You know their characteristics; give it to them hard. I feel
pretty sure of Cyrus, but Cornelius----" He shook his head doubtfully
and returned to his letter. Suddenly he wheeled about again.
"Do it Thursday, Cornelius," he said in his peremptory way, "and
whichever one of them stands it shall go with us on the tour of
inspection. That will be reward enough, I fancy."
"Very well, sir," replied his son, and the two men went on with their
work without further words. They were in the habit of dispatching
important business with the smallest possible waste of breath.
On Thursday morning, immediately after breakfast, Cyrus Woodbridge found
himself summoned to his father's library. He presented himself at once,
a round-cheeked, bright-eyed lad of fifteen, with an air of alertness in
every line of him.
"Cyrus," said his father, "I have a commission for you to undertake, of
a character which I cannot now explain to you. I want you to take this
envelope"--he held out a large and bulky packet--"and without saying
anything to any one follow its instructions to the letter.
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