He was admitted, and there he found Mr.
Gilfleur occupied with a file of papers, which he was busily engaged in studying.

In the little apartment were two middle-sized valises, which made it look as though the detective expected to pass some time on his present voyage to the South.
"I hope I don't disturb you, Mr.Gilfleur," said Christy in French.
"Not at all, Mr.Passford; I am glad to see you, for I am ordered to consult very freely with you, and to inform you fully in regard to all my plans," replied the Frenchman.
"Perhaps you can tell me, then, what that boat in the waist is for," Christy began, in a very pleasant tone, and in his most agreeable manner, perhaps copying to some extent the Parisian suavity, as he had observed it in several visits he had made to the gay capital.
"I can tell you all about it, Mr.Passford, though that is my grand secret.

No other person on board of this ship knows what it is for; but you are my confidant, though I never had one before in the practice of my profession," replied Mr.Gilfleur, fixing his keen gaze upon his associate.

"A man's secret is the safest when he keeps it to himself.
But I will tell you all about it." "No! no! I don't wish you to do that, Mr.Gilfleur, if you deem it wise to keep the matter to yourself," interposed Christy.

"My curiosity is a little excited, but I can control it." "I shall tell you all about it, for this affair is different from the ordinary practice of my profession," replied the detective; and he proceeded to give a history of the boat in the waist, and then detailed the use to which it was to be applied.
"I am quite satisfied, and I should be glad to take part in the expedition in which you intend to use it," said Christy when the explanation in regard to the boat was finished.
"You would be willing to take part in my little enterprise!" exclaimed the Frenchman, his eyes lighting up with pleasure.
"I should; why not ?" "Because it may be very dangerous, and a slight slip may cost us both our lives," replied the detective very impressively, and with another of his keen and penetrating glances.
"I have not been in the habit of keeping under cover in my two years' service in the navy, and I know what danger is," added Christy.
"I know you are a very brave young officer, Mr.Passford, but this service is very different from that on the deck of a ship of war in action.