to collect all fees, sign all papers, and attend to all
matters pertaining to your office as American consul, and I
trust you will worthily uphold the name of that country and
government which it has always been my pleasure and duty to serve.

"Your sincere friend and superior officer,

"LEONARD T. TRAVIS.


"P. S. I did not care to disturb you by moving my trunk, so I
left it, and you can make what use you please of whatever it
contains, as I shall not want tropical garments where I am
going. What you will need most, I think, is a waterproof and
umbrella.

"P. S. Look out for that young man Stedman. He is too
inventive. I hope you will like your high office; but as for
myself, I am satisfied with little old New York. Opeki is
just a bit too far from civilization to suit me."


Albert held the letter before him and read it over again
before he moved. Then he jumped to the window. The boat was
gone, and there was not a sign of it on the horizon.

"The miserable old hypocrite!" he cried, half angry and half
laughing. "If he thinks I am going to stay here alone he is
very greatly mistaken. And yet, why not?" he asked. He
stopped soliloquizing and looked around him, thinking rapidly.