Fowler and Sharpe were both
preternaturally sharp; they did me the honour in the
beginning to attribute to myself their proper vices,
and before we were done had grown to regard me with an
esteem akin to worship. This proud position I attained
by no more recondite arts than telling the mere truth
and unaffectedly displaying my indifference to the
result. I have doubtless stated the essentials of all
good diplomacy, which may be rather regarded,
therefore, as a grace of state than the effect of
management. For to tell the truth is not in itself
diplomatic, and to have no care for the result a thing
involuntary. When I mentioned, for instance, that I
had but two hundred and forty pounds of drug, my
smugglers exchanged meaning glances, as who should say,
"Here is a foeman worthy of our steel!" But when I
carelessly proposed thirty-five dollars a pound, as an
amendment to their offered twenty, and wound up with
the remark: "The whole thing is a matter of moonshine
to me, gentlemen. Take it or want it, and fill your
glasses"--I had the indescribable gratification to see
Sharpe nudge Fowler warningly, and Fowler choke down
the jovial acceptance that stood ready on his lips, and
lamely substitute a "No--no more wine, please, Mr.
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