that is your funeral. If orders conflict with charter party, as I
suspect they may, that may be my funeral. Regretfully I shall resign
at Pernambuco. You know your own business, and I cannot believe you
would go it blind; if you change your mind before arrival Pernambuco,
cable care American Consul and will do my best for you.

"M. J. M."

Gappy Ricks sprang into the air and tried to crack his aged ankles
together.

"Saved!" he croaked. "By the Holy Pink-toed Prophet! Saved! Bully for
Mike Murphy! Say, when that fellow gets back, if I don't do something
handsome for him--"

Matt Peasley's scowls had been replaced by smiles.

"God bless his old Mickedonian heart!" he said fervently. "He thinks
the coal is for that British fleet reported to be _en route_ across
the Atlantic to give battle to the German Pacific fleet; or for
Admiral Craddock's Pacific fleet in case the Germans chase it back
into the Atlantic. He knows that we know he is pro-German and for
anything that's against England--and if he makes up his mind the coal
is for the British fleet he'll resign before delivering it! By Judas,
this would be funny if it wasn't so blamed serious."

"To be forewarned is to be forearmed," Mr. Skinner quoted sagely. "It
is most fortunate for us that Murphy's suspicions do us a grave
injustice. We know now that he will call on the American consul at
Pernambuco and ask for a cablegram."