cherished the belief that he had at least learned to distinguish a
spade flush from an "Arkansas blaze." But he soon found that these
men had forgotten more about the game than he could ever hope to
learn at any university, and when the crowd broke up at midnight
he signed his name to a tab for forty dollars.

Early the next day the following cablegram was left at the
American Consulate:

WEEKS, Consul, Colon.

Anthony absent, returns Friday.
COPLEY.

"Copley is the Governor's secretary," Kirk explained. "That means
that I'll miss the Santa Cruz and have to wait another week."

"I'm delighted," the consul said, heartily.

"Perhaps you could stake me to a ticket. I'll remit when I get to
New York."

"My pay isn't due for a fortnight," Weeks explained after an
instant's hesitation. "You see, I'm interested in so many ventures
it keeps me--well, broke. Anyhow, you can't go until we have
arranged an investment for your father."

Kirk could not help thinking that a man of the consul's wide
acquaintance and business capacity could have raised the necessary
funds without much trouble; but, not wishing to embarrass his