rnment officials sometimes have to work
_sub rosa_, as the saying is; that means without any one knowing what we
are at. You understand, Paul?"

"Yes, sir, I guess I do; but I hope there's nothing wrong here at our
post-office. We all think the world of Mr. Mygatt, and his clerks," said
Paul.

"Oh! don't mention such a thing. We have to investigate many times just
to discover how smoothly things are going on. Isn't that Jack's dog
coming out with a package of papers in his mouth? Has he actually been
down for the mail?" went on the gentleman.

"That's Carlo, all right. Sometimes they give him the mail when there are
no letters, as you see."

"And will he carry the bundles home safely, without stopping to play with
other dogs, or to fight?"

"Oh! Carlo knows his duty. He never forgets what is expected of him.
There, sir, look at him halting for a minute at the open door of the
butcher shop, to wag his tail, and peep in. It smells mighty inviting to
him, I wager; but will he go in? Not much. See, there he goes along,
heading straight for home. If another dog picked a fight with him, Carlo
would lay that package down, give the cur a good licking, then pick the
papers up again, and trot along."

"I see you know his traits well, Paul," remarked the gentleman, smiling.

"Some of them, but not all. He's a great dog, all right, and Jack's fond
of him."

"I suppose money couldn't buy him, then?" suggested Mr. Pender.

"It would be useless to try it, sir, I think. Will you stay long with Mr.
Stormways?"

"That I cannot say. My business may be completed in a day, and it may
keep me in this vicinity for a week. That depends on circumstances. You
have been around more or less, Paul; do you happen to remember seeing a
large red touring car, with a khaki-colored cover, and occupied by two
men, one of whom has a glass eye?"

Paul stared at the tall gentleman, as though he thought at first the
other might be joking him; but seeing not a ripple of a smile on the dark
face, he changed his mind.

"Why, no, sir; I can't seem to remember seeing that particular car. Of
course red ones are common; but most of them have black tops, if any at
all. Some friends of yours, Mr. Pender?" he remarked, naturally.

The gentleman allowed just a twinkle to appear in the corners of his eyes
as he nodded his head, and said:

"Well, er--yes, very particular friends of mine, Paul, and whom I would
be glad to see again right now. If you happe