ould. He
said he was sorry, and hoped he hadn't done any damage."

"Well, I guess not much," Joe responded, for, after all, it was an
accommodation to have the letters brought out from the post-office
by the neighbors, as often happened. That one should be forgotten,
and carried in a pocket, was not so very surprising.

"Then you won't make any fuss?" the barefoot lad went on, eagerly.

"No--why should we?" inquired Joe with a smile. "We won't inform
the postal authorities. I guess it wasn't so very important," and
he looked at Blake, who was reading the delayed letter.

"Whew!" finally whistled Joe's chum. "This is going some!"

"What's up now?"

"Another surprise," answered Blake. "This day seems to be filled
with 'em."

"Is it about Panama?"

"You've guessed it. Mr. Hadley wants us to go there and get a
series of moving pictures. Incidentally he mentions that he is
sending to us a gentleman who wants to go with us, if we decide to
go. I presume he refers to you," and Blake nodded in the direction
of Mr. Alcando.

"Then you have confirmatory evidence of what my letter says?"
asked the Spaniard, bowing politely.

"That's what it amounts to," Blake made answer. "Though, of
course, seeing that this is the first we've had Panama brought up
to us, we don't really know what to say about going there."

"Hardly," agreed Joe, at a look from his chum.

"And yet you may go; shall you not?" asked the Spaniard, quickly.
He seemed very eager for an answer.

"Oh, yes, we may--it's not altogether out of the question," said
Blake. "We'll have to think about it, though."

"And if you do go, may I have the honor of accompanying you to the
Isthmus?" Again he seemed very anxious.

"Well, of course, if Mr. Hadley wants you to go with us we'll take
you," answered Joe slowly. "We are employed by Mr. Hadley, as one
of the owners of the Film Theatrical Company, and what he says
generally goes."

"Ah, but, gentlemen, I should not want you to take me under
compulsion!" exclaimed the Spaniard, quickly. "I would like to
go--as your friend!" and he threw out his hands in an impulsive,
appealing gesture. "As a friend!" he repeated.

"Well, I guess that could be arranged," returned Blake with a
smile, for he had taken a liking to the young man, though he did
not altogether understand him. "We'll have to think it over."

"Oh, of course. I should not ask for a decision now," said Mr.
Alcando quickly. "I shall return to my hotel