steamship line has laid down local rules which, in my case anyway,
are ridiculous. The question is, are you going to be bound by the
red tape of a ha'penny British colony, or by your oath to the
President of the United States?"

The sophistry amused Marshall. He smiled good-naturedly and shook
his head.

"I'm afraid, Senator," he said, "that way of putting it is hardly
fair. Unfortunately, the question is one of fact. I will explain to
the captain----"

"You will explain nothing to the captain!" interrupted Hanley.
"This is a matter which concerns no one but our two selves. I am
not asking favors of steamboat captains. I am asking an American
consul to assist an American citizen in trouble, and, "he added,
with heavy sarcasm, "incidentally, to carry out the wishes of his
President."

Marshall regarded the senator with an expression of both surprise
and disbelief.

"Are you asking me to put my name to what is not so?" he said. "Are
you serious?"

"That paper, Mr. Marshall," returned Hanley steadily, "is a mere
form, a piece of red tape. There's no more danger of my carrying
the plague to Jamaica than of my carrying a dynamite bomb. You KNOW
that."