I knew he regarded me as one of his opportunities, and was making the most of me. This is not a pleasant point of view to regard one's self from, so I changed the subject, and said: "Shall we call for Don Antonio?" "Why?" "Well, as he's Minister of Finance, I thought perhaps his presence would make the matter more regular." "If the presence of the President," said that official, "can't make a matter regular, I don't know what can. Let him sleep on. Isn't his signature on the bonds enough?" What could I do? I made one more weak objection: "What shall we tell Jones?" "What shall _we_ tell Jones?" he echoed. "Really, Mr. Martin, you must use your discretion as to what you tell your employees. You can hardly expect me to tell Jones anything, beyond that it's a fine morning." We had now reached the bank, which stood in Liberty Street, a turning out of the Piazza. I took out my key, unlocked the door, and we entered together. We passed into my inner sanctum, where the safe stood. "What's it in?" asked the President. "United States bonds, and bills on New York and London," I replied. "Good," said he. "Let me look." I undid the safe, and took out the securities. He examined them carefully, placing each after due scrutiny in a small handbag, in which he had brought down the bonds I was to receive. I stood by, holding a shaded candle. At this moment a voice cried from the door: "If you move you're dead men!" I started and looked up. The President looked up without starting. There was dear old Jones, descended from his upper chamber, where he and Mrs. Jones resided. He was clad only in his night-shirt, and was leveling a formidable gun full at the august head of his Excellency. "Ah, Mr. Jones," said the latter "it's a fine morning." "Good Heavens, the President!" cried Jones; "and Mr. Martin! Why, what on earth, gentlemen--" The President gently waved one hand toward me, as if to say, "Mr. Martin will explain," and went on placing his securities in the bag. In face of this crisis my hesitation left me. "I have received a cable from Europe, Jones," said I, "instructing me to advance a sum of money to his Excellency; I am engaged in carrying out these instructions." "Cable?" said Jones. "Where is it?" "In my pocket," said I, feeling for it. "No! Why I must have left it at the Golden House." The President came to my assistance. "I saw it on the table just before we started. Though I presume Mr. Jones has no _right_--" "None at all," I said briskly. "Yet, as a matter of concession, Mr. Martin will no doubt show it to him to-morrow?" "Strictly as a matter of concession perhaps I will, though I am bound to say that I am surprised at your manner, Mr. Jones." Jones looked sadly puzzled. "It's all irregular, sir," said he. "Hardly more so than your costume!" said the President pleasantly.