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94 subject. But he had met Branders on the field of San Juan, and felt that he could trust the young and rising lawyer thoroughly; and he ended by relating his case from start to finish. He asked Branders to investigate, and promised to remunerate the lawyer as far as was within his means.

Nuggy saw Gilbert penning the letter, and watched him very much as a cat watches a mouse.

"I'd give a hundred dollars to get that letter from him," the young man said to himself. But how this could be accomplished without the young lieutenant being the wiser was a difficult problem to solve.

The letter finished, Gilbert placed it in the inner pocket of his coat, a garment which he wore at all times when on duty. Polk had hoped to see him place it in some corner or in the general mail-basket in the cabin, and was much disappointed.

The transport continued on her course until, late one afternoon, a small island to the eastward was sighted. It proved to be Ujise, about one hundred and ten miles directly south of Nagasaki.

"We'll reach Nagasaki to-morrow," said Captain Banner to Gilbert. "And I must say that I shall not be sorry to finish that much of the voyage."