"I should be pleased to do so, sir. It is a small enough favor to undertake, even for a chance acquaintance."
"But a favor that shall be remembered, doctor. Your lodging?"
"The Plow Inn."
"The packet shall be in your hands by evening," he replied.
I rose at the words, and he showed me to the door, with repeated assurances of confidence and esteem.
CHAPTER VII
SHIP AND CREW
The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's. It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person. To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all. But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet. The letters might well contain statements open to misconstruction by the Colonel's numerous and powerful enemies, or details of plans, publicity of which, owing to the necessity of secrecy, might disconcert the progress of the great project. The instruction to me to open the packet upon my arrival prevented any questioning of the Colonel's confidence in myself.