"Must have coin in advance, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"I left my gold-purse on the dresser," Kirk said, cheerfully.
"I'll be back later." Then he wandered forth again, bearing his
bundle of shirts beneath his arm. He thought of appealing to the
Cortlandts before they left for Panama City, but could not bring
himself to ask a favor from that slim, agate-eyed man for whom he
felt such an instinctive distaste. Instead, he resolved to enlist
the services of the American consul.

He began to feel the heat now, and his borrowed collar drooped,
but as he neared the seaward side of town there was a remarkable
transformation. A delightful, cooling breeze swept in from the
ocean, and, when he finally came out upon a palm-guarded road
along the breakers, he paused in silent enjoyment. The trade-winds
were drawing inward as steadily as if forced by a great electric
fan, piling the green waters upon the rocks in a ceaseless,
soothing murmur, making the palm fronds overhead rustle like the
silken skirts of an aerial ballet. The effect was wonderful, for,
while the air was balmy and soft, it was also deliciously
refreshing and seemed to have magic properties.

After some further wandering, he found the consul's house and
knocked at the door, whereupon a high-pitched, querulous voice
from inside cried:

"Come in. Dammit, don't stand there hammering!"