Dennis Wheatley - The Rising Storm

At this, the Caballero appeared much pained, and pretended that he thought Roger's behaviour most unreasonable. But he promised once more to do his best, and the following day the ultimatum produced the required result; Roger received a note stating that the Prime Minister would see him on Thursday, April 22nd, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Heredia performed the ceremony of presentation, and Roger found himself bowing to an elderly man with good eyes but a lined, tired-looking face. Count Florida Blanca received his visitor with much politeness, but standing, and he did not invite him to sit down, so Roger was reminded of the interviews between King George III and Mr. Pitt.

He produced his letter, expressed Mr. Pitt's surprise at having received no reply to his note of February 26th, and went on to say: "His Britannic Majesty's Government is anxious to remain on terms of the utmost amity with that of His Most Catholic Majesty; but Your Excellency must appreciate that the high-handed action of certain Spanish ships last June in Nootka Sound was most prejudicial to the maintenance of such happy relations; and the dilatoriness of His Most Catholic Majesty's Government in giving satisfaction in the matter has given my master good grounds for supposing that they have no intention of doing so."

"Oh, come, Monsieur, come!" protested the Count. "That is to assume far too much."

"What other interpretation can be put upon your Government's continued silence, sir?" Roger enquired.

"We have been seeking ways, Monsieur. Seeking ways that we trust may lead to a suitable accommodation."

Roger bowed. "Your Excellency, I am delighted to hear it. In that case my coming will I hope prove of assistance to you, as I am empow­ered to inform you of the terms upon which His Britannic Majesty's Government . . ."

"Terms! "exclaimed the Spaniard haughtily. "I pray you, Mon­sieur, be pleased to withdraw such an offensive expression."

"If Your Excellency prefers we will call it a basis of agreement. The first clause of any treaty between our two countries would be the acknowledgment by Spain that the whole North American Pacific coast­line from parallel forty-five degrees north to Alaska, together with the hinterland as far east as the St. Lawrence river, form part of His Britannic Majesty's dominions."

Count Florida Blanca stared at Roger in angry astonishment. "You cannot mean this, Monsieur? Such a proposal is preposterous 1"

"So definitely do I mean it, Your Excellency," Roger replied firmly, "that I am instructed to inform you that it is the only basis upon which His Britannic Majesty's Government will consider the negotiation of a peaceful settlement."

"A peaceful settlement! What are you saying? Surely you do not infer that upon this matter England would proceed to extremities?"

Roger bowed again. "I should be failing in my duty if I left Your Excellency under the impression that this is a question of anything less than peace or war."

At this calling of a spade a spade the Spanish Prime Minister's mental shudder was almost perceptible. He felt that the handsome young man who had been sent to see him was the representative of a new and horrible age. The diplomats to whom he was accustomed were of the old-fashioned sort, who would have been perfectly happy to amuse themselves with the ladies of Madrid for a month or two before, with great reluctance, bringing themselves to use some term even vaguely implying the possibility of hostilities. After a moment, he said:

"This matter is one of the utmost gravity, and will require my most careful consideration."

"As I see it, sir," replied Roger promptly, "the issue is a perfectly simple one. Does or does not His Most Catholic Majesty's Government desire to negotiate on the basis that I have stated? But if Your Excel­lency is troubled with any doubts upon that score, I will present myself to receive your answer at this hour tomorrow."

Count Florida Blanca found it difficult to conceal his anger. He had counted on being able to evade any definite pronouncement on the Nootka question until he had further information on the likelihood of French support. Only a week had elapsed since Don Diego had been despatched to press the matter, so, apart from the unlikely chance that a favourable answer was already on the way, a considerable time must elapse before he could hope to hear anything definite; and here was this young cub of an Englishman endeavouring to force him to a decision within a matter of hours. With a sudden display of haughtiness he attempted to overawe his visitor.

"Indeed, Monsieur! Either I cannot have heard aright, or your youth must excuse your ignorance of diplomatic usage. Responsible Ministers do not take such momentous decisions overnight."

"I am, sir," Roger said, in a quiet but telling voice, "just nine months younger than was my master when he first became a Minister of the Crown. While I have no pretensions to his gifts, I can at least endeavour to emulate his despatch when dealing with urgent matters of business. On his behalf I must request a prompt reply."

Swiftly the Spaniard made amends for his impoliteness. "My reference to your, age was not intended as any reflection on your abilities, Monsieur. But you cannot reasonably expect a reply to such a sweeping demand in less than a matter of weeks."

Roger saw that he had got the tired old Prime Minister on the run, and decided to hit him hard again. "Your Excellency; I had, myself, thought that a week would be enough in which to settle our business, so promised my master that I would not linger here much beyond ten days. Yet, owing to your other occupations, I have already been compelled to kick my heels in Aranjuez for twelve days with nothing done. 'Tis no fault of mine that I must now press you to a prompt decision. The issue is a straightforward one. I must ask you to let me have your answer to it within forty-eight hours."

Ten minutes later, as Roger walked away from the Palace, he felt that he had not played his part too badly. However shocked, hurt, or offended the Spaniards might appear to be at his insistence on getting down to business, the truth was that they were only seeking to gain time; and the whole purpose of his mission was to bring them to book with a minimum of delay. Had he believed that it would serve any useful purpose he would have been far more tactful; but his instructions were definite, so he could only hope that his firmness would have the result that he so anxiously desired.

Hearing nothing further, on the Saturday morning he went to see Heredia, in order to confirm that Florida Blanca meant to receive him again that afternoon. It was as well he did so, as the Caballero pretended not to know anything about the arrangement, and said he feared that Count Florida Blanca had to attend a Royal Council which would keep him occupied for some hours after the siesta.

Roger announced calmly that it was all one to him at what hour His Excellency chose to summon him, but that he had ordered his horses for dawn next day; and that if he received no summons before that hour he would know what answer to carry back to England.

Again the ultimatum worked. Heredia, having excused himself for a few minutes, returned to say that the Prime Minister would look forward to a further talk if Roger would wait upon him at five o'clock the following afternoon; he could find time to give him half an hour before the Sunday Court.

As on the previous occasion, they remained standing for the duration of the interview; but this time the Spaniard greeted his visitor with apparent pleasure, as well as politeness. Roger, being still a child in such matters, thought that a good omen; and an indication that, after some face-saving remarks, Florida Blanca meant to give in.

The Prime Minister appeared to come to the point swiftly, with the genial announcement: "In the matter of the Americas, Monsieur, I now feel confident that Spain can meet the wishes of Britain; but naturally His Most Catholic Majesty would expect some practical acknowledg­ment of this friendly gesture."