"Then you have confirmatory evidence of what my letter says?"
asked the Spaniard, bowing politely.

"That's what it amounts to," Blake made answer. "Though, of
course, seeing that this is the first we've had Panama brought up
to us, we don't really know what to say about going there."

"Hardly," agreed Joe, at a look from his chum.

"And yet you may go; shall you not?" asked the Spaniard, quickly.
He seemed very eager for an answer.

"Oh, yes, we may--it's not altogether out of the question," said
Blake. "We'll have to think about it, though."

"And if you do go, may I have the honor of accompanying you to the
Isthmus?" Again he seemed very anxious.

"Well, of course, if Mr. Hadley wants you to go with us we'll take
you," answered Joe slowly. "We are employed by Mr. Hadley, as one
of the owners of the Film Theatrical Company, and what he says
generally goes."

"Ah, but, gentlemen, I should not want you to take me under
compulsion!" exclaimed the Spaniard, quickly. "I would like to
go--as your friend!" and he threw out his hands in an impulsive,
appealing gesture. "As a friend!" he repeated.

"Well, I guess that could be arranged," returned Blake with a
smile, for he had taken a liking to the young man, though he did