“I think we might take a turn in the garden,” remarked the Professor to Kearns.
“No, no; please don’t go,” exclaimed the General. “I’ll be indebted if you will remain. I would like to have your opinion on certain matters.”
“You are sure?” said the Professor hesitatingly.
“Quite, quite sure,” declared the General. “Pray be seated.”
The Professor sank back into his seat.
“There’s some trouble, I feel convinced,” said the Colonel with an air of concern.
“Well,” answered General Mainwarren, “I’ll relieve you of any suspense. I’ve been summoned to Court to confer with the Emperor and his Chancellor regarding certain operations contemplated by the Coal Trust, of which,” he added with an explanatory wave of the hand to the Professor and Kearns, “I am the head.”
“Yes, yes,” interjected the Colonel; “but what’s the nature of these new operations?”
“Simply this,” replied the General carelessly; “it has been decided, to describe the plan briefly, to withhold the output of coal and to force up the price during the coming winter to fifteen crowns the ton.”
“No, no; surely not!” cried the Colonel.