"Well, then, if they wouldn't, there's war."
"One moment, Captain Kempt," said Dorothy, again in her mildest tones,
for voices had again begun to run high, "you spoke of doing something
sane. You understand the situation. What should you counsel us to do?"
The Captain drew a long breath, and leaned back in his chair.
"There, Dad, it's up to you," said Katherine. "Let us hear your
proposal, and then you'll learn how easy it is to criticise."
"Well," said the Captain hesitatingly, "there's our diplomatic
service--"
"Utterly useless: one man is a Russian, and the other an Englishman.
Diplomacy not only can do nothing, but won't even try," cried Kate
triumphantly.
"Yet," said the Captain, with little confidence, "although the two men
are foreigners, the two girls are Americans."
"We don't count: we've no votes," said Kate. "Besides, Dorothy tried
the diplomatic service, and could not even get accurate information
from it. Now, father, third time and out."
"Four balls are out, Kate, and I've only fanned the air twice. Now,
girls, I'll tell you what I'd do. You two come with me to Washington.
We will seek a private interview with the President. He will get into
communication with the Czar, also privately, and outside of all
regular channels. The Czar will put machinery in motion that is sure
to produce those two young men much more effectually and speedily than
any cutthroat expedition on a yacht.
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