It might be within half an hour.

Hereupon Judge People's Friend begged I would have the goodness to wait until he could hunt up a charge d'affaires.

His instructions were most peremptory never to leave the legation without a charge d'affaires; but he would just brush his bob, and run into the street, and look up one in five minutes, if I would promise to wait so long.

It would have been unkind to refuse so trifling a favor, and the promise was given.

The judge must have run as fast as his legs would carry him; for, in about ten minutes, he was back again, with a diplomatic recruit.