"For all the world," said Joe, later, "as though he were afraid
we'd see something."

"I am delighted that you have called," the Spaniard said, "and I
hope you bring me good news."

"Yes," said Blake, "we are going--"

As he spoke there came in through the window a puff of air, that
scattered the papers on the table. One, seemingly part of a
letter, was blown to Blake's feet. He picked it up, and, as he
handed it back to Mr. Alcando, the lad could not help seeing part
of a sentence. It read:

"... go to Panama, get all the pictures you can, especially the
big guns...."

Blake felt himself staring eagerly at the last words.




CHAPTER VII


IN NEW YORK

"Ah, my letters have taken unto themselves wings,"
laughed the Spaniard, as he stooped to pick up the scattered
papers. "And you have assisted me in saving them," he went on, as