“Stump! Why, he’s English or American!” Carlson exclaimed alarmedly. “I’m having enough trouble without borrowing more.”
“Another suggestion of the count,” Klinger said quietly. “Please send a written warrant to Johnny Upolu at once.”
“I WANT ABOUT A DOZEN SAILORS”
“Oh, well, then, that’s all right,” the consul replied, again changing his tone of voice. “The count, Klinger, is a very brilliant diplomat and I’m sure would not suggest anything which would get me into trouble.”
“I dare say,” Klinger said with a smirk. “The difference between you and the count in diplomacy is that he knows what he wants.”
Carlson turned very red, but upon second thoughts appeared not to notice the implied insult.
With a curt good-morning Klinger took his departure.
“Why do they send such mountains of ignorance and conceit to manage our political affairs?” he complained. He little reckoned that a wise government had sent Carlson to act as a check upon Klinger. The radical Klinger and the conservative Carlson gave the exact mixture required.
At exactly four o’clock the sailors arrived. Klinger took aside the petty officer in charge and in detail laid down for him the course he was to follow during his absence.