The Manager had just finished examining the reports submitted by the heads of the various departments of the great Shipping and Banking house when the door of his office opened and the Superintendent entered. David Chapman looked even more hawk-like, hungry and eager than when he had stood one year before in the same place. “Beg pardon, Mr. Burton, but I thought you might wish to be informed of the fact that under instructions from Mr. Dunlap, I am forwarding by the steamer that leaves today for Hong Kong, a package and some letters that Mr. Dunlap gave me to send to Captain Jack Dunlap. The package contains, I believe, a testimonial of Mr. Dunlap’s admiration for the noble conduct of his kinsman in connection with the rescue from the wreck of that emigrant ship. As I am availing myself of the opportunity to communicate my own opinion concerning Captain Jack’s action, I thought it not improbable that you would wish to send some message,” said the Superintendent, peering stealthily at Burton as he spoke. “I thank you, Chapman, most heartily for letting me know this,” cried Burton warmly. “How much time may I have to prepare a letter and package to accompany yours and Mr. Dunlap’s?” “Mr. Dunlap told me to hold the package until he arrived at the office as it was likely that his granddaughter would wish to place some communication for her cousin with his.” “And I am sure she will! My wife’s admiration for her cousin Jack is unbounded. I will hasten to prepare my contribution to the congratulations sent to Captain Jack. He is a magnificent man and I am proud to be connected in any way with such a noble character.” “You are right, sir. Jack Dunlap is a brave, true man and comes of a brave, true race. His actions prove that blood will tell,” rejoined Chapman with more enthusiasm than it seemed possible for one of his disposition to exhibit. “Oh! Pshaw! Nonsense! I give Jack greater credit for his courage and faithfulness than you do when you announce the absurd doctrine that men inherit such qualities. I give him alone credit for what he is, not his race or blood. Blood may be well enough in hounds and horses, but education and culture make the man not the blood in his veins,” exclaimed Burton impatiently. “The same reason that exists for the superiority of the well-bred horse or dog, causes the man of a good race to be the superior of the man of an inferior race,” said Chapman meaningly, with an almost imperceptible sneer in the tone of his voice. “That argument might hold good provided that men like horses carried jockeys to furnish the intelligence or like hounds had huntsmen to guide them,” replied the Manager with more heat than seemed justified.