Короли и капуста
Ships
,weresuggestedandaccepted,andJohnnysailedwiththeHemstettersbacktohisnativeshores.
KeoghslippedintothesinecureoftheAmericanconsulshipwiththeeasethatneverlefthimeveninsuchhighplaces.Thetintypeestablishmentwassoontobecomeathingofthepast,althoughitsdeadlyworkalongthepeacefulandhelplessSpanishMainwasnevereffaced.Therestlesspartnerswereabouttobeoffagain,scoutingaheadoftheslowranksofFortune.Butnowtheywouldtakedifferentways.TherewererumoursofapromisinguprisinginPeru;andthitherthemartialClancywouldturnhisadventuroussteps.AsforKeogh,hewasfiguringinhismindandonquiresofGovernmentletter-headsaschemethatdwarfedtheartofmisrepresentingthehumancountenanceupontin.
"Whatsuitsme,"Keoghusedtosay,"inthewayofabusinesspropositionissomethingdiversifiedthatlookslikealongershotthanitis—somethinginthewayofagenteelgraftthatisn’tworkedenoughforthecorrespondenceschoolstobeteachingitbymail.Itakethelongend;butIliketohaveatleastasgoodachancetowinasamanlearningtoplaypokeronanoceansteamer,orrunningforgovernorofTexasontheRepublicanticket.AndwhenIcashinmywinnings,Idon’twanttofindanywidows’andorphans’chipsinmystack."
Thegrass-grownglobewasthegreentableonwhichKeoghgambled.Thegamesheplayedwereofhisowninvention.Hewasnogrubberafterthediffidentdollar.Nordidhecaretofollowitwithhornandhounds.