And as for the word--get you to the place and wait about a bit, and if you see nobody there, say out loud, 'From James Gilverthwaite as is sick and can't come himself'; and when the man appears, as he will, say--aye!--say 'Panama,' my lad, and he'll understand in a jiffy!" "Eleven o'clock--Panama," said I."And--the message ?" "Aye!" he answered, "the message.

Just this, then: 'James Gilverthwaite is laid by for a day or two, and you'll bide quiet in the place you know of till you hear from him.' That's all.

And--how will you get out there, now ?--it's a goodish way." "I have a bicycle," I answered, and at his question a thought struck me.
"How did you intend to get out there yourself, Mr.Gilverthwaite ?" I asked.

"That far--and at that time of night ?" "Aye!" he said.

"Just so--but I'd ha' done it easy enough, my lad--if I hadn't been laid here.