“The creature whistled softly in two short staccato notes.

“`Some little order,’ he said.  And taking a toothpick out of his pocket he stuck it into the stump of the cigarette which had become too short to hold between his fingers.

“At this moment a boy from the post office came to me with the daily report from Washington, and I got out of the chair, tipped the creature, and went into the hotel, stopping to pay McDuyal as I passed.

“There was nothing new from the department except that our organization over the country was in close touch.  We had offered five thousand dollars reward for the recovery of the plates, and the Post Office Department was now posting the notice all over America in every office.  The Secretary thought we had better let the public in on it and not keep it an underground offer to the service.

“I had forgotten the hobo, when about five o’clock he passed me a little below the Steel Pier.  He was in a big stride and he had something clutched in his hand.

“He called to me as he hurried along:  `I got him, Governor. . . .  See you later!’

“`See me now,’ I said. `What’s the hurry?’

“He flashed his hand open, holding a silver dollar with his thumb against the palm.

“`Can’t stop now, I’m going to get drunk.  See you later.’

“I smiled at this disingenuous creature.  He was saving me for the dry hour.  He could point out Mulehaus in any passing chair, and I would give some coin to be rid of his pretension.”

Walker paused.  Then he went on: 

“I was right.  The hobo was waiting for me when I came out of the hotel the following morning.

“`Howdy, Governor,’ he said; `I located your man.’

“I was interested to see how he would frame up his case.

“`How did you find him?’ I said.

“He grinned, moving his lip and his loose nose.

“`Some luck, Governor, and some sleuthin’.  It was like this:  I thought you was stringin’ me.  But I said to myself I’ll keep out an eye; maybe it’s on the level — any damn thing can happen.’

“He put up his hand as though to hook his thumb into the armhole of his vest, remembered that he had only a coat buttoned round him and dropped it.

“`And believe me or not, Governor, it’s the God’s truth.  About four o’clock up toward the Inlet I passed a big, well-dressed, banker-looking gent walking stiff from the hip and throwing out his leg.  “Come eleven!” I said to myself.  “It’s the goosestep!” I had an empty roller, and I took a turn over to him.’

“`"Chair, Admiral?” I said.

“`He looked at me sort of queer.

“`"What makes you think I’m an admiral, my man?” he answers.

“Well,” I says, lounging over on one foot reflective like, “nobody could be a-viewin’ the sea with that lovin’, ownership look unless he’d bossed her a bit . . . .  If I’m right, Admiral, you takes the chair.”