byRichardHardingDavisMygoingtoValenciawasentirelyanaccident。ButthemoreoftenIstatedthatfact，themoresatisfiedwaseveryoneatthecapitalthatIhadcomeonsomesecretmission。Eventhevenerablepoliticianwhoactedasourminister，thenightofmyarrival，afterdinner，saidconfidentially，"Now，Mr。Crosby，betweenourselves，what’sthegame？"
　　"What’swhatgame？"Iasked。
　　"YouknowwhatImean，"hereturned。"Whatareyouherefor？"
　　Butwhen，forthetenthtime，IrepeatedhowIcametobemaroonedinValenciaheshowedthathisfeelingswerehurt，andsaidstiffly:"Asyouplease。Supposewejointheladies。"
　　Andthenextdayhiswifereproachedmewith:"Ishouldthinkyoucouldtrustyourownminister。MyhusbandNEVERtalks——noteventome。"
　　"SoIsee，"Isaid。
　　Andthenherfeelingswerehurtalso，andshewentabouttellingpeopleIwasanagentoftheWalker—Keefecrowd。
　　MyonlyreasonforrepeatingherethatmygoingtoValenciawasanaccidentisthatitwasbecauseSchnitzeldisbelievedthatfact，andtodragthehideousfactsfrommefollowedmebacktoNewYork。
　　ThroughthatcircumstanceIcametoknowhim，andamabletotellhisstory。
　　ThesimpletruthwasthatIhadbeensentbytheStateDepartmenttoPanamato"go，look，see，"andstraightenoutacertainconflictofauthorityamongtheofficialsofthecanalzone。WhileIwastheretheyellow—feverbrokeout，andeveryself—respectingpowerclappedaquarantineontheIsthmus，withtheresultthatwhenI
　　triedtoreturntoNewYorknosteamerwouldtakemetoanyplacetowhichanywhitemanwouldcaretogo。ButIknewthatatValenciatherewasadirectlinetoNewYork，soItookatrampsteamerdownthecoasttoValencia。IwenttoValenciaonlybecausetomeeveryotherportintheworldwasclosed。Mypositionwasthatofthemanwhoexplainedtohiswifethathecamehomebecausetheotherplaceswereshut。
　　But，because，formerlyinValenciaIhadheldaminorpostinourlegation，andbecausetheStateDepartmentsoconstantlyconsultsourfirmonquestionsofinternationallaw，itwasbelievedI
　　revisitedValenciaonsomemysteriousandsecretmission。
　　Asamatteroffact，hadIgonetheretosellphonographsortostartasteamlaundry，Ishouldhavebeenasgreatlysuspected。
　　ForinValenciaeveneverycommercialsalesman，fromthemomenthegivesuphispassportonthesteameruntilthepolicepermithimtodepart，issuspected，shadowed，andbegirtwithspies。
　　IbelievethatduringmybriefvisitIenjoyedthedistinctionofoccupyingtheundividedattentionofthree:acommonorgardenGovernmentspy，fromwhomnoguiltymanescapes，aWalker—Keefespy，andthespyoftheNitrateCompany。ThespyoftheNitrateCompanyisgenerallyamanyoumeetatthelegationsandclubs。Heplaysbridgeandisdignifiedwiththetitleof"agent。"TheWalker—Keefespyisostensiblyatravellingsalesmanorhotelrunner。TheGovernmentspyisjustaspy——ascowling，importantlittlebeastinawhiteducksuitandadiamondring。Thelimitofhisintelligenceistofollowyouintoacigarstoreandnotewhatcigaryoubuy，andinwhatkindofmoneyyoupayforit。
　　Thereasonforitallwasthethree—corneredfightwhichthenwasbeingwagedbytheGovernment，theNitrateTrust，andtheWalker—
　　Keefecrowdforthepossessionofthenitratebeds。Valenciaissoneartotheequator，andsofarfromNewYork，thattherearefewwhostudiedtheintricatestoryofthatdisgracefulstruggle，which，Ihastentoadd，withthefearoflibelbeforemyeyes，Idonotintendtotellnow。
　　Briefly，itwasatriangularfightbetweenopponentseachofwhomwasinthewrong，andeachofwhom，togainhisend，bribed，blackmailed，androbbed，notonlyhisadversaries，butthoseofhisownside，theendinviewbeingthepossessionofthosegreatdepositsthatlieintherocksofValencia，bakedfromabovebythetropicsunandfrombelowbyvolcanicfires。Asoneoftheirengineers，onenightinthePlaza，saidtome:"Thosemineswereconceivedinhell，andstinktoheaven，andthereputationofeverymanofusthathastouchedthemsmellslikethemines。"
　　AtthetimeIwastherethesituationwas"acute。"InValenciathesituationalwaysisacute，butthistimeitlookedasthoughsomethingmighthappen。OnthedaybeforeIdepartedtheNitrateTrusthadcabledvehementlyforwar—ships，theMinisterofForeignAffairshadrefusedtoreceiveourminister，andatPortoBanosamobhadmadethetinsignoftheUnitedStatesconsulatelooklikeasieve。Ourministerurgedmetoremain。Tobebombardedbyone’sownwar—ships，heassuredme，wouldbeathrillingexperience。
　　ButIrepeatedthatmybusinesswaswithPanama，notValencia，andthatifinthismatterofhisrowIhadanyweightatWashington，asbetweenpreservingthenitratebedsforthetrust，andpreservingforhiscountryandvarioussweetheartsonebrown—
　　throated，clean—limbedbluejacket，Iwasforthebluejacket。
　　Accordingly，whenIsailedfromValenciatheageddiplomatwouldhavedescribedourrelationsasstrained。
　　Ourshipwasaslowship，listedtotouchatmanyports，andasearlyasnoononthefollowingdaywestoppedforcargoatTrujillo。ItwasthereImetSchnitzel。
　　InPanamaIhadboughtamacawforalittlenieceofmine，andwhileweweretakingoncargoIwentashoretogetatincageinwhichtoputit，and，fordirection，calleduponourconsul。Fromaninnerroomheenteredexcitedly，smilingatmycard，andaskedhowhemightserveme。ItoldhimIhadaparrotbelowdecks，andwantedtobuyatincage。
　　"Exactly。Youwantatincage，"theconsulrepeatedsoothingly。
　　"TheStateDepartmentdoesn’tkeepmeawakenightscablingmewhatit’sgoingtodo，"hesaid，"butatleastIknowitdoesn’tsendathousand—dollar—a—minute，four—cylinderlawyerallthewaytothisfeverswamptobuyatincage。Now，honest，howcanIserveyou？"
　　Isawitwashopeless。Noonewouldbelievethetruth。Toofferittothisfriendlysoulwouldmerelyoffendhisfeelingsandhisintelligence。
　　So，withmuchmystery，Iaskedhimtodescribethe"situation，"andhedidsowiththeexactnessofonewhobelievesthatwithinanhoureverywordhespeakswillbecabledtotheWhiteHouse。
　　WhenIwasleavinghesaid:"Oh，there’sanewspapercorrespondentafteryou。Hewantsaninterview，Iguess。Hefollowedyoulastnightfromthecapitalbytrain。Youwanttowatchouthedon’tcatchyou。HisnameisJones。"IpromisedtobeonmyguardagainstamannamedJones，andtheconsulescortedmetotheship。
　　Ashewentdowntheaccommodationladder，Icalledovertherail:
　　"IncasetheySHOULDdeclarewar，cabletoCuracoa，andI’llcomeback。Anddon’tcableanythingindefinite，like’Situationcritical’or’Warimminent。’Understand？Cableme，’Comeback’or’Goahead。’Butwhateveryoucable，makeitCLEAR。"
　　Heshookhisheadviolentlyandwithhisgreen—linedumbrellapointedatmyelbow。Iturnedandfoundayoungmanhungrilylisteningtomywords。HewasleaningontherailwithhischinonhisarmsandthebrimofhisPanamahatdrawndowntoconcealhiseyes。
　　Onthepier—head，fromwhichwenowweredrawingrapidlyaway，theconsulmadeamegaphoneofhishands。
　　"That’sHIM，"hecalled。"That’sJones。"
　　Jonesraisedhishead，andIsawthatthetropicalheathadmadeJonesthirsty，orthatwithfriendshehadbeencelebratinghisdeparture。Hewinkedatme，and，apparentlywithpleasureathisowndiscernmentandwithpityforme，smiled。
　　"Oh，ofcourse！"hemurmured。Histonewasoneofheavyirony。
　　"Makeit’clear。’Makeitcleartothewholewharf。Shoutitoutso’severybodycanhearyou。You’re’clear’enough。"Hisdisgustwastoodeepforordinarywords。"Myuncle！"heexclaimed。
　　BythisIgatheredthathewasexpressinghiscontempt。
　　"Ibegyourpardon？"Isaid。
　　Wehadthedecktoourselves。Itsemptinesssuddenlyremindedmethatwehadtheship，also，toourselves。Irememberedthepurserhadtoldmethat，exceptforthosewhotravelledovernightfromporttoport，Iwashisonlypassenger。
　　WithdismayIpicturedmyselffortendaysadriftonthehighseas——
　　alonewithJones。
　　Withadramaticgesture，asonewouldsay，"Iamhere！"hepushedbackhisPanamahat。Withanunsteadyfingerhepointed，asitwasdrawndrippingacrossthedeck，atthesternhawser。
　　"Youseethatrope？"hedemanded。"SoonasthatropehitthewaterIknockedoffwork。S’longasyouwasinValencia——me，onthejob。
　　Now，YOUcan’tgoback，Ican’tgoback。Whyfurtherdissim’lation？WHOAMI？"
　　Hisconditionseemedtoprecludethepossibilityofhisknowingwhohewas，soItoldhim。
　　HesneeredasIhaveseenmensneeronlyinmelodrama。
　　"Oh，ofcourse，"hemuttered。"Oh，ofcourse。"
　　Helurchedtowardmeindignantly。
　　"Youknowperfec’lywellJonesisnotmyname。Youknowperfec’lywellwhoIam。"
　　"Mydearsir，"Isaid，"Idon’tknowanythingaboutyou，exceptthatyourareadamnednuisance。"
　　Heswayedfromme，painedandsurprised。Apparentlyhewasuponanoutbreakoftears。
　　"Proud，"hemurmured，"ANDhaughty。Proudandhaughtytothelast。"
　　Ineverhaveunderstoodwhyanintoxicatedmanfeelstheclimaxofinsultistohurlatyouyourname。Perhapsbecauseheknowsitistheonechargeyoucannotdeny。Butinvariablybeforeyouescape，asthoughassuredthewordswillcoveryourretreatwithshame，hethrowsatyouyourfulltitle。Jonesdidthis。
　　Slowlyandmercilesslyherepeated，"Mr。——George——Morgan——Crosby。
　　OfHarvard，"headded。"Proudandhaughtytothelast。"
　　Hethenembracedapassingsteward，anddemandedtobeinformedwhytheshiprolled。Heneverknewashiptorollasourshiprolled。
　　"Perfec’lysatisfact’ryocean，butship——rollinglikeastone—
　　breaker。Takemesomeplaceintheshipwherethisshipdon’troll。"
　　Thestewardledhimaway。
　　Whenhehaddroppedthelocalpilotthecaptainbeckonedmetothebridge。
　　"IsawyoutalkingtoMr。Schnitzel，"hesaid。"He’salittleundertheweather。Hehastoolightaheadforliquors。"
　　Iagreedthathehadalighthead，andsaidIunderstoodhisnamewasJones。
　　"That’swhatIwantedtotellyou，"saidthecaptain。"HisnameisSchnitzel。HeusedtoworkfortheNitrateTrustinNewYork。
　　Thenhecamedownhereasanagent。He’sagoodboynottotellthingsto。Understand？SometimesIcarryhimunderonename，andthenextvoyageunderanother。Thepurserandhefixitupbetween’em。Itpleaseshim，anditdon’thurtanybodyelse，solongasI
　　tellthemaboutit。Idon’tknowwhohe’sworkingfornow，"hewenton，"butIknowhe’snotwiththeNitrateCompanyanymore。
　　Hesoldthemout。"
　　"Howcouldhe？"Iasked。"He’sonlyaboy。"
　　"HehadaberthastypewritertoSenatorBurnsides，presidentoftheNitrateTrust，sortofconfidentialstenographer，"saidthecaptain。"Wheneverthesenatordictatedanimportantletter，theysay，Schnitzelusedtomakeacarboncopy，andwhenhehadenoughofthemhesoldthemtotheWalker—Keefecrowd。Then，whenWalker—
　　KeefelosttheirsuitintheValenciaSupremeCourtIguessSchnitzelwentovertoPresidentAlvarez。Andagain，somefolkssayhe’sbackwiththeNitrateCompany。"
　　"Afterhesoldthemout？"
　　"Yes，butyouseehe’sworthmoretothemnow。HeknowsalltheWalker—KeefesecretsandAlvarez’ssecrets，too。"
　　Iexpressedmyopinionofeveryoneconcerned。
　　"Itshouldn’tsurpriseYOU，"complainedthecaptain。"Youknowthecountry。Everymaninitisoutforsomethingthatisn’this。Thepilotwantshisbit，thehealthdoctormustgethis，thecustomstakeallyourcigars，andifyoudon’tputupgoldforthecaptainoftheportandthealcaldeandthecommandantandtheharborpoliceandtheforemanofthecargadores，theywon’tmovealighter，andthey’llholduptheship’spapers。Well，anAmericancomesdownhere，honestandstraightandwillingtoworkforhiswages。Butprettyquickhefindseveryoneisgettinghissqueezebuthim，sohetriestogetsomeofitbackbyrobbingthenativesthatrobbedhim。Thenherobstheotherforeigners，anditain’tlongbeforehe’scheatingthepeopleathomewhosenthimhere。
　　Thereisn’tamaninthisnitraterowthatisn’trobbingthecrowdhe’swith，andthatwouldn’tchangesidesformoney。Schnitzel’snoworsethanthepresidentnorthecanteencontractor。"
　　Hewavedhishandattheglaringcoast—line，atthesteamingswampsandthehot，nakedmountains。
　　"It’sthecountrythatdoesit，"hesaid。"It’sintheair。Youcansmellitassoonasyoudropanchor，likeyousmelltheslaughter—houseatPunta—Arenas。"
　　"HowdoYOUmanagetokeephonest，"Iasked，smiling。
　　"Idon’ttakeanychances，"exclaimedthecaptainseriously。"WhenI’mintheirdamnedportIdon’tgoashore。"
　　IdidnotagainseeSchnitzeluntil，withhaggardeyesandsuspiciouslywethair，hejoinedthecaptain，doctor，purser，andmyselfatbreakfast。InthephrasesoftheTenderloin，hetolduscheerfullythathehadbeengrandlyintoxicated，andtorecoverdrankmixturesofrawegg，vinegar，andredpepper，thesightofwhichtookawayeveryappetitesavehisown。Whentothishehadaddedabottleofbeer，hedeclaredhimselfanewman。Thenewmanfollowedmetothedeck，andwiththetruculentbearingofonewhoexpectstoberepelled，heaskedif，thedaybefore，hehadnotmadeafoolofhimself。
　　Isuggestedhehadbeensomewhatconfidential。Atonceherecoveredhisposeandpatronizedme。
　　"Don’tyoubelieveit，"hesaid。"That’sallpartofmygame。
　　’Confidenceforconfidence’isthewayIworkit。That’showI
　　learnthings。Itellamansomethingontheinside，andhesays:
　　’Here’saniceyoungfellow。Nothingstandoffishabouthim，’andhetellsmesomethingheshouldn’t。LikeasnotwhatItoldhimwasn’ttrue。See？"
　　Iassuredhimheinterestedmegreatly。
　　"Youfind，then，inyourlineofbusiness，"Iasked，"thatapparentfranknessisadvisable？Asarule，"Iexplained，"secrecyiswhata——apersoninyourline——a——"
　　TosavehisfeelingsIhesitatedattheword。
　　"Aspy，"hesaid。Hisfacebeamedwithfatuouscomplacency。
　　"ButifIhadnotknownyouwereaspy，"Iasked，"wouldnotthathavebeenbetterforyou？"
　　"Indealingwithapartylikeyou，Mr。Crosby，"Schnitzelbegansententiously，"Iuseadifferentmethod。You’reonasecretmissionyourself，andyougetyourinformationaboutthenitraterowoneway，andIgetitanother。Idealwithyoujustlikeweweredrummersinthesamelineofgoods。Wearerivalsinbusiness，butoutsideofbusinesshoursperfectgentleman。"
　　Inthefaceofthedisbeliefthathadmetmydenialsofanysecretmission，IfelttohaveSchnitzelalsodisbelievemewouldbetoogreatahumiliation。SoIremainedsilent。
　　"YoumakeyourreporttotheStateDepartment，"heexplained，"andImakemineto——mypeople。Whotheyaredoesn’tmatter。You’dliketoknow，andIdon’twanttohurtyourfeelings，but——that’sMYsecret。"
　　MyonlyfeelingswereadesiretokickSchnitzelheavily，butforSchnitzeltosuspectthatwasimpossible。Rather，hepicturedmeasshakenbyhisdisclosures。
　　Ashehungovertherailtheglareofthesunonthetumblingwaterlituphisfoolish，mongrelfeatures，exposedtheircunning，theirutterlackofanycharacter，andshowedbehindtheshiftyeyesthevacant，half—crookedmind。
　　Schnitzelwassmilingtohimselfwithasmileofcompleteself—
　　satisfaction。Inthelightofhislaterconduct，Igrewtounderstandthatsmile。Hehadanticipatedarebuff，andhehadbeenreceived，ashereadit，withconsideration。Theironyofmypolitenesshehadentirelymissed。Instead，hereadinwhatIsaidtheadmirationoftheamateurfortheprofessional。HesawwhathebelievedtobeahighagentoftheGovernmenttreatinghimasaworthyantagonist。InnootherwaycanIexplainhislaterheapinguponmehisconfidences。Itwasthevanityofachildtryingtoshowoff。
　　Intendays，inthelimitedareaofatwo—thousand—tonsteamer，onecouldnothelpbutlearnsomethingofthehistoryofsocommunicativeafellow—passengerasSchnitzel。HisparentswereGermanandstilllivedinGermany。ButhehimselfhadbeenbroughtupontheEastSide。AnunclewhokeptadelicatessenshopinAvenueAhadsenthimtothepublicschoolsandthentoa"businesscollege，"wherehehaddevelopedremarkableexpertnessasastenographer。Hereferredtohisskillinthisdifficultexercisewithpityingcontempt。Nevertheless，fromaroomnoisywithtype—
　　writersthisskillhadliftedhimintotheprivateofficeofthepresidentoftheNitrateTrust。There，asSchnitzelexpressedit，"Isaw’mine，’andItookit。"TotracebackthecriminalinstinctthatledSchnitzeltostealandselltheprivatelettersofhisemployerwasnotdifficult。InallofhisfewearlyyearsIfounditlyinglatent。Ofeverystoryhetoldofhimself，andhetalkedonlyofhimself，therewasnotonethatwasnottohisdiscredit。
　　Hehimselfneversawthis，northatallhetoldmeshowedhewaswithoutthemoralsense，andwithaninstinctiveenjoymentofwhatwasdeceitful，mean，andunderhand。That，asIreadit，washischaracter。
　　Inappearancehewassmooth—shaven，withlonglocksthathungbehindwide，protrudingears。Hehadtheunhealthyskinofbadblood，andhiseyes，asthoughthedaylighthurtthem，constantlyopenedandshut。HewaslikehundredsofyoungmenthatyouseeloiteringonupperBroadwayandmakingpredatoryraidsalongtheRialto。Hadyoupassedhiminthatneighborhoodyouwouldhavesethimdownasawire—tapper，aracingtout，awould—beactor。
　　AsIworkeditout，Schnitzelwasaspybecauseitgavehimanimportancehehadnotbeenabletoobtainbyanyothereffort。Asachildandasaclerk，itwaseasytoseethatamonghisassociatesSchnitzelmustalwayshavebeenthebutt。Untilsuddenly，byonedirtyaction，hehadplacedhimselfoutsidetheirclass。Asheexpressedit:"WheneverIwalkthroughtheofficenow，whereallthestenographerssit，yououghttoseethoseslobslookafterme。Whentheygotothepresident’sdoor，theygottoknock，likeIusedto，butnow，whentheoldmanseesmecomingtomakemyreportafteroneofthesetripshecallsout，’Comerightin，Mr。Schnitzel。’AndlikeasnotIgoinwithmyhatonandofferhimacigar。An’theyseemedoit，too！"
　　Tome，thatspeechseemedtogiveSchnitzel’sviewofthevaluesofhislife。Hisvanitydemandedhebepointedat，ifevenwithcontempt。Butthecontemptneverreachedhim——heonlyknewthatatlastpeopletooknoteofhim。Theynolongerlaughedathim，theywereafraidofhim。Inhishearthebelievedthattheyregardedhimasonewhowalkedinthedarkplacesofworldpolitics，whopossessedanevilknowledgeofgreatmenasevilashimself，asonewhobyblackmailheldpublicministersathismercy。
　　Thisviewofhimselfwastheonethathetriedtogiveme。I
　　probablywasthefirstdecentmanwhoeverhadtreatedhimcivilly，andtoimpressmewithhisknowledgehespreadthatknowledgebeforeme。Itwassale，shocking，degrading。
　　AtfirstItookcomfortinthethoughtthatSchnitzelwasaliar。
　　Later，Ibegantowonderifallofitwerealie，andfinally，inawayIcouldnotdoubt，itwasprovedtomethattheworsthechargedwastrue。
　　ThenightIfirstbegantobelievehimwasthenightwetouchedatCristobal，thelastportinValencia。Inthemostlight—heartedmannerhehadbeenaccusingallconcernedinthenitratefightwitheverycrimeknowninWallStreetandinthedarkreachesoftheCongoRiver。
　　"But，Iknowhim，Mr。Schnitzel，"Isaidsternly。"Heisincapableofit。Iwenttocollegewithhim。"
　　"Idon’tcarewhetherhe’sarah—rahboyornot，"saidSchnitzel，"Iknowthat’swhathedidwhenhewasuptheOrinocoafterorchids，andifthetribehadevercaughthimthey’dhavecrucifiedhim。AndIknowthis，too:hemadefortythousanddollarsoutoftheNitrateCompanyonaten—thousand—dollarjob。AndIknowit，becausehebeefedtomeaboutithimself，becauseitwasn’tbigenough。"
　　Wewerepassingthelimestoneislandattheentrancetotheharbor，where，intheprisonfortress，withitsmuzzle—loadinggunspointingdrunkenlyatthesky，areburiedthepoliticalprisonersofValencia。
　　"Now，there，"saidSchnitzel，pointing，"thatshowsyouwhattheNitrateTrustcando。JudgeRojasisinthere。HegavethefirstdecisioninfavoroftheWalker—Keefepeople，andformakingthatdecisionWilliamT。Scott，theNitratemanager，madeAlvarezputRojasinthere。He’sseventyyearsold，andhe’sbeentherefiveyears。Thecelltheykeephiminisbelowthesea—level，andthesalt—waterleaksthroughthewall。I’veseenit。That’swhatWilliamT。Scottdid，an’upinNewYorkpeoplethink’Billy’Scottisafineman。IseenhimattheHorseShowsittinginabox，bowingtoeverybody，withhiswifesittingbesidehim，allhungoutwithpearls。An’thatwasonlyamonthafterI’dseenRojasinthatsewerwhereScottputhim。"
　　"Schnitzel，"Ilaughed，"youcertainlyareamagnificentliar。"
　　Schnitzelshowednoresentment。
　　"Goashoreandlookforyourself，"hemuttered。"Don’tbelieveme。
　　AskRojas。Askthefirstmanyoumeet。"Heshivered，andshruggedhisshoulders。"Itellyou，thewallsaredamp，likesweat。"
　　TheGovernmenthadtelegraphedthecommandanttocomeonboardand，asheexpressedit，"offermethehospitalityoftheport，"whichmeantthatIhadtotakehimtothesmoking—roomandgivehimchampagne。WhattheGovernmentreallywantedwastofindoutwhetherIwasstillonboard，andifitwerefinallyridofme。
　　IaskedtheofficialconcerningJudgeRojas。
　　"Oh，yes，"hesaidreadily。"Heisstillincomunicado。"
　　Withoutbelievingitwouldleadtoanything，Isuggested:
　　"ItwasfoolishofhimtogiveoffencetoMr。Scott？"
　　Thecommandantnoddedvivaciously。
　　"Mr。Scottisverypowerfulman，"heassented。"WeallverymuchloveMr。Scott。Thepresident，heloveMr。Scott，too，butthejudgeswerenotsympathetictoMr。Scott，soMr。Scottaskedourpresidenttogivethemawarning，andSenorRojas——heisthewarning。"
　　"Whenwillhegetout？"Iasked。
　　Thecommandanthelduptheglassinthesunlightfromtheopenair—
　　port，andgazedadmiringlyatthebubbles。
　　"Whocantell，"hesaid。"AnydaywhenMr。Scottwishes。Maybe，never。SenorRojasisanoldman。Old，andhehasmuchrheumatics。Maybe，hewillnevercomeouttoseeourbelovedcountryanymore。"
　　Aswelefttheharborwepassedsoclosethatonecouldthrowastoneagainstthewallofthefortress。Thesunwasjustsinkingandtheairbecamesuddenlychilled。Aroundthelittleislandoflimestonethewavessweptthroughthesea—weedandblackmaniguauptotherustybarsofthecells。Isawthebarefootedsoldierssmokingupontheslopingramparts，thecommoncriminalsinalongstumblinglinebearingkegsofwater，threestorm—beatenpalmsrisinglikegallows，andthegreenandyellowflagofValenciacrawlingdownthestaff。Somewhereentombedinthatblotchedandmildewedmasonryanoldmanofseventyyearswasshiveringandhugginghimselffromthedampandcold。Amanwhospokefivelanguages，ajust，bravegentleman。Tomeitwasnonewstory。I
　　knewofthehorrorsofCristobalprison；ofpoliticalrivalschainedtocriminalsloathsomewithdisease，ofmenwhohadraisedtheflagofrevolutiondriventosuicide。ButneverhadIsupposedthatmyownpeoplecouldreachfromthecityofNewYorkandcastafellow—manintothatcellaroffeverandmadness。
　　AsIwatchedtheyellowwallsinkintothesea，IbecameconsciousthatSchnitzelwasnearme，asbefore，leaningontherail，withhischinsunkonhisarms。Hisfacewasturnedtowardthefortress，andforthefirsttimesinceIhadknownhimitwassetandserious。Andwhen，amomentlater，hepassedmewithoutrecognition，Isawthathiseyeswerefilledwithfear。
　　WhenwetouchedatCuracoaIsentacabletomysister，announcingthedateofmyarrival，andthencontinuedontotheHotelVenezuela。AlmostimmediatelySchnitzeljoinedme。Witheasycarelessnesshesaid:"Iwasinthecableofficejustnow，sendingoffawire，andthatoperatortoldmehecan’tmakeheadortailofthethirdwordinyourcable。"
　　"Thatisstrange，"Icommented，"becauseit’saFrenchword，andheisFrench。That’swhyIwroteitinFrench。"
　　Withtheairofonewhonailsanotherinafalsehood，Schnitzelexclaimed:
　　"Then，howdidyousupposeyoursisterwasgoingtoreadit？It’sacipher，that’swhatitis。Oh，no，YOU’REnotonasecretmission！Notatall！"
　　Itwasmostundignifiedofme，butinfiveminutesIexcusedmyself，andsenttotheStateDepartmentthefollowingwords:
　　"Rosesred，violetsblue，sendsnow。"
　　LaterattheStateDepartmenttheonlypersonwhodidnoteventuallypardonmyjestwastheclerkwhohadsatupuntilthreeinthemorningwithmycable，tryingtofitittoanyknowncode。
　　ImmediatelyaftermyreturntotheHotelVenezuelaSchnitzelexcusedhimself，andhalfanhourlaterreturnedintriumphwiththecableoperatorandorderedlunchforboth。Theyimbibedmuchsweetchampagne。
　　Whenweagainweresafeatsea，Isaid:"Schnitzel，howmuchdidyoupaythatFrenchmantoletyoureadmysecondcable？"
　　Schnitzel’sreplywaspromptandcomplacent。
　　"Onehundreddollarsgold。Itwasworthit。DoyouwanttoknowhowIdopeditout？"
　　Ievenchallengedhimtodoso。"’Rosesred’——wardeclared；
　　’violetsblue’——outlookbad，orblue；’sendsnow’——sendsquadron，becausethewhitesquadroniswhitelikesnow。See？Itwastooeasy。"
　　"Schnitzel，"Icried，"youarewonderful！"
　　Schnitzelyawnedinmyface。
　　"Oh，youdon’thavetohitthesolesofmyfeetwithanight—sticktokeepmeawake，"hesaid。
　　AfterIhadbeenaweekatsea，IfoundthateitherIhadtobelievethatinallthingsSchnitzelwasaliar，orthatthemenoftheNitrateTrustwereinallthingsevil。IwasconvincedthatinsteadofthepeopleofValenciarobbingthem，theywererobbingboththepeopleofValenciaandthepeopleoftheUnitedStates。
　　TogotowarontheiraccountwastodegradeourGovernment。I
　　explainedtoSchnitzelitwasnotbecomingthattheUnitedStatesnavyshouldbemadethecat’s—pawofacorruptcorporation。I
　　askedhispermissiontorepeattotheauthoritiesatWashingtoncertainofthestatementshehadmade。
　　Schnitzelwasgreatlypleased。
　　"You’rewelcometotell’emanythingI’vesaid，"heassented。
　　"And，"headded，"mostofit’strue，too。"
　　Iwrotedowncertainchargeshehadmade，andaddedwhatIhadalwaysknownofthenitratefight。Itwasaterriblearraignment。
　　IntheeveningIreadmynotestoSchnitzel，who，inacornerofthesmoking—room，sat，frowningimportantly，checkingoffeachstatement，andwhereImadeanerrorofadateoraname，severelycorrectingme。
　　SeveraltimesIaskedhim，"Areyousurethiswon’tgetyouintotroublewithyour’people’？Youseemtoaccuseeverybodyoneachside。"
　　Schnitzel’seyesinstantlyclosedwithsuspicion。
　　"Don’tyouworryaboutmeandmypeople，"hereturnedsulkily。
　　"That’sMYsecret，andyouwon’tfinditout，neither。Imaybeascrookedastherestofthem，butI’mnotgivingawaymyemployer。"
　　IsupposeIlookedpuzzled。
　　"Imeannotasecondtime，"headdedhastily。"Iknowwhatyou’rethinkingof，andIgotfivethousanddollarsforit。ButnowI
　　meantostickbythementhatpaymywages。"
　　"Butyou’vetoldmeenoughabouteachofthethreetoputanyoneoftheminjail。"
　　"Ofcourse，Ihave，"criedSchnitzeltriumphantly。
　　"IfI’dletdownonanyonecrowdyou’dknowIwasworkingforthatcrowd，soI’vetouched’emallup。OnlywhatItoldyouaboutmycrowd——isn’ttrue。"
　　ThereportwefinallydrewupwassosensationalthatIwasofamindtothrowitoverboard。ItaccusedmembersoftheCabinet，ofourSenate，diplomats，businessmenofnationalinterest，judgesoftheValenciacourts，privatesecretaries，clerks，hiredbullies，andfilibusters。Menthetrustcouldnotbribeithadblackmailed。
　　Thoseitcouldnotcorrupt，andtheywerepitifullyfew，itcrushedwithsomedisgracefulcharge。
　　Lookingovermynotes，Isaid:
　　"Youseemtohavemadeeverychargeexceptmurder。"
　　"How’dIcometoleavethatout？"Schnitzelansweredflippantly。
　　"WhataboutColeman，theforemanatBahia，andthatGermancontractor，Ebhardt，andoldSmedburg？Theytalkedtoomuch，andtheydiedofyellow—fever，maybe，andmaybewhathappenedtothemwastheyateknockoutdropsintheirsoup。"
　　Idisbelievedhim，buttherecameasuddennastydoubt。
　　"Curtis，whomanagedthecompany’splantatBarcelona，diedofyellow—fever，"Isaid，andwasburiedthesameday。"
　　ForsometimeSchnitzelglowereduncertainlyatthebulkhead。
　　"Didyouknowhim？"heasked。
　　"WhenIwasinthelegationIknewhimwell，"Isaid。
　　"SodidI，"saidSchnitzel。"Hewasn’tmurdered。Hemurderedhimself。Hewaswrongtenthousanddollarsinhisaccounts。Hegotworryingaboutitandwefoundhimoutsidetheclearingwithaholeinhishead。Heleftanotesayinghecouldn’tbearthedisgrace。AsifthecompanywouldholdalittlegraftingagainstasgoodamanasCurtis！"
　　Schnitzelcoughedandpretendeditwashiscigarette。
　　"Youseeyoudon’tputinnothingagainsthim，"headdedsavagely。
　　ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseenSchnitzelshowemotion，andIwasmovedtopreach。
　　"Whydon’tyouquit？"Isaid。"YouhadanA—1jobasastenographer。Whydon’tyougobacktoit？"
　　"Maybe，someday。Butit’sgreatbeingyourownboss。IfIwasastenographer，Iwouldn’tbehelpingyousendinareporttotheStateDepartment，wouldI？No，thisjobisallright。Theysendyouaftersomethingbig，andyouhavethedevilofatimegettingit，butwhenyougetit，youfeellikeyouhadpickedahundred—to—
　　oneshot。"
　　Thetalkorthedrinkhadelatedhim。Hisfish—likeeyesbulgedandshone。Hecastaquicklookabouthim。Exceptforourselves，thesmoking—roomwasempty。Frombelowcamethesteadythroboftheengines，andfromoutsidethewhisperofthewavesandofthewindthroughthecordage。Abarefootedsailorpatteredbytothebridge。Schnitzelbenttowardme，andwithhishandpointedtohisthroat。
　　"I’vegotpapersonmethat’sworthamilliontoacertainparty，"
　　hewhispered。"Youunderstand，mynotesincipher。"
　　Hescowledwithintensemystery。
　　"Ikeep’eminanoiled—silkbag，tiedaroundmyneckwithastring。Andhere，"headdedhastily，pattinghiship，asthoughtoforestallanyattackImightmakeuponhisperson，"Icarrymyautomatic。Itshootsninebulletsinfiveseconds。Theygottobequicktocatchme。"
　　"Well，ifyouhaveeitherofthosethingsonyou，"Isaidtestily，"Idon’twanttoknowit。HowoftenhaveItoldyounottotalkanddrinkatthesametime？"
　　"Ah，goon，"laughedSchnitzel。"That’sanoldgag，warningafellownottotalksoastoMAKEhimtalk。Idothatmyself。"
　　ThatSchnitzelhadimportantpaperstiedtohisneckInomorebelievethanthatheworeashirtofchainarmor，buttopleasehimIpretendedtobegreatlyconcerned。
　　"Nowthatwe’regettingintoNewYork，"Isaid，"youmustbeverycareful。Amanwhocarriessuchimportantdocumentsonhispersonmightbemurderedforthem。Ithinkyououghttodisguiseyourself。"
　　ApictureofmybagbeingcarriedashorebySchnitzelintheuniformofaship’sstewardratherpleasedme。
　　"Goon，you’rekidding！"saidSchnitzel。HewasdrawnbetweenbelievingIwasdeeplyimpressedandwithfearthatIwasmockinghim。
　　"Onthecontrary，"Iprotested，"Idon’tfeelquitesafemyself。
　　SeeingmewithyoutheymaythinkIhavepapersaroundMYneck。"
　　"Theywouldn’tlookatyou，"Schnitzelreassuredme。"Theyknowyou’rejustanamateur。But，asyousay，withme，it’sdifferent。
　　IGOTtobecareful。Now，youmightn’tbelieveit，butInevergonearmyunclenornoneofmyfriendsthatlivewhereIusedtohangout。IfIdid，theotherspieswouldgetonmytrack。Isuppose，"
　　hewentongrandly，"InevergooutinNewYorkbutthatatleasttwospiesaretrailingme。ButIknowhowtothrowthemoff。I
　　live’waydowntowninalittlehotelyouneverheardof。YounevercatchmediningatSherry’snortheWaldorf。Andyounevermetmeoutsocially，didyou，now？"
　　IconfessedIhadnot。
　　"Andthen，Ialwaysliveunderanassumedname。"
　　"Like’Jones’？"Isuggested。
　　"Well，sometimes’Jones’，"headmitted。
　　"Tome，"Isaid，"’Jones’lacksimagination。It’sthesortofnameyougivewhenyou’rearrestedforexceedingthespeedlimit。Whydon’tyoucallyourselfMachiavelli？"
　　"Goon，I’mnodago，"saidSchnitzel，"anddon’tyougooffthinking’Jones’istheonlydisguiseIuse。ButI’mnottellin’
　　whatitis，amI？Oh，no。"
　　"Schnitzel，"Iasked，"haveyoueverbeentoldthatyouwouldmakeagreatdetective？"
　　"Cutitout，"saidSchnitzel。"You’vebeenreadingthosefairystories。There’snoflycopsnorPinkscoulddotheworkIdo。
　　They’repikerscomparedtome。Theychasepetty—larcenycasesandkickindoors。Iwouldn’tstooptowhattheydo。It’sbeingmixedupthewayIamwiththeproblemsoftwogovernmentsthatcatchesme。"Headdedmagnanimously，"Youseesomethingofthatyourself。"
　　WelefttheshipatBrooklyn，andwithregretIpreparedtobidSchnitzelfarewell。SeldomhadImetalittlebeastsooffensive，buthisvanity，hislies，hismoralblindness，madeonepityhim。
　　Andintendaysinthesmoking—roomtogetherwehadhadmanyfriendlydrinksandmanyfriendlylaughs。HewasgoingtoahotelonlowerBroadway，andasmycab，onmywayuptown，passedthedoor，Iofferedhimalift。Heappearedtoconsidertheadvisabilityofthis，andthen，withmuchby—playofglancingoverhisshoulder，divedintothefrontseatanddrewdowntheblinds。
　　"ThishotelIamgoingtoisanold—fashionedtrap，"heexplained，"buttheclerkiswisetome，understand，andIdon’thavetosigntheregister。"
　　Aswedrewnearertothehotel，hesaid:"It’sapitywecan’tdineoutsomewheresandgotothetheatre，but——youknow？"
　　WithalmosttoomuchheartinessIhastilyagreeditwouldbeimprudent。
　　"Iunderstandperfectly，"Iassented。"Youareamarkedman。
　　Untilyougetthosepaperssafeinthehandsofyour’people，’youmustbeverycautious。"
　　"That’sright，"hesaid。Thenhesmiledcraftily。
　　"Iwonderifyou’reonyettowhichmypeopleare。"
　　IassuredhimthatIhadnoidea，butthatfromtheaviditywithwhichhehadabusedthemIguessedhewasworkingfortheWalker—
　　Keefecrowd。
　　Hebothsmiledandscowled。
　　"Don’tyouwishyouknew？"hesaid。"I’vetoldyoualotofinsidestories，Mr。Crosby，butI’llnevertellonmypalsagain。Notme！
　　That’sMYsecret。"
　　Atthedoorofthehotelhebademeahastygood—by，andforafewminutesIbelievedthatSchnitzelhadpassedoutofmylifeforever。Then，intakingaccountofmybelongings，Imissedmyfield—glasses。Irememberedthat，inordertoopenatrunkforthecustomsinspectors，IhadhandedthemtoSchnitzel，andthathehadhungthemoverhisshoulder。Inourhasteatpartingwebothhadforgottenthem。
　　Iwasonlyafewblocksfromthehotel，andItoldthemantoreturn。
　　IinquiredforMr。Schnitzel，andtheclerk，whoapparentlyknewhimbythatname，saidhewasinhisroom，numbereighty—two。
　　"Buthehasacallerwithhimnow，"headded。"Agentlemanwaswaitingforhim，and’sjustgoneup。"
　　IwroteonmycardwhyIhadcalled，andsoonafterithadbeenborneskywardtheclerksaid:"Iguesshe’llbeabletoseeyounow。That’sthepartythatwascallingonhim，there。"
　　Henoddedtowardamanwhocrossedtherotundaquickly。Hisfacewastwistedfromus，asthough，ashealmostrantowardthestreet，hewerereadingtheadvertisementsonthewall。
　　Hereachedthedoor，andwaslostinthegreattideofBroadway。
　　Icrossedtotheelevator，andasIstoodwaiting，itdescendedwithacrash，andtheboywhohadtakenmycardflunghimself，shrieking，intotherotunda。
　　"Thatman——stophim！"hecried。"Themanineighty—two——he’smurdered。"
　　Theclerkvaultedthedeskandsprangintothestreet，andI
　　draggedtheboybacktothewireropeandweshottothethirdstory。Theboyshrankback。Achambermaid，crouchingagainstthewall，herfacecolorless，loweredonehand，andpointedatanopendoor。
　　"Inthere，"shewhispered。
　　Inamean，commonroom，stretchedwherehehadbeenstruckbackuponthebed，Ifoundtheboywhohadelectedtomeddleinthe"problemsoftwogovernments。"
　　Intinyjets，fromthreewideknife—wounds，hisbloodflowedslowly。Hisstaringeyeswereliftedupinfearandinentreaty。
　　Iknewthathewasdying，andasIfeltmyimpotencetohelphim，I
　　askeenlyfeltagreatrageandahatredtowardthosewhohadstruckhim。
　　Ileanedoverhimuntilmyeyeswereonlyafewinchesfromhisface。
　　"Schnitzel！"Icried。"Whodidthis？Youcantrustme。Whodidthis？Quick！"
　　Isawthatherecognizedme，andthattherewassomethingwhich，withterribleeffort，hewastryingtomakemeunderstand。
　　Inthehallwastherushofmanypeople，running，exclaiming，thenoiseofbellsringing；fromanotherfloorthevoiceofawomanshriekedhysterically。
　　Atthesoundstheeyesoftheboygreweloquentwithentreaty，andwithamovementthatcalledfromeachwoundafreshoutburst，likeamanstrangling，heliftedhisfingerstohisthroat。
　　Voiceswerecallingforwater，towaitforthedoctor，towaitforthepolice。ButIthoughtIunderstood。
　　Stilldoubtinghim，stillunbelieving，ashamedofmyowncredulity，Itoreathiscollar，andmyfingerscloseduponapackageofoiledsilk。
　　Istooped，andwithmyteethrippeditopen，andholdingbeforehimtheslipsofpaperitcontained，torethemintotinyshreds。
　　Theeyessmiledatmewithcunning，withtriumph，withdeepcontent。
　　ItwassoliketheSchnitzelIhadknownthatIbelievedstillhemighthavestrengthenoughtohelpme。
　　"Whodidthis？"Ibegged。"I’llhanghimforit！Doyouhearme？"
　　Icried。
　　Seeinghimlyingthere，withthelifecutoutofhim，sweptmewithablindanger，withaneedtopunish。
　　"I’llseetheyhangforit。Tellme！"Icommanded。"Whodidthis？"
　　Theeyes，nowfilledwithweariness，lookedupandthelipsmovedfeebly。
　　"Myownpeople，"hewhispered。
　　InmyindignationIcouldhaveshakenthetruthfromhim。Ibentcloser。
　　"Then，byGod，"Iwhisperedback，"you’lltellmewhotheyare！"
　　Theeyesflashedsullenly。
　　"That’smysecret，"saidSchnitzel。
　　Theeyessetandthelipsclosed。
　　Amanatmysideleanedoverhim，anddrewthesheetacrosshisface。