att's desk, discovered himself to be
the subject of a searching scrutiny from two pairs of eyes. Both Smatt
and Dr. Ichi, the latter seated at the lawyer's right hand, were
critically inspecting the tall, good-looking young fellow who faced
them.

Martin was accustomed to the lawyer's boring glances. He returned
Smatt's stare, and experienced more keenly than usual his sense of
dislike for the man. Smatt's face was in keeping with his voice, which
was rusty. It was bleak and lantern-jawed, with a gash for a mouth,
and a great beak of a nose that thrust out between two cold gray eyes.
He was quite bald. An impressive appearing old man, not one to inspire
affection but fear. One year of service had endowed Martin with no
sense of loyalty or liking for the man. Now, he returned Smatt's gaze
with one of indifference, tinged with hostility.

"Blake, I wish you to execute a mission for me tonight," said Smatt.

Martin inclined his head in understanding. Executing missions at
night-time for Mr. Smatt was a not uncommon experience. He rather
liked these confidential errands, though he sometimes doubted the good
faith of the man who inspired them. They took him into strange corners
of the city, to interview strange characters. They were the one
exciting feature of his drab employment.

The lawyer picked up from his desk a well-stuffed and tightly sealed
legal-sized envelope. He turned to the Japanese, as if for approval or
permission, and Dr. Ichi, without removing his bright, oblique eyes
from Martin's face, inclined his head in agreement with that unspoken
communication. The lawyer faced Martin again, but the latter had the
feeling that, despite Smatt's heavy voice and forceful personality, it
was the silent little Dr. Ichi who dominated the situation.

"You are to deliver this envelope to a man named Carew, Captain Robert
Carew," commenced Smatt. "At ten o'clock tonight, exactly, you will
enter a drinking saloon situated on the corner of Green Street and the
Embarcadero. This resort is known as the Black Cruiser Saloon, and is
conducted by a person named Spulvedo--you will find both names on a
sign over the entrance."

The lawyer looked inquiringly toward Dr. Ichi, and the latter nodded
confirmation of the instruction and description. Smatt continued.

"You will speak with this man, Spulvedo, taking care not to be
overheard, and you will ask him to conduct you to Captain Carew."

Martin nodded his und