“I have much to do, though, in what little time is left,” he said, rapidly arranging some papers on his table.  As he did so, Blake caught sight of a small box, with some peculiar metal projections on it, sticking out from amid a pile of papers.

“Yes, much to do,” went on Mr. Alcando.  And then, either by accident or design, he shoved some papers in such a way that the small box was completely hidden.

“We have just come from Mr. Hadley,” explained Joe, and then he and Blake plunged into a mass of details regarding their trip, with which I need not weary you.

Sufficient to say that Mr. Alcando promised to be on hand at the time of the sailing of the steamer for Colon.

In due time, though a day or so later than originally planned, Blake and Joe, with their new Spanish friend, were on hand at the pier.  Mr. Alcando had considerable baggage, and he was to be allowed the use of an old moving picture camera with which to “get his hand in.”  Blake and Joe, of course had their own machines, which had been put in perfect order.  There were several of them for different classes of work.

Final instructions were given by Mr. Hadley, good-bys were said, and the boys and Mr. Alcando went aboard.

“I hope you have good luck!” called Birdie Lee to Blake, as she waved her hand to him.

“And so do I,” added Mabel Pierce to Joe.

“Thanks!” they made answer in a chorus.

“And—­look—­out—­for—­the—­big slides!” called Mr. Piper after them, as the steamer swung away from the pier.

“Gloomy to the last!” laughed Blake.

So they were off for Panama, little dreaming of the sensational adventures that awaited them there.

CHAPTER IX

THE LITTLE BOX

Blake and Joe were too well-seasoned travelers to care to witness many of the scenes attendant upon the departure of their vessel.  Though young in years, they had already crowded into their lives so many thrilling adventures that it took something out of the ordinary to arouse their interest.

It was not that they were blase, or indifferent to novel sights, but travel was now, with them, an old story.  They had been out West, to the Pacific Coast, and in far-off jungle lands, to say nothing of their trip to the place of the earthquakes, and the more recent trip to the flooded Mississippi Valley.

So, once they had waved good-by to their friends and fellow-workers on the pier, they went to their stateroom to look after their luggage.

The two boys and Mr. Alcando had a room ample for their needs, and, though it would accommodate four, they were assured that the fourth berth would not be occupied, so no stranger would intrude.

When Blake and Joe went below Mr. Alcando did not follow.  Either he liked the open air to be found on deck, or he was not such a veteran traveler as to care to miss the sights and sounds of departure.  His baggage was piled in one corner, and that of the boys in other parts of the stateroom, with the exception of the trunks and cameras, which were stowed in the hold, as not being wanted on the voyage.