"He's a business man," the other explained, "Not bred to the old time diplomacy, just a plain, business man."
"What have you done that he sent for you?"
"You don't seem to understand," the publisher said mildly.
"I only understand," Trent said, still irritably, "that I'm being kept waiting. He was to see me at nine thirty and it's now twenty minutes to breakfast."
"He was on the minute," the other laughed, "Where have you been not to know I'm the ambassador?"
"You!" said Trent in amazement.
"And I'm making a damned good one," the diplomat said, "even if I do get up hours before the rest of 'em."
"What am I here for?" Trent demanded.
"Congratulations mainly," said the ambassador. "I was waked out of sleep at after midnight by the prime minister. He wanted to know if I had heard of an American called Anthony Trent. I said 'Sure. He used to write for me. Anthony Trent is all right.' The way these Londoners keep up half the night is something shocking."