'No—you don't mean that! Why, that beats all! Look here—I have a brother in South America.
'South America is a large place. Where is your brother?'
'Well, I've got a letter from him here. I wonder if you could tell me the name of the place. I can't make it out myself.'
'I dare say I can,' said Ericson carelessly. 'Come under this gas-lamp and let me see your letter.' The man fumbled in his pocket and drew out a folded letter. He had something else in his hand, as the keen eyes of the watching Mrs. Sarrasin could very well see.
'Another second,' she whispered to her husband.
The Dictator took the letter good-naturedly, and began to open it under the light of the lamp which hung over the bridge. The stranger was standing just behind him. The place was otherwise deserted.
'Now,' Mrs. Sarrasin whispered.
Then Captain Sarrasin strode forward and seized the stranger by the shoulder with one hand, and by his right arm with another.
'What are you a-doin' of?' the stranger asked angrily.
'Well, I want to know who you are in the first place. I beg your Excellency's pardon for intruding on you, but my wife and I happened to be here, and we just came up as this person was talking to you, and we want to know who he is.'