to Honduras--to join me!" He turned to the two officers. "Did he tell
you this?" he demanded.

They answered, "No," promptly, and truthfully as well, for they had
not given me time to tell them anything.

"Have you any credentials, passports, or papers?" he said.

When he asked this I saw Reeder whisper eagerly to Heinze, and then
walk away. He had gone to search my trunk for evidence that I was a
spy, and had I suspected this I would have protested violently, but it
did not occur to me then that he would do such a thing.

"I have only the passport I got from the commandante at Porto Cortez,"
I said.

At the words Aiken gave a quick shake of the head, as a man does when
he sees another move the wrong piece on the chess-board. But when I
stared at him inquiringly his expression changed instantly to one of
interrogation and complete unconcern.

"Ah!" exclaimed Heinze, triumphantly, "he has a permit from the
Government."

"Let me see it," said the General.

I handed it to him, and he drew a camp-chair from the tent, and,
seating himself, began to compare me with the passport.

"In this," he said at last, "you state that you are a commercial