lieve, sir, that Ensign Darrin's letter is
still safe. If you'll permit me, sir, I'll look for the ensign's
letter where I placed it, after leaving the ensign and before quitting
the hotel."

Captain Allen at once nodded his permission. Runkle partly undressed,
then explored the place where he had concealed Dave's letter.

"What was the other letter addressed to me that was taken away from
you, Runkle?" questioned the captain, while the search was going on.

"It wasn't really a letter, sir," the sailorman replied, this time
with a very broad grin. "It was just an envelope addressed to you, and
filled with blank paper."

"Who addressed that envelope?"

"I did, sir."

"And why?"

"Because I thought that Ensign Darrin's letter might be important, and
I had an idea that some skulking sneaks might try to take it away from
me."

Then Runkle, having put his clothing in order, stepped towards
Captain Allen, holding out an envelope.

"I think, sir, you'll find that this is Ensign Darrin's letter, and
that it's just as he gave it to me, sir."

Captain Allen hastily broke the seal, took out the enclosure, and read
rapidly, a frown gathering on his face all the while.

"Runkle," cried the Captain, springing up and placing a hand on the
sailorman's shoulder, "did Ensign Darrin suggest to you the ruse that
fooled your assailants?"

"No, sir."

"You did it on your own initiative?"

"I--I did it out of my own head, sir, if that means the same thing,"
replied the puzzled sailor slowly.

"It does mean the same thing," continued Captain Allen, "and, Runkle,
I'm proud of you. That's a good headpiece you have on your shoulders,
and I shall make note of it on your record. You have shown good
judgment. You have a head fitted to meet difficulties. You may look
for promotion in the near future."

"Have I your permission, sir, to ask if that was Ensign Darrin's
letter and if it was in good order?" asked Runkle.

"It was, my man, thanks to your intelligent and courageous
performance of duty. Runkle, how much money did the bravos take from
you?"

"Eighteen dollars in real money, sir, and about two dollars in _lira_
money."

Sailors sometimes call the Italian money "lira money," because the
lire, which is worth about the same as the French _franc_, or twenty
cents, is the common unit of Italian currency. "Lira" is the plural of
"lire."

"I am afraid you don't like the Italian money very well, Runkle,"
smiled Captain Al