Kaiuolani

“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.