 with him. A woman is a
very useful adjunct to an expedition such as yours. Of course in some
ways she is necessarily a trouble, and always a responsibility. Still,
if, as you say is the case with her, she is a good cook, this makes a
wonderful difference in your comfort, and certainly adds to the chance
of your preserving your health. And in the next place, should you fall
ill, or be mauled by a tiger or puma, she will make a far better nurse
than Dias himself would be. Now that you are cutting yourself adrift
from civilization, I shall not expect to hear from you again for a long
time. I shall try and not be uneasy; but really, Harry, I do feel that
I have incurred a very heavy responsibility, and may, with the best
intentions in the world, have sent you and Bertie to your death. I
have, as you directed me, addressed this to the care of our consul, and
it must be many months before you receive it, many months more before I
again hear from you. Should you require more money, draw upon me. I
have always a good balance standing at the bank, therefore do not
hesitate to draw, in case the amount sent out to you quarterly does not
prove sufficient to carry out any scheme you may have in hand.

"With all good wishes for your own and Bertie's welfare,

"I remain,

"Your affectionate guardian,

"JAMES BARNETT."

When he returned to the hotel he handed Mr. Barnett's letter to Bertie
to read, and said:

"Stop down here in the patio, Bertie; I have two letters that I want to
read quietly."

Bertie laughed.

"All right, Harry; take your time over them; I won't disturb you."

It was dusk now, and when Harry went to his room he lit a couple of
candles and seated himself in a large cane arm-chair and opened his
letters.

The first one consisted chiefly of expressions of pleasure at his
arrival at Callao, of remarks upon the voyage, of complaints as to the
long time that had passed without news of him, and of assurances of
affection.

The second was, like Mr. Barnett's, in reply to his letter from Cuzco.

"My dearest Harry,

"A