“Then,” said Gutenborj, “we are safe; I have just been informed by
the new minister of finance that the queen is desirous of carrying
out the program as laid down and sanctioned by the cabinet. With her
willingness and our equipment it should be an easy matter to suppress
any threatening demonstration of the Patriots. I hear they are
developing unexpected strength.”
“Only in numbers,” replied Young, confidently; “they are lacking----”
“In leadership? Perhaps. We should not, however, underestimate
Aokahameha. He is a fine fellow, and I wish the princess could be
brought to her senses; she might have a good influence in settling his
convictions. The queen has shown remarkable judgment.”
“I think you mistake me,” interceded the leader of the Rifles,
the blood rising cold in his veins; “I do not mean to belittle my
rival--not in the least: it is in organization they are lacking.”
“Leadership beats organization, every time. Give me the man that
grips his fellows, holds their confidence; such an one can smash any
combination. But why do you speak of Aokahameha as a rival? I thought
our motives accorded, if not the method. I may not catch quite the
meaning. Please enlighten me.”
“I take it, Kaiuolani is free to choose.”
“Oh, ho! Then the crowning was not altogether accidental? My good
assistant is encumbered with personal reasons? I can already foresee a
clashing of interests.”
“Not necessarily; I believe myself equal to the occasion.”
“But love and business do not mix. They are antagonistic elements.”
“That depends quite upon character, I promise.”
“We shall see, before the sun has gone down this day, young man.”
“I trust I may at least prove myself worthy of your confidence.”
“I cannot ask more nor expect less; mutuality of interests must after
all govern any seasonable undertaking. Go the limit, my boy, and Hans
Gutenborj will stake his last dollar on the outcome.”
The big planter’s shaggy eyebrows relaxed as he arose and the younger
man’s hand forcibly assured him of a steadfast purpose. Looking each
other fairly in the face they parted, and no words could cement more
firmly the bond which tied them securely together.
Out in the seething city, in a cold, uncanny office, shut in from the
warmth of candor, Bender breathlessly awaited an invitation to resume
his visit with Gutenborj. Having torn himself away, at Norton’s coming,
only as a bluff, the fleeting moments sorely betokened failure. His
contemplated interview must be concluded, and lest inadvertence should
prevent he finally dispatched a messenger to remind the financial
magnate of a sorely neglected opportunity; and when answer came that
Mr. Gutenborj had sooner absented himself for the day, the wily cow-man
closed the door and dropped down at his work-desk, trembling with fear
and dread.
The possibilities had to him suddenly shifted from the bright and
hopeful to the dark and shady: Castle Banyan stood before him in all
its glory and significance, and to lose now had crushed him cruelly.
Presently a fixed smile lit his countenance, and taking a significant
letter-head from some hidden drawer the hard-pressed minister nervously
ran off at a deserted typewriter a short note,--characteristic of
Gutenborj’s positiveness,--and carefully addressing an envelope to
match began the task of copying the necessary signature, in a manner
that dispelled any doubt as to his deliberate intentions.
“I began the parley in good faith and shall conclude it in desperation.
The American commander must be convinced, and what matter how we do so
long as the accomplishment be effective? Let them come now, as they
will; Bender has never yet failed, and with Gutenborj closeted at the
queen’s stronghold, both the commander and the minister shall surmise
an agreeable rather than elicit a doubtful verification. Begin the
fray; the first gun is trained!” rose half audibly from his lips, as
Harvenoiq entered, leading at his elbow Admiral Gordon Uhlrix, of the
_Flag Ship Bonton_.
“You are in high spirits, friend Bender; were it not for your candor
one might think you in your cups,” said the American minister, drawing
near, and introducing the veteran mariner, whom he had inveigled into
so questionable a call.
“I am elated to see you at this particular time. Here are Gutenborj’s
views, reduced to writing. It just now came; having called in relation
to the matter, he preferred to place himself on record, in black
and white, as you see, with the queen’s ministry. Read it, friend
Harvenoiq, aloud if you like, and judge for yourself the occasion for
my unseemly out-slip. Read!” replied Bender, with confidential emphasis.
Taking the missive from his friend’s outstretched hand and reading
aloud, each word inspired an overwhelming confidence. There appeared no
longer any doubt about having a plausible excuse for the high-handed
undertaking that lay at the bottom of his activity. He did not stop
to question the authenticity of the document in hand; it were enough
that Gutenborj, the most powerful agency in the kingdom, had sanctioned
the contemplated move, and had he had any misgivings he would not have
inquired for fear they had proven true. For years he had remained
shut up in that isolated principality, far removed from fame and
opportunity, and now that an occasion had arisen whereby he might shake
the shackles of Washington apathy from his tried and tired ambition he
proposed using every privilege at hand to startle the world, plunge
America into an inextricable position, and hand the name of Harvenoiq
down to future generations as the daring originator of a world wide and
glorious policy.
Bender’s aspirations and plans had served him well: they should be used
only as a stepping-stone to loftier ideals. Honor is as honor sees, and
with the responsibility resting securely upon his own shoulders the
end warranted the grasp: he should strangle an accomplice to glorify
self; a survival of the fittest resolved the blessings of potential
existence, and conscience sternly forbade him falter.
Uhlrix listened through with satisfaction. Without having doubted in
the least Harvenoiq’s word, a confirmation from such a source more than
strengthened his confidence; it roused feelings of pride--satisfaction
with his post, his compatriots, and with himself. Lavished by nature
with the wisdom of orderly conduct and trained at Annapolis to believe
in the sublime virtue of rigorous enforcement, it required but a short
stretch of the confiding admiral’s fixed imagination to conjure the
necessity of a prompt and effective service in the guarding of the
property and the lives of his country’s subjects, wherever or whatever
they might chance to be. Rising from his seat, his breast distending
with soldierly pride, the veteran warrior unconsciously touching the
tip of his corded cap responded with exact emphasis:
“The marines are at your service, friend Harvenoiq: please command me.”
An almost too sudden success overcame the designing minister, who stood
for the moment battling between self-conceived emulation and forceful
indecision. Now that he had become the master, his wit wholly failed
him; whereupon Bender rose, and volunteered the necessary advice.
“Land them at twelve o’clock, sharp,” said he, with bolstered
assertiveness.
“Excuse me, sir,” replied Uhlrix, forcibly conscious of the breech; “I
hold myself subject only to America’s call. The minister must himself
direct.”
“Oh, yes,” stammered Harvenoiq, involuntarily; “I was but studying the
best course to pursue. Land them at the dock, and we shall then more
properly give instructions for their final disposition.”
“Very well,” continued the admiral; “I shall, accordingly, with your
permission, leave you, going at once to my ship. Bear in mind the time
and place; Uhlrix and the marines shall be there, on time, promptly.”
Both Harvenoiq and Bender accompanied the retiring admiral to the door,
and at his departure turned to each other, speechless and uncertain.
Their experiences in life--the one weak and vascillating, the other
strong and determinate--had taught them that power once gained might
surely be expected to be used solely in accordance with the trend of
individual desire. The former disclosed his over-anxiousness by the
twinkle in his eyes; the latter reassured himself with venturing to
remark:
“You are the true born diplomat, Harvenoiq; no other man in these
islands could so quickly gain control of a nation’s destiny. Hawaii
lies at your feet.”
“A small credit, thankfully received, Mr. Bender,” replied the pompous
fellow, unmindful of an only too patent disclosure of temperament.
“You shall have the praise you deserve, in due time--there is no doubt
about that, Harvenoiq; we owe you in advance a debt of gratitude,
and on behalf of the people and the government I promise you a just
and speedy recognition. Let us bend our energies toward enforcing
opportunity, and trust to merit for place. I mean well, and I dare say
Harvenoiq designs nothing less. Come, my good man, let us be off and
content; the hour is rapidly approaching.”
“You do not understand me, not at all; I had rather die mean than mix
with petty bickering. Men given to small affairs can hardly appreciate
the depth of feeling that moves a man like me. I have at heart the
laudations of a boundlessly progressive people, not the thanks of a
decadent handful of petticoated worshippers. They may rightfully claim
you, but I shall be the idolized of all America,” fairly shouted the
filled-to-overflowing worthy, in a voice little intended to gain his
vainly sudden expectations.
“We shall see, friend Harvenoiq. Only take care that you make no slip
between now and midday. You must know the effect of a broken link, and
I take it you will follow my program, to the letter. If you don’t,
beware of the consequences. If you do, then it shall be meet to parley.
I must now proceed with a better business, the one most urgently at
hand; there are others interested, and it scarce behooves you and me to
divide spoils not gained or to anticipate fame unearned. Be off, now,
and remember well the time and place, my good fellow,” said Bender, as
he urged Harvenoiq out, closing the door at his back.