ve a short laugh.

"Monsieur," he said, "every one in Europe knows that. Proceed."

"And I only meddle in politics when I see the possibility of making an
honest penny."

"Already made--that honest penny--if one may believe the gossip--of
Europe," said the Minister. "So many pence that it is whispered that you
do not know what to do with them."

"It is unfortunate," admitted Turner, "that one can only dine once a
day."

The little gentleman in office had more than once invited his visitor to
be seated, indicating by a gesture the chair placed ready for him. After
a slow inspection of its legs, Mr. John Turner now seated himself. It
would seem that he, at the same time, tacitly accepted the invitation to
ignore the presence of a third person.

"Since you seem to know all about me," he said, "I will not waste any
more of your time, or mine, by trying to make you believe that I am
eminently respectable. The business that brought me here, however, is of
a political nature. A plain man, like myself, only touches politics when
he sees his gain clearly. There are others who enter that field from
purer motives, I am told. I have not met them."

The Minister smiled on one side of his face, and all of it went white.
He glanced uncomfortably at that third person, whom he had suggested
ignoring.

"And yet," went on John Turner, very dense or greatly daring, "I have
lived many years in France, Monsieur le Ministre."

The Minister frowned at him, and made a quick gesture of one hand toward
the window.

"So long," pursued the Englishman, placidly, "as the trains start
punctually, and there is not actually grape-shot in the streets, and one
may count upon one's dinner at the hour, one form of government in this
country seems to me to be as good as another, Monsieur le Ministre. A
Bourbon Monarchy or an Orleans Monarchy, or a Republic, or--well, an
Empire, Monsieur le Ministre."

"Mon Dieu! have you come here to tell me this?" cried the Minister,
impatiently, glancing over his shoulder toward the window, and with one
hand already stretched out toward the little bell standing on his desk.

"Yes," answered Turner, leaning forward to draw the bell out of reach.
He nodded his head with a friendly smile, and his fat cheeks shook.
"Yes, and other things as well. Some of those other matters are perhaps
even more worthy of your earnest attention. It is worth your while to
listen. More especially, as you are paid for it--by the ho