“First flower of the earth and first gem of the sea.” He was passably educated, had beheld and brushed against the people of a considerable portion of the New World during the short time he had been in it, and earned a reputation for honesty, a peculiar tact and shrewdness, skill and perseverance in performing his numerous and difficult duties, and worked himself into the position of a firm favorite with those of my employés intimately associated with him. Thus far I certainly found no particular fault with McParlan. The same day McParlan, clad in his ordinary but cleanly citizen’s attire, entered my private office, and I invited him to take a seat. The conference which immediately followed was long, confidential, and interesting to the two taking part in it; but particulars need not be given here, as results achieved will exhibit the nature of the conversation, which has also been foreshadowed in the preceding pages. More light will be thrown upon the subject during the progress and development of events. Suffice it that in James McParlan I recognized the very person to whom I could safely and confidently intrust my plans for the campaign in Pennsylvania. While he was not left in the dark as to the dangers to be encountered—and, in fact, these were as fully explained as it was possible to perceive them at the time—he made known his desire to assume the part, and said he would experience pleasure in being sent where he could be of use to me and to his country. “I will do my utmost to bring the job to a speedy and successful termination,” he remarked with earnestness. “Remember, McParlan,” I urged, at the close of this portion of our interview, “your refusal to accept the responsibility—while I can but acknowledge it would prove a disappointment—will not injure you in my estimation, or prevent your employment by me in the future.” “Mr. Pinkerton,” answered the operative, rising from his chair, “I am not in your Agency to object to such a thing as this seems to be; on the contrary, I am anxious to go, and ready to start at the word of command!” “That settles it, then,” said I. “Report to me to-morrow forenoon, when your instructions and credentials will all be prepared and you can take the night train for Philadelphia.” Seemingly satisfied, the young man went his way. It was easy to see, by the expression of his countenance, that McParlan’s sympathies were earnestly enlisted in the case, only the bare outlines of which had as yet been committed to his care, and if he failed it would not be from want of zeal, or lack of earnest desire to well and truly perform his duty.