"'The object of my mission,' I continued, 'is to draw the attention of your Excellency to an outrage committed upon the person of Her Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul, and to require immediate satisfaction.'
"To my amazement the President was not at all embarrassed. He smiled on me more graciously than ever.
"'The outrage to which you refer,' he said, 'was committed by the party of the President whom I have succeeded. I am happy to inform you that ex-President Gomez has already paid the penalty of his crime; and your Vice-Consul—a gentleman for whom I personally have a great affection and respect—is now reinstated in his honourable office.'
"It was not what I had expected; and Captain Shagg, to whom I interpreted the speech, was absolutely dumfoundered by the turn affairs were taking.
"'Why, durn,' he said, 'this dago's a white man, after all. We've come on a fool's errand, and the sooner we quit, the better for our health. Else he'll fetch the other dago along, and the game'll be blown upon, and we'll have to start the shooting without the moral support of a clear conscience.'
"I checked him, however, and introduced the necessary modification into my plan.
"'Captain,' I said, 'it was arranged, I think, that it was I who was to take control of the details of this piece of business.'
"And to the President I replied—
"'Your Excellency must understand that my instructions require me to verify your Excellency's statement.'
"'Naturally,' he answered, with more gracious affability than ever.