The letter sounded honest and sincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was selecting an agent with great care and secrecy.

No hint as to what that object was would be revealed blindly--he must be tried in every way first; thoroughly tested as to both character and courage.

Undoubtedly steps had already been taken to do this.

The delay in reply would have afforded opportunity for some investigation, as his address would give the necessary clue to his identity.

The request for evening clothes, however, rather reassured him; evidently his first plunge into this mystery was not to occur in any stratum of low society; no vast amount of personal danger could be involved in such preliminaries.