300 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



from Trinidad telling me that there is a draft there 

 awaiting me ; I want you to lend me two hundred 

 dollars till I go down to receive it. " The Colonel 

 never doubting the bona fides of the man, his over 

 night guest, advanced the money and our bold ad 

 venturer took passage by a West Indian and Pacific 

 steamer then in Barbados harbour bound for Trini- 

 dad and South American ports. 



It is needless to say that he did not land in 

 Trinidad, the scene of his former exploits, but 

 continued his way to the port that would bring 

 him nearest to the Republic where the conces- 

 sion was to be obtained. He arrived there in 

 due course, stated that he was Gray's representative, 

 had the concession made out in due form with his 

 name inserted, and calmly awaited events. In due 

 course Gray, having succeeded in floating his com- 

 pany, also arrived and was met by the man without 

 a name who cordially received him and, in due course 

 disclosed the fact that he had obtained the concession 

 and then offered to make it over to Gray for a con- 

 sideration. Gray w^as indignant but ' knowing, or 

 being informed of the uncertainty of the word of 

 many of the high officials connected with this Go- 

 vernment wisely consented to the demands of this 

 clever schemer and eventually compromised with 

 him for twelve thousand dollars, whether American 

 or of the Republic I am unable to say, there is some- 

 times a big difference. 



In the mean time Colonel Clements began to feel 

 uneasy about his loan, communicated with the police 



