The next day the chancellor asked him how much of a vacation he wanted, and where he desired to spend it.

Smith told him.

His prayer was granted, and rather more than granted.

The chancellor augmented his salary and attached him to the German Embassy of that selected capital, giving him a place of high dignity bearing an imposing title, and with nothing to do except attend banquets of an extraordinary character at the Embassy, once or twice a year.

The term of his vacation was not specified; he was to continue it until requested to come back to his work in the Foreign Office.