“To be sure,” added the other; “if we wanted a grievance, that man's would do as well as another; but there is no need to hold him over, we can always catch the Spaniards tripping when we want it. My advice is, therefore, get rid of him. Say that he must embody his statement in the form of a memorial, supported by whatever he can adduce in the way of evidence; that a personal interview can lead to nothing; and, in fact, dismiss him in the usual way.”
And with these lucid instructions,—given in a tone far too loud to be diplomatic,—the attaché returned to the room where I waited.
“You 'll have to reduce this to writing, Count Cregan,” said he, standing with his back to the fire, and assuming an air that he fancied was quite that of a Talleyrand,—“something in the form of a memorial, you understand.”
“I have already done so, unsuccessfully,” said I, shortly.
“Ah, wasn't aware,” sighed the young gentleman, stroking his moustache.
“The Secretary of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the receipt of my statement, and at one time held out some hope of redress.”
“Ah, indeed!” echoed the other.
“The state of our relations with Spain, however,” added I, “not requiring a grievance just then, my case was naturally shelved.”
He started, bit his lip, and evinced unmistakable signs of being ill at ease. “In fact,” resumed I, growing warmer as I proceeded, “no further notice was taken of me than what barely sufficed to take my case out of the hands of Opposition members. I was assumed to be an impostor, because the moment was not favorable to believe me honest. Good diplomacy, perhaps, but rather lax morality. Now, sir, I have lost my cause,—that is quite evident; let us see if you have gained yours. The press is the great vindicator of individual wrongs, and I 'll make its columns the arena in which this struggle shall be decided.”
“Be good enough to wait one instant,—take a seat, Count,” observed the young gentleman, in his very politest of tones, while he hastily retired into the inner room once more. This time the conversation was so low that not a whisper reached me. After a few seconds he re-entered.