Part 2 (1/2)

”Well, yes,” said Gorman. ”I've had some business connection with him.”

”I'm interested in that monarch,” said Donovan. ”It was Daisy drew my attention to him first, and then I made inquiries. He's not considered a first-cla.s.s king, I reckon. Doesn't move in the best royal circles.

He could be approached, without diplomatic formalities, by a plain American citizen.”

”There's not the least difficulty about approaching him,” said Gorman.

”I don't believe you'd care for him much if you knew him, and----”

Gorman cast about for the best way of saying that King Konrad Karl would not be a desirable friend for Miss Daisy. Donovan saved him the trouble of finding a suitable phrase.

”He could be approached,” he said, ”by a plain American citizen, if that citizen came with a business proposition in his hand.”

Gorman saw what he believed to be an opportunity. Donovan apparently wanted to do business with the King. Such business must necessarily be connected with Megalia. A company for the development of that country could be founded without difficulty if a man of Donovan's enormous wealth took up a substantial block of shares. Gorman poured out all the information he had collected about Megalia. Donovan listened to him in silence. It was Miss Daisy who spoke at last.

”What you say about the enterprising nature of those inhabitants interests me,” she said, ”but I am not much taken with the notion of copper mining. It seems to me that copper mines would be liable to spoil the natural beauty of the landscape.”

Gorman was, for the moment, too much surprised to speak. He had been in America several times and knew a good many American women. He realized their independence of character and mental vigour. But he did not expect that a young girl, fresh from college, enjoying the first taste of London, would take a leading part in discussing a matter of business. Before he had made up his mind what line to take with Miss Daisy, Donovan shot a question at him.

”What size is that monarchy?” he said.

”The actual boundaries are a little uncertain,” said Gorman, ”but I think we may say a hundred miles by about thirty.”

”Inhabitants? Is it considerably settled?”

”I should guess the population at about 10,000.”

Gorman glanced at his daughter. Miss Daisy's eyes gleamed with pleasurable excitement.

”I'll buy that monarchy,” said Donovan, ”money down, and I expect the King and I won't fall out about the price. But if I buy, I buy the section and all fixings, royal palace, throne, crown and t.i.tle. I'm particular about the t.i.tle.”

Miss Daisy jumped from her chair and ran round the table. She flung her arms round her father's neck and kissed him heartily, first on one cheek, then on the other.

”You darling!” she said.

Donovan disengaged his head from her embrace and turned to Gorman.

”My little girl has taken a notion,” he said, ”that she'd like to be a queen. The thing might be worked by marrying; but we don't either of us care for that notion. She'd be tied up if she married, and she might tire. My idea--and hers--is that it's better to buy what we want right out. I don't say that Megalia is precisely the kingdom I'd have chosen for her. I'd have preferred a place with a bigger reputation, one better advertised by historians. But I realize that the European monarchy market has been cornered by a syndicate, and I can't just step down and buy what I like. Your leading families, so I understand, have secured options on the best kingdoms and won't part.”

Miss Daisy was still standing with her arms round her father's neck.

She hugged him as she spoke.

”I shall just love Megalia,” she said. ”I'd far rather have it than one three times the size.”

”Well,” said her father, ”I guess there's no reason why you shouldn't have it.”

Gorman saw several reasons, excellent ones, why Daisy Donovan could never be queen of Megalia. He began to explain them. Kingdoms cannot be bought and sold like horses. There are emperors and other kings to consider. There is the Balance of Power in Europe. There are amba.s.sadors, chancelleries, statesmen. He was not at all sure that the Monroe Doctrine, in an inverted form, might not be an absolute bar to the purchase of a European kingdom by an American. Donovan brushed the difficulties aside.

”Those points,” he said, ”will be considered in settling the price.

I'm aware that Europe has its prejudices. I'm not out to trample on them. Genuine vested interests owned by other monarchs will be paid for. Amba.s.sadors and chancellors will be taken on and employed at their old salaries as part of a going concern.”