better wait the return of the absent secretary, which could not
be more than six months hence.

CHAPTER XIX.

SMOOTH DISCOVERS HIMSELF.

"'Now, citizen!' said I, thinking it was about time I disclosed to
Mr. Prompt who I was, and also the character of my mission, 'as you
seem to be the establishment in general, and can grant such very
accommodating passports, let me inform you that I, Solomon Smooth, am
Mister Pierce's Minister Extraordinary, to Europe in particular.' Mr.
Prompt's sharp visage now became sharper. 'Pierce,' I said, 'had
commissioned me to call together all the boys, in congress at Ostend.'
In testimony of what I had set forth I produced the document, at the
sight of which he relieved himself of a very handsome bow, brought his
lean body to a perpendicular, and, with an effort at modesty, laid
aside his hat and cigar; this I regarded as creditable to the
establishment. 'The governor's cum, Mas'r Prompt!' exclaimed the
negro, again thrusting his full yellow face into the door. Prompt was
evidently abashed at this sudden announcement.

"'I'll see the governor, if you have no objection,' said I, attempting
to relieve his quandary. He replied he had none whatever; that I would
find him a trump, though rather low. 'He seldom comes out of this
place!' ejaculated Prompt, leading the way through an extremely narrow
and crooked passage into a dark cloister-like room, lighted by a small
lamp that shed a sickly light over the few antiquated pieces of
furniture it contained. 'Minister Smooth will please to introduce
himself!' said Mr. Prompt, ushering me into the room, and closing the
door as he retired. Descrying through the pale glow of the lamp my
venerable friend Buck, who was seated at a table in the centre of the
room, amusing himself with the cat Prompt had so unceremoniously
kicked out of his presence, he immediately recognized me; the
reception I met would have done honor to companions in the Continental
War, meeting after a long absence. He said Saunders and his boy Dan
(that is, he was boy to Dan) had reduced his light wonderfully. Here
he began pricking up the wick of the old lamp, while I drew up a seat
and commenced without further ceremony disclosing the object of my
visit, and making known to him some of Pierce's opinions (private) on
matters in general. 'Read this carefully,' said I, handing him my
instructions from the State Department. He took the document like one
compelled to do a t