is
own line in America--heart specialist. 'Doc,' I said to him, 'here's
200 dollars. You take a good look at my heart.' Well, he tapped me
some and fooled around in the usual way. 'Sir,' he said, 'your heart
is as sound as a bell.' 'Doc,' I said, 'you're mistaken, and the fee I
offered was unworthy of your acceptance. I'll write out a cheque for
500 dollars, and you take another look at my heart. I've a feeling,' I
said, 'that what I want is rest and quiet now that my pile's made.'
Well, he tapped me again and kind of listened to the throbbing of the
darned machine. 'Sir,' he said, 'you're suffering from disordered
action of your heart, and I recommend rest and quiet. No excitement
and no worry.' 'Doc,' I said, 'I'm a business man--or I was before you
passed that sentence on me. I'd be obliged if you'd put that on paper
with your signature underneath.' Well, he did that, and I paid him
another 200 dollars. But I reckon the money was well spent. That paper
is a protection to me."

"I see," said Gorman, "I'll let the Emperor know----"

"The Emperor be damned," said Donovan, "and, say, Gorman, there's a
kind of German naval officer wandering around this island. I gather
that some trouble arose this morning between his men and my daughter's
maid. Seems to me that there may be explanations, especially as that
German captain is to dine here to-night. Now my idea is to stay where
I am--on account of the condition of my heart. Smith will bring me up
a bit of chicken and a half-bottle of Heidsieck. That's all I feel
inclined for. But I don't care to leave Daisy alone with that man. I'm
not scared of anything happening to the girl. She's pretty well able
to look after herself. But there might be more trouble for the
officer."

"There will be," said Gorman, "if he's come here with any kind of
message from the Emperor."

"Daisy," said Donovan, "is liable to speak out at times. And that girl
of hers is handy in the use of weapons. I don't want to have to
officiate at the funeral of a German naval officer."

"It might very well come to that," said Gorman.

He was thinking at the moment of the Emperor's suggestion that Miss
Donovan should be married out of hand to King Konrad Karl. It seemed
to him likely that there would be very serious trouble if the German
officer made that proposal, especially if he made it with the manner
of a man who is conferring a favour.

"You see," he went on, "that Emperor--silly old fool he is--ha