Сердца трёх / Hearts of three

[13 - greetings over – после обмена приветствиями] “And to whom but you should I apply, who was a friend of my father? You and he were partners, I understand, on some of the biggest deals. He always told me to trust your judgment. And, well, here I am. What’s up with Tampico Petroleum?[14 - Tampico Petroleum – «Тэмпико Петролеум»]”

“Tampico Petroleum is up two points,[15 - Tampico Petroleum is up two points – акции «Тэмпико Петролеум» поднялись на два пункта]” Regan said.

“That’s what I say,” Francis answered. “I worry.

Don’t you think somebody is trying to get control?”

His father’s associate shook the head.

“Why,” he said, “What do you say?”

“Of course it’s good,” was Francis’ warm response. “If it drops, I’ll buy. I tell you, Regan, it’s immense. I have a kind of interest, I’m doing nicely, and I don’t want Tampico Petroleum to go up.”

“Don’t you worry about that, my boy. You go fishing and forget it.” Regan paused, with finely simulated sudden recollection, and picked up Alvarez Torres’ card with the note.

“Look, who’s just been here – Senor Alvarez Torres.”

Regan retained the card a moment. “Why go fishing? After all, it’s only recreation. Here’s a full-size man’s recreation. It’s about old Morgan’s treasure. Look, your father always was always proud of that old family pirate.”

“I was told about his treasure. Look, here is the map.”

Francis looked up questioningly from the reading of the card.

“Senor Torres,” Regan explained. “Gave me the map. Here is the treasure buried.

Of course, I don’t believe a word of it. But… You know, Sir Henry died practically a poor man, and they never did find any of his buried treasure. Oh, I wish I were younger!… Anyway, good fishing,” Regan girded edly.

“I’d like to meet this Alvarez Torres,” the young man responded. “Do you know where I can find him?”

The next morning the meeting took place in Regan’s office. Modern maps and ancient charts were studies, as well as old documents, and at the end of half an hour Francis announced that his next fishing would be on the Bull Island,[16 - Bull Island – Остров Быка] where – as Torres averred – the treasure lay.

“I’ll catch tonight’s train for New Orleans,” Francis announced. “And then I’ll go to Colon![17 - Colon – Колон]”

“But don’t charter a schooner[18 - charter a schooner – фрахтовать шхуну] at Colon,” Torres advised. “It’s better in Belen.[19 - Belen – Белен]”

“I always wanted to see that country down there!” Francis said.