Could you tell me," said Tony, courteously, "where I ought to go? I
'm Butler, an extra messenger, and I have been summoned to attend and
report here this morning."

"All right; we want you," said the other, still writing; "wait an
instant." So saying, he wrote on for several minutes at a rapid pace,
muttering the words as his pen traced them; at last he finished, and,
descending from his high seat, passed across the room, opened a door,
which led into another room, and called out,--

"The messenger come, sir!"

"Who is he?" shouted a very harsh voice.

"First for Madrid, sir," said the youth, examining a slip of paper he
had just taken from his pocket.

"His name?" shouted out the other again.

"Poynder, sir."

"I beg your pardon," suggested Tony, mildly. "I'm Butler, not Poynder."

"Who's talking out there,--what's that uproar?" screamed the voice, very
angrily.

"He says he 's not for Madrid, sir. It's a mistake," cried the youth.

"No; you misunderstand me," whispered Tony. "I only said I was not
Poynder."

"He says he 's in Poynder's place."

"I'll stop this system of substitutes!" cried the voice. "Send him in
here."

"Go in there," said the youth, with a gesture of his thumb, and his face
at the same time wore an expression which said as plain as any words
could have spoken, "And you 'll see how you like it."

As Tony entered, he found himself standing face to face to the awful
official, Mr. Brand, the same who had reported to the Minister his
intended assault upon Willis, the porter. "Aw! what's all this about?"
said Mr. Brand, pompously. "You are Mr.--Mr.--"

"Mr. Butler," said Tony, quietly, but with an air of determination.

"And instead of reporting yourself, you come here to say that you have
exchanged with Poynder."

"I never heard of Poynder till three minutes ago."

"You want, however, to take his journey, sir. You call yourself first
for Madrid?"

"I do nothing of the kind. I have come here because I got a telegram two
days ago. I know nothing of Poynder, and just as little about Madrid."

"Oh--aw! you're Butler! I remember all about you now; there is such a
swarm of extras appointed, that it's impossible to remember names or
faces. You 're the young gentleman who--who--yes, yes, I remember it
all; but have you passed the civil-service examiners?"

"No; I was preparing for the examination when I received that message,
and came off 'at once."

"Well, you 'll present yourself