y, on the verge of the smouldering crater of a
volcano----"

"This is the House of Commons, of course," said Gorman, "so I suppose
you can talk that kind of language if you like. But we don't usually
do it in the smoking-room."

Sir Bartholomew had not attained to the eminent position he occupied
without learning a few lessons in tact. He changed his tone at once.

"The fact is," he said, "that just at present we all want to avoid
friction with the Emperor."

"Ah," said Gorman, "and your idea is----?"

"Mr. Donovan must be persuaded to give up that island. Pressure could
be put on him, of course, by his own Government and by ours. His
position is preposterous. He can't set his daughter up as a European
sovereign simply by writing a cheque. But we don't want--nobody wants
any publicity or scandal. If Mr. Donovan would agree, privately, to
resign all claim on Salissa----"

"Why not ask him?"

Sir Bartholomew's manner became most ingratiating.

"We feel that the good offices of a mutual friend, some one who
occupies no official position, some one unconnected with the Foreign
Office----In short, Mr. Gorman, would you undertake this rather
delicate mission?"

"Why the devil do you hit on me for the job?"

"Ah," said Sir Bartholomew, smiling, "you see we all know something
about you, Mr. Gorman. Your business ability, your unfailing tact,
your----"

"Taken as read," said Gorman.

Sir Bartholomew cannot possibly have liked Gorman's manner. No public
men discuss serious and confidential matters with this kind of
flippancy. But he had been obliged to meet even more disconcerting
people in the Balkans. He prided himself on being able to negotiate
with men of any manners or none.

"Knowing the work you have done for your party in America," he went
on, "knowing your friendship with the Donovans and your acquaintance
with the King of Megalia, it seemed to us--not to me, you know. I
don't really matter. It seemed to us that you were the best possible
person."

"I see. Well, supposing I undertake the job, what am I to say to
Donovan? He's paid a big price for that island. Is he to get his money
back?"

"Of course, of course. No one expects Mr. Donovan to make any
financial sacrifice."

"Who's going to pay?"

"The King. King Konrad Karl."

"That King," said Gorman, "isn't very good at paying."

"In this case he will have no choice. The Emperor will insist on his
paying."

"The Emperor is a powerful man," s