"'Very well,' I continued. 'Your Excellency imagined, perhaps, that it was the intention of Her Britannic Majesty's Government to fine your country without recognising the service which you yourself have rendered. I hasten to inform your Excellency that this is not the case.'
"His Excellency's smile was now broadening to a grin.
"'My proposal is, therefore,' I proceeded, 'to increase the damages to the sum of 60,000 dollars—this sum to include a sum of 10,000 dollars by way of honorarium for your Excellency.'
"The President of the Republic of Salvador stroked his chin reflectively.
"'If you had said 75,000 dollars——' he began at length. I paused, weighed the point, and answered gravely.
"'Including 25,000 for your Excellency? It is a great deal. But I suppose I must strain the point—on condition, of course, that the money is brought to me immediately, and in cash.'
"'I was hoping,' said the President, 'that my own cheque for the amount——'
"'I said cash, your Excellency,' I repeated.
"'Or our notes? they are so much less cumbersome than our dollars.'
"'Cash, your Excellency. And it must be fetched from the bank and wheeled down to the quay for us at once.'