gravely.

Gorman collapsed then. Steinwitz' portentous solemnity was too much
for him. Sticking pins into a man or an ape is a pleasant sport. They
have skins of reasonable density. It is dull work pricking a
rhinoceros, even with a rapier.

"About going to Salissa," he said meekly. "Can you manage to send me
there?"

"Certainly," said Steinwitz. "How soon can you start?"

"At once," said Gorman. "I'll buy a tooth-brush on my way to the
steamer. I realize that I must waste no time when conducting business
for the Emperor."

"That is so," said Steinwitz, "but you cannot start before to-morrow.
To-morrow at 9 a.m. the _Ida_ leaves Tilbury. She is the steamer which
Mr. Donovan chartered from us. She returns to the island according to
his orders. If you care to sail on her----"

Steinwitz took up the receiver of the telephone which stood on his
desk.

"Is Captain Wilson in the office?" he called. "Captain Wilson of the
_Ida_. Oh, he's not, but Mr. Phillips is. Very well. Ask Mr. Phillips
to come up and speak to me here. Mr. Phillips," he explained to
Gorman, "is first officer on the _Ida_. I shall give him orders to be
ready for you to-morrow."

There was a brisk tap at the door. Phillips walked in.

"Mr. Phillips," said Steinwitz, "Mr. Gorman will sail with you
to-morrow on the _Ida_. You will see that a cabin is prepared for
him, and tell Captain Wilson, with my compliments, that Mr. Gorman is
to be made as comfortable as possible. If there are any particular
directions you'd like to give, Mr. Gorman----"

"I prefer Irish to Scotch," said Gorman, "but I don't insist on it."

"Irish? Scotch?" said Steinwitz. "Ah, yes, whisky, of course. Make a
note of that, if you please, Mr. Phillips."

"And I detest tinned salmon," said Gorman.

"You need not be uneasy," said Steinwitz. "On our ships no passenger
is ever asked to eat tinned salmon. As the guest of the company----"

"Of the Emperor," said Gorman.

He deliberately winked at Phillips when he mentioned the Emperor.
Phillips has a nice, round, sun-burned face, clear eyes and curly
hair. Gorman felt that it would be easy to make friends with him.
Phillips laughed and then checked himself abruptly. He saw no joke in
a reference to the Emperor, but Gorman's wink appealed to him
strongly. Steinwitz frowned.

"That will do, Mr. Phillips," he said.

He turned to Gorman when the young man left the room.

"You will let me hear from you," he said. "I shall exp