“In a sense it has. It would probably be respected by a mob. And, at the worst, it adjoins the British Legation, which would be quite safe. If it weren’t that Sir Willet’s boy has typhoid, you’d be formally invited to go there.”
“It’s very good of you,” said Miss Polly warmly. “But surely it would be an awful nuisance to you.”
“On the contrary, you’d brace up my far-too-casual old housekeeper and get the machinery running. She constantly takes advantage of my bachelor ignorance. If you say you’ll come, I’ll almost pray for the outbreak.”
“Certainly we’ll come, at any time you notify us,” said Mr. Brewster. “And we’re very grateful. Shall you have room for Mr. Carroll, too?”
“By all means. And I’ve notified Mr. Cluff. You won’t mind his being there? He’s a rough diamond, but a thoroughly decent fellow.”
“Useful, too, in case of trouble, I should judge,” said the magnate. “Then I’ll wait for further word from you.”
“Yes. I’ve got my men out on watch.”
“Wouldn’t it be—er—advisable for us to arm ourselves?”
“By no means! There’s just one course to follow; keep the peace at any price, and give the Hochwaldians not the slightest peg on which to hang a charge that Americans have been responsible for any trouble that might arise. May I ask you,” he added significantly, “to make this clear to Mr. Carroll?”
“Leave that to me,” said Miss Brewster, with superb confidence.