“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?”

“He didn’t know for certain; but he told me enough to make it almost certain.  Besides,” he added, glancing at the signorina, “we have other reasons for suspecting it.  Give me the ten thousand.  You shall have your loan back, and, if you like, you shall be Minister of Finance.  We practically know the money’s there; don’t we, signorina?”

She nodded assent.

“If we fail?” said I.

He drew a neat little revolver from his pocket, placed it for a moment against his ear, and repocketed it.

“Most lucidly explained, colonel,” said I.  “Will you give me half an hour to think it over?”

“Yes,” he said.  “You’ll excuse me if I stay in the outer office.  Of course I trust you, Martin, but in this sort of thing—­”

“All right, I see,” said I.  “And you, signorina?”

“I’ll wait too,” she said.

They both rose and went out, and I heard them in conversation with Jones.  I sat still, thinking hard.  But scarcely a moment had passed, when I heard the door behind me open.  It was the signorina.  She came in, stood behind my chair, and, leaning over, put her arms round my neck.