"And why should they? They may regard it as a very natural marriage.
And remember, my dear Jack, that the legation has no desire to
alienate the affections of influential Turks, or criticize
fifteen-years-ago romances. You have a totally wrong impression of
the responsibilities of foreign representatives."

"But to let him dispose of a French girl--"

"He is disposing of her, as his daughter, in honorable marriage to a
wealthy and aristocratic general. There can be no question of his
motives--"

"Of course, if you think that sort of thing is all right--"

Carefully McLean ignored the other's wrath.

Patiently he explained. "It's not what I think, my dear fellow, it's
what the legation thinks. There's not a chance in the world of
getting the marriage stopped."

"Then I'll do it myself," declared Ryder. "I'll see this Tewfick
Pasha and talk to him. Tell him the money is to come to the girl
only when she is single. Tell him the French law gives the father's
representatives full charge. Tell him that he kidnapped the mother
and the government will prosecute unless the girl is given her
liberty. Tell him anything. A man with a guilty conscience can
always be bluffed."

In silence McLean gazed upon him, perplexed and clouded, his
quizzical twinkle gone. Jack was taking this thing infernally to