'Yes, so you were good enough to tell me. Well, have you heard any late news? You know how my heart is bound up with the fortunes of Gloria?'
'I know very well, and I think I do bring you some news. It is all going to pieces in Gloria without you.'
'Going to pieces—how can that be?'
'The Republic is torn asunder by faction, and she is going to be annexed by her big neighbour.'
'The new Republic of Orizaba?'
This was a vast South American state which had started into political existence as an empire and had shaken off its emperor—sent him home to Europe—and had set up as a republic of a somewhat aggressive order.
'Yes, Orizaba, of course.'
'But do you really believe, Captain Sarrasin, that Orizaba has any actual intentions of that kind?'
'I happen to know it for certain,' Captain Sarrasin grimly replied.
'How do you know it, may I ask?'