"'Your proposal is of a somewhat unusual character,' I said.
"'If it were usual, there wouldn't be money in it,' Mr. Van Schuyler answered; and the argument impressed me favourably.
"'Then I am willing to act for you,' said I.
"'Then we'll consider it fixed up,' said he. 'Go home and draft your plan of action, and drop round again this time to-morrow. In the meantime, don't go gassing about it in the saloons, or Jacob Van Tine'll get hold of the notion and put up a rival nominee.'
"I swore that I would be as silent as the grave.
"'Right,' said Mr. Van Schuyler. 'Good afternoon, Mr.——'
"'Jean Antoine Stromboli Kosnapulski,' I prompted.
"'That is so. Good afternoon, sir.'
"So we shook hands again and I departed to mature my schemes; for there was much to be thought over and little time for thinking.
"'I will be methodical,' I said to myself, 'and begin at the beginning. First of all, I must find out where is Nicaragua, and how one gets there—whether by rail or steamer. Some further particulars as to the population, and national defences, and the present political condition of the country, will also be of service to me. They will know these things at the State Library. I will go there and inquire. But I will be careful not to divulge my secret to the librarian. Doubtless it will suffice to make him communicative if I throw out mysterious hints.'