Nunky gave me a look:--saw at once that he was beat. In private, he might have urged his objections: but, before the whole office, he could not appear to dissuade me from taking my turn at a duty, now considered anything but agreeable. No course, then, remained for him, but to signify his consent. "Oh, very well," said he, "if that's the way you've settled it between yourselves. Of course, _I_ can have no objection. Get the usual advance, then; draw your allowance for a mule; and have all ready for starting the day after to-morrow." Exchanging winks with my fellow-subs, right and left, I returned triumphant to my seat. Nunky remained a few minutes at his desk, evidently in a little bit of a fidget. How could I tell that, do you think, when I sat with my back to him? Oh, I suppose you never were a clerk in a public office. Else you wouldn't require to be informed, that office-clerks have eyes in the back of their heads. When the governor is present, his actions, each and all, are seen and chronicled by every subordinate in the room. And a great relief it is, let me tell you, to the tedium of public business, to recount, criticise, and dramatise them, the moment he's off. Nunky took up a letter, and began to read it--laid it down unread--took up another--rose from his seat--sat down again--put on his hat--and bolted. Dicky Gossip--a Portuguese clerk commonly so called--rushed forthwith to the front office, and returned with equal rapidity. "Ah, Mister Y----, you is doane. You no sall go up to de coantree deece toim. Your oankle I vos see him git into him coashe. Ah, him, gallop down de treet, faster as four mules can carry him. Ah, Mister Y----, I sall tell you vot!" In the course of the afternoon, I received a message to attend my uncle in another apartment. He met me with a look of triumph, which, I feared, boded no good. "Well, G----," said he, "I wish you had mentioned that business this morning in private. Then, you know, we would have talked it over together. As, however, you chose to tender your services in the public room, of course I was forced to view the thing officially, and there's no remedy for it. You have volunteered for headquarters, and to headquarters you must go." "Oh, thank you, sir! thank you. That's just what I always wished." "Just what you always wished? Of course I know that, as well as you can tell me, Mr G----. Happy to say, though, I have effected one arrangement, which will make matters far safer, and more agreeable too." "I fear, sir, if you send me off without the treasure, you will have some difficulty--"