en't we?"

"So we have," said Asher; "six hundred golden pounds that Ballacraine
fetched at the sale."

"Just so," said Jacob; "and before we part with it let us make sure
about the two in the bush."

With that intention they started inquiries, as best they could;
touching the position of Michael Sunlocks, his salary and influence.
And in spite of the difficulties of language they heard and saw
enough to satisfy them. Old Iceland was awakening from a bad dream of
three bad centuries and setting to work with a will to become a power
among the States; the young President, Michael Sunlocks, was the
restorer and protector of her liberties; fame and honor were before
him, and before all who laid a hand to his plough. This was what they
heard in many jargons on every side.

"It's all right," whispered Jacob, "and now for the girl."

They had landed late in the day of Greeba's visit to Red Jason at the
little house of detention, and had heard of her marriage, of its
festivities, and of the attempt on the life of the President. But
though they knew that Jason was no longer in Mann they were too much
immersed in their own vast schemes to put two and two together, until
next morning they came upon the sad procession bound for the Sulphur
Mines, and saw that Jason was one of the prisoners. They were then on
their way to Government House, and Jacob said with a wink, "Boys,
that's worth remembering. When did it do any harm to have two strings
to your bow?"

The others laughed at that, and John nudged Thurstan and said, "Isn't
he a boy!" And Thurstan grunted and trudged on.

When they arrived at the kitchen door of the house they asked for
Greeba by her new name, and after some inarticulate fencing with a
fat Icelandic cook, the little English maid was brought down to them.

"Leave her to me," whispered Jacob, and straightway he tackled her.

Could they see the mistress? What about? Well, it was a bit of a
private matter, but no disrespect to herself, miss. Aw, yes, they
were Englishmen--that's to say a sort of Englishmen--being Manxmen.
Would the mistress know them? Ay, go bail on that. Eh, boys? Ha! ha!
Fact was they were her brothers, miss. Yes, her brothers, all six of
them, and longing mortal to clap eyes again on their sweet little
sister.

And after that Master Jacob addressed himself adroitly to an
important question, and got most gratifying replies. Oh, yes, the
President loved his young wife beyond words; worsh