"What is the matter?" asked a bystander, who had watched his movements, not without amusement. "Can I help you?"
"Well, yes," replied the sleeper awakened. "When I commenced my slumbers all the world was talking about the Armenian question. Pray tell me, are the Powers going to coerce the Turks?"
"No one knows, and no one cares," was the prompt reply.
"And then there was the excitement about our relation with the French in Africa. Will the matter lead to international complications?"
"My good fellow, the matter does not attract the smallest attention."
"Once more, there was the boom in gold mines. Surely that is a topic of interest to some one?"
"No, I fancy not," came the answer. "Perhaps a few stockbrokers think about it—but I doubt it."
"And how about the reserve of ammunition? Have we got enough Cordite powder or have we not?"
"Really I don't know, and don't care," smilingly replied the person Rip had accosted.
"And how about the Shahzada?"