the whole diplomatic service. Take the Colombian trouble, for
instance--"

"What trouble?"

"When Panama seceded. She manipulated that, or at least Steve
Cortlandt did under her direction. She was the brains of the whole
affair, however, and those New York lawyers merely did what she
told them. It was one of the cleverest exploits on record.
Colombia wouldn't let us build the Canal, so Panama seceded. War
was declared, but the United States interfered in time to prevent
bloodshed. One Chinaman was killed, I believe, by dropping a flat-
iron on his toe, or something, and by the time the excitement had
died out we had begun digging. She knows Central America like the
palm of her hand. When she says Kirk Anthony wants a position, we
hirelings jump about and see that he gets it. Oh, you'll have any
job you want."

"Well!" The recipient of this good news congratulated himself
silently. "I wish you'd tell me something more about her."

"There isn't time just now; our motor is waiting. But we have the
whole afternoon ahead of us."

The two passed through the railroad gates and took their places in
the little car. When they were under way, Runnels went on: "I'm
supposed to show you this end of the work and tell you what it all
means."

"Then please start at the beginning. You see, I probably know less