“Then we can leave that question open until the nature of the work has been decided on, provided it is understood that your compensation will be such as you are ordinarily accustomed to.”
“Very good, sir.”
“Brazil may need your services, Colonel Boynton,” with an accent on the “Colonel.”
“I beg your pardon,” I interrupted, “Captain Boynton.”
“I repeat, Colonel Boynton,” he replied, with a smile and the suggestion of a bow. “Brazil may need your services, but I cannot tell how soon nor in what capacity.”
“If I enter your service it will be a loyal service to the end,” I told him.
“Consider yourself then in the service of Brazil.” As he said this he raised his hand and from behind a curtain appeared Captain Cochrane, a descendant of the English Admiral Cochrane who had fought for Brazil seventy years before. He had heard all that we had said.
“As we were strangers I took this precaution,” explained Floriano. “It will not be necessary again.”
“It was a perfectly justifiable precaution,” I replied.
Captain Cochrane then repeated in English my conversation with the President, to be sure I understood it, after which I was escorted back to my hotel. Immediately on my arrival there I sent word to Mello that our negotiations were off and that I would consider no further proposition from him.