But the fact remains that the Hochwald minister and his secretary,
Von Plaanden, who is a very able citizen when sober,--and is, of
course, almost always sober,--have not exerted themselves
painfully to compose the little misunderstanding between President
Fortuno and us. The Dutch diplomats, who are not as diplomatic in
speech as I am, would tell you, if there were any of them left
here to tell anything, that Von Plaanden's intrigues brought on
the present break with them. So there you have a brief, but
reliable 'History of Our Times in the Island Republic of
Caracuna.'"
"Highly informative and improving to the untutored mind," Miss
Brewster complimented him. "I like seeing the wires of empire
pulled. More, please."
"Perhaps you won't like the next so well," observed Carroll
grimly. "There is bubonic plague here."
"Oh--ah!" protested Sherwen gently. "The suspicion of plague.
Quite a different matter."
"Which usually turns out to be the same, doesn't it?" inquired Mr.
Brewster.
"Perhaps. People disappear, and one is not encouraged to ask about
them. But then people disappear for many causes in Caracuna.
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