The next day slipped by without the young lieutenant and Polk coming into contact with each other. Gilbert had several important duties to attend to, and only saw Nuggy from a distance. In the evening Gilbert sat down in the cabin to write the letter to Ralph Branders. It was no easy task to compose the epistle, for the young lieutenant hardly knew how to introduce the subject. But he had met Branders on the field of San Juan, and felt that he could trust the young and rising lawyer thoroughly; and he ended by relating his case from start to finish. He asked Branders to investigate, and promised to remunerate the lawyer as far as was within his means. Nuggy saw Gilbert penning the letter, and watched him very much as a cat watches a mouse. “I’d give a hundred dollars to get that letter from him,” the young man said to himself. But how this could be accomplished without the young lieutenant being the wiser was a difficult problem to solve. The letter finished, Gilbert placed it in the inner pocket of his coat, a garment which he wore at all times when on duty. Polk had hoped to see him place it in some corner or in the general mail-basket in the cabin, and was much disappointed. The transport continued on her course until, late one afternoon, a small island to the eastward was sighted. It proved to be Ujise, about one hundred and ten miles directly south of Nagasaki. “We’ll reach Nagasaki to-morrow,” said Captain Banner to Gilbert. “And I must say that I shall not be sorry to finish that much of the voyage.” “You are not much of a sea-dog, captain.” “It isn’t that, Pennington: I am anxious to get into the fight,--if there is any fighting.” “Oh, so am I,” replied Gilbert quickly. “I am curious to learn the latest news. I wonder if the Allies have moved on Tien-Tsin yet?” “More than likely, since that lies between Taku and Pekin.” The day was cloudy, and toward midnight the wind came up strongly. As the course of the transport was now along numerous islands and between dangerous reefs, she had to proceed slowly and with caution. For some reason Gilbert had a headache, and retired early. As was usual, he slipped off only his coat and shoes, placing the former under his pillow. Although he did not know it, his movements were closely watched by Nuggy Polk, who had made up his mind that he must obtain possession of the letter, were such a thing possible. As the hour was early, there were but few soldiers below. So the coast was comparatively clear. Almost holding his breath, for fear of awakening the sleeper, Nuggy approached Gilbert on tiptoe, and made certain that the young lieutenant was in the land of slumber. Slowly he pulled the coat from under the pillow, and inserted his hand in the pocket.