are a friend of his Majesty, King Konrad
Karl of Megalia?"

Gorman was on his guard and determined to give away no information of
any kind. The King's nervous fear of the Emperor's displeasure had
impressed Gorman with the necessity of keeping the sale of Salissa as
secret as possible; but he could hardly avoid admitting that he knew
King Konrad Karl. The affairs of the wine company had occupied some
space in the daily papers, and the names of the directors had been
published. His name and the King's had appeared together very
frequently.

"And perhaps," said Goldsturmer, "you also know Madame Ypsilante?"

"I have seen the lady," said Gorman.

Goldsturmer was not in the least discouraged by Gorman's reticence.

"I cannot," he said, "expect you to answer more frankly unless I am
equally frank with you. I am at this time engaged in a business
transaction of some importance with Madame Ypsilante. The sum of money
involved is very large. It is"--Goldsturmer's tone became
reverent--"L10,000."

"Can she pay?" said Gorman, "not that it's any affair of mine whether
she can or not."

"The lady herself cannot pay; but the King--she tells me that his
Majesty has recently sold an estate situated in Megalia to a wealthy
American. Now if that is true----"

"Perhaps in that case the King might pay," said Gorman.

"I wonder," said Goldsturmer, "if the sale has taken place?"

"Shouldn't think it likely," said Gorman.

Goldsturmer paused. For quite a minute he sat looking at Gorman. Then
he said:

"In a matter of this kind I am prepared to pay for information which
would be of use to me. I shall speak frankly. It would be worth my
while to give one per cent. of the sum involved to any one who could
tell me whether the sale which Madame mentioned to me has really been
effected."

"Ah," said Gorman, "one per cent. on, did you say, L10,000?"

"It would amount to L100."

"I wish I could earn it," said Gorman, "but unfortunately I know
nothing at all about the matter."

Political life, so Gorman has often told me, is the very best
education obtainable in one respect. The politician learns to lie
fluently and without discomfort. Even politicians are not, of course,
always believed, but they know how to lie in a way which makes it very
difficult for any one to give expression to unbelief. Goldsturmer may
actually have believed Gorman. He certainly pretended to. He did not
even offer a two per cent. bonus.

"I must ask yo