Page:On to Pekin.djvu/137

Rh of paper and a pen, and dashed off a second letter to Ralph Branders with all speed. It was easy work, for he remembered exactly what he had said in the first letter; and the young lieutenant had always been a rapid penman. He added to the epistle his suspicions concerning Nuggy Polk, and wound up by assuring Branders that he was certain there was a good deal of money coming to him, if only the truth of the matter could be unearthed.

The letter was finished not a second too soon; for Gilbert had barely time in which to hand it to the adjutant's assistant when the latter was off, to catch the United States mail from Nagasaki.

"Made quick work of it, I see," remarked Peters, as he stuffed the letter into one of his bags.

"I had to," answered Gilbert. "I wouldn't have missed this mail for a good deal."

The young lieutenant hurried away, not wishing to be seen by Nuggy Polk. His duties soon took him to the stern; and there he found the young man, still smoking, in company with Jerry Nickerson.

"Ah! lieutenant," cried Nuggy, as he drew closer. "We were just wondering how long it would be before we would start for Taku. Have you any idea?"