in the second packet which I have prepared for you.

"I think I have thought of every contingency and may reasonably count
upon being left in peace until I see you at five to-morrow. I do not
doubt for one moment but that you will keep your appointment. Should
I, however, have to send you to the safe, instead of handing you these
packets, I have prepared even for that.

"The request I am about to make you is, I know, an unreasonable one,
yet I believe you will carry it out.

"Upon opening the other packet, which I shall leave you with this, you
will find a small carved casket which is locked; with it you will find
sufficient money for your journey--of which presently.

"Mr. Anstruther, I want you to take the casket to Aquazilia and to
deliver it to the person to whom it is addressed."

"Aquazilia!" I exclaimed, putting down the letter, "why, that is the
big Republic the other side of Brazil which once upon a time used to be
a Monarchy! That's rather a tall order!" I took the letter up again
and went on:--

"I know the journey is a long one, but it will repay you. When you
told me you were a writer, I knew at once that such a journey would be
one from which you would draw profit both in experience and otherwise.
In doing it you will earn my undying gratitude. Go, I beseech you! To
you I confide that which is dearer to me than my life. Go, I implore
of you. I ask it in the name of Truth and Honour. Go, and earn the
eternal thanks of

"CARLOTTA D'ALTENBERG."

"D'Altenberg, d'Altenberg," I muttered as I finished. "It seems a
familiar name!"

I now turned my attention to the second packet, and opened that. It
contained a small wooden box with the lid tied down with string. Upon
taking this off, I found within a very beautifully carved oblong
casket, made of ebony, inlaid with gold. It was a most finished piece
of workmanship, and measured, I should think, about six inches by
perhaps two and a half. In raised letters on the lid was carved the
letter C as on the seals. On a small parchment label firmly secured to
it by silk was:--

"To His Excellency the Senor JUAN D'ALTA,
Valoro,
Aquazilia."

It was fastened by no less than three locks, all of different sizes,
and by its excessive weight, even for ebony, I should say was lined
with some metal.

When I had lifted this casket out of the box I found beneath it two
ordinary long envelopes both addressed to me and open. On the first I
t