byRichardHardingDavisMygoingtoValenciawasentirelyanaccident。ButthemoreoftenIstatedthatfact，themoresatisfiedwaseveryoneatthecapitalthatIhadcomeonsomesecretmission。Eventhevenerablepoliticianwhoactedasourminister，thenightofmyarrival，afterdinner，saidconfidentially，"Now，Mr。Crosby，betweenourselves，what’sthegame？"
"What’swhatgame？"Iasked。
"YouknowwhatImean，"hereturned。"Whatareyouherefor？"
Butwhen，forthetenthtime，IrepeatedhowIcametobemaroonedinValenciaheshowedthathisfeelingswerehurt，andsaidstiffly:"Asyouplease。Supposewejointheladies。"
Andthenextdayhiswifereproachedmewith:"Ishouldthinkyoucouldtrustyourownminister。MyhusbandNEVERtalks——noteventome。"
"SoIsee，"Isaid。
Andthenherfeelingswerehurtalso，andshewentabouttellingpeopleIwasanagentoftheWalker—Keefecrowd。
MyonlyreasonforrepeatingherethatmygoingtoValenciawasanaccidentisthatitwasbecauseSchnitzeldisbelievedthatfact，andtodragthehideousfactsfrommefollowedmebacktoNewYork。
ThroughthatcircumstanceIcametoknowhim，andamabletotellhisstory。
ThesimpletruthwasthatIhadbeensentbytheStateDepartmenttoPanamato"go，look，see，"andstraightenoutacertainconflictofauthorityamongtheofficialsofthecanalzone。WhileIwastheretheyellow—feverbrokeout，andeveryself—respectingpowerclappedaquarantineontheIsthmus，withtheresultthatwhenI
triedtoreturntoNewYorknosteamerwouldtakemetoanyplacetowhichanywhitemanwouldcaretogo。ButIknewthatatValenciatherewasadirectlinetoNewYork，soItookatrampsteamerdownthecoasttoValencia。IwenttoValenciaonlybecausetomeeveryotherportintheworldwasclosed。Mypositionwasthatofthemanwhoexplainedtohiswifethathecamehomebecausetheotherplaceswereshut。
But，because，formerlyinValenciaIhadheldaminorpostinourlegation，andbecausetheStateDepartmentsoconstantlyconsultsourfirmonquestionsofinternationallaw，itwasbelievedI
revisitedValenciaonsomemysteriousandsecretmission。
Asamatteroffact，hadIgonetheretosellphonographsortostartasteamlaundry，Ishouldhavebeenasgreatlysuspected。
ForinValenciaeveneverycommercialsalesman，fromthemomenthegivesuphispassportonthesteameruntilthepolicepermithimtodepart，issuspected，shadowed，andbegirtwithspies。
IbelievethatduringmybriefvisitIenjoyedthedistinctionofoccupyingtheundividedattentionofthree:acommonorgardenGovernmentspy，fromwhomnoguiltymanescapes，aWalker—Keefespy，andthespyoftheNitrateCompany。ThespyoftheNitrateCompanyisgenerallyamanyoumeetatthelegationsandclubs。Heplaysbridgeandisdignifiedwiththetitleof"agent。"TheWalker—Keefespyisostensiblyatravellingsalesmanorhotelrunner。TheGovernmentspyisjustaspy——ascowling，importantlittlebeastinawhiteducksuitandadiamondring。Thelimitofhisintelligenceistofollowyouintoacigarstoreandnotewhatcigaryoubuy，andinwhatkindofmoneyyoupayforit。
Thereasonforitallwasthethree—corneredfightwhichthenwasbeingwagedbytheGovernment，theNitrateTrust，andtheWalker—
Keefecrowdforthepossessionofthenitratebeds。Valenciaissoneartotheequator，andsofarfromNewYork，thattherearefewwhostudiedtheintricatestoryofthatdisgracefulstruggle，which，Ihastentoadd，withthefearoflibelbeforemyeyes，Idonotintendtotellnow。
Briefly，itwasatriangularfightbetweenopponentseachofwhomwasinthewrong，andeachofwhom，togainhisend，bribed，blackmailed，androbbed，notonlyhisadversaries，butthoseofhisownside，theendinviewbeingthepossessionofthosegreatdepositsthatlieintherocksofValencia，bakedfromabovebythetropicsunandfrombelowbyvolcanicfires。Asoneoftheirengineers，onenightinthePlaza，saidtome:"Thosemineswereconceivedinhell，andstinktoheaven，andthereputationofeverymanofusthathastouchedthemsmellslikethemines。"
AtthetimeIwastherethesituationwas"acute。"InValenciathesituationalwaysisacute，butthistimeitlookedasthoughsomethingmighthappen。OnthedaybeforeIdepartedtheNitrateTrusthadcabledvehementlyforwar—ships，theMinisterofForeignAffairshadrefusedtoreceiveourminister，andatPortoBanosamobhadmadethetinsignoftheUnitedStatesconsulatelooklikeasieve。Ourministerurgedmetoremain。Tobebombardedbyone’sownwar—ships，heassuredme，wouldbeathrillingexperience。
ButIrepeatedthatmybusinesswaswithPanama，notValencia，andthatifinthismatterofhisrowIhadanyweightatWashington，asbetweenpreservingthenitratebedsforthetrust，andpreservingforhiscountryandvarioussweetheartsonebrown—
throated，clean—limbedbluejacket，Iwasforthebluejacket。
Accordingly，whenIsailedfromValenciatheageddiplomatwouldhavedescribedourrelationsasstrained。
Ourshipwasaslowship，listedtotouchatmanyports，andasearlyasnoononthefollowingdaywestoppedforcargoatTrujillo。ItwasthereImetSchnitzel。
InPanamaIhadboughtamacawforalittlenieceofmine，andwhileweweretakingoncargoIwentashoretogetatincageinwhichtoputit，and，fordirection，calleduponourconsul。Fromaninnerroomheenteredexcitedly，smilingatmycard，andaskedhowhemightserveme。ItoldhimIhadaparrotbelowdecks，andwantedtobuyatincage。
"Exactly。Youwantatincage，"theconsulrepeatedsoothingly。
"TheStateDepartmentdoesn’tkeepmeawakenightscablingmewhatit’sgoingtodo，"hesaid，"butatleastIknowitdoesn’tsendathousand—dollar—a—minute，four—cylinderlawyerallthewaytothisfeverswamptobuyatincage。Now，honest，howcanIserveyou？"
Isawitwashopeless。Noonewouldbelievethetruth。Toofferittothisfriendlysoulwouldmerelyoffendhisfeelingsandhisintelligence。
So，withmuchmystery，Iaskedhimtodescribethe"situation，"andhedidsowiththeexactnessofonewhobelievesthatwithinanhoureverywordhespeakswillbecabledtotheWhiteHouse。
WhenIwasleavinghesaid:"Oh，there’sanewspapercorrespondentafteryou。Hewantsaninterview，Iguess。Hefollowedyoulastnightfromthecapitalbytrain。Youwanttowatchouthedon’tcatchyou。HisnameisJones。"IpromisedtobeonmyguardagainstamannamedJones，andtheconsulescortedmetotheship。
Ashewentdowntheaccommodationladder，Icalledovertherail:
"IncasetheySHOULDdeclarewar，cabletoCuracoa，andI’llcomeback。Anddon’tcableanythingindefinite，like’Situationcritical’or’Warimminent。’Understand？Cableme，’Comeback’or’Goahead。’Butwhateveryoucable，makeitCLEAR。"
Heshookhisheadviolentlyandwithhisgreen—linedumbrellapointedatmyelbow。Iturnedandfoundayoungmanhungrilylisteningtomywords。HewasleaningontherailwithhischinonhisarmsandthebrimofhisPanamahatdrawndowntoconcealhiseyes。
Onthepier—head，fromwhichwenowweredrawingrapidlyaway，theconsulmadeamegaphoneofhishands。
"That’sHIM，"hecalled。"That’sJones。"
Jonesraisedhishead，andIsawthatthetropicalheathadmadeJonesthirsty，orthatwithfriendshehadbeencelebratinghisdeparture。Hewinkedatme，and，apparentlywithpleasureathisowndiscernmentandwithpityforme，smiled。
"Oh，ofcourse！"hemurmured。Histonewasoneofheavyirony。
"Makeit’clear。’Makeitcleartothewholewharf。Shoutitoutso’severybodycanhearyou。You’re’clear’enough。"Hisdisgustwastoodeepforordinarywords。"Myuncle！"heexclaimed。
BythisIgatheredthathewasexpressinghiscontempt。
"Ibegyourpardon？"Isaid。
Wehadthedecktoourselves。Itsemptinesssuddenlyremindedmethatwehadtheship，also，toourselves。Irememberedthepurserhadtoldmethat，exceptforthosewhotravelledovernightfromporttoport，Iwashisonlypassenger。
WithdismayIpicturedmyselffortendaysadriftonthehighseas——
alonewithJones。
Withadramaticgesture，asonewouldsay，"Iamhere！"hepushedbackhisPanamahat。Withanunsteadyfingerhepointed，asitwasdrawndrippingacrossthedeck，atthesternhawser。
"Youseethatrope？"hedemanded。"SoonasthatropehitthewaterIknockedoffwork。S’longasyouwasinValencia——me，onthejob。
Now，YOUcan’tgoback，Ican’tgoback。Whyfurtherdissim’lation？WHOAMI？"
Hisconditionseemedtoprecludethepossibilityofhisknowingwhohewas，soItoldhim。
HesneeredasIhaveseenmensneeronlyinmelodrama。
"Oh，ofcourse，"hemuttered。"Oh，ofcourse。"
Helurchedtowardmeindignantly。
"Youknowperfec’lywellJonesisnotmyname。Youknowperfec’lywellwhoIam。"
"Mydearsir，"Isaid，"Idon’tknowanythingaboutyou，exceptthatyourareadamnednuisance。"
Heswayedfromme，painedandsurprised。Apparentlyhewasuponanoutbreakoftears。
"Proud，"hemurmured，"ANDhaughty。Proudandhaughtytothelast。"
Ineverhaveunderstoodwhyanintoxicatedmanfeelstheclimaxofinsultistohurlatyouyourname。Perhapsbecauseheknowsitistheonechargeyoucannotdeny。Butinvariablybeforeyouescape，asthoughassuredthewordswillcoveryourretreatwithshame，hethrowsatyouyourfulltitle。Jonesdidthis。
Slowlyandmercilesslyherepeated，"Mr。——George——Morgan——Crosby。
OfHarvard，"headded。"Proudandhaughtytothelast。"
Hethenembracedapassingsteward，anddemandedtobeinformedwhytheshiprolled。Heneverknewashiptorollasourshiprolled。
"Perfec’lysatisfact’ryocean，butship——rollinglikeastone—
breaker。Takemesomeplaceintheshipwherethisshipdon’troll。"
Thestewardledhimaway。
Whenhehaddroppedthelocalpilotthecaptainbeckonedmetothebridge。
"IsawyoutalkingtoMr。Schnitzel，"hesaid。"He’salittleundertheweather。Hehastoolightaheadforliquors。"
Iagreedthathehadalighthead，andsaidIunderstoodhisnamewasJones。
"That’swhatIwantedtotellyou，"saidthecaptain。"HisnameisSchnitzel。HeusedtoworkfortheNitrateTrustinNewYork。
Thenhecamedownhereasanagent。He’sagoodboynottotellthingsto。Understand？SometimesIcarryhimunderonename，andthenextvoyageunderanother。Thepurserandhefixitupbetween’em。Itpleaseshim，anditdon’thurtanybodyelse，solongasI
tellthemaboutit。Idon’tknowwhohe’sworkingfornow，"hewenton，"butIknowhe’snotwiththeNitrateCompanyanymore。
Hesoldthemout。"
"Howcouldhe？"Iasked。"He’sonlyaboy。"
"HehadaberthastypewritertoSenatorBurnsides，presidentoftheNitrateTrust，sortofconfidentialstenographer，"saidthecaptain。"Wheneverthesenatordictatedanimportantletter，theysay，Schnitzelusedtomakeacarboncopy，andwhenhehadenoughofthemhesoldthemtotheWalker—Keefecrowd。Then，whenWalker—
KeefelosttheirsuitintheValenciaSupremeCourtIguessSchnitzelwentovertoPresidentAlvarez。Andagain，somefolkssayhe’sbackwiththeNitrateCompany。"
"Afterhesoldthemout？"
"Yes，butyouseehe’sworthmoretothemnow。HeknowsalltheWalker—KeefesecretsandAlvarez’ssecrets，too。"
Iexpressedmyopinionofeveryoneconcerned。
"Itshouldn’tsurpriseYOU，"complainedthecaptain。"Youknowthecountry。Everymaninitisoutforsomethingthatisn’this。Thepilotwantshisbit，thehealthdoctormustgethis，thecustomstakeallyourcigars，andifyoudon’tputupgoldforthecaptainoftheportandthealcaldeandthecommandantandtheharborpoliceandtheforemanofthecargadores，theywon’tmovealighter，andthey’llholduptheship’spapers。Well，anAmericancomesdownhere，honestandstraightandwillingtoworkforhiswages。Butprettyquickhefindseveryoneisgettinghissqueezebuthim，sohetriestogetsomeofitbackbyrobbingthenativesthatrobbedhim。Thenherobstheotherforeigners，anditain’tlongbeforehe’scheatingthepeopleathomewhosenthimhere。
Thereisn’tamaninthisnitraterowthatisn’trobbingthecrowdhe’swith，andthatwouldn’tchangesidesformoney。Schnitzel’snoworsethanthepresidentnorthecanteencontractor。"
Hewavedhishandattheglaringcoast—line，atthesteamingswampsandthehot，nakedmountains。
"It’sthecountrythatdoesit，"hesaid。"It’sintheair。Youcansmellitassoonasyoudropanchor，likeyousmelltheslaughter—houseatPunta—Arenas。"
"HowdoYOUmanagetokeephonest，"Iasked，smiling。
"Idon’ttakeanychances，"exclaimedthecaptainseriously。"WhenI’mintheirdamnedportIdon’tgoashore。"
IdidnotagainseeSchnitzeluntil，withhaggardeyesandsuspiciouslywethair，hejoinedthecaptain，doctor，purser，andmyselfatbreakfast。InthephrasesoftheTenderloin，hetolduscheerfullythathehadbeengrandlyintoxicated，andtorecoverdrankmixturesofrawegg，vinegar，andredpepper，thesightofwhichtookawayeveryappetitesavehisown。Whentothishehadaddedabottleofbeer，hedeclaredhimselfanewman。Thenewmanfollowedmetothedeck，andwiththetruculentbearingofonewhoexpectstoberepelled，heaskedif，thedaybefore，hehadnotmadeafoolofhimself。
Isuggestedhehadbeensomewhatconfidential。Atonceherecoveredhisposeandpatronizedme。
"Don’tyoubelieveit，"hesaid。"That’sallpartofmygame。
’Confidenceforconfidence’isthewayIworkit。That’showI
learnthings。Itellamansomethingontheinside，andhesays:
’Here’saniceyoungfellow。Nothingstandoffishabouthim，’andhetellsmesomethingheshouldn’t。LikeasnotwhatItoldhimwasn’ttrue。See？"
Iassuredhimheinterestedmegreatly。
"Youfind，then，inyourlineofbusiness，"Iasked，"thatapparentfranknessisadvisable？Asarule，"Iexplained，"secrecyiswhata——apersoninyourline——a——"
TosavehisfeelingsIhesitatedattheword。
"Aspy，"hesaid。Hisfacebeamedwithfatuouscomplacency。
"ButifIhadnotknownyouwereaspy，"Iasked，"wouldnotthathavebeenbetterforyou？"
"Indealingwithapartylikeyou，Mr。Crosby，"Schnitzelbegansententiously，"Iuseadifferentmethod。You’reonasecretmissionyourself，andyougetyourinformationaboutthenitraterowoneway，andIgetitanother。Idealwithyoujustlikeweweredrummersinthesamelineofgoods。Wearerivalsinbusiness，butoutsideofbusinesshoursperfectgentleman。"
Inthefaceofthedisbeliefthathadmetmydenialsofanysecretmission，IfelttohaveSchnitzelalsodisbelievemewouldbetoogreatahumiliation。SoIremainedsilent。
"YoumakeyourreporttotheStateDepartment，"heexplained，"andImakemineto——mypeople。Whotheyaredoesn’tmatter。You’dliketoknow，andIdon’twanttohurtyourfeelings，but——that’sMYsecret。"
MyonlyfeelingswereadesiretokickSchnitzelheavily，butforSchnitzeltosuspectthatwasimpossible。Rather，hepicturedmeasshakenbyhisdisclosures。
Ashehungovertherailtheglareofthesunonthetumblingwaterlituphisfoolish，mongrelfeatures，exposedtheircunning，theirutterlackofanycharacter，andshowedbehindtheshiftyeyesthevacant，half—crookedmind。
Schnitzelwassmilingtohimselfwithasmileofcompleteself—
satisfaction。Inthelightofhislaterconduct，Igrewtounderstandthatsmile。Hehadanticipatedarebuff，andhehadbeenreceived，ashereadit，withconsideration。Theironyofmypolitenesshehadentirelymissed。Instead，hereadinwhatIsaidtheadmirationoftheamateurfortheprofessional。HesawwhathebelievedtobeahighagentoftheGovernmenttreatinghimasaworthyantagonist。InnootherwaycanIexplainhislaterheapinguponmehisconfidences。Itwasthevanityofachildtryingtoshowoff。
Intendays，inthelimitedareaofatwo—thousand—tonsteamer，onecouldnothelpbutlearnsomethingofthehistoryofsocommunicativeafellow—passengerasSchnitzel。HisparentswereGermanandstilllivedinGermany。ButhehimselfhadbeenbroughtupontheEastSide。AnunclewhokeptadelicatessenshopinAvenueAhadsenthimtothepublicschoolsandthentoa"businesscollege，"wherehehaddevelopedremarkableexpertnessasastenographer。Hereferredtohisskillinthisdifficultexercisewithpityingcontempt。Nevertheless，fromaroomnoisywithtype—
writersthisskillhadliftedhimintotheprivateofficeofthepresidentoftheNitrateTrust。There，asSchnitzelexpressedit，"Isaw’mine，’andItookit。"TotracebackthecriminalinstinctthatledSchnitzeltostealandselltheprivatelettersofhisemployerwasnotdifficult。InallofhisfewearlyyearsIfounditlyinglatent。Ofeverystoryhetoldofhimself，andhetalkedonlyofhimself，therewasnotonethatwasnottohisdiscredit。
Hehimselfneversawthis，northatallhetoldmeshowedhewaswithoutthemoralsense，andwithaninstinctiveenjoymentofwhatwasdeceitful，mean，andunderhand。That，asIreadit，washischaracter。
Inappearancehewassmooth—shaven，withlonglocksthathungbehindwide，protrudingears。Hehadtheunhealthyskinofbadblood，andhiseyes，asthoughthedaylighthurtthem，constantlyopenedandshut。HewaslikehundredsofyoungmenthatyouseeloiteringonupperBroadwayandmakingpredatoryraidsalongtheRialto。Hadyoupassedhiminthatneighborhoodyouwouldhavesethimdownasawire—tapper，aracingtout，awould—beactor。
AsIworkeditout，Schnitzelwasaspybecauseitgavehimanimportancehehadnotbeenabletoobtainbyanyothereffort。Asachildandasaclerk，itwaseasytoseethatamonghisassociatesSchnitzelmustalwayshavebeenthebutt。Untilsuddenly，byonedirtyaction，hehadplacedhimselfoutsidetheirclass。Asheexpressedit:"WheneverIwalkthroughtheofficenow，whereallthestenographerssit，yououghttoseethoseslobslookafterme。Whentheygotothepresident’sdoor，theygottoknock，likeIusedto，butnow，whentheoldmanseesmecomingtomakemyreportafteroneofthesetripshecallsout，’Comerightin，Mr。Schnitzel。’AndlikeasnotIgoinwithmyhatonandofferhimacigar。An’theyseemedoit，too！"
Tome，thatspeechseemedtogiveSchnitzel’sviewofthevaluesofhislife。Hisvanitydemandedhebepointedat，ifevenwithcontempt。Butthecontemptneverreachedhim——heonlyknewthatatlastpeopletooknoteofhim。Theynolongerlaughedathim，theywereafraidofhim。Inhishearthebelievedthattheyregardedhimasonewhowalkedinthedarkplacesofworldpolitics，whopossessedanevilknowledgeofgreatmenasevilashimself，asonewhobyblackmailheldpublicministersathismercy。
Thisviewofhimselfwastheonethathetriedtogiveme。I
probablywasthefirstdecentmanwhoeverhadtreatedhimcivilly，andtoimpressmewithhisknowledgehespreadthatknowledgebeforeme。Itwassale，shocking，degrading。
AtfirstItookcomfortinthethoughtthatSchnitzelwasaliar。
Later，Ibegantowonderifallofitwerealie，andfinally，inawayIcouldnotdoubt，itwasprovedtomethattheworsthechargedwastrue。
ThenightIfirstbegantobelievehimwasthenightwetouchedatCristobal，thelastportinValencia。Inthemostlight—heartedmannerhehadbeenaccusingallconcernedinthenitratefightwitheverycrimeknowninWallStreetandinthedarkreachesoftheCongoRiver。
"But，Iknowhim，Mr。Schnitzel，"Isaidsternly。"Heisincapableofit。Iwenttocollegewithhim。"
"Idon’tcarewhetherhe’sarah—rahboyornot，"saidSchnitzel，"Iknowthat’swhathedidwhenhewasuptheOrinocoafterorchids，andifthetribehadevercaughthimthey’dhavecrucifiedhim。AndIknowthis，too:hemadefortythousanddollarsoutoftheNitrateCompanyonaten—thousand—dollarjob。AndIknowit，becausehebeefedtomeaboutithimself，becauseitwasn’tbigenough。"
Wewerepassingthelimestoneislandattheentrancetotheharbor，where，intheprisonfortress，withitsmuzzle—loadinggunspointingdrunkenlyatthesky，areburiedthepoliticalprisonersofValencia。
"Now，there，"saidSchnitzel，pointing，"thatshowsyouwhattheNitrateTrustcando。JudgeRojasisinthere。HegavethefirstdecisioninfavoroftheWalker—Keefepeople，andformakingthatdecisionWilliamT。Scott，theNitratemanager，madeAlvarezputRojasinthere。He’sseventyyearsold，andhe’sbeentherefiveyears。Thecelltheykeephiminisbelowthesea—level，andthesalt—waterleaksthroughthewall。I’veseenit。That’swhatWilliamT。Scottdid，an’upinNewYorkpeoplethink’Billy’Scottisafineman。IseenhimattheHorseShowsittinginabox，bowingtoeverybody，withhiswifesittingbesidehim，allhungoutwithpearls。An’thatwasonlyamonthafterI’dseenRojasinthatsewerwhereScottputhim。"
"Schnitzel，"Ilaughed，"youcertainlyareamagnificentliar。"
Schnitzelshowednoresentment。
"Goashoreandlookforyourself，"hemuttered。"Don’tbelieveme。
AskRojas。Askthefirstmanyoumeet。"Heshivered，andshruggedhisshoulders。"Itellyou，thewallsaredamp，likesweat。"
TheGovernmenthadtelegraphedthecommandanttocomeonboardand，asheexpressedit，"offermethehospitalityoftheport，"whichmeantthatIhadtotakehimtothesmoking—roomandgivehimchampagne。WhattheGovernmentreallywantedwastofindoutwhetherIwasstillonboard，andifitwerefinallyridofme。
IaskedtheofficialconcerningJudgeRojas。
"Oh，yes，"hesaidreadily。"Heisstillincomunicado。"
Withoutbelievingitwouldleadtoanything，Isuggested:
"ItwasfoolishofhimtogiveoffencetoMr。Scott？"
Thecommandantnoddedvivaciously。
"Mr。Scottisverypowerfulman，"heassented。"WeallverymuchloveMr。Scott。Thepresident，heloveMr。Scott，too，butthejudgeswerenotsympathetictoMr。Scott，soMr。Scottaskedourpresidenttogivethemawarning，andSenorRojas——heisthewarning。"
"Whenwillhegetout？"Iasked。
Thecommandanthelduptheglassinthesunlightfromtheopenair—
port，andgazedadmiringlyatthebubbles。
"Whocantell，"hesaid。"AnydaywhenMr。Scottwishes。Maybe，never。SenorRojasisanoldman。Old，andhehasmuchrheumatics。Maybe，hewillnevercomeouttoseeourbelovedcountryanymore。"
Aswelefttheharborwepassedsoclosethatonecouldthrowastoneagainstthewallofthefortress。Thesunwasjustsinkingandtheairbecamesuddenlychilled。Aroundthelittleislandoflimestonethewavessweptthroughthesea—weedandblackmaniguauptotherustybarsofthecells。Isawthebarefootedsoldierssmokingupontheslopingramparts，thecommoncriminalsinalongstumblinglinebearingkegsofwater，threestorm—beatenpalmsrisinglikegallows，andthegreenandyellowflagofValenciacrawlingdownthestaff。Somewhereentombedinthatblotchedandmildewedmasonryanoldmanofseventyyearswasshiveringandhugginghimselffromthedampandcold。Amanwhospokefivelanguages，ajust，bravegentleman。Tomeitwasnonewstory。I
knewofthehorrorsofCristobalprison；ofpoliticalrivalschainedtocriminalsloathsomewithdisease，ofmenwhohadraisedtheflagofrevolutiondriventosuicide。ButneverhadIsupposedthatmyownpeoplecouldreachfromthecityofNewYorkandcastafellow—manintothatcellaroffeverandmadness。
AsIwatchedtheyellowwallsinkintothesea，IbecameconsciousthatSchnitzelwasnearme，asbefore，leaningontherail，withhischinsunkonhisarms。Hisfacewasturnedtowardthefortress，andforthefirsttimesinceIhadknownhimitwassetandserious。Andwhen，amomentlater，hepassedmewithoutrecognition，Isawthathiseyeswerefilledwithfear。
WhenwetouchedatCuracoaIsentacabletomysister，announcingthedateofmyarrival，andthencontinuedontotheHotelVenezuela。AlmostimmediatelySchnitzeljoinedme。Witheasycarelessnesshesaid:"Iwasinthecableofficejustnow，sendingoffawire，andthatoperatortoldmehecan’tmakeheadortailofthethirdwordinyourcable。"
"Thatisstrange，"Icommented，"becauseit’saFrenchword，andheisFrench。That’swhyIwroteitinFrench。"
Withtheairofonewhonailsanotherinafalsehood，Schnitzelexclaimed:
"Then，howdidyousupposeyoursisterwasgoingtoreadit？It’sacipher，that’swhatitis。Oh，no，YOU’REnotonasecretmission！Notatall！"
Itwasmostundignifiedofme，butinfiveminutesIexcusedmyself，andsenttotheStateDepartmentthefollowingwords:
"Rosesred，violetsblue，sendsnow。"
LaterattheStateDepartmenttheonlypersonwhodidnoteventuallypardonmyjestwastheclerkwhohadsatupuntilthreeinthemorningwithmycable，tryingtofitittoanyknowncode。
ImmediatelyaftermyreturntotheHotelVenezuelaSchnitzelexcusedhimself，andhalfanhourlaterreturnedintriumphwiththecableoperatorandorderedlunchforboth。Theyimbibedmuchsweetchampagne。
Whenweagainweresafeatsea，Isaid:"Schnitzel，howmuchdidyoupaythatFrenchmantoletyoureadmysecondcable？"
Schnitzel’sreplywaspromptandcomplacent。
"Onehundreddollarsgold。Itwasworthit。DoyouwanttoknowhowIdopeditout？"
Ievenchallengedhimtodoso。"’Rosesred’——wardeclared；
’violetsblue’——outlookbad，orblue；’sendsnow’——sendsquadron，becausethewhitesquadroniswhitelikesnow。See？Itwastooeasy。"
"Schnitzel，"Icried，"youarewonderful！"
Schnitzelyawnedinmyface。
"Oh，youdon’thavetohitthesolesofmyfeetwithanight—sticktokeepmeawake，"hesaid。
AfterIhadbeenaweekatsea，IfoundthateitherIhadtobelievethatinallthingsSchnitzelwasaliar，orthatthemenoftheNitrateTrustwereinallthingsevil。IwasconvincedthatinsteadofthepeopleofValenciarobbingthem，theywererobbingboththepeopleofValenciaandthepeopleoftheUnitedStates。
TogotowarontheiraccountwastodegradeourGovernment。I
explainedtoSchnitzelitwasnotbecomingthattheUnitedStatesnavyshouldbemadethecat’s—pawofacorruptcorporation。I
askedhispermissiontorepeattotheauthoritiesatWashingtoncertainofthestatementshehadmade。
Schnitzelwasgreatlypleased。
"You’rewelcometotell’emanythingI’vesaid，"heassented。
"And，"headded，"mostofit’strue，too。"
Iwrotedowncertainchargeshehadmade，andaddedwhatIhadalwaysknownofthenitratefight。Itwasaterriblearraignment。
IntheeveningIreadmynotestoSchnitzel，who，inacornerofthesmoking—room，sat，frowningimportantly，checkingoffeachstatement，andwhereImadeanerrorofadateoraname，severelycorrectingme。
SeveraltimesIaskedhim，"Areyousurethiswon’tgetyouintotroublewithyour’people’？Youseemtoaccuseeverybodyoneachside。"
Schnitzel’seyesinstantlyclosedwithsuspicion。
"Don’tyouworryaboutmeandmypeople，"hereturnedsulkily。
"That’sMYsecret，andyouwon’tfinditout，neither。Imaybeascrookedastherestofthem，butI’mnotgivingawaymyemployer。"
IsupposeIlookedpuzzled。
"Imeannotasecondtime，"headdedhastily。"Iknowwhatyou’rethinkingof，andIgotfivethousanddollarsforit。ButnowI
meantostickbythementhatpaymywages。"
"Butyou’vetoldmeenoughabouteachofthethreetoputanyoneoftheminjail。"
"Ofcourse，Ihave，"criedSchnitzeltriumphantly。
"IfI’dletdownonanyonecrowdyou’dknowIwasworkingforthatcrowd，soI’vetouched’emallup。OnlywhatItoldyouaboutmycrowd——isn’ttrue。"
ThereportwefinallydrewupwassosensationalthatIwasofamindtothrowitoverboard。ItaccusedmembersoftheCabinet，ofourSenate，diplomats，businessmenofnationalinterest，judgesoftheValenciacourts，privatesecretaries，clerks，hiredbullies，andfilibusters。Menthetrustcouldnotbribeithadblackmailed。
Thoseitcouldnotcorrupt，andtheywerepitifullyfew，itcrushedwithsomedisgracefulcharge。
Lookingovermynotes，Isaid:
"Youseemtohavemadeeverychargeexceptmurder。"
"How’dIcometoleavethatout？"Schnitzelansweredflippantly。
"WhataboutColeman，theforemanatBahia，andthatGermancontractor，Ebhardt，andoldSmedburg？Theytalkedtoomuch，andtheydiedofyellow—fever，maybe，andmaybewhathappenedtothemwastheyateknockoutdropsintheirsoup。"
Idisbelievedhim，buttherecameasuddennastydoubt。
"Curtis，whomanagedthecompany’splantatBarcelona，diedofyellow—fever，"Isaid，andwasburiedthesameday。"
ForsometimeSchnitzelglowereduncertainlyatthebulkhead。
"Didyouknowhim？"heasked。
"WhenIwasinthelegationIknewhimwell，"Isaid。
"SodidI，"saidSchnitzel。"Hewasn’tmurdered。Hemurderedhimself。Hewaswrongtenthousanddollarsinhisaccounts。Hegotworryingaboutitandwefoundhimoutsidetheclearingwithaholeinhishead。Heleftanotesayinghecouldn’tbearthedisgrace。AsifthecompanywouldholdalittlegraftingagainstasgoodamanasCurtis！"
Schnitzelcoughedandpretendeditwashiscigarette。
"Youseeyoudon’tputinnothingagainsthim，"headdedsavagely。
ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseenSchnitzelshowemotion，andIwasmovedtopreach。
"Whydon’tyouquit？"Isaid。"YouhadanA—1jobasastenographer。Whydon’tyougobacktoit？"
"Maybe，someday。Butit’sgreatbeingyourownboss。IfIwasastenographer，Iwouldn’tbehelpingyousendinareporttotheStateDepartment，wouldI？No，thisjobisallright。Theysendyouaftersomethingbig，andyouhavethedevilofatimegettingit，butwhenyougetit，youfeellikeyouhadpickedahundred—to—
oneshot。"
Thetalkorthedrinkhadelatedhim。Hisfish—likeeyesbulgedandshone。Hecastaquicklookabouthim。Exceptforourselves，thesmoking—roomwasempty。Frombelowcamethesteadythroboftheengines，andfromoutsidethewhisperofthewavesandofthewindthroughthecordage。Abarefootedsailorpatteredbytothebridge。Schnitzelbenttowardme，andwithhishandpointedtohisthroat。
"I’vegotpapersonmethat’sworthamilliontoacertainparty，"
hewhispered。"Youunderstand，mynotesincipher。"
Hescowledwithintensemystery。
"Ikeep’eminanoiled—silkbag，tiedaroundmyneckwithastring。Andhere，"headdedhastily，pattinghiship，asthoughtoforestallanyattackImightmakeuponhisperson，"Icarrymyautomatic。Itshootsninebulletsinfiveseconds。Theygottobequicktocatchme。"
"Well，ifyouhaveeitherofthosethingsonyou，"Isaidtestily，"Idon’twanttoknowit。HowoftenhaveItoldyounottotalkanddrinkatthesametime？"
"Ah，goon，"laughedSchnitzel。"That’sanoldgag，warningafellownottotalksoastoMAKEhimtalk。Idothatmyself。"
ThatSchnitzelhadimportantpaperstiedtohisneckInomorebelievethanthatheworeashirtofchainarmor，buttopleasehimIpretendedtobegreatlyconcerned。
"Nowthatwe’regettingintoNewYork，"Isaid，"youmustbeverycareful。Amanwhocarriessuchimportantdocumentsonhispersonmightbemurderedforthem。Ithinkyououghttodisguiseyourself。"
ApictureofmybagbeingcarriedashorebySchnitzelintheuniformofaship’sstewardratherpleasedme。
"Goon，you’rekidding！"saidSchnitzel。HewasdrawnbetweenbelievingIwasdeeplyimpressedandwithfearthatIwasmockinghim。
"Onthecontrary，"Iprotested，"Idon’tfeelquitesafemyself。
SeeingmewithyoutheymaythinkIhavepapersaroundMYneck。"
"Theywouldn’tlookatyou，"Schnitzelreassuredme。"Theyknowyou’rejustanamateur。But，asyousay，withme，it’sdifferent。
IGOTtobecareful。Now，youmightn’tbelieveit，butInevergonearmyunclenornoneofmyfriendsthatlivewhereIusedtohangout。IfIdid，theotherspieswouldgetonmytrack。Isuppose，"
hewentongrandly，"InevergooutinNewYorkbutthatatleasttwospiesaretrailingme。ButIknowhowtothrowthemoff。I
live’waydowntowninalittlehotelyouneverheardof。YounevercatchmediningatSherry’snortheWaldorf。Andyounevermetmeoutsocially，didyou，now？"
IconfessedIhadnot。
"Andthen，Ialwaysliveunderanassumedname。"
"Like’Jones’？"Isuggested。
"Well，sometimes’Jones’，"headmitted。
"Tome，"Isaid，"’Jones’lacksimagination。It’sthesortofnameyougivewhenyou’rearrestedforexceedingthespeedlimit。Whydon’tyoucallyourselfMachiavelli？"
"Goon，I’mnodago，"saidSchnitzel，"anddon’tyougooffthinking’Jones’istheonlydisguiseIuse。ButI’mnottellin’
whatitis，amI？Oh，no。"
"Schnitzel，"Iasked，"haveyoueverbeentoldthatyouwouldmakeagreatdetective？"
"Cutitout，"saidSchnitzel。"You’vebeenreadingthosefairystories。There’snoflycopsnorPinkscoulddotheworkIdo。
They’repikerscomparedtome。Theychasepetty—larcenycasesandkickindoors。Iwouldn’tstooptowhattheydo。It’sbeingmixedupthewayIamwiththeproblemsoftwogovernmentsthatcatchesme。"Headdedmagnanimously，"Youseesomethingofthatyourself。"
WelefttheshipatBrooklyn，andwithregretIpreparedtobidSchnitzelfarewell。SeldomhadImetalittlebeastsooffensive，buthisvanity，hislies，hismoralblindness，madeonepityhim。
Andintendaysinthesmoking—roomtogetherwehadhadmanyfriendlydrinksandmanyfriendlylaughs。HewasgoingtoahotelonlowerBroadway，andasmycab，onmywayuptown，passedthedoor，Iofferedhimalift。Heappearedtoconsidertheadvisabilityofthis，andthen，withmuchby—playofglancingoverhisshoulder，divedintothefrontseatanddrewdowntheblinds。
"ThishotelIamgoingtoisanold—fashionedtrap，"heexplained，"buttheclerkiswisetome，understand，andIdon’thavetosigntheregister。"
Aswedrewnearertothehotel，hesaid:"It’sapitywecan’tdineoutsomewheresandgotothetheatre，but——youknow？"
WithalmosttoomuchheartinessIhastilyagreeditwouldbeimprudent。
"Iunderstandperfectly，"Iassented。"Youareamarkedman。
Untilyougetthosepaperssafeinthehandsofyour’people，’youmustbeverycautious。"
"That’sright，"hesaid。Thenhesmiledcraftily。
"Iwonderifyou’reonyettowhichmypeopleare。"
IassuredhimthatIhadnoidea，butthatfromtheaviditywithwhichhehadabusedthemIguessedhewasworkingfortheWalker—
Keefecrowd。
Hebothsmiledandscowled。
"Don’tyouwishyouknew？"hesaid。"I’vetoldyoualotofinsidestories，Mr。Crosby，butI’llnevertellonmypalsagain。Notme！
That’sMYsecret。"
Atthedoorofthehotelhebademeahastygood—by，andforafewminutesIbelievedthatSchnitzelhadpassedoutofmylifeforever。Then，intakingaccountofmybelongings，Imissedmyfield—glasses。Irememberedthat，inordertoopenatrunkforthecustomsinspectors，IhadhandedthemtoSchnitzel，andthathehadhungthemoverhisshoulder。Inourhasteatpartingwebothhadforgottenthem。
Iwasonlyafewblocksfromthehotel，andItoldthemantoreturn。
IinquiredforMr。Schnitzel，andtheclerk，whoapparentlyknewhimbythatname，saidhewasinhisroom，numbereighty—two。
"Buthehasacallerwithhimnow，"headded。"Agentlemanwaswaitingforhim，and’sjustgoneup。"
IwroteonmycardwhyIhadcalled，andsoonafterithadbeenborneskywardtheclerksaid:"Iguesshe’llbeabletoseeyounow。That’sthepartythatwascallingonhim，there。"
Henoddedtowardamanwhocrossedtherotundaquickly。Hisfacewastwistedfromus，asthough，ashealmostrantowardthestreet，hewerereadingtheadvertisementsonthewall。
Hereachedthedoor，andwaslostinthegreattideofBroadway。
Icrossedtotheelevator，andasIstoodwaiting，itdescendedwithacrash，andtheboywhohadtakenmycardflunghimself，shrieking，intotherotunda。
"Thatman——stophim！"hecried。"Themanineighty—two——he’smurdered。"
Theclerkvaultedthedeskandsprangintothestreet，andI
draggedtheboybacktothewireropeandweshottothethirdstory。Theboyshrankback。Achambermaid，crouchingagainstthewall，herfacecolorless，loweredonehand，andpointedatanopendoor。
"Inthere，"shewhispered。
Inamean，commonroom，stretchedwherehehadbeenstruckbackuponthebed，Ifoundtheboywhohadelectedtomeddleinthe"problemsoftwogovernments。"
Intinyjets，fromthreewideknife—wounds，hisbloodflowedslowly。Hisstaringeyeswereliftedupinfearandinentreaty。
Iknewthathewasdying，andasIfeltmyimpotencetohelphim，I
askeenlyfeltagreatrageandahatredtowardthosewhohadstruckhim。
Ileanedoverhimuntilmyeyeswereonlyafewinchesfromhisface。
"Schnitzel！"Icried。"Whodidthis？Youcantrustme。Whodidthis？Quick！"
Isawthatherecognizedme，andthattherewassomethingwhich，withterribleeffort，hewastryingtomakemeunderstand。
Inthehallwastherushofmanypeople，running，exclaiming，thenoiseofbellsringing；fromanotherfloorthevoiceofawomanshriekedhysterically。
Atthesoundstheeyesoftheboygreweloquentwithentreaty，andwithamovementthatcalledfromeachwoundafreshoutburst，likeamanstrangling，heliftedhisfingerstohisthroat。
Voiceswerecallingforwater，towaitforthedoctor，towaitforthepolice。ButIthoughtIunderstood。
Stilldoubtinghim，stillunbelieving，ashamedofmyowncredulity，Itoreathiscollar，andmyfingerscloseduponapackageofoiledsilk。
Istooped，andwithmyteethrippeditopen，andholdingbeforehimtheslipsofpaperitcontained，torethemintotinyshreds。
Theeyessmiledatmewithcunning，withtriumph，withdeepcontent。
ItwassoliketheSchnitzelIhadknownthatIbelievedstillhemighthavestrengthenoughtohelpme。
"Whodidthis？"Ibegged。"I’llhanghimforit！Doyouhearme？"
Icried。
Seeinghimlyingthere，withthelifecutoutofhim，sweptmewithablindanger，withaneedtopunish。
"I’llseetheyhangforit。Tellme！"Icommanded。"Whodidthis？"
Theeyes，nowfilledwithweariness，lookedupandthelipsmovedfeebly。
"Myownpeople，"hewhispered。
InmyindignationIcouldhaveshakenthetruthfromhim。Ibentcloser。
"Then，byGod，"Iwhisperedback，"you’lltellmewhotheyare！"
Theeyesflashedsullenly。
"That’smysecret，"saidSchnitzel。
Theeyessetandthelipsclosed。
Amanatmysideleanedoverhim，anddrewthesheetacrosshisface。