In government business even more than in private affairs the great danger always is what the wise old Chicago pork-packer described as “the weak mouths that let slip what they ought to retain.”  Indiscreet talk has upset many a politician’s apple-cart—­even the legitimate bumps on the road are not such serious obstacles.  It almost spoiled the Margary affair, it threatened the French Treaty no less seriously.  Again and again the two parties attempted to come to an agreement over the troublesome boundary question; again and again they failed.  And why?  Simply because the vexatious gossip that is the curse of small communities interfered.  And then to add to the existing complications a Customs vessel, the Fei Hoo, was seized by the French as she was landing stores for a lighthouse in Formosa.  They would not let her go, saying she had landed letters as well as stores.  Perhaps she did—­no one can say—­but contraband mail on board or not, she had important duties to perform.  All the lighthouses along that coast depended on her for supplies, could not, in fact, function without her, and all vessels of every nationality in China seas depended on those lights, so her detention was worse than aggravating.

The I.G. explained this to Monsieur Patenotre and urged him to free her. “Ca, c’est l’affaire de l’amiral,” was the answer, and the Admiral, when communicated with, refused to do anything.  With many regrets Monsieur Patenotre told the I.G. this, adding:  “You’d better go to Paris.”  He probably little thought that his advice would be taken au pied de la lettre, but within an incredibly short time the barren negotiations at Shanghai were abandoned, and the I.G. had telegraphed at length explaining the whole position to his Resident Secretary in London and directing him to go to Paris, see M. Jules Ferry, then Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and try to settle something about the Fei Hoo there.  M. Ferry received him very cordially, said he would be interested in hearing anything such an authority as Sir Robert Hart might have to say, but, all civilities aside, the matter rested with the Admiralty, and he would be obliged to refer it to them.

Next day the Secretary, a certain Mr. Campbell, went again for his answer and found it unfavourable, for the Admiralty was still in that state of mind which we call firm when it occurs in ourselves, obstinate when it occurs in others.  M. Ferry personally was distressed over the refusal.  But what could he do beyond asking Mr. Campbell politely if there was any other matter about which he would like to speak?  Here was an opportunity the I.G. had luckily foreseen—­and prepared to meet.  Thanks to his foresight, Mr. Campbell was able to take out of his pocket several long and carefully worded telegrams giving a resume of the situation.  They suggested a workable compromise; it was adopted, and peace pourparlers began once more.  The I.G.’s one stipulation on entering upon them