"To Advertiser:  Am 26; late captain of Engineers; University graduate adventurous disposition.  Would be glad to consider your proposition.  Address, Box 57, University Club."

He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing the boy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office.

Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small envelope, addressed in a lady’s handwriting apparently, and mailed from one of the sub-postoffices.  West tore it open rather eagerly, and read the contents with surprise.  The words within had been written by the same hand which appeared upon the envelope, but the language used gave him no clue to the purpose of the writer.  The brief note read: 

“Box 57 University Club.

“Your answer to advertisement makes a good impression, and I am willing to put you to the further test of a personal meeting.  If you are in earnest in this matter, and quite prepared to assume the necessary risk, you will be at the north-west corner of Spaulding Park at 5:30 to-morrow afternoon.  Do not come in uniform, but it will be well to bring evening clothes in a bag.  Be sure of yourself, and be prompt.

“Very truly yours,

“The Advertiser.”

West read this over, again and again, smoking furiously, and endeavouring to weigh each word.  He saw Thompson in the other room, but decided not to submit the epistle to his criticism.  The letter sounded honest and sincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was selecting an agent with great care and secrecy.  No hint as to what that object was would be revealed blindly—­he must be tried in every way first; thoroughly tested as to both character and courage.  Undoubtedly steps had already been taken to do this.  The delay in reply would have afforded opportunity for some investigation, as his address would give the necessary clue to his identity.  The request for evening clothes, however, rather reassured him; evidently his first plunge into this mystery was not to occur in any stratum of low society; no vast amount of personal danger could be involved in such preliminaries.  The truth was, the note only increased his former interest in the case, and his determination to probe more deeply into its mystery.  So the advertiser was a woman!  This fact also stimulated his imagination, and rendered him the more eager.  By Jove! he would see the thing through!

His decision was reached, yet West, although still young and adventurous, had received the rigorous training of the soldier, and learned lessons of discretion.  He would go, but would make every effort to protect himself against any possible treachery.  He had a room at the Club, and wrote a letter or two before proceeding to dress, arranging for their personal delivery in case he failed to return at a designated time; carefully examined his service revolver, and deposited it in the pocket of the business suit he