as cheerfully optimistic.

"I shall want several cameras, of different kinds," he said to the
boys. "Perhaps you can recommend to me where to get some."

"Yes," spoke Joe. "We'll help you pick them out if you are going
back to New York."

"I am not so sure of that," the Spaniard said. "I will know in a
few days when I hear from my railroad friends. I expect a letter
shortly."

There was some little delay in getting the pictures Blake wanted
of the Gatun Dam. Certain work had to be done, and Blake wanted to
show the complete and finished structure. So he decided to wait.

About a week after the above conversation with Mr. Alcando, the
Spaniard came to the boys, waving an open letter in his hand. The
mail had just come in, bringing missives to Blake and Joe. Some
were of a business nature, but for each boy there was an envelope,
square and of delicate tint--such stationery as no business man
uses. But we need not concern ourselves with that. We all have our
secrets.

"I have my marching orders," laughed the Spaniard. "I leave you
this week, for my own particular jungle. Now I must arrange to get
my cameras."

"We'll help you," offered Joe, and then, with the catalogue of a
moving picture supply house before them, the boys sat down to plan
what sort of an outfit would best be suited to the needs of Mr.
Alcando. He was not limited as to money, it was evident, for he
picked out the most expensive cameras possible to buy.

"I wish you boys would come and see me, when I get to work taking
views along our railroad line," he said. "It isn't altogether a
selfish invitation," he added with a laugh, "for I expect you
could give me good advice, and correct some of my mistakes."

"I'm afraid we won't get a chance to go to South America," Blake
answered.

With a tentative list of what he needed, Mr. Alcando went to write
a letter to his railroad officials, asking them to order his
outfit for him.

As Blake pushed back his chair, intending to leave the cabin to
seek his own stateroom, he saw, on the floor, a piece of paper.
Idly he picked it up, and, as he saw it was part of a letter to
the Spaniard he folded it, to hand to him. But, as he did so he
caught sight of a few words on it. And those words made him stare
in wonder. For Blake read:

"Stuff is all ready for you. You had better do the job and get
away. There is some fine scenery in Europe."

Saying nothing to his chum about it, Blake went with the letter
towa