Thompson glanced across at him, but said nothing.

The answer read: _"To Advertiser: Am 26; late captain of Engineers; University graduate adventurous disposition.

Would be glad to consider your proposition.
Address, Box 57, University Club."_ He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing the boy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office.
Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small envelope, addressed in a lady's handwriting apparently, and mailed from one of the sub-postoffices.

West tore it open rather eagerly, and read the contents with surprise.

The words within had been written by the same hand which appeared upon the envelope, but the language used gave him no clue to the purpose of the writer.