garment. His eyes were glaring and the extended
tip of his nose worked like a knife trying to leap
from its sheath. But although he occasionally ven-
tured upon a retort when goaded too far in conver-
sation, he was able to curb his just indignation when
the Chamberlain was in a bad temper. In that vague
gray under winking stars in their last watch, Rez-
anov seemed to tower six feet above him.

"Excellency," he murmured.

"Well?"

"My--my specimens."

"Your what?"

"The cause of science is very dear to me, Excel-
lency."

"So it is to me--in its proper place. Were those
skins yours?" His voice became very suave. "I am
sorry you should have fatigued yourself for noth-
ing, but I am forced to remind you that this is not
an expedition undertaken for the promotion of nat-
ural history. I am not violating my part in the con-
tract, I believe. Upon our arrival at Sitka you are
at liberty to remain as my guest and make use of
the first boat that sails for this colony; but for the
present I beg that you will limit yourself to the re-