Короли и капуста
Money Maze
MadameTimoteaOrtiz,theproprietressofthehotelinwhichthegameofFox-inthe-Morninghadbeenplayedout,toldofthecomingofthetwogueststoherhouse.
"Tomyhousetheycame,"saidshe—"oneseñor,notquiteold,andoneseñoritaofsufficienthandsomeness.Theydesirednottoeatortodrink—notevenofmyaguardiente,whichisthebest.Totheirroomstheyascended—NumeroNueveandNumeroDiez.LatercameSeñorGoodwin,whoascendedtospeakwiththem.ThenIheardagreatnoiselikethatofacanon,andtheysaidthatthepobrePresidentehadshothimself.Estábueno.Isawnothingofmoneyorofthethingyoucallvelizthatyousayhecarrieditin."
ColonelFalconsooncametothereasonableconclusionthatifanyoneinCoraliocouldfurnishacluetothevanishedmoney,FrankGoodwinmustbetheman.ButthewisesecretarypursuedadifferentcourseinseekinginformationfromtheAmerican.Goodwinwasapowerfulfriendtothenewadministration,andonewhowasnottobecarelesslydealtwithinrespecttoeitherhishonestyorhiscourage.EventheprivatesecretaryofHisExcellencyhesitatedtohavethisrubberprinceandmahoganybaronhaledbeforehimasacommoncitizenofAnchuria.SohesentGoodwinafloweryepistle,eachword-petaldrippingwithhoney,requestingthefavourofaninterview.Goodwinrepliedwithaninvitationtodinnerathisownhouse.
BeforethehournamedtheAmericanwalkedovertotheCasaMorena,andgreetedhisguestfranklyandfriendly.
