"
"But they can't have any rights," I expostulated.
"None at all," he assented. "But a man is never so tenacious of his
rights as when he hasn't any. However, _autres temps, autres moeurs_.
I don't suppose you'll have any trouble of that kind. Certainly, I
hope not, my dear lord."
"Surely your government will see to that?" I suggested.
His excellency looked at me; then, although by nature a grave man, he
gave a low, humorous chuckle, and regarded me with visible amusement.
"Oh, of course, you can rely on that, Lord Wheatley," said he.
"That is a diplomatic assurance, your excellency?" I ventured to
suggest, with a smile.
"It is unofficial," said he, "but as binding as if it were official.
Our governor in that part of the world is a very active man--yes, a
decidedly active man."
The only result of this conversation was that, when I was buying my
sporting guns in St. James's Street the next day, I purchased a couple
of pairs of revolvers at the same time. It is well to be on the safe
side; and although I attached little importance to the bygone outrage
of which the ambassador spoke, I did not suppose that the police
service would be very efficient. In fact, I thought it prudent to be
ready for any trouble that the Old World notions of the Neopalians
might occasion.
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