I have, if you will allow me to say so, seldom met a young man with such natural gifts for finance and politics.

I shall anchor five miles out from Whittingham to-night (for I know you have no ships), and if you join me, well and good.

If not, I shall consider your decision irrevocable.
"Believe me, dear Mr.Martin, faithfully yours, "MARCUS W.WHITTINGHAM, "President of the Republic of Aureataland." It is a pleasant thing, as has been remarked, _laudari a laudato viro_, and the President's praise was grateful to me.

But I did not see my way to fall in with his views.

He said nothing about the money, but I knew well that its return would be a condition of any alliance between us.