"That's what I call an ideal married couple," Kirk reflected--"complete understanding, absolute confidence." And the more he saw of them, the stronger this impression grew. Cortlandt was always attentive and courteous, without being demonstrative, while his wife showed a charming graciousness that was plainly unassumed. Their perfect good-breeding made the young man feel at ease; but though he endeavored to cultivate the husband on several occasions, he made little headway. The man evidently possessed a wide knowledge of current events, a keen understanding of men and things, yet he never opened up. He listened, smiled, spoke rarely, and continued to spend nine-tenths of his time in that isolated corner of the smoking-room, with no other company than a long glass and a siphon. One day when Kirk had begun to feel that his acquaintance with Mrs. Cortlandt was well established, he said to her: "Stein told me to-day that your husband is in the diplomatic service." "Yes," said she. "He was Consul-General to Colombia several years ago, and since then he has been to France and to Germany." "I thought you were tourists--you have travelled so much." "Most of our journeys have been made at the expense of the Government." "Are you diplomatting now?" "In a way. We shall be in Panama for some time." "This Stein seems to be a nice fellow. He's taken quite a liking to me." Mrs. Cortlandt laughed lightly. "That is part of his business." "How so?" "He is one of Colonel Jolson's secret agents." "Who is Colonel Jolson?" "Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Your father knows him." "Do you mean that Stein is a--detective?" Kirk looked uncomfortable. "I do! Does he know you are the son of Darwin K. Anthony?" "Why, yes, I suppose so." "Colonel Jolson will be interested." "Again I don't see the point." "Your father is one of the most powerful and aggressive railroad men in the country. Perhaps you know something about the railroad opposition to the canal?" Kirk smiled. "Well, to tell you the truth," said he, "the governor doesn't consult me about his business as much as he ought to. He seems to think he can run it all right without me, and we've only been speaking over the telephone lately." "One of the strongest forces the Government had to combat in putting through the canal appropriations was the railroads. Colonel Jolson has no reason to love your father." "Yes, but _I_ don't object to this canal. I think it must be a rather good idea." Mrs. Cortlandt laughed for a second time. "The Colonel's dislike for your father will not affect you, inasmuch as you are returning so soon, but if you intended to stay it might be different." "In what way?" "Oh, in many ways. There are two classes of people who are not welcomed on the Canal Zone--magazine writers and applicants for positions who have political influence back of them. The former are regarded as muckrakers, the latter as spies." "That's rather rough on them, isn't it?"