Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh went to the door. "On the contrary. Damn it, Greenbourne, you're a better friend than I deserve."

When Hugh got back to Pilasters Bank there was a note waiting for him. It read:

10.30 a.m.

My dear Pilaster:

I must see you right away. You will find me in Plage's Coffee House around the corner. I will wait for you. Your old friend--Antonio Silva.

So Tonio was back! His career had been ruined when he lost more than he could pay in a card game with Edward and Micky. He had left the country in disgrace at about the same time as Hugh. What had happened to him since? Full of curiosity, Hugh went straight to the coffeehouse.

He found an older, shabbier, more subdued Tonio, sitting in a corner reading The Times. He still had a shock of carrot-colored hair, but otherwise there was nothing left of the mischievous schoolboy or the profligate young man. Although he was only Hugh's age, twenty-six, there were already tiny lines of worry around his eyes.

"I made a big success of Boston," Hugh said in answer to Tonio's first question. "I came back in January. But now I'm having trouble with my damned family all over again. How about you?"

"There have been a lot of changes in my country. My family is not as influential as it once was. We still control Milpita, the provincial city we come from, but in the capital others have come between us and President Garcia."

"Who?"

"The Miranda faction."

"Micky's family?"

"Absolutely. They took over the nitrate mines in the north of the country and that has made them rich. They also monopolize trade with Europe, because of their connection with your family's bank."

Hugh was surprised. "I knew Edward was doing a lot of business with Cordova, but I didn't realize it was all going through Micky. Still, I don't suppose it matters."

"But it does," said Tonio. He took a sheaf of papers from inside his coat. "Take a minute to read this. It's an article I've written for. The Times."