Короли и капуста
“Fox-in-the-Morning”
So,hereisthemessagethatslipped,unconstrued,throughthefingersofcuriousofficials,andcametotheeyeofGoodwin:
HisNibsskedaddledyesterdayperjack-rabbitlinewithallthecoininthekittyandthebundleofmuslinhe’sspoonyabout.Theboodleissixfiguresshort.Ourcrowdingoodshape,butweneedthespondulicks.Youcollarit.Themainguyandthedrygoodsareheadedforthebriny.Youknowwhattodo.
BOB.
Thisscreed,remarkableasitwas,hadnomysteryforGoodwin.Hewasthemostsuccessfulofthesmalladvance-guardofspeculativeAmericansthathadinvadedAnchuria,andhehadnotreachedthatenviablepinnaclewithouthavingwellexercisedtheartsofforesightanddeduction.Hehadtakenuppoliticalintrigueasamatterofbusiness.Hewasacuteenoughtowieldacertaininfluenceamongtheleadingschemers,andhewasprosperousenoughtobeabletopurchasetherespectofthepettyoffice-holders.Therewasalwaysarevolutionaryparty;andtoithehadalwaysalliedhimself;fortheadherentsofanewadministrationreceivedtherewardsoftheirlabours.TherewasnowaLiberalpartyseekingtooverturnPresidentMiraflores.Ifthewheelsuccessfullyrevolved,Goodwinstoodtowinaconcessionto30,000manzanasofthefinestcoffeelandsintheinterior.CertainincidentsintherecentcareerofPresidentMirafloreshadexcitedashrewdsuspicioninGoodwin’smindthatthegovernmentwasnearadissolutionfromanothercausethanthatofarevolution,andnowEnglehart’stelegramhadcomeasacorroborationofhiswisdom.
