ompanies, every one
who had invested hopefully a little while before in Mexican railways,
every one who had any kind of interest in Mexico was of the same opinion
about the inaction of the American Government.

"I think it is a muddle," said Ascher, "but the idea in the minds of the
men who are making the muddle is a fine one. If only the world could be
worked on those principles----"

"But it can't."

"Not yet," said Ascher. "Perhaps never. Yet the idea on which
the Government in Washington proceeds is a noble one. Respect for
constitutional order should be a greater thing as a principle of
statesmanship than obvious expediency."

The man's unnatural detachment of view worried me. It was the same when
Gorman blared out his stereotyped abuse of financiers, his well-worn
cliches about money kings and poison spiders. Ascher agreed with
him. Ascher, apparently, had some approval for the doctrinaire
constitutionalism of university professors turned diplomats. I could not
follow him to those heights of his.

"I was thinking," I said, "of going home by way of the West Indies."

"Yes? You will find it very agreeable. I was there in 1903 and remember
enjoying myself greatly."

"I wish you and Mrs. Ascher would come too. It would be much pleasanter
for me if I had you with me.

"It's very kind of you to say so; but----"

"Besides," I said, "I should see so much more. If I go by myself I shall
step from a steamer into an hotel and from an hotel into a steamer.
I shall be forced to buy a Baedeker, if there is a Baedeker for those
regions. I shall be a tourist of the ordinary kind. But if I travelled
with you I should really see things."

Ascher took up the telephone receiver.

"If you like," he said, "I can give you letters of introduction to our
correspondents wherever you go. They are bankers, of course, but you
will find them intelligent men."

He summoned a clerk.

"If you give me an idea of your route----" he said.

"At present," I said, "my plans are very vague. I haven't settled
anything. Perhaps you will give me your advice."

He drew a sheet of paper towards him and began to write.

"You ought to see the work at Panama," he said. "It is very interesting
and of course of immense importance. Certainly you must see that.
Afterwards----"

He scribbled on his sheet of paper, making lists of place names and
adding notes about ways of travelling.

"If you go further south still----" he said. "I don't reco