that ex-consul set plump down in the mud and laughed and laughed. Ho,
ho! Oh, dear me!"

"Did you send it to the Englishman?" asked Sylvester.

"Oh, yes, I sent it. And, after a good while and in a roundabout way, I
heard that the whole dinner party vowed 'twas the best wild goose
they ever ate. So I ain't sure just who the joke was on. However, I'm
satisfied with my end. Well, there! I guess you must think I'm pretty
talky on short acquaintance, Mr. Sylvester. You'll have to excuse me;
that caviar set me to thinkin' about old times."

His host was shaking all over. "Go ahead, Captain," he cried. "Got any
more as good as that?"

But Captain Elisha merely smiled and shook his head.

"Don't get me started on Mexico," he observed. "I'm liable to yarn
all the rest of the afternoon. Let's see, we was goin' to talk over my
brother's business a little mite, wa'n't we?"

"Why, yes, we should. Now, Captain Warren, just how much do you know
about your late brother's affairs?"

"Except what Mr. Graves told me, nothin' of importance. And, afore we
go any further, let me ask a question. Do YOU know why 'Bije made me his
executor and guardian and all the rest of it?"

"I do not. Graves drew his will, and so, of course, we knew of your
existence and your appointment. Your brother forbade our mentioning it,