“To be sure, and it will go quicker than if you had mailed it at Manila.” “This Polk seems to be very thick with Nickerson. I wonder if they have talked me over between them.” “If they talk your case over, it is a pity that you can’t hear what is said,” returned the major, pointedly. “I believe I would watch every move they make, so far as was in my power.” “I will.” “Polk is no doubt your enemy; and you have a perfect right to get the better of him, if you can.” By this time others were coming up, Captain Banner and two under officers; and the talk became general, the coming campaign in China being, however, the chief topic of conversation. Gilbert was sitting with his back to a window opening into the upper cabin of the transport. As the topic of conversation shifted, a form arose from a settee standing in the cabin, close to the window, the sash of which had been lowered to let in the air. The form was that of Jerry Nickerson, and the young man had taken in all that had been said. “So he is going to write to Ralph Branders, eh?” he muttered, as he strode off. “And he is going to sound Amos Bartlett, too. I reckon this will make interesting news for Nuggy. I’ll have to hunt him up at once, and see what he has to say about it.” CHAPTER X ABOUT AN IMPORTANT LETTER Jerry Nickerson found Nuggy Polk in another portion of the cabin, reading one of the books belonging to the ship’s library. “Come to our state-room,” he said. “I have something important to tell you.” “What about?” “About Gilbert Pennington.” Nuggy arose at once, and followed his companion to the state-room which had been assigned to them. The quarters were cramped; but they were much better than those occupied by the soldiers, who slept in long rows of canvas cots, suspended between uprights of “gas-piping,” as the supports were commonly called. Only the colonel and the majors had private compartments: even the captains slept with their men. When Nuggy heard what his chum had to tell, his face grew dark and full of bitter hatred. “That makes it certain he is in a game against me and my father,” he said. “Unless I take good care of myself, he will prove a regular snake in the grass. I wish I could pitch him overboard.” “You will have to be extra careful of what you say after this, Nuggy. If I were you, I wouldn’t mention the Importing Company in his presence again.” “I won’t.” “If he brings up the subject, treat it in an off-handed way, and try to convince him that everything is all right, and that you were fooling when you spoke about squeezing out those other people.” “Trust me to smooth it over--if I get the chance,” responded Nuggy. “But I wish I could get hold of that letter he intends to send.”