clined
to drop the subject altogether.

"A sale of that sort," he said, "would be impossible. The Emperor
wouldn't permit it."

Then Gorman made a mistake. For the first time he showed a real
interest in what Steinwitz said. There is every excuse for him. He
wanted very much to understand the Emperor's position; and Steinwitz
had already heard--possibly believed--the story of the sale of
Salissa.

"What on earth has the Emperor got to do with it?" said Gorman.
"Megalia is an independent state, isn't it?"

Steinwitz laughed.

"Very few states," he said, "are independent of the Emperor."

There was something in the way he spoke, a note of arrogance, a
suggestion of truculence, which nettled Gorman.

"Donovan," he said, "is a free citizen of the United States of
America. That's what he says himself. I don't expect he cares a damn
about any emperor."

"Ah well," said Steinwitz, "it does not matter, does it? Since he has
not bought the Island of Salissa, no question is likely to arise. The
Emperor will not object to his wandering round the Cyrenian Sea in the
_Ida_."

Gorman was singularly dull when he joined me in the smoking-room after
luncheon. I do not recollect any other occasion on which I found him
disinclined to talk. I opened the most seductive subjects. I said I
was sure Ulster really meant to take up arms against Home Rule. I said
that the Sinn Feiners were getting stronger and stronger in Ireland,
and that neither Gorman nor any member of his party would be returned
at the next General Election. Gorman must have wanted to contradict
me; but he did not say a word. It was only when I got up to go away
that he spoke; and then he made a remark which had no bearing whatever
on anything which I had said.

"Women," he growled, "are hell. In business they're red hell."

CHAPTER VI

The Donovans started for Salissa within three weeks of the completion
of the sale of the island. This was a remarkable achievement, and the
whole credit is due to the amazing energy of Miss Daisy. She was all
eagerness to enter into the possession of her kingdom; but she had no
idea of going to an unknown island without proper supplies. She bought
furniture for her house. King Konrad Karl was of opinion that there
must be furniture in it. The Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief
and the Admiral had almost certainly carried off any jewellery or
plate there might have been, after the assassination of the late king.
Ta