the girl
whispered to Orme: "Come," and silently he followed her back to the room
in which he had first awaited her.

"Oh, Girl," he whispered, as she turned and faced him, "Oh, Girl, I am so
glad!"

She smiled. "Please wait for a moment."

When she had disappeared he repictured the scene they had just witnessed.
With all its absence of pomp, it had left with him an impression that
could never be effaced.

Again the girl appeared in the doorway, and leaning on her arm was her
father. Orme stepped forward. The Secretary smiled and extended his hand.

"Mr. Orme," he said, "we owe you much. My daughter has told me something
of your experiences. You may be sure that I had no notion, when this
affair began, that she would have to envelop herself and others in so
much mystery, but now that all has ended well, I can only be thankful."
He seated himself. "You will excuse me; I am not quite strong yet,
though, as I might say, very convalescent."

The girl was leaning on the back of her father's chair. "Tell father the
story, won't you, please?" she asked.

So Orme quickly narrated the series of events that began with his stroll
along State Street the afternoon of the day before. "It doesn't sound
true, does it?" he concluded.

"But the marked five-dollar bill will always be evidence of its truth,"
said the girl; and then, with a suggestion of adorable shyness, "We must
go and redeem that bill sometime."

The Secretary was pondering. He had listened with manifest interest,
interrupting now and then with questions that helped to bring out salient
points. At the report of the conversation between Alcatrante and the
Japanese concerning the commissions on ships, he had leaned forward with
especial attention. And now, after a few moments of thought, he said:

"The Japanese minister we can handle. As for Alcatrante, I must see to it
that he is recalled--and Poritol."

"Poor little Mr. Poritol!" exclaimed the girl. "Do you think he is still
kneeling in that field?"

"Possibly," said Orme, smiling. "We will look to see when we go to redeem
the bill."

"I think, Mr. Orme," said the Secretary, "that I may fairly give you a
little clearer insight into the importance of the papers which you
rescued for us. You have seen stories of the rumors of negotiations with
some foreign Power?"

"Yes," said Orme.

"But, perhaps you have not known of the secret but aggressive policy
which Japan has lately adopted toward us. The excha