This unambitious tale does not profess to be a complete history of Aureataland, and I will spare my readers the recital of our discussion.

We decided at last that matters were still so critical, owing to the President's escape, that the ordinary forms of law and constitutional government must be temporarily suspended.
The Chamber was not in session, which made this course easier.

The colonel was to be proclaimed President and to assume supreme power under martial law for some weeks, while we looked about us.

It was thought better that my name should not appear officially, but I agreed to take in hand, under his supervision, all matters relating to finance.
"We can't pay the interest on the real debt," he said.
"No," I replied; "you must issue a notice, setting forth that, owing to General Whittingham's malversations, payments must be temporarily suspended.

Promise it will be all right later on." "Very good," said he; "and now I shall go and look up those officers.
I must keep them in good temper, and the men too.