I handed the note to Weldon. He read it and whistled loud and long.
"You might beggar him!" he cried. "The man is stark mad."
"Either that or he has made a truly wonderful discovery," I rejoined. "And there is Belleville to consider. That man, I fancy, is a rascal—but also a sane one."
"It has me beat," said the handsome Captain. "The whole thing from start to finish. Ottley is up there now spooning his daughter like a lover. He was as sweet as pie to me, too. I feel like a stranded jelly-fish. What will you do?"
I enclosed the cheque in a blank cover, sealed it and gave it to the Captain.
"Will you be my courier?"
"Of course," said he, and swung off.
He returned at the end of my third cigar, with a second letter. It ran, "My dear young friend, Your refusal has deeply pained me. The more, because it deprives me of the pleasure of your company on the road to Cairo. I beg you, nevertheless, to choose from my stores all that you may require that may serve you during your continued sojourn at Rakh. We start at sunset for the Nile and north.
"Ever yours attachedly,
"R. Ottley."