The officer nodded his head.
“I have something to send to my father after I am dead and I am going to entrust you with the commission,” went on Frank, “will you promise to carry it out faithfully?”
With another vigorous nod of his head the Nicaraguan assented.
“It is your promise?”
“It is.”
“And you will keep it, as a man of honor and an officer?”
“Assuredly, Señor.”
“Then feel in my right-hand pocket and take out what you find there,” said Frank.
The officer plunged in his hand and drew it out with almost a cry of amazement when he saw the magnificent rubies that lay flashing their crimson fire in his brown palm.
“You see why I exacted such a solemn pledge from you,” said Frank, “such rubies as these might tempt any man to break his word.”