aded one
belonged to Morgan, the bloodthirsty ruffian. I've always regretted
that I wasn't born a hundred years ago. Think of bottling them up in a
shallow channel and raking 'em fore and aft!" With a bang of his fist
on the desk, setting the ink-wells rattling like old bones, "That would
have been sport!"

The keen, blue, sailor's eye seemed to bore right through Fitzgerald,
who thought the best thing he could do was to sit down at once, which
he did. The ticket agent had said that the admiral was of a quiet
pattern, but this start wasn't much like it. The fire in the blue eyes
suddenly gave way to a twinkle, and the old man laughed.

"Did I frighten you, Mr. Fitzgerald?"

"Not exactly."

"Well, every secretary I've had has expected to see a red-nosed,
swearing, peg-legged sailor; so I thought I'd soften the blow for you.
Don't worry. Sailor?"

"Not in the technical sense," answered Fitzgerald, warming. "I know a
stanchion from an anchor and a rope from a smoke-stack. But as for
travel, I believe that I have crossed all the high and middle seas."

"Sounds good. Australia, East Indies, China, the Antilles, Gulf, and
the South Atlantic?"

"Yes; round the Horn, too, and East Africa." Fitzgerald remembered his
instructions and spoke clearly.

"Well, well; you are a find. In what capacity have you taken these
voyages?"

Here was the young man's opportunity. This was a likeable old sea-dog,
and he determined not to impose upon him another moment. Some men, for
the sake of the adventure, would have left the truth to be found out
later, to the disillusion of all concerned. The abrupt manner in which
Miss Killigrew had abandoned him merited some revenge.

"Admiral, I'm afraid there has been a mistake, and before we go any
further I'll be glad to explain. I'm not a private secretary and never
have been one. I should be less familiar with the work than a
Chinaman. I am a special writer for the magazines, and have been at
odd times a war correspondent." And then he went on to describe the
little comedy of the statuettes, and it was not without some charm in
the telling.

Plainly the admiral was nonplussed. That girl; that minx, with her
innocent eyes and placid face! He got up, and Fitzgerald awaited the
explosion. His expectancy missed fire. The admiral exploded, but with
laughter.

"I beg pardon, Mr. Fitzgerald, and I beg it again on my daughter's
behalf. What would you do in my place?"