I presoom, sir, that you know it. I am a
foe to slavery, gentlemen, everywhere and always. In the sacred cause
of freedom I have been tarred and feathered and rode upon a rail. In
comparison with twenty years in Austrian hands that ain't a lot, but it
was more than I bargained for, and as much as I wanted. In the sacred
cause of freedom, gentlemen, I'm willing to sacrifice even a pecuniary
consideration. I could do a trade with Austria that would increase my
profits by fifty per cent. But I'm all for freedom, and you get first
offer."

"What is your news from the Continent, Mr. Quorn?" inquired the count.

Mr. Quorn looked about him for a convenient spot, selected the
fireplace, spat again, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and
winked with a slow deliberation.

"What's yourn?" he asked. The count smiled and shook his head. "Wal,"
said Mr. Quorn, "I'll tell you what I'll do with you. I'll letter it
with you. L."

"O," said the count, still smiling.

"U," said Mr. Quorn.

"I," said the count.

"It appears to me," said Mr. Quorn, "we're on the same trail. The
exalted individual we've got in mind, count, has done something. What's
he done now?" He rolled his big head between his fat shoulders as he put
the question, and chewed away at the great plug of tobacco in his cheek
as if he were paid to do it, and as if he were paid by piecework.

"Yes," said the count, "he has done something, but that is a little
vague."

"Wal, yes," Mr. Quorn allowed, seating himself and setting both elbows
on the table, "I allow it's vague, but it won't be vague to-morrow
morning."

"You allude," said the count, "to the rumor that Louis Philippe has--"

"Yes, sir," retorted Mr. Quorn, with a very bright twinkle of both eyes,
"that is the rumor I allood to. That ain't vague, captain, is it? We
both know all about it," he went on, "and I reckon it ought to grease
this contract just a little and make it run smooth. Your time's here, if
ever it will be, and I propose we strike a bargain."

"When can you supply the goods?" asked the count.

"Where?" asked Mr. Quorn, as if he were chopping something with a
hatchet.

"Ah," said the count, "that has to be considered."

"Yes," the visitor assented, "that has to be considered. I'm for having
everything above-board. It ain't easy to handle the contrabands of war
at a time like this, when every heraldic bird and beast in Europe is on
his hind-legs and looking nine ways for Sunday