never shall lay eyes on those
leopard skins. So to Eliceo I gave this letter for the Captain:

"MY DEAR CAPTAIN BECUCCI:

"Have the boy bring the skins at seven o'clock this evening, when I
shall be glad to look at them. This evening when the boy brings the
skins, I shall be pleased to give him, in an envelope, for you, a
tangible return for your musical composition.

"Please put the price on each skin, and also let me know for what sum
all the skins will sell together.

"Sincerely yours,

"JACK LONDON."

Now, thought I, I have him. No skins, no tangible return; and evidently
he is set on receiving that tangible return.

At seven o'clock Eliceo was back, but without leopard skins. He handed
me this letter:

"SENOR LONDON:

"I wish to instil in you the belief that I lost to-day, at half past
three in the afternoon, the key to my cubicle. While distributing
rations to the soldiers I dropped it. I see in this loss the act of
God.

"I received a letter from your honourable self, delivered by the one
who bears you this poor response of mine. To-morrow I will burst open
the door to permit me to keep my word with you. I feel myself
eternally shamed not to be able to dominate the evils that afflict
colonial mankind. Please send me the trifle that you offered me. Send
me this proof of your appreciation by the bearer, who is to be
trusted. Also give to him a small sum of money for himself, and earn
the undying gratitude of

"Your most faithful servant,

"CAPTAIN ERNESTO BECUCCI."

Also, inclosed in the foregoing letter was the following original poem, a
propos neither of leopard skins nor tangible returns, so far as I can
make out:

EFFUSION

Thou canst not weep;
Nor ask I for a year
To rid me of my woes
Or make my life more dear.

The mystic chains that bound
Thy all-fond heart to mine,
Alas! asundered are
For now and for all time.

In vain you strove to hide,
From vulgar gaze of man,
The burning glance of love
That none but Love can scan.

Go on thy starlit way
And leave me to my fate;
Our souls must needs unite--
But, God! 'twill be too late.

To all and sundry of which I replied:

"MY DEAR CAPTAIN BECUCCI:

"I regret exceedingly to hear that by act of God, at half past three
this afternoon, you lost the key to your cubicle. Please have the boy