of on the score of prosperity." I smiled, took forth a most
gorgeous snuff-box, all glittering with brilliants, and, presenting it
to the Spaniard, laid it carelessly on the table. After a brief pause,
to let the splendor settle down into his heart, I proceeded to inform
him that in the course of commercial transactions a vast number of
bills, receipts for deposits and other securities, had fallen into our
hands, upon many of which we had advanced large sums, seeing that they
bore the name of that most respectable house, the Bank of Don Xafire, of
Guajuaqualla. "These would," I added, "have been dispersed through the
various channels of trade, had it not been the wish of my partners to
open distinct relations with your house, and consequently they have
retained the papers until a favorable occasion presented itself of
personally making the proposition. This happy opportunity has arisen by
our recent purchase of the great gold mines of the 'Arguareche' for
seventy millions of piastres, of which you may have read in the 'Faros
de la Habanas.'"

He bowed a humble negative; and I went on to state that, our mining
operations requiring co-operation and assistance, we desired to open
relations with the great house of Don Xafire, whose good fame was well
established on the 'Change of Liverpool.

"You spoke of paper securities and such like, Senhor; may I ask of what
nature they are?"

"You shall see them, Don Xafire," said I, opening a very magnificent
pocket-book, and presenting first a receipt, dated forty-eight years
back, for the sum of twelve thousand piastres in silver, and four bags,
weighing two hundred and eighty pounds of gold dust, from the hands
of Menelaus Crick, of the mines of Hajoras, near Guajuaqualla. The
Spaniard's dark cheek trembled, and a faint tinge of sickly yellow
seemed to replace the dusky olive of his tint, as he said, "This is
but waste paper, Senhor, and I trust your excellent house has advanced
nothing on its credit."

"On the contrary, Senhor Banquiero," responded I, "we have given the
full sum, being much advised thereto by competent counsel."

The battle was now opened, and the combat begun.

It is needless I should weary my reader by recapitulating the tissue of
inventions in which, as in a garment, I wrapped myself. I saw quickly
that if _I_ was a rogue, so was my antagonist, and that for every
stratagem _I_ possessed, _he_ was equally ready with another. At last,
pushed hard by his ev