She glared at her husband for
explanation, and he said, gently, "This is a delegation from the
Altrurian capital, my dear, and we have been talking over the situation
together."
"But what is this," she demanded, "that I have heard about our not
paying? Do they accuse us of not paying? You could buy and sell the whole
country."
I never imagined so much mildness could be put into such offensive words
as Cyril managed to get into his answer. "We accuse you of not paying,
and we do not mean that you shall become chargeable to us. The men and
women who served you on shipboard have been put to work, and you must go
to work, too."
"Mr. Thrall--Lord Moors--have you allowed these people to treat you as if
you were part of the ship's crew? Why don't you give them what they want
and let them go? Of course it's some sort of blackmailing scheme. But you
ought to get rid of them at any cost. Then you can appeal to the
authorities, and tell them that you will bring the matter to the notice
of the government at Washington.
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