that you'd undertaken our little negotiation. I
need scarcely say that we're quite satisfied. We feel----"

"By we," said Gorman, "you mean yourself and the Emperor, I suppose.
Now what I want to know is this: Why is the Emperor so keen on----?"

Steinwitz waved that question away with a motion of his hand.

"I do not discuss the policy of the Emperor," he said.

"You must be the only man in Europe who doesn't," said Gorman.
"However, I don't mind. I suppose the Emperor must have some pretty
strong reasons for wanting to get Donovan out of Salissa, or he
wouldn't offer to pay a fancy price--it was a fancy price, you know."

"King Konrad Karl will pay," said Steinwitz.

"No, he won't. He can't. He hasn't got it. There's a cool ten thousand
gone on a pearl necklace, as well as----"

"Goldsturmer is prepared to buy back the necklace," said Steinwitz. "I
have arranged that."

"Well," said Gorman, "it's your affair, of course. But I wouldn't be
too sure. I don't think Madame Ypsilante will sell at any price."

"Madame Ypsilante will do what she must," said Steinwitz. "The
Emperor----"

"I don't envy the Emperor the job of tackling her," said Gorman. "He
won't find it a bit pleasant. I daresay he doesn't know Madame
Ypsilante. He wouldn't be so cocksure of himself if he did. She's the
kind of woman who throws things about if she's the least irritated. If
the Emperor suggests her selling those jewels there'll be a riot. But
it's no business of mine. If that Emperor of yours really enjoys a rag
with a woman like Madame Ypsilante--I should have thought a man in his
position wouldn't care to be mixed up in the sort of scene there will
certainly be."

Steinwitz stiffened visibly. His hair always stands upright on his
head. It actually bristled while Gorman was speaking.

"I do not," he said, "discuss the Emperor in that way. It is enough
for you to know this. Madame Ypsilante will sell. Goldsturmer will
buy. I myself will settle these matters."

Gorman was enjoying himself greatly. Nothing in the world gives him
more pleasure than intercourse with a man who takes himself seriously.
Steinwitz was a real delight. He was solemnly and ponderously serious
about himself. He was pontifical about the Emperor.

"Goldsturmer," said Gorman, "is a Jew, and the Jews are a cautious
race. However, if you go to him and say 'The Emperor' in an _Open
Sesame_ tone of voice he'll no doubt give in at once."

"Exactly," said Steinwitz