Weeks consulted his watch hastily.

“You’ve missed the last train; but we’ll go over together in the morning.  I want to have a hand in this arrest for reasons of my own; I don’t like him or his influential friends.”  He began to chuckle ponderously.  “No, I don’t like his influential friends, in particular.”

While this scene was being enacted on the north side of the Isthmus, Kirk Anthony, over at the Tivoli Hotel, was making himself ready for the ball with particular pains.  Even his personal appearance might have a bearing upon the outcome of this adventure, and he dared not overlook the slightest advantage.

Allan regarded him admiringly from many angles.

“Oh, Master h’Auntony,” he exclaimed, rapturously, “you are beautiful!”

“Thanks!  Again thanks!  Now, can you remember to do as I have told you?”

“I would die—­”

“Don’t say that again, I’m too nervous.  Here are your instructions, once more.  Keep both doors to this room locked and stand by the one to the veranda!  Don’t let any one in except Mr. Runnels and the man he’ll bring.  Don’t—­leave—­this—­spot, no matter what happens.  Does that penetrate your teakwood dome?  Does your ivory cue-ball encompass that thought?”

“I shall watch this h’apartment carefully, never fear.”

“But I do fear.  I’m scared to death.  My hands are go cold they are brittle.  Remember, when I knock, so, let me in instantly, and keep your wits about you.”

“H’Allan never fails, sar.  But what is coming to pahss?”

“Never mind what is coming to pass.  This is going to be a big night, my boy—­a very big night.”  Kirk strolled out into the hall and made his way to the lobby.

Already the orchestra was tuning up, the wide porches were filling with well-dressed people, while a stream of coaches at the door was delivering the arrivals on the special from Colon.  It was a very animated crowd, sprinkled plentifully with Spanish people—­ something quite unusual, by-the-way—­while the presence of many uniforms gave the affair almost the brilliance of a military function.  There were marine officers from Bas Obispo, straight, trim, brown of cheek; naval officers from the cruisers in the roadstead, clad in their white trousers and bell-boy jackets; army officers detailed from Washington on special duty; others from the various parts of the work itself.

Kirk wandered about through the confusion, nodding to his friends, chatting here and there, his eyes fixed anxiously upon the door.

Clifford approached and fell into conversation with him.

“Great doings, eh?  I came up from the Central just to see what these affairs are like.  Did you see to-night’s paper?”

“No.”

“Garavel is going to run for President.  This is a kind of political coming-out party.”

“So I believe.”

“It looked like a fight between him and General Alfarez, but they’ve patched it up, and the General is going to withdraw.  Garavel is to have Uncle Sam’s congratulations and co-operation.  It’s a joke, isn’t it, this international good feeling?”