r mused, putting out a hand for them and
moving nearer the light. "Strange! Just today I was speaking of a
counterfeiter!" And Tommy, in an awed voice, asked:

"You don't think it's more dreams?"

The officials, I rather suspected, were beginning to look at us askance.
Our various attitudes at this discovery were scarcely in accordance with
the usually accepted actions of innocent people; on the contrary, with
but a grain of imagination, we might be branded as a trio of rascals
trying to stall out of a tight place. My apprehension was more confirmed
when Hardwick, a shade less cordial, said:

"As a United States official, I should like to hear your views about
these."

Now Tommy looked across at me and I saw that he was awake. Monsieur, on
the other hand, remained blissfully indifferent that anything might be
out of the ordinary--except, of course, being loaded with a hundred
dollars of bad money, which does not happen every day.

"My counterfeiter?" he smiled innocently. "Yes, he could have done
these. His plates are all but perfect. And these bills--you will admit
they almost fooled you!" Whereupon he laughed.

Tommy fidgeted, saying:

"Have a care, gezabo, or you'll be sending us to the rock pile!"

"My friend is cut-upping," Monsieur beamed on the official, but met with
no more hearty response than the dry acquiescence:

"I've no doubt of it. But suppose you tell me more of your other
friend--the counterfeiter!"

"Friend? _My_ friend?" Monsieur's face now became the picture of horror.
"I was telling these boys of one who disappeared years ago, and
afterwards the police showed me some plates found in his rooms! _My_
friend!"

Hardwick began to laugh.

"Please accept my apologies, but, really, for the moment----"

"Don't mention it," Tommy interrupted him, handing across a newly opened
box of cigars. "I understand you--the professor couldn't!"

Returning to the important subject, Hardwick said:

"Whoever put these out is probably in Cuba. You got them at the
cafe----?"

"Quite so," Monsieur exclaimed, warming up with the notion of doing
detective work. "I was playing roulette--but, pardon me, you have
heard."

"Do you remember any one around the table who showed new-looking bills?"

"No. We were the only ones playing, and but a few were looking on."

"The restaurant was crowded," Tommy said, "and connects with the
gambling rooms. Mightn't they send money back and forth if needed?"

"Quite pro