"By the way," asked Matt, "why didn't you answer the cablegram I sent you from Panama, captain?"
"Principally because I never received it," was the smiling response. "Where did you address the message, Matt?"
"To you, at Belize."
"Why, I left Belize a week after you did! It was my intention all along to leave Central America, work up into the States, and then meet you here and take the last lap of the cruise with you."
"It was a mighty big relief to see you come aboard at this port," said Matt. "I hadn't the least idea what was the matter."
"You had a guess that I had taken the One-way Trail, hadn't you, Matt?" jested the captain.
"I didn't know but that might have happened."
"In that event," said the captain, "I had already made a will whereby you boys were to receive the whole amount to be paid by the government. So, you see, my being alive has cost you a pretty pile."
"The money doesn't count, captain," declared Matt stoutly.
"No? Well, money usually counts in this world, Matt—in fact, it cuts a pretty wide swath in every direction."