much of Sarrasin.

'I mustn't ask about your projects,' Sir Rupert said; 'in fact, I
suppose I had better know nothing about them. But, as a host, I may ask
whether you have to leave England soon. As a mere matter of social duty
I am entitled to ask that much. My daughter will be so sorry----'

'We shall have to leave for South America very soon, Sir Rupert,' the
Dictator said--'within a very few days. We must leave for London
to-morrow by the afternoon train at the latest.'

'How do you propose to enter Gloria?' Sir Rupert asked hesitatingly.
What he really would have liked to ask was--'What men, what armament,
have you got to back you when you land in your port?'

The Dictator divined the meaning.

'I go alone,' he said quietly.

'Alone!'

'Yes, except for the two or three personal friends who wish to accompany
me--as friends, and not as a body-guard. I dare say the boy there,' and
he nodded at Hamilton, 'will be wanting to step ashore with me.'

'Oh, yes, I shall step ashore at the same moment, or perhaps half a
second later,' Hamilton said joyously. 'I'm a great steppist.'

'Bear in mind that _I_ am going too,' Sarrasin interposed.

'We shall not go without you, Captain Sarrasin,' Ericson answered with a
smile. For he felt well assured that when Captain Sarrasin stepped
ashore, Mrs. Sarrasin would be in step with him.

'Do you go unarmed?' Sir Rupert asked.

'Absolutely unarmed. I am not a despot coming to recapture a rebel
kingdom--I am going to offer my people what help I can to save their
Republic for them. If they will have me, I believe I can save the
Republic; if they will not----' He threw out his hands with the air of
one who would say, 'Then, come what will, it is no fault of mine.'

'Suppose they actually turn against you?'

'I don't believe they will. But if they do, it will no less have been an
experiment well worth the trying, and it will only be a life lost.'

'Two lives lost,' Hamilton pleaded mildly.

'Excuse me, three lives lost, if you please,' Sarrasin interposed, 'or
perhaps four.' For he was thinking of his heroic wife, and of the
general understanding between them that it would be much more
satisfactory that they should die together than that one should remain
behind.

Sir Rupert smiled and sighed also. He was thinking of his romantic and
adventurous youth.

'By Jove!' he said, 'I almost envy you fellows your expedition and your
enthusiasm. There was a time--and not so ve