, and the Boxer Hall cups?"

"Say, what are you anyhow, Tom—a riddle reader?" demanded Dan Woodhouse.

"What is all this Chinese puzzle about, any-