Part 17 (1/2)
”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,” said Gorman, ”but even he would hardly be able to make King Konrad Karl fork out what he hasn't got.
You may safely bet your last s.h.i.+lling that most of what Donovan paid for that island is spent, chucked away, gone scat.”
”The Emperor,” said Sir Bartholomew, ”will be responsible for the return in full of the purchase price.”
”Very well,” said Gorman, ”and now suppose Donovan won't sell. Suppose he simply says 'No.'”
”There is an alternative policy,” said Sir Bartholomew. ”It has occurred to some of us who are interested in the matter--I am not now speaking with the authority of any amba.s.sador, certainly not with the formal approval of our Foreign Office. It has occurred to _me_--I will put it that way. It has occurred to me that the matter might be settled quite satisfactorily to all parties, to the Emperor certainly if----The King of Megalia is, I think, unmarried.”
”There's Madame Ypsilante,” said Gorman, ”a lady----”
”A lady! Pooh! In these cases there is always a lady. But the King is unmarried. Miss Donovan, so we understand, wishes to be a queen. You catch my meaning?”
”Perfectly. You want me to arrange a marriage between----”
”My dear Mr. Gorman! I want nothing of the sort. I do not ask you to arrange anything. I merely say that if such a marriage were to take place the Emperor would probably be satisfied. I am aware that the personal character of King Konrad Karl is not such----But he is a young man. There are possibilities of improvement.”
”There's certainly room for it.”
”Exactly. And the influence of a good woman is just what is needed. A young, sweet, innocent girl has a marvellous influence. She appeals to that best which is present even in the worst of us.” Sir Bartholomew liked this phrase. He repeated it. ”That best, that astonis.h.i.+ng best, which is always present even in the worst of us. She might call it out. She might make a new man of King Konrad Karl.”
Gorman looked at Sir Bartholomew with an expression of grave and interested inquiry.
”You think that if Miss Donovan married the King she would save him from the clutches of Madame Ypsilante.”
”Not a doubt of it. And what a splendid thing that would be! It's just the sort of an idea which would make a strong appeal to a girl. Women like the idea of reforming their husbands. Besides, the prospect for her is in other respects most brilliant. She would be recognized by the Emperor. She would be received in the most exclusive Courts of Europe. But I need not expatiate. You understand the position.”
”I don't remember any case of an American heiress marrying a king,”
said Gorman.
”Just so. This would be unique, splendid. And I need not say, Mr.
Gorman, that if you see your way to oblige us in this matter your services will not go unrecognized. If there is any particular way in which you would like us to show our appreciation you have only to mention it. The next Honours List----”
”All right,” said Gorman, ”I'll go. Where is Salissa?”
”In the Cyrenian Sea. It's an island. Quite charming, I believe. I am sure you will enjoy the trip. Your best plan will be to see Steinwitz about the matter. Steinwitz is managing director----”