considered such request unreasonable, even if it could be granted
without risk. Also, he wanted these instructions confirmed and was
anxiously awaiting an answer.

"Well, I'm certain of one thing," Mr. Skinner soliloquized after
reading this extraordinary message: "Murphy has not been to the
American consul's office for the cablegram I sent him several days
ago. Evidently there is mischief afoot. However, there is nothing to
be gained by cabling him again in care of the American consul, so I'll
just assume that he has registered his cable address with the cable
company; hence, if I cable him to his cable address the message will
be delivered to him aboard the _Narcissus_. And since he says he is
anxiously awaiting an answer, I'll relieve his anxiety with all
possible speed and send him an answer immediately."

Whereupon Mr. Skinner wasted several dollars cabling Mike Murphy that
the Blue Star Navigation had not, to his knowledge, cabled him any
instructions save those sent in care of the American consul; that von
Staden and Ulrich were unknown to him, and to be very careful not to
lose the ship. This message Mr. Skinner dictated over the telephone to
the telegraph office and asked them to rush it. Evidently they did so,
for just as Cappy Ricks arrived in the office the following morning,
word was received from the telegraph company that owing to the
departure of the _Narcissus_ from Pernambuco the night before, the
Blue Star Navigation Company's cablegram had not been delivered.

"Well, Skinner," Cappy chirped as he sat in at his desk and lighted a
cigar, "what's the news around the shop this fine morning? Any word
from Murphy?"