This plan I carried out, and at ten o'clock I stood in the handsome outer office of the Company.
"I should be glad to see the managing director, if he could spare me a few moments," I said to the youth who waited upon me in answer to his question.
"He's engaged, sir, at present," the lad replied.

"If you will take a seat, however, I don't fancy he will be very long." I did as he directed, and in the interval amused myself by studying a large map of the Argentine Republic, which hung upon the wall.

I had practically exhausted its capabilities when the door opened, and a tall, military-looking man emerged and passed out into the street.
"What name shall I say, sir ?" inquired the clerk, as he descended from his high stool and approached me.
"Fairfax," I replied, giving him my card.

"I think the manager will know my name." The clerk disappeared to return a few moments later with the request that I would follow him.

Preparing myself for what I fully expected would be a scene, I entered the director's sanctum.