"Then I rode down to the Library on the cars, and though I made only the most obscure references to the delicate mission with which I was entrusted, all the vast resources of the establishment were instantly placed at my disposal. In the course of a couple of hours I had probed the question to the bottom, and by the time of my next appointment with Mr. Van Schuyler was thoroughly master of my subject.
"'I have discovered,' I told him, 'that the Republic of Nicaragua contains more than a quarter of a million of inhabitants.'
"'The precise number, according to the last census, was 259,800,' said Mr. Van Schuyler. 'Fire ahead.'
"'I calculate that an army of ten thousand trustworthy volunteers——
"'Would eat up all my margin of profit and a bit more besides. Try again.'
"'I was about to say, when you interrupted me,' I proceeded, 'that such an army was obviously out of the question. On the other hands, I should have no confidence in any smaller army. Consequently——'
"'Consequently, you're going to turn up the job?'
"I drew myself up proudly in my indignation.
"'No, sir,' I replied. 'Your suggestion shows that you do not know Jean Antoine Stromboli Kosnapulski.'
"'What, then?'