Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty Six

Wednesday, October 13th at ten o'clock in the morning.Anthony Cade entered the Harriji Hotel to see Lord Laura Predge.The Baron has opened a suite here. After a delay quite befitting a master's style, Anthony led them to the above-mentioned suite.The Baron was standing on the hearth-rug with a straight, stiff air.The little captain Andersi, equally well-mannered in demeanor but slightly hostile in manner, was also there. So, a formal reception ceremony was held: an unusual deep bow. A click, a heel bump, and other etiquette.By now, Anthony is already very familiar with this way. "Excuse me for calling so early, Baron," he said earnestly, laying hat and stick on the table. "Actually, I have a deal to discuss with you."

"Ha! Really?" said the Baron. Captain Androssy, who had not yet overcome the initial hostility, looked distrustful. "Business," Anthony said. "It's based on that familiar principle of 'supply and demand.' What you want, someone else has it. The only thing left to negotiate is price." The Baron listened attentively, but said nothing. "Between a Herzoslav nobleman and an English gentleman, the terms should be easy to settle," said Anthony quickly. When he said that, his face was a little red.An Englishman does not say such things lightly.However, he had noticed in his previous encounters with them what effect such expressions had on the baron's psychology.Sure enough, the magic of the words worked.

"That's right," said the Baron approvingly, nodding his head. "Not bad." Even Captain Andersi seemed to have softened his attitude a bit, and nodded at the same time. "Fine," Anthony said. "Then I'll stop making insinuations." "What? What did you say?" the Baron interrupted. "Insinuating? I don't understand." "That's only figurative, Baron. In plain English, that is: If you need goods, we have them.The boat is nice, but lacks a prow statue.By 'ship' I mean the royalists of Hezoslav.head. Now, you are missing a prince from your political plans!Now, for example—just for example, how about I offer you a prince? "

The baron's eyes widened. "I don't understand your words at all," he said. "Sir," said Captain Androssy, twirling his beard viciously, "you are insulting!" "Not at all," Anthony said. "I'm just trying to help. 'Demand vs. supply', you know? It's perfectly fair and justified. We'd rather be short and supply the real Prince. You can see the logo. If we negotiate the terms, you'll find out No problem. I'm offering you the real thing—the very best." "I don't understand your words," the baron continued. "I don't understand at all."

"That's really all right," Anthony said kindly. "I'm just trying to get you used to the idea. In vulgar terms, I have a trump card. Just hold on to it. You need a prince. I can supply it off the shelf, under certain conditions." Both the Baron and Androssi stared at him intently.Anton had taken up his hat and cane again, and pretended to take his leave. "Just think about it. Now, Baron, there's one more thing. You've got to be at Chimney House tonight—Captain Andrewsy is coming too. Some very strange things have happened there. How about our appointment? For example, nine See you in the meeting hall at 1:00, how about it? Thank you, both of you. Be sure to go there tonight, okay?"

The Baron took a step forward and looked into Anthony's face searchingly. "Mr. Cade," he said, not without airs. "I hope you're not planning to play a joke on me?" Anthony looked back at him firmly. "The Baron," he said, with a strange accent in his voice. "After tonight, I think you will be the first to admit that this business is serious, not a joke." He bowed to them and walked out of the suite. His next visit is in London.He handed over his card and begged to see Mr. Herman Ershastein. After a delay, Antony was received by a white-faced, elegantly attired subordinate with a lovely manner and a soldier's title.

"You want to see Mr. Ershastein, don't you?" said the young man. "I'm afraid he's busy this morning—you know, board meetings and stuff. Is there anything I can do for you?" "I've got to see him in person," said Anthony, and then, casually added, "I just came from Chimney House." The young man hesitated a little at the mention of Chimney House. "Oh!" he said uncertainly. "Then, I'll go and see." "It's important to tell him about it," Anthony said. "Have you got a letter from Lord Judham?" asked the young man.

"Something like that," Anthony said. "However, I must see Mr. Ershastein immediately." Two minutes later, Anthony directed the man into a luxurious inner room.What impressed him most was the generous size of the leather armchairs. Mr. Ershastein rose to welcome him. "I must ask your pardon for making such a presumptuous visit," said Anthony. "I know you are a busy person, I will try not to waste your precious time, I just have a deal to propose to you." Ershastein's dark rosary eyes watched him closely. "Have a cigar," he said unexpectedly, handing him an open cigar case.

"Thank you," Anthony said. "I can smoke one." He took out a cigar himself. "It's about this Hezoslav deal," went on Anthony, taking the matches.He noticed a momentary gleam in the other's determined eyes.The murder of Prince Michael must have blown up the plans. One of Mr. Ershastein's eyebrows was raised, and he whispered questioningly, "Huh?" With a groan, he turned his gaze to the ceiling. "Oil," Anthony said, looking thoughtfully at the polished tabletop. "Oil, amazing stuff!" He felt the financier startle slightly.

"You cut to the chase, will you, Mr. Cade?" "Okay, Mr. Ershastein, I don't think you would be happy if the privilege of buying oil was granted to another company?" "What's your suggestion?" said the other, looking directly at him. "A proper, entitled heir to the throne, who is thoroughly Anglophile in attitude." "Where did you find it?" "That's my business." Hearing his witty and shrewd answer, Ershastein smiled slightly.His eyes became hard and sharp. "Is it real? I can't bear it if you're kidding, understand?"

"It's definitely the real thing." "Well-behaved?" "Regular." "I take your word for it." "You don't seem to need a lot of convincing, do you?" Anthony looked at him curiously. Herman Ershastein smiled. "I wouldn't be here if I hadn't learned how to know if a person is telling the truth," he says simply. "What conditions do you want?" "The same loan, on the same terms, as you offered Prince Michael." "What about yourself?" "For now, nothing. Only, I want you to come up to Chimney House tonight." "No." Ershastein said rather firmly. "I can't do that." "why?" "I'm going out to dinner—a rather important dinner." "I'm afraid you still have to cancel that dinner—for your own sake." "What do you mean by that?" Anthony looked at him for a full minute, then said slowly: "Does Your Excellency know? They've found the pistol that killed Prince Michael. Do you know where they found it? It's in your suitcase." "What!" Ershastein almost jumped up.He asked with a warm face: "What are you talking about? What do you mean?" "Let me tell you." Anthony gladly told him about the discovery of the pistol.When he spoke, the other party's face showed a green, very terrifying color. "But it's totally wrong," Eshastein screamed when Anthony finished. "I didn't put it there at all. I don't know anything about that, it's a conspiracy." "Take it easy," Anthony reassured him. "If so, you will easily prove it." "Proof? How can I prove it?" "If I were," said Anthony mildly, "I'd go to Chimney House tonight." Ershastein looked at him indecisively. "Do you suggest I do this?" Anthony leaned forward and whispered.The financial expert fell back in surprise and stared at him intently. "Are you really going to..." "Come and find out," Anthony said.