"We are going, with your help, Martin, to prevent this national disgrace. We are going--" he lowered his voice, uselessly, for the signorina struck in, in a high, merry tone, waving her gloves over head and dancing a little _pas seul_ on the floor before me, with these remarkable words: "Hurrah for the Revolution! Hip! hip! hurrah!" She looked like a Goddess of Freedom in her high spirits and a Paris bonnet. I lost my mental balance. Leaping up, I grasped her round the waist, and we twirled madly about the office, the signorina breaking forth into the "Marseillaise." "For God's sake, be quiet!" said McGregor, in a hoarse whisper, making a clutch at me as I sped past him. "If they hear you! Stop, I tell you, Christina!" The signorina stopped. "Do you mean me, Colonel McGregor?" she asked. "Yes," he said, "and that fool Martin, too." "Even in times of revolution, colonel," said I, "nothing is lost by politeness. But in substance you are right. Let us be sober." We sat down again, panting, the signorina between her gasps still faintly humming the psalm of liberty. "Kindly unfold your plan, colonel," I resumed. "I am aware that out here you think little of revolutions, but to a newcomer they appear to be matters requiring some management. You see we are only three." "I have the army with me," said he grandly. "In the outer office?" asked I, indulging in a sneer at the dimensions of the Aureataland forces. "Look here, Martin," he said, scowling, "if you're coming in with us, keep your jokes to yourself." "Don't quarrel, gentlemen," said the signorina. "It's waste of time. Tell him the plan, colonel, while I'm getting cool." I saw the wisdom of this advice, so I said: "Your pardon, colonel. But won't this repudiation be popular with the army? If he lets the debt slide, he can pay them." "Exactly," said he. "Hence we must get at them before that aspect of the case strikes them. They are literally starving, and for ten dollars a man they would make Satan himself President. Have you got any money, Martin?" "Yes," said I, "a little." "How much?" "Ten thousand," I replied; "I was keeping it for the interest." "Ah! you won't want it now." "Indeed I shall--for the second loan, you know." "Look here, Martin; give me that ten thousand for the troops. Stand in with us, and the day I become President I'll give you back your three hundred thousand. Just look where you stand now. I don't want to be rude, but isn't it a case of--" "Some emergency," said I thoughtfully. "Yes, it is. But where do you suppose you're going to get three hundred thousand dollars, to say nothing of your own shares?" He drew his chair closer to mine, and, leaning forward, said: "He's never spent the money. He's got it somewhere; much the greater part, at least." "Did Carr tell you that?"