The Spectator., 1914-11-27

l IUdnk the UleSseu SetlHtS yOu hiNC ho hold over me! I should dislike to find myself in those nicotine-stained fingers of yours, amigo mio"
 Perhaps you are in them," re- marked Rowe, amused.
 q! What nonsense!"
 How about your connection with this affair? Does it not place you somewhat at my mercy? A respect able member of the international com merce committee"
 Hush" said the other, paling a trifle. You are right. I admit the precariousness of my position. But, granting that you can control him and myself, what have you to offer the mob? The people, or any body of them, must have an idol, or an ideal for which to fight. Nothing else will really arouse them, nor hold them. It must be politics or emotion. In this case, as you are well aware, the po- litical side of the question is not suffi- ciently strong. Can you invent an ideal that will appeal strongly enough to start a revolution? Here we have the cart-before-the-mule. In other words. strong financial backing; pa- tron whom we tor rather you) can absolutely control; complete knowl- edge of our country; everything, in fact, except the, sentiment of the people. In short, it is highway to power for us both, blocked by the apathy of half million ragged half breeds!''
 "Yznaga, my esteemed and admired friend" began Rowe, never losing his amused smile, you are such charm ing, well-bred, representative person that you fit the role of pseudo-cabinet minister to perfection; and you are such a fool that you are the ideal minister of state. don't wonder that you are what you represent yourself to bel"
 The man opposite sprang to his feet with an oath.
 "A fool!" he cried; you call me a fool?"
 "Sit down. and stop confirming my opinions so nicely" grinned Rowe, 'or you may bring the house down about our ears with that yelling"
 Yznaga complied, but sat frowning. Very we'll" said he. say what you like. But calling me a fool will not prove you wise man."
 Admitted" said Rowe But l am wiseacre enough to be forehanded about matter like this of public sen- timent In our beloved country. Let me ask you a question. What would the people rise for? Think well. You know the answer!"
 Yznaga was silent for a moment, rubbing the palms of his hands to- gether as he thought hard. At last he spoke, but it was as one who men tions desirable but unobtainable cir cumstance.
 There Is Signora Daussa and hel child" said he slowly. But of course that Is out of the question. No one knows where they are. and in all prob ability they were killed during the big uprising"
 That was never known as a cer tainty." said Rowe with meaning.
 Yznaga looked up sharply.
 You mean to say" he began.
 Rowe raised a hand, warning him to silence.
 "Listen!" he said, "I have for years known the whereabouts of our ex' presidents wife. and am in daily hourly-communicat with her. In deed, she is less than mile from this very spot! She has practically no English, and therefore it is safe enough to take her about with me a little sometimes. As for explanations; that Is easy. She has no money ex- cept what she could get for her few jewels, and she has deigned to accept my assistance. She is accepting 1t for a purely personal service. also, which is confidential, and which consequently cannot tell you. But all this is irrele- want The main thing that wish you to understand is the fact that l have in her the one thing which will create popular feeling. In other words, her restitution!"
 If the others-the doubting ones could but see her once, we would have them with us heart and soul!" said Yznaga.
 Rowe thought for a moment.
 Yes" said he, "I had intended that they should, of course, sooner or later. In a few weeks time they shall see her. In the meantime your work will be to prepare their minds for that event You must take bogus messages from her to them; give them every confidence that she is in sympathy with the movement But one thing must be strictly observed. He-of-whom- you-know must be told nothing of her existence until I give the word. Re member that. To be frank with you, l do not believe that she win be in sympathy with us. She cares little for pomp or power. When the time comes for her to see the others. they