The agent of the San Tome Administration in Sta.

Marta (a polished, well-informed gentleman, Sir John thought him) had certainly helped so greatly in bringing about the presidential tour that he began to think that there was something in the faint whispers hinting at the immense occult influence of the Gould Concession.

What was currently whispered was this--that the San Tome Administration had, in part, at least, financed the last revolution, which had brought into a five-year dictatorship Don Vincente Ribiera, a man of culture and of unblemished character, invested with a mandate of reform by the best elements of the State.

Serious, well-informed men seemed to believe the fact, to hope for better things, for the establishment of legality, of good faith and order in public life.

So much the better, then, thought Sir John.