with a red silk handkerchief, and nodding three times. The signal
is correctly answered: it is he! So far all works beautifully,
with every promise kept. The bill was a perfect imitation, the
engraver is on hand to a second.


"Two truths are told,
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme."


The fellow passing under the name of Ragem & Co. welcomed the new
arrival cordially. "Ah," said he "your promptness and
circumspection show that I am not disappointed in my man. I see
that you come up to the full measure of my expectations. Do you
know I am a remarkable judge of character? In fact, I seldom or
never make a mistake. We are both in luck."

"I was trained to punctuality from early youth," replied the
preacher; and proceeding directly to business, without further
circumlocution, continued, "I succeeded in raising five hundred
dollars, which entitles me under the agreement to twenty-five
thousand."

From an inner pocket, after removing a number of pins, he produced
six one hundred dollar notes, saying, by way of explanation, "For
greater security I converted my funds into bills of large
denomination. One I reserve for contingencies; the other five are
for you."