"
"And before he'd gone a block a big Irish policeman would arrest him for
disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace, or for giving a show without
a license, and the republic would continue to do business at the old
stand."
"No; the police would have been bribed in advance, and would deliver the
keys of the city to the new emperor at the door of St. Patrick's
Cathedral, and his majesty would go to Sherry's for luncheon, and sign a
few decrees, and order the guillotine set up in Union Square. Do you
follow me, Mr. Armitage?"
"Yes; to the very steps of the guillotine, Miss Claiborne. But the
looting of the temples and the plundering of banks--if the thing is bound
to be--I should like to share in the general joy. But I have an idea,
Miss Claiborne," he exclaimed, as though with inspiration.
"Yes--you have an idea--"
"Let me be the man on horseback; and you might be--"
"Yes--the suspense is terrible!--what might I be, your Majesty?"
"Well, we should call you--"
He hesitated, and she wondered whether he would be bold enough to meet
the issue offered by this turn of their nonsense.
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