message read:

"Instruct captain to proceed to Montevideo and there await further
orders.

"BLUE STAR NAVIGATION COMPANY."

The cablegram had been filed at San Francisco two days before. Murphy
looked keenly at his guest, who smoked tranquilly and returned the
look without interest.

"Mr. von Staden," the captain announced, "these are strange orders, in
view of the fact that I cleared from New York for Manila or Batavia,
via the Cape of Good Hope. It would be a sure sign of bad luck to the
steamer _Narcissus_ if a British cruiser should pick her up off the
coast of Uruguay."

Von Staden smiled. "You are very direct, captain--very blunt indeed.
This is a characteristic more Teutonic than Celtic, I believe, so I
shall experience no embarrassment in being equally frank with you.
Your cargo of coal is designed for our German Pacific fleet."

"I guessed as much, sir. Nevertheless, my owners did not see fit to
take me into their confidence in this illegal undertaking, Mr. von
Staden--"

"They did not think it necessary," von Staden interrupted smilingly.
"In fact, Captain Peasley assured our people in New York that your
sympathies are so overwhelming in favor of our cause we need
anticipate no worry as to the course you would pursue. Moreover, in