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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7826-0.txt b/7826-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3057bcd --- /dev/null +++ b/7826-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10015 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: L. P. M. + The End of the Great War + +Author: J. Stewart Barney + + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7826] +This file was first posted on May 20, 2003 +Last Updated: October 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + + + + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + +L. P. M. + +THE END OF THE GREAT WAR + + +By J. Stewart Barney + + +1915 + + +[Illustration: “COUNT VON HEMELSTEIN,” THE AMERICAN SAID LAZILY, +“I WAS JUST THINKING WHAT A STUNNING BOOK-COVER YOU WOULD +MAKE FOR A CHEAP NOVEL.” Drawn by Clarence F. Underwood.] + + + + _THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED_ + + TO MY REAL FRIENDS, WHO MAY LOVE IT. + WHILE THE OTHERS IT MAY BORE; + TO MY ENEMIES, GOD BLESS THEM, + THO’ THEY SPLUTTER, MORE AND MORE. + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + I.--THE MAN AND THE HOUR + II.--THE ONE-MAN SECRET + III.--CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + IV.--THE FIRST REBUFF + V.--ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + VI.--A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + VII.--DIPLOMACY WINS + VIII.--THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + IX.--BUCKINGHAM PALACE + X.--HE MEETS THE KING + XI.--THE DEIONIZER + XII.--FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + XIII.--“THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!” + XIV.--THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + XV.--SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + XVI.--A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + XVII.--THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + XVIII.--IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + XIX.--THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + XX.--GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + XXI.--HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + XXII.--KAFFEE KLATSCH + XXIII.--THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + XXIV.--DER KAISER + XXV.--THE MASQUERADER + XXVI.--TWO REMARKABLE MEN + XXVII.--ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE +XXVIII.--WHERE IS IT? + XXIX.--THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + XXX.--THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + XXXI.--“SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” + XXXII.--L. P. M. +XXXIII.--YACHTING IN THE AIR + XXXIV.--THE ULTIMATUM + XXXV.--A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + XXXVI.--THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + + + +L. P. M. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN AND THE HOUR + + +The Secretary of State, although he sought to maintain an air of +official reserve, showed that he was deeply impressed by what he had +just heard. + +“Well, young man, you are certainly offering to undertake a pretty +large contract.” + +He smiled, and continued in a slightly rhetorical vein--the Secretary +was above all things first, last, and always an orator. + +“In my many years of public life,” he said, “I have often had occasion +to admire the dauntless spirit of our young men. But you have forced +me to the conclusion that even I, with all my confidence in their +power, have failed to realize how inevitably American initiative and +independence will demand recognition. It is a quality which our form +of government seems especially to foster and develop, and I glory +in it as perhaps the chief factor in our national greatness and +pre-eminence. + +“In what other country, I ask you,” he flung out an arm across the +great, flat-topped desk of state, “would a mere boy like yourself ever +conceive such a scheme, or have the incentive or opportunity to bring +it to perfection? And, having conceived and perfected it, in what +other country would he find the very heads of his Government so +accessible and ready to help him?” + +The young man leaned forward. “Then am I to understand, Mr. Secretary, +that you are ready to help me?” + +“Yes.” He faced about and looked at his visitor in a glow of +enthusiasm. “Not only will I help you, but I will, so far as is +practicable, put behind you the power of this Administration. + +“Doubtless the newspapers,” his tone took on a tinge of ironic +resentment, “when they learn the broad character of the credentials +that I shall give you in order that you may meet the crowned heads of +Europe, will say that I am again lowering the dignity of my office. +But I consider, Mr. Edestone, that I am, in reality, giving more +dignity to my office by bringing it closer to and by placing it at +the services of, those from whose hands it first received its dignity, +the sovereign people. ‘The master is greater than the servant’; and +to my mind you as a citizen are even more entitled to the aid and +co-operation of this Department than are its accredited envoys, our +ministers and ambassadors, who, like myself, are but your hired men.” + +His face lighted up with the memory of the many stirring campaigns +through which he had passed and his wonderful voice rang out, +responding to his will like a perfect musical instrument under the +touch of the artist. + +“I tell you, sir,” he declared, “I would rather be instrumental in +bringing to an end this cruel war which is now deluging the pages of +history with the heart’s blood of the people, whose voices may now be +drowned in the roar of the 42-centimeter guns, but whose spirits will +unite in the black stench clouds which rise from the festered fields +of Flanders to descend upon the heads of those who by Divine Right +have murdered them,--I would rather be instrumental in bringing about +this result, than be President of the United States!” + +He had risen, as he spoke, and had stepped from behind his desk to +give freer play to this burst of eloquence, but he now paused at the +entrance of a secretary for whom he had sent, and changing to that +quizzical drawl with which he had so often disarmed a hostile +audience, added, “And they do say that I am not without ambition in +that respect.” + +He turned then to the waiting secretary, and letting his hand drop on +Edestone’s shoulder: + +“Mr. Williams,” he said, “this is Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New +York, whose name is no doubt familiar to you. He is desirous of +meeting and discussing quite informally with the potentates of Europe, +a little matter which he thinks, and I more or less agree with him, +will be of decided interest to them.” + +He chuckled softly; then continued in a more serious tone: “Mr. +Edestone hopes, in short, with our assistance, to bring about not only +the end of the European war, but to realize my dream--Universal +Peace--and his plan, as he has outlined it to me, meets with my hearty +approval. + +“I wish you to furnish him with the credentials from this Department +necessary to give him _entrée_ anywhere abroad and protect him at +all times and under all circumstances. + +“And, Mr. Williams,” he halted the retiring subordinate, “when Mr. +Edestone’s papers have been drawn, will you kindly bring them to me? +I wish to present them in person, and I know of no more appropriate +occasion than this afternoon, when I am to receive a delegation of +school children from the Southern Baptist Union and the Boy Scouts of +the Methodist Temperance League. I will be glad to have these young +Americans, as well as any others who may be calling to pay their +respects--not to me but to my office--hear what I have to say on +peace, patriotism, and grapes.” + +With the departure of the secretary he unbent slightly. “Well,” he +smiled, “you cannot say, as did Ericsson with his monitor and Holland +with his submarine and the Wrights with their aëroplane, that you +could not get the support of your Government until it was too late. In +fact, my dear fellow, when I think of the obstacles so many inventors +have to contend with, it strikes me that you have had pretty easy +sailing.” + +“Perhaps,” Edestone raised his eyebrows a trifle whimsically, “it has +not been so easy as you think, Mr. Secretary.” + +“Oh, I know, I know!” the other replied. “You still must admit that in +comparison with most men you have been singularly fortunate. You have +had great wealth, absolute freedom to develop your ideas as you saw +fit, and finally the influence to command an immediate hearing for +your claims. Do you know that perhaps you are the richest young man in +the world today? It is this which, I must confess, at first rather +prejudiced me against you.” + +Edestone laughed good-naturedly. “It is lucky that my photographs were +able to speak for me.” + +“Yes,” the Secretary assented. “As you probably have recognized, I am +not a scientist, and all your formulae and explanations were about as +so much Greek to me, but those photographs of yours were most +convincing, and prove to me how simple are the greatest of +discoveries. I fancy,” he added slyly, “that they will penetrate even +the intelligence of a monarch.” + +“Ah!” He rubbed his hands together. “I can imagine the chagrin and +fury of those war lords when they find themselves so unexpectedly +called to time, while your device is held over the nations like a +policeman’s club, with America as its custodian. What a thought! +Universal dominion for our country; Universal Peace!” + +Some sense of opposition on the part of his companion aroused him, and +he levelled a quick and searching glance at the other. + +“That is your intention, is it not, Mr. Edestone?” he demanded. “That, +upon the completion of your present mission, the Government shall take +over this discovery of yours?” + +Edestone moved uneasily in his seat. He had naturally anticipated this +question, and yet he was unprepared to meet it. + +The Secretary frowned and repeated his question. “That is your +intention, is it not?” + +Hesitating no longer the inventor answered quietly: + +“Mr. Secretary, I yield to no man in my devotion to my country, but I +am one of those who believe that the highest form of patriotism is to +seek the best interest of mankind, and standing on that I tell you +frankly that I cannot at this time answer your question. Just now I +look no farther than the end of this brutal war. After that is +accomplished it will be time enough for me to decide the ultimate +disposition of my invention. Its secret is now known to no living soul +but myself, and is so simple that it requires no written record to +preserve it, and would die with me. It is the result, it is true, of +many years of hard work, but the finished product I can and often do +carry in my waistcoat pocket. + +“Do not misunderstand me,” he lifted his hand as the Secretary +endeavoured to break in. “I thoroughly realize the responsibility of +my position and that my great wealth is a sacred trust. Upon the +answer to the question you have just put to me depends the destiny of +the world, whether it is answered by myself at this time or by others +in the future. Exactly what I will do when the time comes I cannot +say, but I will tell you this much, that in reaching a decision I will +call to my assistance men like yourself and abide by whatever course +the majority of them may dictate.” + +“But, my dear young fellow, that will not do.” The Secretary shook his +head. “You are called upon to answer my question right here and now.” + +He dropped his bland and diplomatic manner as he spoke, and with his +jaw thrust forward showed himself the unyielding autocrat, who, in the +rough and tumble of politics, had ruled his party with a rod of iron. +This man whose wonderful talents and personality had fitted him for +his chosen position of champion of the plain people, and whose great +motive power, against all odds, that had forced him into the first +place in their hearts, was his sincere and honest love of office. + +He had now assumed a rather boisterous and bullying tone, showing that +perhaps his great love for the rougher elements of society was due to +the fact that in the process of evolution he himself was not far +removed from the very plain people. + +“You have been talking pretty loud about using the ‘big stick’ over on +the other side,” he went on sternly, “but that big-stick business you +will find is a thing that works two ways. Suppose then I should tell +you, ‘No answer to my question, no credentials.’ What would you have +to say?” + +“I should say,” Edestone’s face was set, “simply this, Mr. Secretary, +if I must speak in the language of the people in order that you may +understand me: ‘I should like very much to have your backing in the +game, but if you are going to sit on the opposite side of the table, I +hold three kings and two emperors in my hand, and I challenge you to a +show-down.’ I should further say that, credentials or no credentials, +I am leaving tomorrow on the _Ivernia_, and that inasmuch as I +have a taxi at the door, and a special train held for me at the Union +Station, I must bid you good-day, and leave you to your watchful +waiting, while I work alone.” + +He rose from his seat, and with a bow started for the door. + +“Hold on there, young fellow, keep your coat on!” the Secretary +shouted, throwing his head back and laughing loud enough to be heard +over on the Virginia shores. “You remind me of one of those gentle +breezes out home, which after it has dropped the cow-shed into the +front parlour and changed your Post-Office address, seems always to +sort of clear up the atmosphere. When one of them comes along we +generally allow it to have its own way. It doesn’t matter much whether +we do or not, it will take it anyhow. I never play cards, but what you +say about having a few kings in your pants’ pocket seems to be pretty +nearly true. You are made of the real stuff, and if you can do all the +things that you say you can do, and I believe you can, nothing will +stop you.” + +“In that case,” said Edestone, resuming his seat, “I suppose I may as +well wait for my credentials.” + +And in due time he got them, the presentation being made by the +Secretary to the edification of the Baptist School children and the +Methodist Soldiers of Temperance and a score of adoring admirers. Then +with a hasty farewell to the officials of the State Department, this +emissary of peace started on his hurried rush to New York. + +His taxi, which he had held since seven o’clock that morning, broke +all speed regulations in getting to the station, and the man was well +paid for his pains. + +Edestone found his Special coupled up and waiting for him. He always +travelled in specials, and they always waited for him. In fact, +everything waited for him, and he waited for no one. When he engaged a +taxi he never discharged it until he went to bed or left the town. It +was related of him that on one occasion he had directed the taxi to +wait for him at Charing Cross Station, and returning from Paris three +days later had allowed his old friend, the cabby, who knew him well, a +shilling an hour as a _pourboire_. He claimed that his mind +worked smoothly as long as it could run ahead without waits, but that +as soon as it had to halt for anything--a cab, a train, or a slower +mind to catch up--it got from under his control and it took hours to +get it back again. + +To him money was only to be spent. He would say: “I spend money +because that calls for no mental effort, and saving is not worth the +trouble that it requires.” + +A big husky chap, thirty-four years old, with the constitution of an +ox, the mind of a superman, the simplicity of a child: that was John +Fulton Edestone. He insisted that his discovery was an accident that +might have befallen anyone, and counted as nothing the years of +endless experiments and the millions of dollars he had spent in +bringing it to perfection. He was a dreamer, and had used his colossal +income and at times his principal in putting his dreams into iron and +steel. + +Upon arriving in New York he was met by his automobile and was rushed +away to what he was pleased to call his Little Place in the Country. +It was one of his father’s old plants which had contributed to the +millions which he was now spending. + +It was nothing more nor less than a combination machine shop and +shipyard, situated on the east bank of the Hudson in the neighbourhood +of Spuyten Duyvil. + +It was midnight when he arrived. The night force was just leaving as +he stepped from his automobile and the morning shift was taking its +place. At eight o’clock the next morning this latter would in turn be +relieved by a day shift; for night and day, Sundays and holidays, +winter and summer, without stopping, his work went on. It got on his +nerves, he said, to see anything stop. Speed and efficiency at any +cost was his motto, and the result was that he had gathered about him +men who were willing to keep running under forced draft, even if it +did heat up the bearings. + +“Tell Mr. Page to come to me at once,” he said, as he entered a little +two-story brick structure apart from the other buildings. This had +originally been used as an office, but he had changed it into a +comfortable home, his “Little Place in the Country.” + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ONE-MAN SECRET + + +With the giving of a few orders relative to his departure in the +morning, the brevity of which showed the character of service he +demanded, Edestone permitted himself to relax. He dropped into an +arm-chair, after lighting a long, black cigar, and pouring out for +himself a comfortable drink of Scotch whisky and soda. + +For a few minutes he sat looking into the open fire, while blowing +ring after ring of smoke straight up into the air. The well-trained +servant moved so quietly about the room that his presence was only +called to his attention by the frantic efforts of the smoke rings to +retain their circular shape as they were caught in the current of air +which he created and were sent whirling and twisting to dissolution, +although to the last they clung to every object with which they came +in contact in their futile struggle to escape destruction. + +Edestone loved to watch these little smoke phantoms, their first mad +rush to assume their beautiful form and the persistency with which +they clung to it until overtaken by another, were brushed aside, or +else drifted on in wavering elongated outlines and so gradually +disappeared. + +They suggested to his fancy the struggling nations of the world, +battling with the currents and cross-currents near the storm-scarred +old earth, and continually endeavouring to rise above their fellows to +some calmer strata, where serene in their original form they could +look down with condescension upon their harassed and broken companions +below. + +The little rings were, however, more interesting to him for another +and more practical reason. It was their toroidal movement around a +circular axis which moved independently in any direction that first +suggested to him the principles of his discovery. + +Before him the fire upon the hearth sang and crackled as it tore +asunder the elements that had taken untold ages to assemble in their +present form, and with the prodigality of nature was joyfully rushing +them up the chimney to start them again upon their long and weary +journey through the ages. + +The bubbles coming into existence in the bottom of his glass, rushing +in myriads through the pale yellow liquid to the top and obliteration, +set the thin glass to vibrating like the sound of distant bells. + +From his workshop came the soft purr of rapidly moving machinery, +punctuated now and again by the roar of the heavy railroad trains that +thundered past his little flag station. + +Had he seen then what the future had in store for him, had he realized +that he was in that well-beloved environment for the last time, he +would not have hesitated to have gone on along the road that he had +marked out for himself. It would simply have made the wrench at +parting a little bit more severe. + +His musing was interrupted by his man, who had attracted his attention +by noiselessly rearranging on the table the objects that were already +in perfect order. + +“Mr. Page is outside, sir.” + +It was a call to action. Edestone, without changing his position, +said: “Tell him to come in.” And then taking two or three deep puffs +at his cigar, he blew out into the clear space in front of him a large +and perfectly formed ring. Rising he followed it slowly as it drifted +across the room, twisting and circling upon itself. Then with a low +laugh, which was almost a sigh, after sticking his finger through its +shadowy form, with a sweep of his powerful hand he brushed it aside. + +“Good-bye, little friend,” he said, “we have had many good times +together, and whatever you may have in store for me, I promise never +to complain. Let us hope that I shall use wisely and well the +knowledge which you have given me.” + +Turning quickly at some slight sound, which told him that he was no +longer alone, he threw his shoulders back, and with his head high in +the air there came over his clean-shaven face a look of quiet +determination, a look before which those who were born to rule were so +soon to quail. + +Then, with a complete change of manner, upon seeing his old friend and +fellow-workman, his face lighted up, and he laughed: + +“Well, old ‘Specs,’ I’m back, you see, and the ‘Dove of Peace’ is +safely caged. He came to hand with scarcely even a struggle.” Then as +he looked down into the other’s worn and haggard eyes which peered up +at him through their round, horn-rimmed spectacles, his voice softened +and he spoke with a touch of compunction. + +“By Jove, old chap, you look all in. I’ve been driving you boys a bit +too hard; but don’t you worry. I’m off in the morning, and then you’ll +have a chance to take it easier. Soon our beautiful _Little Peace +Maker_,” he winked, “will be tucked safely away in some quiet +corner, and you scientific fellows can devote all your attention +to your beloved bridge, while I bid up The Hague Conference for a +no-trump hand. + +“But to business now. How did the films for the moving pictures come +out?” + +“Splendidly.” + +“Good. I’ll have you run them over for me presently. I don’t want to +show too much when I give my performances for Royalty, you understand; +just enough to scare them to death. And how about the wireless? Did +you test that out, and tune it to my instruments, as I asked you?” + +With a satisfactory answer to this also, he ranged off rapidly into a +dozen other inquiries. + +“Does Lee understand exactly where he is to go, and what he is to do, +if by any chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don’t +think he need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but +we’ve got to be prepared for every emergency. + +“Now, ‘Specs,’ I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough men +about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your +absence may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as +you are safely out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary +risks. As soon as you are settled, communicate with me, once only +every day at exactly twelve o’clock Greenwich time, until I answer +you. I shall then not communicate with you again until this peace game +is up and we are forced to show our hands.” + +He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing; +then resumed his instructions. + +“Captain Lee’s men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for +a big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child’s play; but +it will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that +no rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I +intend to have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most +extreme measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man +is faultlessly perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be +pronounced outlaws at any time with a price upon our heads, and +therefore, before leaving here, I wish that none be allowed to join +the enterprise except those who willingly volunteer for the sake of +the cause. The men who are unwilling to volunteer, and yet know too +much, must be taken and held _incommunicado_ in some perfectly +safe place until such time as I notify you. + +“I think that is all,” he reflected. Then, while the other man watched +him curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a +small, hardwood box about six inches square. + +“I have never explained to you, Page,” he said, “the exact +construction of the instrument that is contained in this box. As you +know, there is but one other instrument like this in the world, and +that you know is in a safe place. My reason for not taking anybody +into my confidence was not from any lack of faith in you or my other +trusted associates, but simply in order to be absolutely sure at all +times and under all circumstances that I was the only one in +possession of this secret.” + +And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents +directly on to the burning logs. + +Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and +half stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised +an interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile. + +“That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical +construction of this instrument is so simple,” he said, “that I can +at any time construct one which will answer all purposes that I may +require of it until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the +_Ivernia_ during the crossing constructing a new smaller and +more compact instrument, combining with it one of the receivers which +you have attuned to your wireless. See that these as well as the +following,” handing “Specs” a list of electrical supplies, “are put in +Black’s steamer trunk. And now, let’s have a look at those films.” + +He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire +establishment, although the latter was largely perfunctory in +character, since he knew that for days everything had been in +readiness for his orders, waiting only for his return from Washington; +then returning to his quarters, he tumbled into bed to catch a few +hours of sleep before again whirling off at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait +to board his steamer at the dock. + +His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were +fellows of tested experience and education, many of them college +graduates, while his “commissioned officers,” as he called them, +numbering sixty, were all experts in their respective lines. They had +been drawn from all ranks of life, from the college laboratory, the +automobile factory, and the war college. There were among them bank +clerks, former commanders of battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, +and sailors. In fact, his little world was a perfectly equipped and +smoothly running community with all the departments of a miniature +government, save only a diplomatic service, and that he combined with +his own prerogatives as Executive and Commander-in-Chief. + +One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,--and +that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he sifted them out, and applied +to each of them the acid test, that he was sure he could rely on them, +as he liked to say, “to the last ditch.” + +For the rest, although he had taken only a few of them into his +confidence as to his real purposes and intentions, he had assured each +recruit that he would be required to do nothing that was contrary to +his duty to his fellow-man, his country, or his God. + +And tomorrow the wheels would be set in motion. The undertaking to +which he had dedicated his life and colossal fortune would be +launched. + +It was characteristic of Edestone that no sooner had he laid his head +upon the pillow than his eyes closed, and he slept as peacefully as a +tired child. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + + +After a perfectly uneventful voyage, the _Ivernia_, with Edestone +and his three men aboard, swung slowly to her dock. As the big vessel +had approached the coast the few cabin passengers were at first a +little nervous, but the contempt in which the officers held, or +pretended to hold, the submarine menace made itself soon felt +throughout the ship, and but for the thinness of their ranks all went +as usual. It is true that the little group of army contract-seekers +and returning refugees seemed to enjoy constituting themselves into +special look-outs, and regarded it as their particular duty, as long +as it did not interfere with their game of bridge, or might cause them +to lose a particularly comfortable and sheltered corner of the deck, +to notify the stewards if they happened to see anything which to them +looked like a periscope or floating mine. + +Throughout the voyage Edestone kept very much to himself and in his +quarters occupied himself constructing a new instrument, and to the +hard-rubber case that had been provided for it he attached a wireless +receiver. In some of this work he was assisted by Stanton and Black, +two electricians he had brought with him, who, with James, his valet, +made up his party. + +He had little time and less inclination to observe his neighbours, who +occupied the corresponding suite just across the passageway; but his +man James, who had been formally introduced to their servants, +insisted upon telling him all about them. They were, James said, the +Duchess of Windthorst and her daughter, the Princess Wilhelmina, who +were returning from Canada, where they had been visiting the Duke of +Connaught at Toronto. + +But, if Edestone was preoccupied, the Princess, on the contrary, +being a girl of nineteen, with absolutely nothing on her mind, had +not failed to note the handsome young man across the passage. +Unconsciously answering to the irresistible call of youth, which is as +loud to the princess as to the peasant, she had watched him with a +great deal of interest, and had been fascinated by his faultless boots +and the fact that he failed to notice her at all. + +Yet Edestone, it may be remarked, was not the only person on board +favoured with the royal regard. The Duchess, with the propensity of +her kind on visiting the States, had selected for her rare promenades +on deck a Broadway sport of the most absurd and exaggerated type, +known as “Diamond King John” Bradley. + +This vagary is explained by the fact that the social chasm separating +them from all Americans is, to their limited vision, so infinitely +great that it is impossible for them to see and to understand the +niceties that the Americans draw between the butcher of New York and +the dry-goods merchant of Denver; and since it is impossible to see +nothing from infinity, they content themselves by selecting those who +are, in their opinion, typical, in order that in the short time they +can give to this study they may learn all of the characteristics of +this most extraordinary race, who on account of the similarity of +language have presumed to claim a relationship with them. They will +not accept as true what much of the world believes: that Old England +is in her decadence, and that her only hope is in those sons who have +left her and who, away from the debilitating influence of the +poisonous vapours arising from the ruins of her glory, are developing +the ancient spirit of their ancestors and are returning to her +assistance in her time of need. + +As to the Princess, Edestone, although he noted that she was extremely +attractive in face and figure, did not give her a second thought. He +was amused at the attitude of the Duchess and her class, and was +willing to accept it, but it did not arouse any desire on his part to +follow the lead of the gentleman from Broadway and seek their +acquaintance. As a matter of fact, he had always found the young women +of the upper classes of England either extremely stupid or perfectly +willing to appear so to an American of his class. + +Still, as it happened, he did meet the Princess. One night after +dinner he found her struggling with the door into the passage which +led to their adjoining apartments. She was, or pretended to be, +helpless in the wind that was blowing her down the deck as she clung +to the rail, and, quietly taking her by the arm, he pulled her back to +the door, where he held her until she was safely inside. This was all +done in a perfectly matter-of-fact manner, and she might as well have +been a steamer rug that was in danger of being blown overboard. Then +before she had time to thank him, the door was blown shut, and he had +resumed his solitary walk along the deck. + +The next time that the Princess saw him, although she felt sure that +he must have known that she had looked in his direction, there was no +indication of any desire on his part to continue the acquaintance. He +had apparently entirely forgotten the episode or her existence, and +the pride of a beautiful young girl was hurt, and the dignity of +royalty offended--but the first was all that really mattered. + +And so the voyage ended. The passengers all seemed perfectly willing +to go ashore, notwithstanding their assumption of indifference to the +German blockade. Edestone, as usual, was met by the fastest form of +locomotion, and before the trunks and bags had begun to toboggan down +to the dock, he was whirling up to London in the powerful motor car +belonging to his friend, the Marquis of Lindenberry. Edestone had +notified him by wireless to meet the steamer, and they were now being +driven directly to the Marquis’s house in Grosvenor Square. Stanton +and Black were left behind with James, who condescended with his +superior knowledge to assist them in getting the luggage through the +custom-house. + +“Well what in the name of common sense has brought you over to England +at such a time as this?” demanded Lindenberry, after the automobile +had swept clear of the town and with a gentle purr had settled down to +its work. He leaned over as he spoke, to satisfy himself that the +chauffeur, having finished adjusting his glasses with one hand while +running at top speed, finally had both hands on the wheel, and then +turned expectantly to his companion. + +“Oh, I see,” Lindenberry nodded when he found that he got no +satisfactory answer to this or the other inquiries he put; “you +evidently do not propose to take me into your confidence. Still, I +would not be so deucedly mysterious, if I were you. I call it beastly +rude, you know. Here I have come all the way from Aldershot, and am +using the greater part of my valuable leave in response to your crazy +wire. Tell me, is it a contract to deliver a dozen dreadnoughts at the +gates of the Tower of London before Easter Sunday?” and his eyes +twinkled, “or have some of your young Americans enlisted and the fond +parents sent you over to rescue them?” + +Edestone smiled. “Well, the first thing I want, Lindenberry, is a +little chat with Lord Rockstone.” + +“Oh, is that all?” with a satiric inflection. “Well, why in the name +of common sense didn’t you say so at first? I do not know, however, +that I can positively get you an appointment today. You must not mind +if His Lordship keeps you waiting for a few minutes if he happens to +be talking with the Czar of Russia on the long-distance telephone. You +know, we over here are still great sticklers on form. We are trying +hard to be progressive, but we still consider it quite rude to tell a +King to hold the wire while we talk to someone else who has not taken +the trouble that he has to make an appointment. You must remember that +he has perhaps dropped several shillings into the slot, and would +naturally be annoyed if told by the girl that time was up and to drop +another shilling. + +“Or Lord Rockstone may perhaps be just in the midst of one of his +usual twenty-four-hour interviews with an American newspaper +representative,” he continued his chaffing. “Now if he does not invite +Graves and Underhill and Apsworth to have tea with you, you might drop +in at Boodles’ on your way back from the city, and we will just pop on +to Buckingham Palace and deliver to Queen Mary the ultimatum from the +suffragette ladies of the Sioux Indians.” + +Edestone laughed so heartily that the footman nearly turned to see if +something had happened. “And they say that you Englishmen have no +sense of humour. The trouble with you though, old top, is that your +joke is so deucedly good that you don’t see the point yourself.” + +They were just passing through one of Rockstone’s military camps, +where England’s recruited millions were being trained, and cutting +short his badinage Edestone gazed at the scene with interest. + +“It does seem a pity that all these fine young fellows should be +sacrificed in order to settle a question which I could settle in a +very short time,” he said, becoming more serious. + +“Settle it in a very short time?” repeated Lindenberry. “I would like +to know how you propose to do it. I know you are full of splendid +ideas, and invent all kinds of electrical contrivances to do things +that one can do perfectly well with one’s own hands. I suppose you +would take a large magnet and with it pull all of the German warships +out of the Kiel Canal, and hold them while you went on board and +explained to Bernhardi and von Bülow the horrors of war, and if they +did not listen to you, you would, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin lead +them off with all the other disagreeable odds and ends, submarines and +Zeppelins, to an island, way, way out in the ocean, where they would +have to stay until they promised to be good little boys?” + +“Well, wouldn’t that be better than killing a lot of these fine young +fellows you have here?” demanded Edestone, although he smiled at his +friend’s fantastic idea. + +“You Americans are developing into a nation of foolish old women,” + taunted Lindenberry, “and the sooner that you get into a muss like +this one we’re in, the sooner you will get back that fighting spirit +which has made you what you are. You are fast losing the respect of +the other nations by your present methods, always looking after your +own pocket-books while the rest of the world is bleeding to death.” + +Edestone was thoughtful, and appeared to have no answer for this, and +Lindenberry reverted to his request. + +“If you really want to have an interview with Lord Rockstone, Jack, I +think I can possibly arrange it. I will telephone to Colonel Wyatt, +who is on his staff, and find out what he can do for you.” + +And so they chatted until coming to Grosvenor Square where they got +out of the automobile in front of an unpretentious red brick house +with an English basement entrance, trimmed with white marble and +spotlessly clean. + +Lindenberry at once telephoned to Colonel Wyatt, who said that Lord +Rockstone was in and that if Edestone would come around at once he +would see to it that his letters were presented. As to an appointment, +he could promise nothing, but he did say to Lindenberry, not to be +repeated, that the Department was not at that time very favourably +disposed toward Americans. + +With his usual promptness, Edestone jumped into his automobile and +started for Downing Street, not stopping even to wash his face and +hands nor to brush the dust from his clothes. + +At the door he was met by an officer in khaki, was told that Colonel +Wyatt was expecting him, and was asked if he would be so kind as to +come up to the Colonel’s office. There he was told that his +credentials and letters could be presented that afternoon, but there +was practically no chance of an interview, as Lord Rockstone was +leaving the War Offices in a few minutes. + +Word was finally brought in that Lord Rockstone would see Mr. Edestone +and receive his letters, but regretted that he would be unable to give +him an appointment, as he was leaving for the Continent in a few days +and affairs of state required his entire time--which translated into +plain English meant: “Come in, but get out as soon as you can.” + +Shown into a large room, he saw seated at a big desk the man who is +said to have said that he did not know when the war would end, but he +did know when it would begin, and fixed that date at about eight +months after the actual declaration--after millions of pounds had been +expended and hundreds of thousands of English dead. + +Cold, powerful, relentless, and determined, Edestone knew that it was +useless to appeal to a sense of humanity in this man who, sitting at +his desk early and late, directed the great machine that slowly but +surely was drawing to itself the youth and vigour of all England, +there to feed and fatten, flatter and amuse these poor boys from the +country, and with music and noise destroy their sensibilities before +sending them across the Channel to live for their few remaining days +in holes in the ground that no self-respecting beast would with his +own consent occupy. + +To appeal to a sense of duty so strong in him as applied to England, +was one thing; but to convince him that Edestone as an American had a +sense of duty to the nations of Europe was something quite different. +This man of steel had no imagination, he was convinced, and to ask him +to follow him in his flights would be as useless as to request him to +whistle Yankee Doodle. + +He had a chance to decide all this while Rockstone, who had risen and +received him with courtesy, was reading the letters he presented. The +great soldier’s face never changed once as he read them all with care. + +“Your credentials are satisfactory,” he finally said, “but I do not +quite understand what it is you wish. Your letters say that you do not +want to sell anything, which is most extraordinary; I thought you +Americans always wanted to sell something.” And his face assumed the +expression of a man who, having no sense of humour, thought that he +had perhaps made a joke. + +“If you have drawings and photographs of a new instrument of war,” he +caught himself up abruptly, “I should greatly prefer that you submit +these to the Ordnance Department; but since your Secretary of State +has been so insistent, I will look at them tomorrow. I will give you +an appointment from 9 to 9:15.” + +And he rose and bowed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE FIRST REBUFF + + +At exactly a quarter past nine the following morning, Lord Rockstone +with military precision rose from his desk. + +“I fear that my time is up, Mr. Edestone,” he said, glancing at his +watch. “I have enjoyed this opportunity of meeting you and listening +to your presentation of your theory. Your drawings are most +interesting; your photographs convincing, if--” he paused, his lip +curling slightly under his long tawny moustache,--“if one did not know +of the remarkable optical illusions capable of being produced in +photography. Our friends, the Germans, have become particularly expert +in the art of double exposure.” + +Then, as if he thought he might have said too much, he added less +crisply: + +“Please do not understand that I doubt either your sincerity, or that +of the Government at Washington in this matter; you may have both +perhaps been deceived. I hope that your stay in England may be +pleasant, and I regret that this war will prevent you from receiving +the attention to which your letters and your accomplishments would +entitle you.” + +With an expression on his face that said plainer than words: “This is +the last minute of my most valuable time that I intend to give to this +nonsense,” he bowed formally, and reseating himself at his desk, took +up papers. + +Then without looking up, “Good morning, Mr. Edestone.” + +The American did not allow himself to show the slightest trace of +annoyance at the brusque dismissal. + +“You will at least permit me to thank you for your kind intentions, +sir,” he said; and standing perfectly still until he had forced Lord +Rockstone to look up, he added with a smile, “We may meet again, +perhaps.” + +There was something about his perfect ease of manner as he stood +waiting which showed that although he would not condescend to notice +it, he was both conscious of the War Minister’s unpardonable rudeness +and intended to make him acknowledge it. + +Rockstone hesitated a moment; then with a belated show of courtesy +came from behind his desk, and stiffly extended his hand. + +“You Americans are the most extraordinary people,” he said; “I must +admit, I never quite understand you.” + +“Then you must grant us a slight advantage,” rejoined Edestone evenly; +“because we believe we do understand you Englishmen. If there had been +the same clear understanding on your side in the present instance it +would have been more to your interest, I am satisfied; for then +instead of merely disturbing you I should have aroused you.” + +“It is not a question of arousing me as you call it. You are dealing +with the Government of the Empire, and, as you know, England moves +slowly. The suggestion that I invite His Majesty to see a lot of +moving pictures of an impossible machine, if you will pardon me, is +preposterous. If you really wish to sell something to the War +Department, although I understand you to state that you do not, +nothing is simpler. Ship one of your machines to England, give a +demonstration, and whereas I cannot speak with authority, I am +confident that England will pay all that any other Government will +pay. As to our friends, the enemy, our ships will attend to it that +nothing goes to them that can be used against us.” His jaws snapped, +and his cold greenish-grey eyes flashed, as he gave another curt bow +of dismissal. + +Edestone had no alternative but to leave; but as he turned to rejoin +Colonel Wyatt, who had stood stiffly at attention throughout the +entire interview, he could not resist one parting shot. + +“Do not forget, Lord Rockstone,” he said, “that England six months ago +spoke lightly of submarines.” + +The War Minister pretended not to hear; but no sooner had the door +closed upon his offensive visitor than he caught up the +telephone. “Get me the Admiralty, and present my compliments to +Mr. Underhill,” he directed sharply. “Tell him I would like to speak +to him at once.” + +He turned back to a tray of letters left upon his desk to sign, but +halted, his pen held arrested in air. + +“Suppose,” he muttered, “the fellow should actually have--? But, +pshaw! It’s simply a mammoth Yankee bluff. That Foreign Department at +Washington is just silly enough to believe that it can frighten us +with its manufactured photographs. They are so anxious over there to +stop the war, that they would resort to any expedient--anything but +fight.” + +The telephone tinkled. + +“Ah! Are you there Underhill? Yes, this is Rockstone. I called you up +to warn you against a madman who is now on his way to see you. You +can’t well refuse to give him an audience, for he has such strong +letters from the American Government that one might imagine he was a +special envoy sent to offer armed intervention and to end the war. But +in my opinion he is merely a crank or an impostor, who has succeeded +in obtaining the support and endorsement of their State Department. + +“What is that? Oh yes; he’s an American. His name? How should I +remember! I wasn’t interested either in him, or what he had to say. +He pretends to have discovered some new agency or force, don’t you +know, and tries to prove by a lot of double-exposed photographs that +he has broken down the fundamental laws of physics, neutralizing the +force of gravity, or annihilating space by the polarization of light, +or some such rot. + +“Do not kick him out. He has letters not only from his Government, but +from some of its most prominent men whom it would be unwise to offend +at this time. Just listen to his twaddle about universal peace and +that sort of thing, and then pass him on to Graves with a quiet +warning such as I have given you.” + +Meanwhile Edestone, having taken leave of Colonel Wyatt, was making +his way out of the building, when he found himself accosted in the +dimly lighted corridor by a man in civilian clothes whom he recognized +as a New York acquaintance of several years’ standing. + +“Well, look who’s here!” he greeted Edestone lustily as he extended +his hand. “What brings you into the very den of the lion? Is it that, +like myself, you are helping dear old England get arms and ammunition +with which to lick the barbarians on the Rhine?” + +Glancing around cautiously he lowered his voice. “Make her pay well +for them, my boy; she would not hesitate to turn them on us, if we got +in her way.” + +Edestone laughingly disclaimed any interest in army contracts, but at +the same time avoided divulging the actual mission upon which he was +engaged. + +There was something in his companion’s manner that put him rather on +his guard; he remembered smoking after dinner not more than three or +four months before in the house of one of the most prominent German +bankers in New York, and listening to this man, who had expressed +himself in a way that might have suggested somewhat pro-German +sympathies. Edestone had at the time attributed this to a +consideration for their host and to the fact that the German +Ambassador was present; but he recalled that, although the speaker was +most violent in his protestations of neutrality, someone had suggested +at the time that he was of a German family, his father having been +born in Hesse-Darmstadt. He was a man of wealth, with establishments +in New York and Newport, at both of which places Edestone had been +entertained. His loud and hearty manner stamped him as a typical +American, but his large frame, handsome face, and military bearing +showed his Teutonic origin. + +“You surprise me Rebener.” Edestone’s eyes twinkled slightly at these +recollections. “I should have supposed, if you had anything of the +kind to sell, that it would be to your friend, Count Bernstoff. +However,” he laid his hand on the other’s arm, “it’s an agreeable +surprise to run across a fellow-countryman, no matter what the cause. +Are you going my way?” + +“No,” Rebener told him, he had an appointment on hand with one of the +bureau chiefs in the Ordnance Department. + +“Well then suppose you dine with me tonight,” suggested Edestone. “I +am stopping at Claridge’s and shall be awfully glad if you can come. I +am entirely alone in London, you see; my cronies, I find, are all dead +or at the front.” + +“Delighted, my boy. But listen! Don’t have any of your English +swells. Let’s make this a quiet little American dinner just to +ourselves, and forget for once this ghastly war.” + +“At eight o’clock, then,” Edestone nodded. + +“And a strict neutrality dinner, remember. That is the only safe kind +for us Americans to eat in London.” + +“All right, Rebener, as neutral as you please. _A bientôt_.” And +with a wave of the hand he passed on down the corridor and out of the +building. His appointment with Underhill, Chief of the Admiralty, was +not until 11:30, so he put in the time by sauntering rather slowly +along the Thames Embankment. + +He regretted now that, in talking with Lord Rockstone, he had not made +a little more show of force, for had he assumed a more dictatorial +manner he would have at least aroused the fighting spirit in his stern +antagonist, who might then have taken some interest in crushing him +under his heel; whereas now he saw plainly that Rockstone considered +him beneath his notice, and thereby much valuable time had been +lost. Yet he did not wish to make any show of force until he knew +positively that his men were all at their stations, and that the +_Little Peace Maker_ was near at hand. He must be in a position +to use force before playing his last card, and he had not as yet heard +from “Specs.” Although he knew that their instruments were perfectly +attuned, he had not, up to twelve o’clock of the day before, received +a single vibration. + +At this point he was interrupted by encountering another American who +also insisted upon stopping and shaking hands. This was a young +architect from New York, who had from time to time done work for his +father’s estate and who had also made some alterations at the Little +Place in the Country for Edestone himself. He was a tall, lank young +man of about twenty-seven, with little rat-like eyes, placed so close +to his hawk-like nose that one felt Nature would have been kinder to +him had she given him only one eye and frankly placed it in the middle +of his receding forehead. His small blonde moustache did not cover his +rabbit mouth, which was so filled with teeth that he could with +difficulty close his lips. + +“What has brought you to London, Schmidt? Aren’t you afraid that these +Englishmen will capture you and shoot you as a spy?” + +“Sh! Not quite so loud please, Mr. Edestone; these English are such +fools. They think that because a man has a German name he must be a +fighting German, when you know that I am a perfectly good naturalized +American citizen. My passport is made out in the name of Schmidt, and +that’s my name all right, but I call myself Smith over here to keep +from rubbing these fellows the wrong way.” + +“Well, Mr. ‘Smith,’ you have not told me what you are doing in +London.” + +“I have been sent over by a New York architectural paper to make a +report upon the condition of the cathedral at Rheims. I stopped over +in London to get my papers viséd by the Royal Institute of +Architects.” Then, lowering his voice, and keeping his eyes on a +policeman who was apparently watching them with interest: “I am sorry +to see you here, Mr. Edestone. This is no place for us Americans, and +my advice to you is to get out of here as soon as you can, and don’t +come back again until the war is over.” + +Edestone felt that he would have said more but they were interrupted +by the policeman who said: “Excuse me, gentlemen, but these be war +times, and me ordhers are to keep the Imbankment moving.” + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + + +After leaving the War Offices, Rebener went directly to the nearest +public telephone. + +“Hello, Karlbeck,” he called, after satisfying himself by mumbling a +jumble of unintelligible words and numbers that he had the man he +wanted on the wire. “Is Smith there? What? Thames Embankment? What did +you say is the number of that officer? Oh, my old butler, Pat! That’s +all right. Now listen; if I should miss Smith and he comes in, tell +him to call me at my hotel at once. I have made an engagement for +dinner with our man for eight o’clock tonight, but you and H. R. H. +need not be at my rooms until half-past eight. You understand, eh? +Good-bye.” + +He strolled out, following Edestone’s course with the air of a man +wishing to enjoy this beautiful spring morning, and approaching the +officer who had interrupted the interview between Edestone and Smith, +he said, with a little twinkle in his eye: “Will you tell me which of +these bridges is called the London Bridge?” + +The blue-coated Pat, with Hibernian readiness, caught the humour of +the situation. “Shure, I would gladly, but ‘tis a strhanger I am here +mesilf,” he grinned as he smothered the entire lower part of his face +with his huge paw of a hand, and significantly closed one eye. + +“Pat, your fondness for joking will get you into trouble yet. Did +Smith turn Edestone over to you?” + +“He did, and I mesilf took him up to the Admiralty where he is +now. 4782, I think they called him, takes him up from there, and will +keep him until he hears from either you or Smith.” + +“Where has Smith gone?” + +“Shure he’s up at Claridge’s, bein’ shaved by Count von Hottenroth.” + +“Now, now, Pat, if you don’t stop that joking of yours I’ll certainly +report you to the Wilhelmstrasse.” + +“And they said I was to be the first King of dear old Ireland!” as +with a broad grin on his face he raised his hand as if drinking. “Der +Tag!” he cried, thereby causing several passers-by to laugh at the +idea of a London bobby giving the sacred German toast. + +Rebener, leaving him, went directly to his rooms at The Britz where he +was received with the greatest consideration by everybody about the +place. He was shown to the royal suite by the proprietor himself, who +after he had carefully closed the door upon them stood as if waiting +for orders. + +“Call Claridge’s on the ‘phone, and tell Smith who is being shaved,” + he smiled at the recollection of Pat’s jest, “to meet me here at +once. I do not want him seen in the hotel, so tell him to come in by +the servants’ entrance, and you bring him up on the service elevator +and in here through my pantry and dining-room.” + +The proprietor retired to attend to this, but was soon back, and +Rebener continued his instructions. + +“Luckily Edestone invited me to dine with him tonight before I had a +chance to invite him,” he said, “but I will persuade him to come here +and dine with me.” + +“So, Mr. Bombiadi,” he turned to the proprietor, “I shall want dinner +here for four at 8:30. See to it yourself, will you, that my guests +are brought through my private entrance, and one especially--you know +who--who will be incognito, must not be recognized. Not that there +could be any objection to these men dining with me here--a common rich +American, who loves to spend his money on princes and things--but by +tonight this man Edestone will be watched by at least twenty men from +Scotland Yard, and they suspect anyone of being a German spy, be he +prince or pauper.” + +Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the arrival of +Smith, who came in very much excited. Sniffling and rubbing his nose +with the back of his forefinger, like a nervous cocaine fiend, he +broke out agitatedly: + +“Mr. Rebener, I’m getting sick of this job. When I undertook to find +out for you what was going on at the Little Place in the Country, I +was working for Germany as against the world, and anything that I can +do for her I am glad and proud to do, but that Hottenroth talks like a +damn fool. Excuse me, Mr. Rebener, but he don’t want to stop at +anything. He says that if he pulls off this thing the Emperor, when he +gets to London, will make him Duke of Westminster, or something, and +six months from now he will appoint me Governor-General of North +America. I tell you, Mr. Rebener, that fellow is plumb nutty.” + +“Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” interposed the proprietor, “it is true that +Hottenroth is excitable, but he is faithful to the Fatherland and an +humble servant to His Imperial Majesty. He has been in charge of a +fixed post in London for fifteen years. He was one of the very first +to be sent here, and he was in Paris before that. He would die +willingly for the Fatherland, as would I, and if this Schmidt, I mean +Smith, thinks there is any sin too great to be committed for the +Fatherland, he is not worthy of a place among us, and the sooner we +get rid of him the better.” And he looked at the unfortunate Smith in +a way that showed he was willing to do this at any moment. + +But Rebener, who had lived all his life in America, and like Smith did +not thoroughly agree with the philosophy of German militarism--before +which everything must bow--hurriedly raised his hand. + +“Come, come, you are both getting unnecessarily excited. Don’t let us +try to cross our bridges until we get to them. What did von Hottenroth +have to report?” + +“It was not very satisfactory, to tell you the truth, Mr. Rebener,” + said Smith; “they searched through all of his things and they found +nothing but a drawing of a Zeppelin of our 29-M type, with some slight +changes, which Hottenroth said don’t amount to anything, and some +photographs of Mr. Edestone himself, doing some juggling tricks with +heavy dumb-bells and weights, but we learned afterwards from the +porter that an expressman had left two large and heavy trunks marked, +‘A. M. Black and P. S. Stanton,’ at No. 4141 Grosvenor Square East.” + +“Well what is the report,” demanded Bombiadi, “on No. 4141 Grosvenor +Square?” + +Smith read from a memorandum book: “Lord Lindenberry, who is a +widower, lives there with his mother, the Dowager. The old lady is now +up at their country place, in Yorkshire, and the Marquis went on to +Aldershot last night after having dined with Edestone at Brooks’s and +dropping him at Claridge’s at 12:15 A.M. The house is only partially +opened; there are only a few of the old servants there.” + +“And do you think these trunks contain the instrument which you +reported to us from America was always kept in the safe at the Little +Place in the Country?” snapped the hotel proprietor. + +“I don’t know,” whined Smith. “Mr. Edestone probably has it with him.” + +“Well, we must get hold of it before he shows it to Underhill,” + frowned the proprietor, “that is, if it has not been shown already, +and in that case we must get hold of Edestone himself.” + +“Now that is exactly what is troubling me,” Smith’s voice rose +hysterically. “I’m not going to stand for any of that rough stuff, +Mr. Rebener. Mr. Edestone and his father have both been mighty good to +me, and if anything happens to him I’ll blow on the whole lot of you.” + +“So?” The proprietor’s pale fat face was convulsed with a look of +hatred and contempt. “Then we are to understand, Smith, that if we +find it necessary to do away with Edestone you wish to go first? You +dirty little half-breed,” he growled in an undertone. “Your mother +must have been an English woman.” + +“Here, here, you two fools!” Rebener broke in with sharp authority, +“there is no question of ‘doing away’ with Edestone, as you call +it. What we’re after is the invention and not the man himself, and +we’ll not get it by ‘doing away’ with him. I am, like Smith here, +opposed to murder, even for the Fatherland.” + +“But it is not murder, Mr. Rebener,” interrupted the proprietor, “if +thereby we are instrumental in saving thousands of the sons of the +Fatherland.” + +“That would not only not save the sons of the Fatherland, but would +put an end to our usefulness, both here in London and in America, +especially if Edestone has already turned the whole thing over to +England. The very first thing for us to do is to find out how the +matter stands. If the Ministry knows nothing, we must work to get him +to Berlin, and then even you fire-eaters may safely trust it to the +Wilhelmstrasse. If it should happen, however, that the British +Government has the invention, His Royal Highness tonight will try to +get enough out of Edestone to enlighten Berlin, and in that way we +shall at least get an even break. That is, always provided that +Edestone has not a lot of the completed articles, whatever they may +be, at the Little Place in the Country. That would put us in bad +again, and it will be up to Count Bernstoff to attend to it from the +New York end.” + +“Of course, Mr. Rebener,” said the proprietor, “we can do nothing +until we hear from His Royal Highness, but I am satisfied that he will +say Edestone must not be allowed to go to Downing Street tomorrow to +continue his negotiations, unless in some way we can get hold of this +secret tonight.” + +“Well, I’ll be damned if I’ll--!” started Rebener angrily, when he was +interrupted by the proprietor, who holding his finger to his lip, +said: + +“Please, Mr. Rebener, please! Always remember that the service on +which we are engaged has no soul and a very long arm.” Then dropping +into the persuasive and servile tone of the _maître d’hôtel_: “I +propose, Mr. Rebener, that you allow me to send you up a nice little +lunch, some melon, say, a _salmon mayonnaise_ or a _filet du +sole au vin blanc_ and a _noisette d’agneau_ and a nice little +sweet, and you must try a bottle of our Steinberger Auslese ‘84. + +“And Smith,” he turned to the humbler agent, “you had better get in +touch with 4782, who is reporting to His Royal Highness every hour. +His last message was that Edestone is still with Underhill, so you get +down to the Admiralty and report to me here as often as you can. +Edestone will probably lunch quietly alone somewhere, as I know that +all of his friends are at the front, but don’t lose him until you turn +him over to Mr. Rebener tonight at 8 o’clock.” His eyes narrowed as +they followed the skulking figure of the architect out of the room. + +“That fellow needs watching,” he muttered to Rebener. “He has lost his +nerve. He is not a true German anyhow. But if he makes a false step, +4782 knows what to do and you can depend upon him to do it. We do not +know who he is, but he is a gentleman, if not a nobleman, and he will +kill or die for his Emperor.” + +Smith, in the meantime, had gone down the service stairs and out at +the rear of the hotel. He was thoughtful, and when he was settled in +his taxi, after having directed the chauffeur where to drive, he said +to himself: + +“They are going to kill him tonight unless they get that machine, or +else can fix it so that Rockstone doesn’t get it tomorrow, that is if +Underhill hasn’t got it already. I wish I’d never started this +business; I never thought it would go so far, and what do I get out of +it? A German decoration which I can’t wear in America, and God knows I +don’t want to live in Germany, and seventeen dollars a week. I’m not +going to stand for it, and that’s settled.” + +Arriving in front of a little restaurant he entered and sat down at a +table near a window looking out on Whitehall Place. The proprietor, +who was another German, came over to him, and while ostensibly +arranging the cloth spoke to him in an undertone in his own language. + +“Edestone is still with Underhill,” he said. “The taxi driver on the +stand opposite, the one who looks as if he were asleep, is 4782. In +that way he keeps the head of the line, you see, and when Edestone +comes out, if he doesn’t take that cab, 4782 can follow him until he +alights again, and then he is to telephone His Royal Highness. So you +sit here and have lunch, where you can see what is going on.” + +Then, turning to a group of his regular customers at another table, +the jovial host in a loud voice and in perfect English took a violent +pro-Ally part in the war discussion that was going on. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + + +Edestone had met the Honorable Herbert Underhill before, both in +America and in the country houses of England. The two were about the +same age, and as Underhill’s mother was an American, Edestone had +hoped that he would not have quite so much trouble in getting him to +look at the matter from an American point of view. + +Underhill, however, was just on that account a little bit more formal +with the cousins from across the sea than were most of the men of high +position in Europe. He was undoubtedly taken aback and thrown off his +guard when he found that Edestone was the dangerous American lunatic +of whom he had been warned. In the first place, he knew that there was +not the slightest chance of his being an impostor, and he also knew +exactly how much of a lunatic he was. He knew, in fact, that he was a +hard-riding, clear-thinking, high-minded Anglo-Saxon of the very best +type to be found A Rusty Old Cannon-Ball anywhere, and he smiled as he +thought of Rockstone’s advice not to kick him out of the Admiralty. + +With considerable show of cordiality, he invited his visitor into a +small room adjoining his large office, and sat him down at the +opposite side of a wide table. + +“Lord Rockstone told me you were coming, but did not mention your +name. He is quite a chap, that Rockstone. Not what you Americans would +call a very chatty party, however. Now what can I do for you? Lord +Rockstone tells me that you have some new invention, or something of +the sort, that will help us to finish up this little scrimmage without +the loss of a single Tommy. Well, that is exactly what we are looking +for, and you American chaps are clever at thinking out new ideas. He +tells me, however, that you do not wish to sell it. Now I can +understand better than he why that part would be of no especial +interest to you; but can’t we deal with a Syndicate, or a Board of +Underwriters, a Holding Company, or some of those wonderful business +combinations that you Americans devise in order to do business without +going to jail? Is the poor starving inventor some billionaire like +yourself, who works only for honour and glory? In that case we might +get an Iron Cross for him. In fact, we might get one blessed by the +Emperor himself, by Jove!” + +Edestone laughed. “Well, Mr. Underhill, you cannot deny inheriting a +certain amount of American wit. I have so often heard the older +members of the Union Club tell stories of Billy Travers’s witty +sayings. He must have gone the pace that kills. One of the old +servants used to tell that whenever Travers and Larry Jerome and that +set came in for supper, they expected the waiters to drink every fifth +bottle; it made things more cheerful-like--but _revenons à nos +moutons_. Lord Rockstone is right, I do not want to sell my +discovery, for mine it is. I am the penniless inventor. I only want an +opportunity of showing it to the heads of the Powers that are now at +war, and of demonstrating to them the stupendous and overwhelming +force that is now practically in the hands of the greatest of the +neutral governments, and thus try, if possible, to convince them of +the uselessness of continuing this loss of life and treasure. + +“If I could demonstrate to you, Mr. Underhill, that I could, sitting +here in your office, give an order that would set London on fire and +send every ship in the English navy to the bottom in the course of a +few weeks, would you not advocate opening negotiations for peace? And +were I to show the Emperor of Germany that his great army could be +destroyed in even less time, would he not be more receptive than we +now understand him to be?” + +“Why, Mr. Edestone, I most certainly should,” the First Lord of the +Admiralty granted with a smile, “and I think that perhaps the German +Emperor would be amenable under the circumstances, but as they say in +your great country, ‘I am from Missouri, you must show me.’” + +He changed his position and glanced at Edestone as if he were +beginning to think that possibly Rockstone might be right in his +estimate after all. + +“Very well, Mr. Underhill; it is now five minutes to noon, and I think +that I will be able to show you in exactly five minutes.” + +He took from his pocket a leather case, such as a woodsman might use +to carry a large pocket compass, and removing the cover set out upon +the table an instrument that was entirely enclosed in vulcanized +rubber. On the top, under glass, was a dial, with a little needle +which vibrated violently, but came to a standstill soon after being +placed on the table. Two small platinum wires, about twelve inches +long and carefully insulated, issued from opposite sides of the hard +rubber casing. + +Underhill’s face at first bore only an expression of mild amusement, +but as Edestone evidenced such a deadly earnestness, he showed more +interest and said with a rather nervous laugh: “Look here, old chap, +don’t blow the entire English navy out of the water while you’re +closeted here with me. I must have some witness to prove that I didn’t +do it or I might have to explain to the House of Commons.” + +Edestone, a hard and drawn look about his mouth, paid no heed, but +taking his watch out of his pocket fixed his eye on the little needle +of the instrument and waited as the last few seconds of the hour +ticked off. As the second hand made its last round, and the minute +hand swung into position exactly at twelve, he leaned over the table +as if trying by mental suggestion to make the instrument respond to +his will. But it remained perfectly quiescent, and with a half sigh +and a tightening of the lines about his mouth, he closed his +watch. Could it be possible, he thought, that “Specs” had forgotten +his instructions always to use Greenwich time? + +He was about to replace the instrument in its case, when he was +startled by a clock on the mantel, which began to strike the hour of +twelve. Involuntarily he counted the strokes as they chimed slowly, +and as the vibrations of the last stroke faded away the little needle +swung an entire circuit of the dial, returning to its original +position. This was repeated three times. + +Underhill, although still interested in what was going on, seemed a +bit relieved when nothing more startling happened. + +“Oh, I say, you know, you gave me quite a start,” he jested. “I +thought that you were going to set London on fire, and you simply seem +to be taking your blood-pressure.” + +Edestone still paid not the slightest attention to him, but after +glancing about the room walked over to the mantelpiece where he picked +up an old twelve-inch cannon-ball, which with considerable difficulty +he brought back and placed on the table by the side of his +instrument. His eyes once more roved about the room as if he were +seeking something, and stepping deliberately to a passe-partout +photograph of King George V., he ripped off the binding with his +pocket-knife and tore from it the glass. + +“Oh, I say, now, Mr. Edestone, those cow-boy methods don’t go here in +London, and if you cannot behave a bit more like a gentleman, I’ll +have you shown to the street.” + +“We have more important matters on our hands just now, Mr. Underhill, +than whether or not I am a gentleman,” snapped the American, his face +set and serious as he with nervous fingers laid the glass on the +table. + +Rolling the cannon-ball to him, he lifted it very gently on to the +glass plate, and then taking a key from his pocket he appeared to wind +up on the inside of the instrument some mechanism which gave off a +buzzing sound. Next he drew on a pair of rubber gloves with vulcanized +rubber finger tips, and moistening with his lips the ends of the two +platinum wires, pressed them to either side of the ball, first the one +and then the other. A spark was given off when the second contact was +made, and the room was filled with a pungent odour as of overheated +metal which caused both men to cough violently. + +Following this, with great care, and using only the tips of his +fingers, he lifted the glass plate with the ball on it. When he had +raised it his arm’s length above the table, like a plum pudding on a +platter, he took the glass away, leaving the ball hanging unsupported +in the air. + +He sat down and smiled across the table into the astonished, almost +incredulous, face of his companion. + +“And now, Mr. Underhill, I hope you will pardon my rudeness,” he +apologized lightly; “but I get so interested in these little tricks of +mine that sometimes I forget myself. If you will permit me, I shall, +when I go to Paris, order from Cartiers’s a more befitting frame for +His Majesty, and shall beg you to accept it from me as a little +souvenir of our meeting today.” + +Underhill made no reply. His whole attention was riveted on that +amazing ball, and Edestone, a trifle mischievously, added: “If you +have a perfectly good heart, and think you can stand a bit of a shock, +touch that ball lightly with your finger.” + +“My heart’s all right, and I am prepared for anything,” Underhill +surrendered, as he reached up and touched the innocent looking rusty +old cannon-ball, whose only peculiarity seemed to be its willingness +to remain where it was without any visible means of support. + +The room was suddenly filled with a greenish light, as if someone had +just taken a flash-light photograph. Underhill was thrown violently +back into his chair, and the ball crashed down on the table, splitting +it from end to end. + +Without moving a muscle of his face, and taking no notice of the +gestures of pain made by Underhill as he sat rubbing his arm and +shoulder, Edestone resumed: + +“Mr. Underhill, I will not take any more of your valuable time to show +you my drawings and photographs, but I beg you to say to Sir Egbert +Graves that you do not think with Lord Rockstone that the American +Secretary of State has been deceived, and that you hope he will, when +he sees me tomorrow, try to forget for a while that he is an +Englishman and be a little bit human. You know, Underhill, confidence +and pigheadedness are not even connected by marriage; much less are +they blood relations. By Jove,” he grinned, “you can tell him I’ll +stick him up against the ceiling if he insists upon handling me with +the ice tongs and leave him there until you take him down; that is, if +you care to take another little shock.” + +Underhill, although he might have thought at another time that it was +his duty to resent such light and frivolous reference to the heads of +His Majesty’s Government, was now, however, occupied with more serious +reflections, and overlooked the offence. + +“I am sure,” he said, rousing himself, “that if Sir Egbert is +convinced that you are working for the sake of humanity he will be +most happy to make use of your talents.” + +“That is exactly what I want him to do,” returned Edestone, “but not +in the way in which you mean. I wish to be given authority to open +negotiations for peace with the Emperor of Germany. Now, +Mr. Underhill, do we understand one another?” + +He rose to leave with this, but Underhill, stepping quickly forward, +laid a hand upon his arm. + +“You don’t suppose for a moment, Mr. Edestone, that we will allow you +to leave England and go to Germany to sell them your invention and +have it used against us?” + +“You have my word, Mr. Underhill, and that of the American Secretary +of State, that it is not my intention to sell to any government. With +that assurance, unless your Ministry wishes to risk the chances of war +with the United States, I think it will allow me to leave England and +go anywhere I please. Good-morning, Mr. Underhill. I am sorry to have +taken up so much of your valuable time, even more sorry to have broken +His Majesty’s beautiful old oak table.” + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DIPLOMACY WINS + + +Underhill, left alone, sat for some moments looking from the broken +table to the cannonball and then back again. Finally he picked up a +fragment of glass, for the Royal face protector had likewise been +broken, when the good old English oak had met its defeat at the hands +of this Hun of the world of science, and with it, very gingerly, he +tapped the iron ball--this rusty old barbarian which had set at naught +the force of gravity, had violated all the established laws of nature, +and had like the Germans in Belgium smashed through. + +Finding that nothing happened, he hesitated for a moment, and, then, +bracing himself against the shock, he touched his finger gently to +this rude old paradox. There was no shock, and, reassured, he leaned +across the table and tried with both hands to lift the cannon-ball. + +“That part is genuine there is no doubt,” he granted. “That old +cannon-ball must have been here since--?” He gave a start as his eyes +caught the inscription pasted upon it, which was: + + “A freak cannon-ball, made at the Forge + and Manor of Greenwood, Virginia, 1778. + Presented in 1889 to Lord Roberts by + General George Bolling Anderson, Governor + of the State of Virginia.” + +“How extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “These Americans are popping up at +every turn.” + +He passed out into the large outer office, and, glancing at his watch, +summoned an undersecretary. + +“It is now just a quarter after twelve,” he said, “and the Cabinet +lunches at Buckingham Palace at two. Present my compliments to Lord +Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves, and say that I should like to see +them both here for a few minutes on a matter of the greatest +importance, and that much as I regret to trouble them it is absolutely +necessary that this meeting be held in my office and before they go on +to the Palace.” + +To another attendant who, moved by curiosity, was going in the +direction of the smaller room, he said: “Place a sentry at that door +when I leave. No one is to be allowed to enter that room until I give +further orders.” + +A telephone orderly came in a few minutes later to say that his +message had found Lord Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves together, and +that they both would be with him within the half-hour. + +Underhill was now fully convinced that Edestone possessed some +wonderful invention or discovery which the United States intended to +use as a final argument for peace, and, with the aid of this +discovery, render untenable any position in opposition to its will +taken by England or any of the other Powers. Had he dreamed that the +United States was as ignorant as to the nature of this invention as he +himself was, the history of the world might have been changed. + +When Graves and Rockstone arrived, he greeted them with serious face +and at once drew them into private conference. + +“Gentlemen,” he said, “I am sorry to have to trouble you to come to +me, but I am confident that you will forgive me when you understand my +reasons for insisting upon a meeting here.” Keeping both men still +standing he continued: “I have a strange story to tell, so strange in +fact, that you gentlemen would be justified in doubting not only my +word but my sanity, had I nothing to show you in corroboration.” + +Both men stood like graven images; one like a soldier at attention; +the other, his hat and cane in his right hand and the tips of his two +first fingers resting lightly on the table behind which Underhill was +standing, his thin, clean-shaven, mask-like face as expressionless as +if it belonged to a head that had been stuck on the end of a pike and +shoved out across the table for Underhill to look at, instead of to +one well placed on his broad athletic shoulders. They both knew that +Underhill was young and had inherited from his beautiful American +mother a nervous and temperamental disposition. They also knew that +this was tempered by the crafty cleverness of the blood of the hero of +Blenheim. They had come prepared for one of his excitable outbursts, +although they knew he would not have been so insistent had there not +been good cause. + +“Will you be so kind as to walk into this room with me?” He pointed +toward the door of the small room. + +Still with that show of utter imperturbability the two complied, +continuing to gaze stolidly as their associate, closing the door +behind them, called their attention to the cannon-ball and broken +table. + +“Exhibits A and B”; he waved his hand toward the two objects. “I +wanted you to see these in order to convince you that I have neither +been dreaming, nor am I the victim of an aberration.” + +Then with great care and endeavouring to maintain a semblance of +self-possession, he described his recent experience, omitting no +single detail that he could recall. He showed them exactly where and +how he had been sitting, and followed every movement made by Edestone, +even to the ripping of the glass from the portrait of the King, until +finally, as if overcome by the strain that he had put upon himself to +appear perfectly calm, he ended with a nervous little laugh. + +“Will you look at the inscription on that blooming old cannon-ball? It +really seems quite spooky.” + +Graves moved forward and thoughtfully examined the split table and the +rusty old relic of Valley Forge, but Rockstone did not offer to stir. +With what was almost a sneer on his face he met the challenging glance +of his younger confrère. + +“I would not have believed, Underhill,” he said impatiently, “that you +with your experience with the fakirs of India could have been taken in +by so old a trick.” He half-closed his eyes as if to indicate that for +him at least the incident was closed. + +Underhill frowned. “You are wrong, Rockstone,” he exclaimed +impulsively. “This man is no faker, nor am I so easily imposed upon as +you seem to think. I tell you that we are called upon to deal with a +new agency that can neither be disputed nor sneered away, and unless +we can contrive some way to oppose it, the United States will step in +and force a peace upon us--a peace that will leave Europe exactly +where it was before the war--and keep it so, while she herself can go +ahead unchecked and take possession of the whole Western +Hemisphere. Don’t you see the scheme?” + +“Where is this extraordinary individual?” inquired the Foreign +Minister, completing his inspection of the table. “What has become of +him?” His thin voice was as evenly modulated as if he were asking +where he had put his other glove. + +“Oh, probably at Boodle’s or Brookes’s lunching with some of his +friends,” Underhill answered indifferently. “He left here only a short +time ago. And you need not be afraid, Sir Egbert,” with a significant +glance. “A very careful eye is being kept upon his movements. We can +get him at any moment if we want him.” + +Graves nodded, and then went on meditatively. + +“It is of course entirely irregular,” he said, “but from what both of +you gentlemen tell me as to the nature of his credentials, there can +be little doubt that the man is here with the approval of his +Government, if not as an authorized representative. The sole question, +therefore, is whether or not he does possess such an invention or +discovery as he claims----” + +“But can you doubt that?” demanded Underhill hotly. + +“And whether,” proceeded Sir Egbert without change of tone, “granting +that the contrivance is of value, the United States will permit its +purchase for use in the present war. + +“On the first proposition, I can only say that if he has this +invention, as my young friend of the Navy stands so firmly convinced, +it is tantamount to admitting that the United States has a new and +terrible instrument of war, in which case it would be most unwise to +offend her. If he has not, there certainly can be no objection to +allowing him the opportunity of offering to our enemies something that +is of no value. Therefore, that seems to settle the question as to the +advisability of detaining him, as has been suggested. I should +strongly favour letting him go when and where he pleases. + +“Assuming that he has in his possession facts or mechanisms that would +give to one nation such stupendous advantages over the others as he +claims, we must not forget that the United States has had these facts +and mechanisms for some time. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to +detain him forcibly, for the United States’ answer to this would be a +declaration of war in which the superiority of her position would be +overwhelming. + +“I’m inclined to believe that the reason he does not wish to sell his +discovery is because he has not obtained permission from his +Government to do so. They intend to dispose of it to the country with +whom they can make the most favourable bargain. I think indeed that +under all circumstances the best policy for this Government is to +treat this man with the greatest possible consideration. If he has the +power to do us harm, we must put him in such a position that he will +not wish to do it; and if he has not, our treatment of him will have a +tendency to draw the United States nearer to us than she is at +present. We must, at least, pretend to take the American Secretary of +State at his word. Whereas I do not think that there is any doubt that +America is influenced entirely by selfish motives, she is now our +friend, and as long as this war goes on it is to the interest of Great +Britain to keep her so.” + +“A very good idea, Sir Egbert,” agreed Underhill. “That is absolutely +the only way to deal with this man. He says that he is almost a pure +Anglo-Saxon, you know, and he is as proud of it as if he were an +Englishman. He is the ninth in direct line from the original old chap, +or rather young chap, who went from England to Virginia in 1642. Think +of it! Say what you may, blood is thicker than water. That fellow is +at heart an Englishman; he has been away from home nearly three +hundred years.” + +Graves gave a little bow of comprehension. “When Mr. Edestone calls on +me tomorrow,” he said, “I shall not even touch on the question of the +purchasing of this alleged invention, but shall offer to facilitate in +every way his mission as peacemaker. I shall take him at his word that +he does not intend to sell to any one, and try to persuade him that, +if he is bent on coercing any people, the English are not the ones +that require this, as they are in perfect accord with him, and that he +would accomplish his purpose much more quickly if he would bring force +to bear upon the German Emperor.” + +“But, Sir Egbert,” broke in Underhill excitedly, “he says that he +wants us to authorize him to open peace negotiations with the Kaiser, +and I think he rather intimated that if we should refuse he would use +force, which of course means the United States.” + +“Well upon my word!” Rockstone’s eyes flashed, and an indignant +expression took the place of the rather bored look with which he had +been listening. “That is pretty strong language to use to His Imperial +Majesty’s Government, and for my part I think that this young +gentleman and his little trick box should be shipped back home with a +very polite but emphatic note to the effect that when England wishes +the good offices of the United States in bringing this war to a close, +she will call for them. As to the young man himself, I should say to +him that if he were caught trying to get into Germany he would be +looked upon as a spy endeavouring to render assistance to the enemy, +and would be treated accordingly.” + +“But wait a moment, Rockstone,” said Sir Egbert. “You are forgetting +that this Mr. Edestone is in some measure at least the representative +of his country. We cannot afford to offend the United States of +America, even though his manners are bad.” + +“To the contrary,” muttered Underhill, “his manners are surprisingly +good.” + +Sir Egbert slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment of the +correction. “There is the point too,” he went on, “as to whether or +not he is an impostor. If he is, why should we allow the American +comic papers to put us in the same category with their own Secretary +of State, at whom they have been poking fun for years, when they +discover that this exceedingly clever young man has taken us in also? + +“No, no, to me the matter seems very simple. Uncle Sam has got +something he wants to sell. Good or bad it makes no difference; he +wants to sell, and sell it he will to the highest bidder. Why refuse +to consider his offer on the one hand, or why appear to be too anxious +to close with him on the other? Let him offer it to the enemy; he will +certainly come back for our bid before closing with them.” + +“Do you know, Sir Egbert,” Lord Rockstone somewhat reluctantly allowed +himself to be won over, “since you put it that way I think that +perhaps you are right. Diplomacy is probably the strongest weapon with +which to deal with this young man. He did not impress me as one to be +easily bluffed by show of force.” + +“Nor should I be bluffed, even by you, Rockstone,” said Underhill +somewhat ruefully, rubbing his arm, “if I had the power that this chap +has locked up in that little rubber box and stored away in that long +head of his.” + +“Well, let us make a decision: does His Majesty go to Washington or +shall the Chautauqua lecturer extend his professional tours to include +London?” Graves gave his sly secretive laugh. Then as if ashamed of +his momentary levity, and changing his entire manner, he said: “Well, +gentlemen, what do you propose?” + +“I rather think we are unanimous,” said Underhill, “in considering +that Mr. Edestone should be given a fair hearing. The final answer to +his proposition can be given, of course, only after it has been +discussed in full cabinet.” + +“That would perhaps be the best way to leave the matter,” approved +Rockstone. + +“We are agreed then, it seems,” said Graves, and they left together +for Buckingham Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + + +On coming out of the Admiralty, Edestone, a trifle preoccupied, was +about to take the taxi with the rather sleepy driver which stood at +the head of the line. But the thought came to him, where shall I go? +As he had told Rebener, none of his pals were in town and he had +absolutely nothing to do until dinner at eight o’clock. Why not take +lunch at some quiet little place in the neighbourhood? + +“I say, cabby, is there any sort of a decent restaurant around here +where one can get a very nice little lunch?” + +“Yes, sir, thank you, sir”; the chauffeur rather abruptly came into +full possession of his faculties. “There is a very neat little place +right across the road, sir, thank you, sir,” and he pointed in the +direction of the window at which Schmidt was sitting. + +“Ah, thank you, cabby,” said Edestone in his usual kind manner with +people of that class. He was rather struck by the handsome face of the +man, although it was covered over with grease and grime. “Here is a +shilling. Don’t you think I might be able to walk that far this +beautiful day?” + +“Yes, sir, thank you, sir.” The man showed no appreciation of the +humour. “Would you be wanting a cab later on, sir? If so I’ll just +hang about, sir. Times is hard in these war times, sir.” + +“Certainly, wait by all means,” said Edestone with a jolly laugh. “Set +your clock. Now open your door and drive me to that restaurant over +there, and then wait for me till I have had my lunch. By the time that +I get through with you I think you will find that you have done a good +day’s work.” + +“I am sure of it, sir.” The chauffeur hid a surreptitious chuckle with +his very dirty hand. + +On entering the restaurant the first person Edestone saw was Schmidt, +and he gave a little nod of recognition. + +“Well, Mr. Schmidt, we seem to be meeting quite often this morning. I +hope that I am to infer from your presence that I will be able to get +some of your delightfully greasy German dishes.” + +But at this point he was interrupted by the proprietor, who came +bustling up, trying to force him to take a seat at a table in another +part of the room. + +“German dishes?” stammered the restaurant keeper. “Not at all. That +was when the place was run by Munchinger, but he went back to Germany +last July, and this place is run by me, and I am a Swiss. Still, sir, +if you are fond of the German dishes I think I might be able to +accommodate you, sir.” + +“Well, suppose I leave that entirely to you. I can’t by any chance get +a large stein of Münchener beer?” + +“No, sir, I am sorry. I can get you some French beer though, which we +think is much better. You know that Admiral Fisher has got those +Dutchmen bottled up so tight that they tell me the beer won’t froth +any more in Germany.” And he burst into a roar of laughter in which he +was joined by a chorus of adoring customers sitting about at the +different tables. + +Edestone sat down while the proprietor in person took his order to the +kitchen. In a very short time, the man returned and put down before +him a _gemüse suppe_, following this with _schweine fleisch, +sauerkraut_, and _gherkins_--a luncheon which might have been +cooked in a German’s own kitchen--and set before him a glass of beer +which Edestone would have sworn had not been brewed outside of the +city of Munich. + +The proprietor bustled about, laughing and cracking clumsy jokes with +everyone who would listen to him, and his jokes seemed to Edestone to +be almost as German as his beer. In this way he finally worked over to +where Smith was sitting, and as he pretended to arrange something on +the table whispered sharply: “Go to the lavatory.” + +Smith, unable to eat, sat toying with his food. He gulped his beer as +if it choked him. He turned around several times to look at Edestone, +but the latter after his perfunctory greeting took no further notice +of him. At last, paying his check, the man walked to the rear of the +restaurant and into a small, dark, badly ventilated room under the +stairs. The place was so dimly lighted that he could scarcely see in +front of him a wash basin, but as he was wondering what he was +expected to do next he heard a voice that seemed to come from a little +partially opened window that looked out into a dark ventilating shaft +to the left of the basin. “Pretend to wash your hands,” the voice +whispered cautiously. Smith did as he was directed and found that he +thus brought his left ear close to the window opening. + +“Now listen,” said the voice, speaking rapidly in German. “God is with +the Fatherland today! 4782 has been engaged to wait. Hottenroth has +telephoned that our man undoubtedly has his instrument with him. The +order is for you and 4782 to get it from him this afternoon at any +cost. 4782 knows what he is to do.” And the window closed softly. + +Smith broke out into a cold perspiration. He knew that he was looking +death straight in the face, and in a twinkling his mind carried him +back over his entire life. He clutched at his throat as he realized +his horrible situation. His present position in the grip of this +relentless but invisible master had come about so gradually that he +had not realized how firmly he was caught until now it was too +late. Not being borne up by the hysterical exaltation of the true-born +Prussian, he resented that he should be the one selected to do this +ghastly thing. + +He staggered back into the restaurant where the proprietor, laying a +hand upon his arm, and laughing loudly and winking as if he were +telling a risqué story, muttered some further directions into his ear. + +“He is preparing to go now. Join him and don’t leave him until--” he +broke off and rushed over to Edestone who had risen from the table and +was taking his hat and cane from the waiter. + +“I hope, sir, you found everything perfectly satisfactory?” he bowed. + +“Very nice indeed,” said Edestone, handing him a half-crown. “I am +glad to have discovered your place and I shall come again.” + +At the door he encountered Smith, who was lingering about as if +waiting for him. + +“Oh, Mr. Edestone,” he forced himself to say, swallowing and fumbling +with his mouth. “I remember when I was fixing up your Little Place in +the Country for you that you took a great deal of interest in old +English prints. Well, I have just found an old print shop over in the +Whitechapel district with some of the most wonderful old prints, and +if you have the time to spare I would like to take you over and have +the old man show them to you.” + +“I should like to very much,” said Edestone. “I have just been +wondering what I should do with myself this afternoon.” + +“The Kaiser and God will bless you for this,” the restaurant keeper +whispered into Smith’s ear, after he had bowed Edestone out to the +sidewalk. + +“Mr. Smith, will you please give the address to the driver,” said +Edestone as he stepped into the taxi. Smith leaned over and gave some +mumbled instructions to the chauffeur, who had remained upon his box; +then he took his place at the side of his friend and patron. + +But no sooner had the motor started than he turned to +Edestone. “Mr. Edestone,”--his voice trembled so violently that he +could scarcely speak,--“please do not move or seem surprised at what I +am going to say.” + +Edestone drew back slightly and looked at him. He thought at first +that the man had suddenly lost his reason. Smith was perfectly livid +and his little eyes were starting from his head. His mouth was open +and he seemed to be vainly trying to draw his blue lips over his great +dry yellow teeth on which they seemed to catch, giving him the +appearance of a snarling dog as he cringed in the corner of the +cab. One hand was pulling at his collar while with the other he +clutched at the seat in a vain effort to restrain the tremors which +were shaking him from head to foot. “Don’t speak. I must talk and talk +fast,” he said. + +Edestone leaned forward as if to halt the car, but the fellow caught +him by the knee in a grip almost of desperation. + +“For God’s sake don’t do that!” he pleaded. “He will kill both of +us. Oh, don’t you understand? He is a German spy. I am German, Rebener +is German, we are all Germans--all spies. We have been watching you +for the past six months. This man is now driving you to a place where +they will certainly kill you unless you turn over that instrument +which you have in your pocket.” + +At this Edestone started. Although he could scarcely control himself +and felt like strangling the chicken-hearted wretch, he recovered +himself in time to say with a look of disgust, “You poor miserable +creature.” + +“I know, Mr. Edestone, but please keep quiet. I may save you if you +will do as I say. I don’t know about myself. I am a dead man for +certain, though, if you let him once suspect,” and he motioned in the +direction of the chauffeur. Then continuing he gasped out: “Stop the +taxi anywhere along here: get out and go into some shop. When you come +out again say to me that you have decided you will look at the prints +some other day, and that you will walk to the hotel. Discharge and pay +him. I will re-engage him and as soon as we get out of sight you take +another taxi and drive straight to your hotel. But you must be +careful; he knows that you have the instrument with you. They are +desperate enough to do anything. Your life is in danger.” + +Edestone, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the situation, had +absolutely no fear either for himself or for the instrument, since as +a matter of fact he knew that he could destroy that at any moment. He +felt sorry for Smith, however. He pitied him for his weakness but +realized that he was risking his life to save him, so he did as he was +urged. + +While he was in the shop 4782 got off the box, and, looking into the +cab, said sternly to Smith in German: “If you are playing me any of +your American tricks, you half-breed, you will never see the sun set +again.” + +Also, when Edestone returned and discharged him with a very handsome +tip, he did not seem especially gratified, and when poor Smith in a +trembling voice re-engaged the taxi, the driver almost lost control of +himself. Had he done so, Edestone, who was watching him closely, would +have been delighted, since he would have liked nothing better than to +have forced the fellow to show his hand then and there. He was again +struck with the chauffeur’s appearance as he stood talking to Smith +for he had the air of a gentleman and even through his dirt looked +above his position. Leaving them there, the American strolled along, +and, after a block or two, hailed another cab and ordered it to drive +to Claridge’s. He really did not think to look about him, but had he +done so he might have discovered that he was being followed by the +first taxi with its woebegone passenger and its handsome chauffeur. + +Arriving at the hotel he was interested to see standing in front of +the door a carriage with men in the royal livery, and he was met at +the entrance by the proprietor himself in a frightful state of +excitement. + +“Mr. Edestone, one of the King’s equerries is waiting in the reception +room to see you. I have been calling you up at every club and hotel in +London.” + +Edestone went into the reception room where he was met by an officer +in the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards, who after going through the +formality of introducing himself delivered his message: + +“His Majesty, the King, instructs me to say that he will receive you +and inspect your drawings, photographs, etc., at Buckingham Palace +this afternoon at half-past four o’clock.” + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE + + +To nearly every man, especially if he happened to be an Englishman, +the fact that he had received a Royal Command would have been +sufficient to make him, if not nervous, at least thoughtful. Edestone +was, however, so incensed at Rebener and so disgusted with Schmidt and +so angry with the entire German Secret Service, that it came to him as +a relief, like an invitation, from a gentleman older and more +distinguished than himself, to dine, or to see some recently acquired +painting or bit of porcelain, after he had been all day at a Board +meeting of avaricious business men. It was no affectation with him +that he felt he was going into an atmosphere in which he belonged. “I +always assume that Royalties are gentlemen,” he would say, “until I +find that they are not; and as long as they conduct themselves as such +I am perfectly at ease, but as soon as they begin to behave like +bounders I am uncomfortable.” + +He was not one of those Americans who insist at all times and under +all circumstances that he is as good as any man, simply because in his +heart of hearts he knows that he is not, but hopes by this bluster to +deceive the world. On the contrary, he was a firm advocate of an +aristocratic form of government, and did not hesitate to say that he +considered the Declaration of Independence, wherein it refers to the +absolute equality of man, as a joke. + +He was a most thorough believer in class and class distinction and +said that he hoped to see the day when the world would be ruled by an +upper class who would see that the lower classes had all that was good +for them, but would not be allowed to turn the world upside down with +their clumsy illogical reforms and new religions, Saint-Simonianism, +humanitarianism, or as a matter of fact with any of the old +established _isms_. They already have several hundred forms to +choose from, he would say; they should not be allowed to make any more +new ones until one single one of these has been universally +accepted. The glamour of royalty had no effect upon him. Its solidity, +dignity, and gentility did. + +When he saw the royal livery standing before the hotel, he had rather +surmised that it was being used by some Indianapolis heiress who had +married a title which carried the privilege of using it and was +getting her money’s worth. He therefore took no interest in looking +into the carriage, but he would have been glad to have gone up to the +men and said: “A nice pair of horses you have there. How well they are +turned out, and how very smartly you wear your livery.” + +The equerry, Colonel Stewart, was very simple and direct. He treated +Edestone with consideration, but did not forget to let him understand +that the King was showing great condescension in inviting him so +informally. + +“A carriage will be sent for you at four o’clock, and if there is any +apparatus and you have men to install it they will be looked after by +an officer of the Royal Household who will call in about an hour.” + +He said that the King wished to have it understood that he was not +receiving Edestone in any way as representing the United States of +America, since no credentials of any kind had been presented, but +simply as a gentleman of science whose achievements warranted the +honour. + +In the course of their conversation, Edestone referred to his recent +unpleasant experience in the spy-driven taxi, and he was assured by +Colonel Stewart that he need entertain no further apprehensions on +that score as thorough protection would be given him and every single +one of these men would be and already were under espionage. Bowing +then, the equerry left as quietly as he had come. + +Edestone went up to his apartment and issued his instructions to +James, his valet. + +“Send Mr. Black and Mr. Stanton to me at once. Then fix my bath, send +for the barber, and lay out my clothes. I am going out to tea”--he +paused--“with His Majesty, King George V. of England,” while he +enjoyed the effect on his snobbish English servant. + +“Mr. Black,” he said when his electrician and operating man came in, +“will you and Mr. Stanton go to Grosvenor Square and bring over the +boxes with the apparatus and films. They will have to be back here by +3:15, as there will be an officer of the Royal Household here at that +time. Go with him to Buckingham Palace and install the instrument and +screen where he directs you; then wait there until you hear from me.” + +While he was dressing and being shaved he ran over in his mind what he +should say to the King. He knew that either Rockstone or Underhill had +engineered this audience, and he wondered whether it foreboded good or +evil. At any rate it was progress, and that was all-important. + +Colonel Stewart had certainly been most cordial, and the fact that he +was to meet the King without the delay of presenting credentials +through the American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the +necessity for prompt action. + +The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact +than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr. +Black and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the +apparatus and films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say +through the lather: “Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and +shall want everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest,” the man +gave such a start that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it +down with a bang on the marble washbasin. + +“I go,” he said. “My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber.” And +he rushed out of the room. + +“What is the matter, James?” exclaimed Edestone indignantly. “Why +didn’t you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that +fool? Come finish this thing up yourself, I can’t wait.” Recovering +his equanimity he added: “Time flies and the King waits.” + +James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished +shaving him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English +valet can, glanced with satisfaction at his work. “I think, sir, when +His Majesty sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor, +sir. A buttonhole, sir?” + +And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down, +when word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him. + +“Mr. Edestone,” said the Colonel, “I am glad to tell you that your +apparatus has arrived safely and has been installed in the Green +Drawing Room. The King is deeply interested, and judging from a +mysterious pair of curtains in the gallery I think that other members +of the Royal Family intend to see this wonderful American with his +wonderful invention. As to your friends, the German spies, I made due +report of the matter and shall probably have something to tell you +later.” + +It was a beautiful spring day and as Edestone was driven through +Berkeley Square, up Piccadilly, and down Grosvenor Place he saw London +at its best. Then, as he crossed the park with its beautiful old trees +and lake and flower-beds, approaching Buckingham Palace from an +entirely different angle than he had ever seen it before, he realized +for the first time that it was in the midst of a beautiful sylvan +setting. The Buckingham Palace that he knew had always suggested to +him one of the Department Buildings in Washington in their efforts to +look as much like a royal palace as possible. + +When he stopped under a porte-cochère simple little entrance, he felt +that he might be making a call at some rich American’s country home +rather than on the King of England in the middle of London. There were +no soldiers and no extraordinary number of servants. He had seen as +many and more at some of the houses at Newport. He was shown into a +long, low, and rather dark room on the ground floor, where a lot of +young officers were lounging about. Colonel Stewart introduced him to +several of them and a smarter lot of young fellows Edestone had seldom +seen. + +He had not been waiting more than fifteen or twenty minutes when he +heard Colonel Stewart’s name called. His pulse quickened for he knew +that this was a signal for him. Colonel Stewart, bowing to the other +officers, said to him: “Will you please come with me, Mr. Edestone?” + +Passing out of the room and up a short flight of stairs they came to a +broad corridor about twenty feet wide which ran around three sides of +a court, opening out upon the gardens to the west. They were conducted +around two sides of the square and taken into a large reception room +in the opposite corner where there were perhaps a dozen officers of +high rank, ministers and statesmen, standing about in groups. They +spoke in voices scarcely above a whisper and when the door on the +left, which evidently led into a still larger room, was opened there +was absolute silence. + +Colonel Stewart, who up to this time had been quite affable, now +seemed suddenly to be caught by the solemnity of the place, and stood +like a man at the funeral of his friend. + +In one of the groups, Edestone saw Colonel Wyatt, who gave him a +little nod of recognition. In a few minutes the door to the larger +room opened and Lord Rockstone coming out walked straight up to where +he and Colonel Stewart stood. + +“His Majesty wishes to waive all form and ceremony, and has ordered me +to present you to him at once,” he said. But when he saw the cool and +matter-of-fact way in which Edestone received this extraordinary +announcement his expression said as plainly as words: “These Americans +are certainly a remarkable people.” He merely bowed to Colonel +Stewart, however, and continued: “Will you please come with me,” and +leading the way to the door, spoke to an attendant who went inside. In +about five minutes the man returned, and announced to Lord Rockstone: +“His Majesty will receive you.” + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HE MEETS THE KING + + +The room into which they were shown was large and well-proportioned, +but was furnished and decorated in the style of the middle of the +nineteenth century--that atrocious period often referred to as the +Early Victorian, a term which always calls forth a smile at any +assembly of true lovers of art and carries with it the idea of all +that is heavy and vulgarly inartistic. But on the whole the room had +an air of comfort, flooded as it was with warm sunlight that streamed +through the four great windows on the right and those on each side of +the fireplace at the opposite end. + +Around the large table, sat a gathering of the most distinguished men +of the Empire drawn from the Privy Council. They had evidently +finished the work of the day, as was shown by the absence of all +papers on the table and the precise manner in which the different +cabinet ministers had their portfolios neatly closed in front of them. +One would say that they had settled down to be amused or bored as the +case might be. They looked like a company of well-bred people whose +host has just announced that “Professor Bug” will relate some of his +experiences among the poisonous orchids of South America, or like a +lot of polite though perfectly deaf persons waiting for the music to +begin. Some were talking quietly, while others sat perfectly still. +The servants were removing writing materials, maps, etc., and a cloud +of clerks and undersecretaries were being swallowed up by a door in a +corner of the room. + +At the end of the table opposite the door through which Edestone had +entered, sat the King. He looked very small as he sat perfectly still, +his hands resting listlessly on the arms of his great carved chair of +black walnut picked out with gold. His face with its reddish beard, +now growing grey, bore an expression of deep sadness, almost of +melancholia. His expression became more animated, however, when +Edestone entered, and he sat up and looked straight at the American as +he stood at the other end of the table. + +“Your Majesty,” Lord Rockstone bowed, “I beg to be allowed to present +to you Mr. John Fulton Edestone of New York of the United States of +America.” + +The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the +nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him. +Extending his hand he said: + +“Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It +has been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to +visit your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay +of several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming +Americans whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of +York,” he sighed. + +His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, +assuming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown +toward one of his own subjects of the middle class--the one great +class to which the nobility, gentry, and servants of England assign +all Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this +while the last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it. + +“I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of +your wonderful achievements in science,” the King went on, adding with +rather a sad smile: “It seems a pity to take you from some charming +English girl with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring +afternoon and bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of +death and destruction.” And his face seemed very old. + +After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce +Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered +the rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who +had been taken back to the other end of the table where he stood +perfectly still. Not once had the American spoken since coming into +the room. He had acknowledged the King’s great kindness with a bow +which showed plainer than words in what deep respect he held the head +of the great English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good +impression on some of the older men, who up to this time had not +deigned to look in his direction. One of the younger men murmured in +an undertone: “Young-looking chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, +isn’t he? He has deuced good manners for an American.” + +Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of +the company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining +that Mr. Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His +Majesty and explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made. + +The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible +for the American, chose to supplement this formality. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said with a smile, “since this meeting is to be, as +you say in America, ‘just a gentlemen’s meeting,’ you may sit down +while you tell us about your wonderful discovery.” + +Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined. +“Your Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand,” + and, then, without the slightest sign of embarrassment, he continued: + +“I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can +explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful +discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to +you my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty’s subjects. +Should I in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established +rules of court etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my +ignorance and not to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that +affection which I and all true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as +representing the head of that great people and the King of ‘Old +England.’” + +A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One +old gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of +Edestone, turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large +eyeglasses, said: “Hear! Hear!” + +The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. “I am an American +and I am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my +country, nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the +nations of the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, +and the bag of the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will +amalgamate into a _cafe au lait_ conglomerate, but because I am +proud of that small group of Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of +the free air of our great country, have developed such strength that +they have up to this time put the stamp of England upon all who have +come in contact with them. And while it is not my intention to sell my +invention to England, I will give you my word that it shall never be +used except for the benefit of the English-speaking people.” + +He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: +“In your presence and that of Almighty God, I dedicate my life to my +people, the Anglo-Saxons!” + +This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there +were a few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses +who seemed uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of +unemotional men and against their will had swept them along with him, +and it was only with an effort that some of the younger men could +refrain from giving him three cheers. + +Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, +applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his +pleasure. There was something about this man that left in no one’s +mind any doubt of his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that +he was not the kind of a man who would so solemnly and in the presence +of the King and all of the greatest men of England dedicate his life +to a purpose if he did not know that therein lay a real gift to +mankind. His sublime confidence was as convincing as his simplicity +was reassuring. + +Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business +of the afternoon. + +“Mr. President,” he commenced, “now that I have shown you how I stand +on international politics, I shall proceed----” + +He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while +the rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily. + +The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was +blankly searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and +not altogether lightly said: + +“The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon +people!” + +“I beg Your Majesty’s pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so +soon: what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, +physics, and mechanics to explain to you my invention?” + +“Mr. Edestone,” said the King, “we understand perfectly. Go on.” + +Recovering himself quickly and assuming a thoroughly businesslike air, +snapping out his facts with precision, speaking rapidly without notes +or memoranda, he said: + +“The physical properties of electrons form the basis of my invention, +and it cannot be understood except by those who have studied the +electron theory of matter, according to which theory the electron or +corpuscle is the smallest particle of matter that had, up to my +discovery, been isolated. They are present in a free condition in +metallic conductors. Each electron carries an electric charge of +electrostatic units and produces a magnetic field in a plane +perpendicular to the direction of its motion. This brings us to the +atom, which may be described as a number of electrons positive and +negative in stable equilibrium, this condition being brought about by +the mutual repulsion of the like and attraction for the opposite +electrification so arranged as to nullify each other. Having thus +established the law of the equilibrium of electrons, corpuscles, +atoms, and molecules, I found that the same law applies to the +equilibrium of our solar system, and, in fact, of the universe, and, +by the elimination of either the positive or the negative electron, +this equilibrium is altered or destroyed. + +“I then sought to nullify the attraction of gravity by changing the +electrical condition of the electrons of an object, which until that +time was attracted by the earth, as is shown by the formula, +_V equals the square root of (s times 2g)_ for falling bodies, +and by using the formula _Y equals the square root of mx divided by +(pi times g)_ I found----” + +But at this point he was interrupted by the King, who said, with a +gesture of supplication: “Please! Please! Mr. Edestone do not go so +deeply into science, for, for my part, I regret to say that it would +be entirely lost on me. Save that for my men of science,” and he waved +his hand in the direction of his rough and rugged old Sea Lord, Admiral +Sir Wm. Brown. “Just tell us what you have accomplished and then show +us some of these marvellous things that Mr. Underhill has told us you +can do. Besides, I understand that you are to show us moving pictures +of the actual working of your machine, boat, or whatever it is.” + +The inventor was disappointed; for he had wished to set all minds at +rest and to establish the fact that he was no trickster but a +scientist. With a deprecating smile he said: “As Your Majesty +pleases.” + +Then, without the slightest sign of condescension, and selecting with +the greatest care only words that the man in the street could +understand, he proceeded with his exposition. + +“I have discovered that gravitation is due to the attraction that two +bodies in different electrical condition have for each other, and that +by changing the condition of one of these bodies so that they are both +in the same electrical condition this attraction no longer exists. I +have also discovered that the earth is, so to speak, as far as the +laws of gravity are concerned, in a state of what we might call for +lack of a better name, ‘positive electrical condition,’ and that all +objects on the earth, as long as they are not in contact with it, are +in what we may call ‘negative electrical condition.’ These remain in +this condition so long as they are not in actual electrical contact +with the earth and are separated from it by a non-conducting medium +such as the atmosphere, glass, hard rubber, etc., and are attracted by +it, as is shown by the formulae which I will gladly explain to your +gentlemen of science.” And he turned with a bow to Admiral Sir William +Brown, who was leaning across the table frowning at him and who with +his scrubbing-brush hair, long upper lip, and heavy brows looked more +like a Rocky Mountain goat than ever. + +“I have invented an instrument,” continued Edestone, “which I call a +_Deionizer._ With this, so far as regards any phenomena of which +we are conscious, I am able to change the electrical condition of an +object, provided this object is insulated from electrical contact with +the earth. That is, I can change it from the so-called minus +condition, which is attracted by the earth, to the plus condition, +which being the same condition as the earth, is therefore not +attracted by it. The object in that state can be said to have no +weight, although frankly for some reason which I have not yet +discovered it does not lose its inertia against motion in any +direction relative to the earth.” + +He then took from his pocket the leather case which Underhill readily +recognized, and, turning to Lord Rockstone, he said with a slightly +quizzical expression: + +“If your Lordship will be so kind as to stand on a glass plate or +block of hard rubber I can with this little instrument which I have in +my hand alter your electrical condition from its present minus to that +of plus. I can then place you anywhere in this room and keep you there +as long as you do not come in contact with any object that, +electrically speaking, is in contact with the earth.” + +This caused Lord Rockstone to give a grim but thoroughly good-natured +smile, and Edestone, feeling as if he had somewhat settled scores with +the “Hero of the Nile,” continued: “As a less valuable object than one +of the most brilliant stars in Great Britain’s crown will answer my +purpose just as well, may I ask that one of the servants fetch the +glass plate that was brought to the Palace this afternoon with my +apparatus.” + +The glass plate having been brought in by a flunkey, he repeated the +experiment with which he had so astonished Underhill at the Admiralty, +using the flunkey however in place of the cannon ball, and leaving the +poor unfortunate creature suspended in mid-air while he himself +replied to the many questions that were put to him. + +Finally he touched the man’s hand, and taking the shock through his +own body let him drop to the floor. The fellow remained there in an +almost fainting condition, but, recovering and finding that he had +sustained no injuries except to his dignity, which in his state of +great excitement had fallen away from him, he rushed out of the room +without asking for or receiving permission to do so. His +panic-stricken exit would at any other time have been most amusing, +but the audience just then was in no humour for levity. + +Edestone next repeated the same experiment, utilizing different small +objects that were handed to him by the gentlemen about the table, and +soon had suspended above the glass plate an assortment of +pocket-knives, watches, and a glass of water, while he chatted with +those who were nearest to him, and handed to the scientific members of +the council diagrams and mathematical formulae which he hastily +scribbled on bits of paper. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE DEIONIZER + + +After the different objects had been returned to their respective +owners, the King by a slight gesture called the meeting to order, for +all had left their seats and were crowding around Edestone in what, +for Englishmen, was a state of violent excitement. Even the more +self-contained were unable to conceal the fact that they were +impressed by these experiments as well as by the quiet dignity of this +young man. They seemed to realize that he had them figuratively if not +literally in the palm of his hand. The dullest and least imaginative +saw the endless possibilities in the application of his discovery to +the arts and sciences. During all of this time the young American had +kept himself under perfect control and had answered all questions in +the most deferential and respectful manner; and now, having received +from the King permission to continue, he went on: + +“The secret of my discovery lies in this little instrument, the +construction of which is known only to myself. The application of this +newly-discovered principle can be best understood by viewing my moving +pictures, which show it in actual operation. Now, with your most kind +permission I should like to inspect my apparatus to see that +everything is all right.” + +And then, as if some sudden impulse which pleased him had flashed +across his mind, like the big healthy-minded boy that he was, and with +an irresistible smile on his face, he dropped into a more familiar +tone than he had allowed himself up to this time. + +“And to show you what I think of Englishmen,” he said, “I will leave +this Deionizer in your keeping until I return. A gentle tap or two on +that hard-rubber shell and you will know its secret.” He laid the +instrument with its little case beside it on the table in front of the +King and left the room escorted by a member of the Royal Family, young +Prince George of Windthorst, who insisted upon acting as his guide to +the Green Drawing Room. + +As the door closed upon them, the King rose, saying as he did so, +“Please remain seated.” He walked into one of the windows and stood +for some minutes looking out over the park. Whatever it was that was +passing through his mind, it was not a pleasant thought, as was shown +by his hands, which were clasped behind his back so tightly that the +fingers were perfectly white; and the veins of his neck swelled, while +the muscles of his jaws were firmly set. No one dared to move. The +silence in the room was so intense that the men about the table, as if +caught by a spell, sat with unfinished gestures, like the figures in a +moving picture when the film catches. The clock on the mantel seemed +suddenly to have waked up and to be trying by its loud ticking to fool +itself into thinking that it had been ticking all the time. When the +time came for it to strike five o’clock, it went at it with such +resounding vim that Admiral Sir William Brown, who had served his +apprenticeship in the turrets, seemed to think that he had better open +his mouth to save his ear-drums. + +“War is war! All is fair! War is war! All is fair!” it seemed to say. + +The King finally turned, and walking back to the table picked up the +innocent-looking instrument. He turned it over and over in his hand +and then slowly and carefully wound the platinum wires about it as a +boy winds a top and placed it back into its leather case. As he put it +down on the table, he said, almost as if to himself: + +“We have come today to one of the turning points in the history of the +world. This is a remarkable man.” + +After a moment, he turned to Underhill: “I think you have done your +country a great service today in averting what might have been an +appalling catastrophe. Do you not agree with me, Sir Egbert?” he +glanced toward the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + +“I do, Sire,” the minister acquiesced thoughtfully. “If this man +represents the United States of America, it will not be long before +she will insist that this war be brought to an end upon her own terms, +and it would have been almost suicidal on our part to antagonize him. +She doubtless controls this instrument whose practical application +will probably be shown us by his pictures.” + +“But what this man has just said to you, Sire,” suggested Underhill, +“does not seem to bear out the idea that he is acting under +instructions from the present State Department at Washington.” + +“If it please Your Majesty,” interposed one of the statesmen of the +old school, “should we not make some formal representation to the +United States of America before this man be allowed to go to Berlin?” + +“I should not approve of that,” dissented the King. “In the first +place, as far as we know, Mr. Edestone may have already communicated +with Berlin, Paris, and Petrograd. I do not think he would put himself +so completely in our power if he thought he was risking the +destruction of his entire scheme.” + +“I believe, Your Majesty,” said another sneeringly, “that this +melodramatic exit is just another Yankee bluff. You will probably find +in looking into it that the fellow has palmed the real instrument and +has forced this one on us by clever sleight of hand.” + +“I disagree with you entirely,” said the King, frowning and bringing +his hand down on the table as if to put an end to the discussion. “I +believe this man to be a gentleman and a thoroughly good sportsman.” + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + + +On entering the room, when he returned, Edestone, although he was +aware that the King had been notified and the attendants been given +orders to admit him, did not advance, but took his stand near the +door, looking neither to the right nor to the left. He permitted the +young Prince, his escort, who had discovered that they had many +friends in common, and whose sister it was that had been his +fellow-passenger on the _Ivernia_, to inform His Majesty that +everything was in readiness for the exhibition of the moving pictures. + +The King immediately beckoned the inventor forward and, picking up the +little instrument from the table, thrust it into Edestone’s hands, +almost with an air of relief. + +“We appreciate the compliment you have paid us in believing that we +still play fair.” There was in both his tone and action a touch of the +bluff heartiness of the naval officer, which was natural to him, and +showed that he had thrown off all restraint. “But do not, I beg of +you, do this again, even in England. These are desperate times; and +nations, like men, when fighting for their very existence, are quite +apt to forget their finer scruples. + +“My cousin in Berlin, I am convinced,” and there was perhaps a hint of +warning in his smile, “would give the souls of half his people to know +what that little box contains; and, in his realm, it is the religion +of some of his benighted subjects to give him what he wants.” + +Bowing slightly, Edestone took the little case, and, without even +looking at it, slipped it carelessly into the inside pocket of his +coat. + +“I knew that Your Majesty would understand me,” he said in a tone +intended for the Royal ear alone, and with more emotion than he had +yet displayed. As he spoke, too, he lifted his hand in obedience to an +involuntary and apparently irresistible impulse. + +The King met him more than half-way. Reaching out, he grasped the +extended hand in his own, and standing thus the two men looked +straight into each other’s eyes. + +The suppressed excitement which the scene created was so intense that +some of the spectators seemed to be suffering actual pain; and when, +after a fraction of a moment which seemed an age, the King released +the American’s hand and spoke, there was an audible sigh of relief +that pervaded the entire room. + +“We will now look at the pictures,” said His Majesty simply, and, +leading the way, he set out in the direction of the Green Drawing +Room. + +Edestone fell back and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment of the +pleasant glances which were thrown in his direction, as the Lords, +Generals, Admirals, and Ministers of State took their places in line, +clinging with an almost frantic tenacity, in response to the teachings +of the Catechism of the English Church, to their position “in that +state of life unto which it had pleased God to call” them. + +Thoroughly amused at the situation which compelled him to bring up the +rear of the procession like the piano-tuner or the gas-man, Edestone +marched along at the side of an attendant in livery, who evidently +looked upon him as a clever vaudeville artist that had been brought in +to entertain the company. He told the visitor, with a broad grin, that +he had frightened the other flunkey almost out of his wits with his +magic tricks. Edestone, his sense of humour aroused, thereupon gravely +offered to give a show in the servants’ hall at two shillings a head, +half the receipts to be donated to the Red Cross, provided he was +given a guarantee of ten pounds; and when the fellow promised to +consider the proposal, pretended carefully to take down his name. + +The King, who, in the meantime, seemed to be in a sort of brown-study, +passed down the corridor with the long file of dignitaries following +him in order of precedence. But when His Majesty reached the Green +Drawing Room and, looking around, saw nothing of the American, he gave +a slight frown of annoyance. Immediately he directed that Edestone be +brought up and placed in a chair near himself, while the attendants +drew the curtains and extinguished the lights. + +After the room had been made perfectly dark, and the buzzing of the +cinematograph in its temporary cabinet indicated that everything was +in readiness, Edestone’s operator, in response to a word from his +employer, threw upon the screen two or three portraits of the King and +various members of the Royal Family. This was not only by way of +compliment, but also to give assurance that the machine was in proper +working order. Edestone proposed to run no chances of a bungling or +incomplete presentation of his pictures. + +Satisfied at length, he rose and faced about toward his audience. + +“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, after addressing the King,--for from +the gallery had come sounds which showed that, as Colonel Stewart had +suggested, some of the ladies of the Court were taking an interest in +the exhibition,--“I shall not trouble you to listen to a long, +scientific discourse on the theory of my discovery, nor how I have +made practical application of it. I shall simply throw the pictures on +the screen, letting them speak for themselves; and then, with His +Majesty’s kind permission, shall be glad to answer any questions that +may be put to me. The first picture I shall show you is one of my +workshop in New York.” + +There appeared on the screen a dark, somewhat indistinct interior, +which seemed to have been photographed from high up and looking down +through a long, shed-like building lighted from the roof. The immense +height of this roof was not at first apparent until it was compared +with the pigmy-like figures of the workmen who were busily engaged +about a great, black, cigar-shaped object, which had the general +appearance of a Zeppelin. In the dim light, there was nothing about +its aspect to distinguish it from the latest models of the German +air-ship, save that it seemed to be of heavier construction, as shown +by the great difficulty with which the men were moving it toward the +farther end of the shed, which was entirely open. + +“I would especially call your attention to the track upon which moves +the cradle that carries the large black object in the centre of the +picture,” said Edestone. “The tires are made of hard rubber, and the +rails which are of steel rest on glass plates attached to each of the +tires. Thus, any object placed in the cradle becomes absolutely +insulated, and has no electrical connection with the earth, which, as +I have explained, are the requisite conditions to permit of +‘Deionizing’ by the use of an instrument similar to the one I have in +my pocket. Of course, though in actual operation we use a much larger +‘Deionizer’ than the little model I have shown you, and run it with a +hundred horse-power motor, instead of with a small spring and +watchworks. This track and cradle at which you are looking, although +they weigh many tons, can be easily taken apart and transported in +sections, as I stand ready to demonstrate.” + +The film ended as he finished, and for a moment the screen was blank; +then with a little splutter from the cabinet, another picture +appeared. + +This was of a great open space, the most desolate and lonely stretch +of country that could well be imagined, a broad, open plain that +stretched on for miles and miles, perfectly flat, treeless and +uninhabited. The wind apparently was blowing violently, judging from +the way it tossed Edestone’s hair about as, hatless, he walked back +and forth in the near foreground, shading his eyes from the sun with +his hand while he looked into the lens and called his directions to +the man who was working the camera. + +“That disreputable-looking individual is myself,” he confessed. “My +hat had blown away, a circumstance quite inconvenient at the time, but +not without a certain element of present interest, as showing that a +high wind was blowing at that time.” + +Behind him in the middle distance was a track and cradle similar to +the one shown in the first picture. The machine in the cabinet buzzed, +and clicked, and made a noise like that of a small boy rattling a +stick along a picket fence. A draught from some open window blowing +against the linen screen caused the flat, deserted plain to undulate +like the waves of the sea. The horizon bobbed up and down, showing +first a great expanse of sky, and then the foreground ran up to +infinity. The cradle was seen first at the right, and then at the left +of the picture. The clouds in the sky kept jumping about, as if the +operator was trying to follow some object aloft, but was unable to get +it into the field of his camera. + +The audience began to grow impatient. Had the apparatus got out of +order, they wondered, and were they to be cheated of the promised +sensation? But just then the screen steadied, and there appeared in +the upper left-hand corner of the picture a faint, far-away dot which +gradually assumed the form of a dirigible. Across the desolate +landscape it sailed, growing more and more distinct as it drew nearer. +It circled, turning first to the right and then to the left, rising +and descending, as if responding willingly to the touch of its unseen +pilot, until with a majestic swoop it hovered like a great bird +exactly over the cradle, and came to a standstill. + +To those among the spectators who had witnessed the evolutions of the +great battleships of the air over Lake Constance, there was nothing +notable about either the vessel or its performance, except that it +seemed larger, more solid, and had four great smoke stacks. In the +gale which was blowing, the volumes of inky smoke which poured from +the four great funnels were tossed about and flung away like long, +streaming ribbons; yet the ship itself was as steady as a great ocean +liner on a summer sea. + +On closer inspection, too, it was seen that on the upper side of the +craft there was a platform or deck running its full length, where men +were working away like sailors on a man-of-war, and from portholes and +turrets protruded great black things which looked like the muzzles of +guns. + +All at once, as if acting under an order from within, these were +trained on the spectators and simultaneously discharged, belching out +great rings of smoke. There was a stifled scream from the gallery at +this, but immediately the room grew quiet again, and the audience sat +as if spellbound awaiting further developments. A small door in the +starboard side now opened, and the figure of a man came running down a +gangway to a platform suspended under the ship, where, silhouetted +against the sky, he occupied himself in signalling to some one on the +ground. He was joined from time to time by others of the crew as the +vessel settled slowly toward the earth. + +When it was about one hundred and fifty feet above the cradle, +Edestone was seen to walk out with a megaphone in his hand, and +through it communicate instructions to the man on the bridge, in +evident obedience to which the airship settled still lower, until it +was not more than twenty feet above the top of the cradle. + +A ladder having then been lowered to Edestone, he climbed up it, +ascended the gangway, and disappeared into the interior of the great +cigar-shaped object, it all the time remaining absolutely stationary. +But he was not long lost to view. In a few minutes he re-appeared on +the top deck and a man by his side energetically waved a large flag. + +And as the two stood there, the airship began to move. + +Slowly at first, but gradually gaining momentum, it soared away across +the wastes, and soon was lost to sight. + +There was a moment after that when the room was dark, while horizontal +streaks of light chased each other from bottom to top across the +screen, and disappeared into the darkness from which they had come. + +Another picture followed, taken from the same viewpoint as the last. + +“Here she comes!” cried Edestone, seeming to forget for the moment +where he was, as a small speck which represented the approaching +airship disclosed itself. “This time in the upper right-hand corner of +the picture. See! I am on board, and I am driving her at one hundred +and ten miles.” And he followed with his pointer the swift course of +the vessel, as it shot down the screen like a great comet, leaving a +long tail of smoke behind it. To the overwrought nerves of the +audience, the buzz and splutter of the moving-picture machine seemed +to increase in volume, and thus lend a semblance of reality to the +monster as it swept nearer and nearer. + +Straight for the camera it was headed, grim, threatening, +irresistible, as if it were preparing to rush out of the screen and +destroy Buckingham Palace. The spectators with difficulty kept their +seats, and when the formidable thing dashed by and disappeared at the +side of the picture, they settled back in their chairs with an +unmistakable sigh of relief. + +It appeared again, after making a great circle, returning slowly now, +and dropping lightly as a feather to the cradle, where it remained +perfectly still, while the black smoke enveloped it in a veil of +mystery. + +The machine in the cabinet stopped, and some one was heard to say in a +loud whisper, “Lights!” Admiral Brown was the first of the assembly to +recover. He sprang to his feet and like a wounded old lion at bay +stood glaring at Edestone. His rugged weather-beaten face convulsed +with suppressed rage, which but for the presence of the King would +have exploded upon Edestone after the manner of the old-fashioned +sea-dog that he was, but holding himself in check he said loudly and +challengingly: + +“If there is no objection I will ask the young man to repeat the last +picture, and I would also like to inquire with what material the +framework of this ship is covered, and what is the calibre of those +large guns--if they are guns?” + +“Will you please be so kind as to answer the Admiral’s questions, Mr. +Edestone?” said the King. + +“The material which I used through her entire length of 907 feet, both +top and bottom, is Harveyized steel, six feet thick; and the largest +gun is sixteen inches,” replied Edestone slowly, enjoying the look of +blank amazement which spread over the Admiral’s face as he dropped +back into his chair gasping and mopping his brow. + +“This is the end of everything. I wish I had never lived to see the +day!” The old sailor sat like a man who had seen a vision so appalling +that it robbed him of his reason. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +“THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!” + + +The King, of all the company, seemed to be the only one who had +remained perfectly cool. He was like a man who realizing the gravity +of the situation yet had nerved himself to meet it. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said, as if speaking to one of his own naval +officers, “you will please show the last two pictures again, and for +the benefit of Admiral Brown you might give us some further details in +regard to the ship’s equipment and armament. May I also ask you where +these pictures were taken?” + +“On the flat plains in the centre of the island of Newfoundland,” + Edestone informed him, “between the White Bear River and the east +branch of the Salmon, and from fifty to seventy-five miles from the +seacoast on the south. If Your Majesty will look into the middle +distance when the second picture is again thrown on the screen you +will see some small, dark objects; these are one of those immense +herds of caribou, which happen to be moving south over this vast +barren at the time of year that these pictures were taken--that is, in +October.” + +He observed that the face of the King took on an expression blended +partly of astonishment and partly of resentment when he mentioned the +name of one of the Colonial possessions of the Empire, and hastened to +add: + +“You will find, Sire, if you inquire of the Governor of that Province +that I was there with the full knowledge and consent of Your Majesty’s +Government to carry on certain scientific experiments. I selected this +deserted spot, so far removed from all human habitation, because there +I should not be disturbed. Until I showed these pictures here today no +one outside of my own men knew the nature of these experiments. The +guns were loaded with nothing more harmful than several hundred pounds +of black powder to produce the display of force which you have just +seen. I will admit,” he granted with a smile, “that if the newspapers +had got word of what was going on there they might have made some +excitement; I can assure you, however, that no act of mine could be +construed even by our most susceptible and timid State Department as a +violation of neutrality.” + +“But where is your ship now?” asked the King, while the rest of the +company held their breath, awaiting the answer. + +“That, Your Majesty, for reasons of state, I regret I cannot at this +time tell you, but you have my word and that of our Secretary that +wherever she may be, her mission is one of peace.” + +“Peace!” snorted Admiral Brown. “With a six-foot armour-belt and +sixteen-inch guns! It is a ship of war, Your Majesty. We have the +right to demand whether or not it is now on or over British soil, and +if it is, to make such representations to the United States Government +as will cause her to withdraw it at once and apologize for having +violated the dignity of Great Britain.” + +“And if they should refuse, Sir William,” asked the King, with a weary +smile, “would you undertake to drive it off? + +“No, Admiral,” he continued, “up to this time we have no official +knowledge of this airship’s existence. Until we have, we will take Mr. +Edestone’s assurance that his own and his country’s intentions to us +are friendly.” + +A wave of hot indignation had swept over the entire assembly, and it +was with some difficulty that the King was able to restore order. + +“Please continue with your pictures, Mr. Edestone,” he said in a tone +of authority. + +The lights again went out, the machine in the cabinet began to turn, +and as the dramatic scene was re-enacted before them his audience sat +in perfect silence while Edestone, as though he were recounting the +simplest and most ordinary facts, gave out the following information: + +“This ship has a length over all of 907 feet. Its beam is 90 feet. Its +greatest circular dimension is described with a radius of 48 feet. She +would weigh, loaded with ammunition, fuel, provisions, and crew, if +brought in contact with the earth, 40,000 tons. Her weight as she +travels, after making allowance for the air displacement is generally +kept at about 3000 tons, which automatically adjusts itself to the +density of the surrounding atmosphere, but can be reduced to nothing +at pleasure. Its full speed has never been reached. This is simply a +matter of oil consumption; I have had her up to 180 miles. Her +steaming radius is about 50,000 miles, depending upon the speed. She +carries twelve 16-inch guns, twenty-two 6-inch guns, sixteen 4-inch +anti-aircraft guns, eight 3-pounders, four rapid-fire guns, six aerial +torpedo tubes, and six bomb droppers, which can simultaneously +discharge tons of explosives. She has a complement of 1400 officers +and men. She required three years and eight months to build at a cost +of $10,000,000. In action her entire ship’s company is protected by at +least six feet of steel, and there is no gun known that can pierce her +protection around the vital parts. As you have seen, she can approach +to within a few feet of the surface and remain perfectly stationary in +that position as long as she is not brought in electrical contact with +the earth.” + +The machine in the cabinet had stopped. As the lights were again +turned on, Edestone, glancing in the direction of the gallery and +seeing that there was no one there, bowed merely to the company before +him. “I thank Your Majesty, Lords, and Gentlemen for your very kind +attention,” he said. He then stood quietly, waiting respectfully for +the King to speak. + +“Mr. Edestone,” said the King as he rose, “you have certainly given us +a most instructive afternoon, and you must be exhausted after your +efforts.” He turned to Colonel Stewart, “Please insist upon Mr. +Edestone taking some refreshments before he leaves Buckingham Palace.” + +He grasped the inventor firmly by the hand. “Good-bye, Mr. Edestone. I +shall probably not see you again,” and bowing to the rest of the +company he left the room deep in conversation with Sir Egbert Graves. + +Edestone immediately became the centre of attraction. + +“The King is dead; long live the King!” expresses the eagerness with +which man adapts himself to a new order of things. The older men were +stunned and seemed unable to throw off the gloom that had settled upon +them. They bowed to the inevitable fall of the old and its replacement +by the new. They were not buoyed up by the elasticity and confidence +of youth; they seemed to realize that their race was run and that it +were better that they step aside and give to younger men the task of +solving a new problem in a new way. They sat perfectly still with +dejected faces that seemed to see only dissolution. + +The younger men were quicker to recover, and as they felt the old +foundations crumbling under their feet, saw visions of a new and +greater edifice. They gloried in the development of the age as they +did in their own strength to keep abreast of it, and rushed to meet +progress, to join it, and to become one with it. They did not stop to +think what the future might have in store for them, but seemed to be +intoxicated by its possibilities. + +Crowding around Edestone they probed him with questions which he +answered with the greatest patience and in the most modest, quiet, and +dignified manner. When asked a question almost childish in its +simplicity, he appeared to acknowledge the compliment in the +assumption that he knew the answer, and gave it with the same +precision as one which called for the most complicated mathematical +calculation and reference to the most intricate formulae of the laws +of mechanics and physics. He was rescued and borne away by Colonel +Stewart who announced that, acting under His Majesty’s order, he was +obliged to give him some refreshments, whether he wanted them or not, +and if he did not come at once to his quarters and have a drink he +would be forced to order out the Guards. Drawing him aside the Colonel +whispered, “I must see you alone before you leave the Palace.” + +Edestone turned and slowly left the room, bowing to each of the +separate groups. + +“Now,” said Colonel Stewart, “come to my quarters first, as I have +something rather confidential to tell you. You can come back and join +the others afterward, if you care to.” + +When they were comfortably seated in the Colonel’s private apartments, +and had provided themselves with drinks and cigars, the equerry leaned +toward his charge a trifle impressively. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said, “you do not look like a chap who would lose +his nerve if he suddenly found himself in a position that was more or +less dangerous. Indeed I rather gather that you are like one of your +distinguished Admirals--ready at all times for a fight or a frolic.” + +Edestone smiled. + +“The facts are, Mr. Edestone, that you are in a pretty ticklish +position, and had not Mr. Underhill notified Scotland Yard when he +did, I do not know what might have happened. These German spies who +have been following you all day are well known to them, and when our +men picked you up, which was when you left the Admiralty and were +talking to the taxi-chauffeur, they were convinced that you were in +real danger. Then when you were directed to the German restaurant and +afterward left it in the taxicab with this man Smith they had your cab +followed, at the same time notifying Mr. Underhill, and covering your +hotel.” + +“This is most interesting,” said Edestone; “but if the business of +these men is known why are they not arrested?” + +“Mr. Edestone,” said Colonel Stewart, “we Englishmen are not credited +with any sense by our friends the enemy, and relying upon our supposed +stupidity their work, which they take so much pride in, is by no means +as secret as they suppose it to be. There have been in London +thousands of what the Germans term ‘fixed posts.’ These are men who +have established places of business and have lived in the community +from ten to fifteen years. They receive a salary from the German +Government running from two pounds to four pounds a month and all +incurred expenses. The ‘fixed post’ men report to men higher up, who, +in turn, report to the Diplomatic Service. Under them, too, are all of +the patriotic emigrants from Germany, who act as spies without being +conscious of the fact that they are doing so. These receive no pay for +bringing in the bits of scandal or other information which is all +carefully noted and kept on file in Berlin under a system of card +indexes. + +“That man Munchinger who keeps the restaurant where you lunched, and +the barber Hottenroth at your hotel, are both of them ‘fixed post’ +men. This American architect was new and had not been quite placed as +yet. The chauffeur also seems to be one of them, although he is +entirely unknown to Scotland Yard. + +“When you discharged your first taxi and took another, Smith and the +chauffeur spy followed you until they were frightened off by seeing my +carriage with the royal livery in front of your hotel. They drove off +then with such a rush that the chauffeur must have lost control of his +car, for it plunged into the Thames with Smith inside it, and before +he could be reached and rescued he was drowned. The chauffeur was +either drowned or ran away, as nothing has been seen of him since.” + +Edestone rose, his face stern as he learned the news of Smith’s fate. +“Colonel Stewart,” he declared sharply, “that poor devil was +murdered.” And to support his accusation he told briefly of Smith’s +confession and behaviour in the cab. + +The Colonel bowed. “I shall see that these facts are turned over to +the authorities,” he said, “but at present I am more concerned in +regard to you. These men are fanatics, you must understand, whose +faith teaches them to do anything that is for the benefit of the +Fatherland. We know most of them. We do not arrest them because they +are more useful to us as they are. As soon as one is arrested he is +immediately replaced by another, and it takes some little time before +we can pick up the new one. We have received reports to the effect +that a small army of them have been around Buckingham Palace all +afternoon, as well as at your hotel; so it is evident that Smith’s +story was no fancy and that these men are after you in desperate +earnest. Would you mind telling me, Mr. Edestone, what are your plans +for the future?” + +“Not at all. My movements are extremely simple. I shall return to my +hotel, where I expect to remain until I retire. A friend of mine, an +American, Mr. Rebener, whom I have known for a great many years, will +dine with me there this evening.” + +“An old friend of yours you say?” The Colonel’s eyes narrowed +slightly. + +“Yes,” replied Edestone. “I have known him for fifteen years.” For +reasons of his own he had made it a point not to include Rebener’s +name among those mentioned by Smith in his confession, nor did he +refer to it now. + +Colonel Stewart hesitated a moment. “Of course, Mr. Edestone,” he said +finally, “you Americans are neutrals and are at liberty to select your +friends where you please, but my advice to you would be not to take +London as the place to entertain people with German names. You will +probably understand that we cannot take any chances.” + +“I have known Mr. Rebener,” repeated Edestone, “for years. He is one +of our most prominent men, and I am confident that he would not lend +himself to any of these Middle-Age methods.” + +“You can never tell,” said Colonel Stewart darkly. “Germany holds out +to the faithful the promise of great rewards at the end of this war, +which she has convinced them cannot fail to end successfully for her.” + +“No,” the American insisted stubbornly. “Mr. Rebener might readily +sell to Germany a few million dollars’ worth of munitions of war, and +likewise tell his friend, Count Bernstoff, anything that he might +hear. I will even go so far as to say that he might make an especial +effort to pick up bits of gossip here in London; and he will almost +certainly endeavour to use his influence with me in favour of Germany. +But that he would take part in a plot to kill, kidnap, or rob me is +incredible.” + +“I see you are determined to have your own way, Mr. Edestone,” the +Colonel smiled, “so I come now to the most difficult part of my +mission. What do you propose to do with that instrument which you now +carry so carelessly in your coat pocket? You can readily understand +that it is not safe in your hotel, or, in fact, at hardly any other +place in London outside of the vaults of the Bank of England. We are +put in the delicate position of having to protect it without having +the privilege of asking that it be put in our charge.” + +“I appreciate all that you say and have considered destroying it, but +have now come to the conclusion to keep it always with me, for, after +all that you tell me, I think that I am in pretty safe hands in +London.” + +“But think, my dear fellow,” cried the Colonel jumping up, “what might +happen if this thing falls into the hands of the Germans! To prevent +that it would be my duty to shoot you on the spot.” + +“Good work! Right-o!” laughed Edestone. “You have my permission to +shoot whenever it goes to the Germans. Don’t worry. They’ll not murder +and rob me in the middle of dear old London with all your fellows +about, and I do not expect to leave the hotel tonight.” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + + +As Edestone and Colonel Stewart were leaving the Palace, they were met +by the young Prince of the Blood, who seemed bent upon renewing his +acquaintance with his American friend. + +“I say, Edestone,” he greeted him, “you really must not leave before +giving me an opportunity of presenting you to some of the ladies of +the Court. You are the lion of the day and they are anxious to meet +you. My sister, Princess Billy, is almost in tears and hysterical. She +insisted upon seeing your pictures because she said that you were an +old friend of hers she had met on the steamer coming over from +America.” + +Accepting, Edestone smiled as he thought of the undignified manner of +their meeting, and was taken in charge by the young man. + +Colonel Stewart made his excuses when the invitation was extended to +him, saying: “Mr. Edestone, I shall wait for you in the Guards’ Room,” + and, turning to the young man, he added: “I deliver him into your +hands, and I hold you responsible for his valuable person which must +be delivered to me there.” + +Edestone was then taken in charge by the young Prince, who proudly +bore him off to deliver him into the hands of the ladies. He was +rather bored with the idea, and would have preferred to have gone +directly to his hotel, as he had had an eventful day and he did not +feel in the humour for the small talk of the tea-table. + +He was taken into one of the smaller rooms where several ladies and +young officers in khaki were just finishing their tea. The atmosphere +of the room was offensively heavy with the strong odour of iodoform. +His pity was aroused when he suddenly realized that almost every man +in the room bore the unmistakable mark of service in the trenches. It +was the first time that he had been brought violently into contact +with the far-reaching and horrible devastation of this cruel war. One +pitiful figure, a young man of about twenty-two who sat apart from the +rest, so affected him that he scarcely recovered himself in time to +acknowledge the great kindness of the Duchess of Windthorst, who was +receiving him in the most gracious manner. This boy was totally blind. +Edestone was filled with admiration for these descendants of the +Norman conquerors, who in their gallantry and patriotism responded so +quickly to the call of their country, while the miserable swine whose +homes and families were being protected by these noble men were +instigating strikes and riots under the leadership of a band of +traitors who hid their cowardice behind labour organizations, or +attempted to mislead the disgusted world by windy speeches on the +subject of humanitarism into which position they were not followed by +the very women that they were giving as their excuse for their +treasonable acts. + +The Duchess presented him to Princess Wilhelmina and the others. In +the soft and rich voice of the Englishwoman of culture and refinement, +which always charmed him, she said: + +“Mr. Edestone, my daughter tells me that you came over on the +_Ivernia_ with us.” + +“No, no, mamma!” interrupted the Princess, with a frown and nervous +little laugh. “I said that Mrs. Brown said that she thought that Mr. +Edestone was on board.” + +The Duchess acknowledged this correction, and with the cool effrontery +that only a woman can carry off to her entire satisfaction, she then +pretended that this was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on +him, when as a matter of fact she and the Princess had discussed this +remarkable, independent individual, who had so quietly and alone +occupied the large suite adjoining theirs. + +“Do sit down, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled, “and tell us about your +wonderful electrical gun or ship. I really know so little about +electricity that I could not understand what my daughter has just been +telling me.” And then, as if to save him from the great embarrassment +of speaking, which she felt that he must have in her presence, she +hastened to continue: “I am really so sorry that I did not know you +were a fellow-passenger or I should most certainly have had you +presented. I am very fond of you Americans, I find them most charming +and so original, you know.” + +Edestone bowed. + +“I really became quite attached to your Mr. Bradley, who was on board. +I think you call him ‘Diamond King John.’ He was most attractive,” + and, with a charming smile, “he showed me his diamond suspender +buttons; and he dances beautifully, my daughter tells me. I understand +that Mr. Bradley is one of your oldest Arizona families--or was it +Virginia?--I am so stupid about the names of your different counties. +But I agree with him that family is not everything, and that clothes +make the gentleman. He tells me that he gets all of his clothes from +the same tailor as the Duke. Do you get your clothes in London, Mr. +Edestone?” And then, seeing an expression on Edestone’s face which +indicated to her that he was going to be bold enough to attempt to +enter into the conversation, hastily added: “No, of course not, you +would naturally get yours in New York, where Mr. Bradley tells me that +the finish of the buttonholes is much better on account of the +enormous salaries that you very rich Americans are able to pay your +tailors. No tea, Mr. Edestone? How foolish of me to ask! You would +like to have one of those American drinks; what is it you call them? +Cockplumes? My son could make one for you. Madame La Princesse de +Blanc taught him how to make one.” + +Edestone smilingly declined. + +The Duchess, who by this time was beginning to feel that perhaps Mr. +Edestone would not insist upon taking off his coat or squatting Indian +fashion on the floor, continued: + +“My son tells me that it was at her house in Paris that he had the +pleasure of making your acquaintance.” + +“Yes, Duchess,” nodded Edestone. + +“She is a most delightful little American,” continued the Duchess. “So +bright, natural, unconventional, and original. And she chews tobacco +in the most fascinating manner.” + +Edestone all this time had been debating in his mind whether this +silly prattle was the result of real ignorance, snobbishness, or +kindness of heart. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, however, and, +wishing to show her that she might put her mind at rest as to his +ability to overcome any embarrassment that he might have had, said +with a perfectly solemn face: + +“You should have asked your friend, Mr. Bradley, to show you his +suspenders themselves, Duchess. They are, I am told, set with rubies, +sapphires, and diamonds, and cost, I understand, $10,000.” + +“How very odd,” said the Duchess. + +“And I am sure,” he continued, “that he feels as proud of having +danced with the Princess as she could have been at having been the +recipient of so much attention at the hands of ‘King John,’ who +apparently is also a Prince Charming.” + +And then ignoring their pretence of having just seen him for the first +time, in a most natural manner Edestone referred to the episodes of +the crossing. + +Turning to the Princess, who all this time had vainly endeavoured to +check her mother, and changing his manner out of deference for her +youth and inexperience, and assuming a more humble demeanour, he +continued: + +“I sincerely hope, Princess, that I did not hurt you when I was forced +to handle you so roughly, but it was blowing almost a hurricane.” + +“I forgive you, Mr. Edestone,” she said with a charming smile, “for +hurting my arm; but,” with a little pout, “I don’t think I can forgive +you for hurting my feelings. Why did you not ask Mr. Bradley to +present you? He said that he knew you very well.” + +“Oh, I was rather afraid,” laughed Edestone, “to suggest this to him. +You know we do not move in exactly the same set, and I did not wish to +give him an opportunity to snub me. Now that he does speak so +familiarly of his royal friends, I thought that he might consider me a +bit presumptuous.” + +“You don’t mean to say,” snorted the Duchess, “that that creature +would dare to speak of me as a friend?” + +“Well,” said Edestone, “I shall do him the justice of saying that I am +quite certain he would not if he did not believe that you were, and +did not think that it was perfectly natural that you should be.” + +The Princess, who was looking at Edestone with an intense look, of +which however she was absolutely unconscious, broke in impatiently: + +“Oh, mamma, do stop talking about that dreadful man and ask Mr. +Edestone to tell us something about his wonderful work.” A light came +into her eyes which would have alarmed an American mother had she seen +it in the eyes of her daughter at a mixed summer resort. + +Edestone was anxious to get away as he took absolutely no interest in +this particular phase of life; yet he did not wish to appear +unappreciative of the great honour that had been conferred upon him by +these ladies of such high rank. However, an opportunity soon presented +itself which permitted him to retire, and he bowed himself out of the +room, but not, it must be admitted, until he had answered a number of +questions which the Princess insisted on putting to him. He did this +with perfect deference, yet in such a businesslike way that she was +convinced, should a year elapse before he next saw her, he would +probably not recognize her. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + + +As Edestone left the Palace in company with Colonel Stewart, and the +two took their seats in the waiting carriage, he was amused to see a +troop of cavalry, which had been drawn up before the entrance, fall in +about them as an escort. The men were all dressed in khaki, and, +judging from their equipment, they were fixed for business more than a +mere guard of honour. A smart, young officer rode up and, saluting the +Colonel, asked: “Where to, sir?” + +“To Claridge’s.” The Colonel saluted in return. + +The carriage started, and the troopers, clattering out of the +courtyard, closed up about it in a fashion which showed that they were +going to take no chances with their valuable charge. + +Edestone laughed at himself with his high hat and frock-coat as a +centre for all this military panoply. It recalled to him an +old-fashioned print he had seen when a boy, representing Abraham +Lincoln at the front. + +“You don’t mean to tell me that you really consider this necessary?” + he chaffed his companion. + +Colonel Stewart nodded gravely. “They will make no attempt on your +life, Mr. Edestone,” he added reassuringly, “except as a last resort; +but they are determined to have your secret. They prefer to get it +with your co-operation and assent. If not, they want it anyhow. +Finally, they stand ready to accomplish its destruction and your own +rather than permit England to obtain it.” + +Arriving at the hotel, the soldiers were drawn up in line while he +entered the door. To his surprise, moreover, the Colonel and two of +the cavalry-men accompanied him to the door of his apartment. + +“Mr. Edestone,” said the Royal Equerry, “I am sorry, but my orders are +to place a sentry at your door. You are not of course to consider +yourself in any sense a prisoner, but an honoured guest whose safety +is of paramount importance. Should you at any time wish to leave your +apartment, notify Captain Bright by telephone at the hotel office +where he will be stationed, and he will act as your escort. My advice, +however, is that you remain in the hotel.” Giving a military salute, +he retired, leaving the two soldiers posted in the corridor. + +A moment later, Edestone was summoned to the door to find that the +sentries had halted Black and Stanton whom he had directed to report +to him immediately on his return to the hotel. + +A word from him proved sufficient to secure the admission of his +moving-picture experts; nevertheless, the three gazed at one another +uneasily as they stood within the room. + +“What is it, Mr. Edestone?” Black’s eyes rounded up. “They haven’t +placed you under arrest, have they?” + +Edestone shook his head. “Apparently not. At least they tell me I am +under no restraint, and, as they might say to a little boy about to be +spanked, that this is all for my own good. Whether or not this is +merely a polite subterfuge, and they intend to postpone my departure +from London from time to time in a way that can give no offence to our +Government, yet would spoil all my plans, I am still uncertain.” + +“By Jove, it might be worth while trying to find out,” flared up +Stanton, bristling at the very suggestion of an indignity to his +adored chief. “If they’ve got anything of that kind up their sleeves, +we could soon show them that----” + +“No.” Edestone spoke up a trifle sharply. “I have decided to let the +situation develop itself.” + +His manner indicated that he wished the subject dropped; but, after he +had given the two men the orders for which he had summoned them, and +dismissed them, he fell into a rather perturbed reverie. + +After all, might it not be well, as Stanton had urged, to assure +himself in regard to John Bull’s honourable intentions? His mind +reverted to an expedient which he had already considered and cast +aside. It was to communicate with the American Ambassador, get his +passports, and start for Paris at once. Then, if he were halted, the +purpose of the British Government would be made plain and its +hypocrisy exposed. + +But, to tell the truth, he rather shrank from such a revelation. +Suppose he forced their hand in this way, and they should retaliate, +either by attempting to detain him in England, or insisting upon his +return to his own country? Was he prepared to----? + +As Underhill had said, blood is thicker than water; and there were in +his nature many ties that bound him to the mother-country. + +No, he concluded; if there was cause to worry, he would meet the +emergency when it arose. Anyhow, he was not of the worrying kind. He +threw himself down upon the sofa, since even for him it had been a +rather strenuous day, and soon was fast asleep. + +He was awakened by James. “It is 7:30, sir, and you are dining at 8 +o’clock.” Then with a perfectly stolid face: “I beg pardon, sir, what +clothes will you take to the Tower, sir? The hall porter says, sir, +that with all these soldiers around, they are certainly going to stand +you up before a firing squad. And Hottenroth, the barber, says as how +every American that comes to London is more or less a German spy. But +he is a kind of a foreigner himself, sir. A Welshman, he says he is, +and he talks in a very funny way.” + +“No, they are not going to stand me up before a firing squad,” + Edestone halted this flood of intelligence, as he sprang up from the +sofa; “but I shall turn myself into one, and fire the whole lot of +you, if you don’t stop talking so much. Now hurry up, and get me +dressed. I don’t want to keep Mr. Rebener waiting.” + +Yet even with James’s adept assistance, he found the time scant for +the careful toilet upon which he always insisted; and it was almost on +the stroke of the hour when at last he was ready. + +Snatching his hat and cane from James, he started hurriedly out of the +door, but found himself abruptly challenged by the sentry just outside +whose presence he had for the moment completely forgotten. + +“Excuse me, sir,” the soldier saluted, “but my orders are to notify +Captain Bright, if you wish to leave your rooms.” + +He blew a whistle, summoning a comrade who suddenly appeared from +nowhere. + +“Notify Captain Bright,” he directed; then, in response to Edestone’s +good-humoured but slightly sarcastic protests: “I’m sorry, sir, but +those are my orders.” + +“Has England declared war on the United States?” said Edestone. + +“I don’t know, sir,” the sentry grinned. “We seem to be taking on all +comers.” Then standing at attention, he waited until the soldier, who +had returned from telephoning, came forward to announce that the +Captain presented his apologies and would be right up. + +A moment later Captain Bright himself came panting down the corridor. +He expressed profound regret that any inconvenience should have been +caused, but explained, as Colonel Stewart had already done, that he +was held personally responsible for Edestone’s safety, and had +instructions to accompany him wherever he might go. + +“Very well, Captain; I bow to the inevitable. May I trouble you to +conduct me to the dining-room?” And he strolled toward the lift at the +side of the tall cavalryman. + +But in the office they encountered Rebener himself writing a note on +the back of his card. + +“Oh, there you are, Jack?” he hailed Edestone. “I was just sending you +a note asking you if you wouldn’t come and dine with me at the Britz +instead of here. It is too damn stupid here. Not that it’s very bright +anywhere in London at present, but at least there’s a little bit more +life at the Britz.” + +“Who is stopping here anyhow? Royalty?” he interrupted himself. “There +are soldiers all over the place.” + +“Yes; I am the recipient of that little attention,” laughed the young +American. “Let me introduce Captain Bright here, who is acting as my +especial chaperon.” + +“What? You surely haven’t run afoul of the War Department?” Rebener +rolled his eyes. “That sounds more like our friends, the barbarians, +than Englishmen. But, say, you are joking of course; you’re not really +in trouble? Seriously is there anything you want me to do for you? I +have quite a little pull over at the War Offices, you know.” + +“No, thank you; I am leaving for Paris tomorrow.” He looked straight +into Rebener’s eyes, without giving the slightest hint in his +expression of the disclosure which had been made to him by the +unfortunate Smith. “It is simply that Captain Bright thinks there are +some people who might do something to me. I don’t know exactly what it +is, but he insists on preventing them anyhow; so there you are. How +about it, Captain? Am I permitted to dine with Mr. Rebener at the +Britz? I think the Britz is a perfectly safe place for two American +business men.” + +“As you please, Mr. Edestone.” The Captain drew himself up. “My orders +are to escort you, though, wherever you go.” He raised his hand toward +a sergeant who was standing just inside the door. + +“What! You are not going to take all the ‘Tommies’ along too?” + expostulated Rebener. “Oh, I say; you come along yourself, Captain, +and dine with us, but leave the men behind. I will see that Edestone +doesn’t come to any grief.” + +“Sorry.” The officer’s tone ended any further argument. “I shall keep +my men as much out of sight as possible; but it will be necessary for +them to accompany us.” + +“You see.” Edestone smiled somewhat ruefully. “I can’t even go out to +buy a paper, without turning it into a sort of Fourth of July parade.” + +On going to the door they found that one of the royal carriages was +waiting for them, and after the two men were seated, and the Captain +had given the directions to the coachman, they dashed off in the midst +of a cavalcade. + +“By the way,” Rebener vouchsafed as they drove along, “I have taken +the liberty of inviting Lord Denton and Mr. Karlbeck, two friends of +mine, to dine with us tonight, and as Lord Denton is in mourning, he +has asked that I have dinner in my apartment. I hope that is all +right?” + +“Certainly,” assented Edestone. “Lord Denton, you say? I don’t think I +have ever met him, have I? And isn’t he just a little supersensitive +to raise a scruple of that sort? It seems to me that practically +everybody over here is in mourning. Fact is, I don’t feel like going +to a ball myself.” His face saddened, as he thought of the many good +fellows he had met on former visits to London who now lay underneath +the sod of Northern France and Belgium. + +But by this time they were at the Britz and the proprietor was bowing +them inside, apparently so accustomed to receiving men of distinction +with military escort that he did not even notice the lines of trim +cavalrymen which drew themselves up on either side of his entrance. + +“Will you gentlemen dine in the public restaurant?” asked Captain +Bright, stepping up to Edestone. + +“No,” Rebener took it upon himself to answer. “We are going to have a +little _partie carrée_ in my apartment.” + +“In that case,” said the Captain, “I regret that I shall have to +station men on that floor.” + +Rebener frowned as if he were about to voice a protest, but at that +moment the proprietor called him over to consult with him in regard to +the menu. + +For a moment or two they discussed it calmly enough; then as the +proprietor began to gesticulate and wax vehement, Rebener spoke over +his shoulder to his guest. + +“Excuse me, Jack,” he said, “but M. Bombiadi insists that I hold a +council of war with him over the selection of the wines. He declines +to accept the responsibility with such a distinguished personage as +you seem to have become.” Then lowering his voice, he added with a +wink: “He is evidently impressed with that military escort of yours, +for all that he pretended not to notice it. I won’t be away a minute.” + +He was hurried by the proprietor through the office and into one of +the small duplex apartments on the main floor. Passing through the +pantry and dining-room of the apartment out into the little private +hall with its street door on Piccadilly, and up a short flight of +marble steps with an iron railing, he was ushered into a handsomely +furnished little parlour. + +There, standing in front of the mantelpiece was a man who did not look +like an Englishman, but more like a German Jew. He was perfectly bald +and had a black beard which was rather long and trimmed to a point. +His nose was unmistakable, and taken with his thick, red lips showed +pretty well what he was and whence he came. Talking to him very +earnestly was another man, who was much smaller, and who was also +German to the finger-tips. + +Pausing on the threshold, M. Bombiadi with the servile and cringing +tone always assumed by those frock-coated criminals, European hotel +proprietors, asked humbly: “May we come in, Your Royal Highness?” + +But Rebener, with the air of a man who was not accustomed to, or else +declined to consider, such formalities, unhesitatingly brushed the +proprietor aside, and walked up to the two men. + +“I am sorry to be late,” he said in a thoroughly businesslike manner, +“but Bombiadi here has doubtless explained the reason for it.” Then, +as if he purposely refused to acknowledge the high rank of either of +the two men by waiting for them to speak, he said brusquely, even with +a slight touch of contempt: “Bombiadi tells me that you want to speak +with me, before we meet at the table.” + +“Yes, Mr. Rebener,” said the smaller man, bowing with exaggerated +ceremony. “If it is not asking too much of you, I am sure that His +Royal Highness will appreciate your kindness.” + +The silky smoothness of his manner seemed to disgust Rebener. + +“Now, look here, Karlbeck, don’t try to get friendly with me,” he drew +back as the other attempted to lay a hand upon his arm. “I am not in +love with this business, anyhow. I am German, and I am proud of the +Fatherland, as she stands with her back against the wall, fighting the +entire civilized world--and some of the barbaric;--but you two fellows +are Englishmen, and----” + +“Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” the man with the beard broke in angrily. +“You seem to forget to whom you are speaking.” + +“No, that is just the trouble,” cried Rebener with a loud laugh. “I +can’t seem to forget it. And if Your Royal Highness insists upon +keeping on your crown, you had better let Mr. Edestone and myself dine +alone.” + +“Please, Mr. Rebener. Please not so loud,” cautioned the proprietor, +pale with terror. “One never knows who may be listening.” + +“I have a word for you too.” Rebener turned, and shook a threatening +finger in his face. “If I find that you cut-throats have murdered +Schmidt, I will turn you over to the London police, and let you be +hanged as common murderers without having any of the glory of dying +for your country. I distinctly told you, that I would not stand for +that sort of thing. He was a miserable creature, but he was an +American, and we Americans, even if we have got German blood, are not +traitors to the country of our adoption.” And he looked with a sneer +at the two Englishmen. “Now, if any of you are planning to indulge in +any of your pretty little tricks with Mr. Edestone tonight, I give you +fair warning. I will call Captain Bright in, and turn the whole lot of +you over to him. I think he would be rather surprised to find His +Royal Highness in such company.” + +The man with the beard was literally white with rage. The thick veins +swelled along his neck, and his lower lip was trembling. But he +controlled himself with an effort, and endeavoured to speak calmly. + +“Now, now, Mr. Rebener,” he said, “you are unnecessarily excited, and +I therefore overlook your disrespect toward me. There is no intention +whatever of doing any violence to Mr. Edestone. We hope merely to +prevail on him to talk.” + +“What good will his talking do?” cried the smaller man before his +associate could silence him. “We know all that he said today at +Buckingham Palace. What we want is his instrument, and if we’re not +going after that, what use is this dinner, I would like to know?” + +“I can’t tell you,” rejoined Rebener, “unless His Royal Highness would +be willing to show his hand, and try to persuade Edestone to take our +view of the matter.” + +A sharp retort trembled on the lips of the Jewish-looking man, but +just then he caught sight of Bombiadi out of the corner of his eyes +gesticulating and making signs to him from behind Rebener’s back. + +“I suppose that is the only chance left us,” he pretended to consider. +“We can try it at any rate. I suppose, too, we had better come to your +apartment immediately. Remember, though, we are to remain incognito +until I give the word. In the meantime, we are simply ‘Lord Denton’ +and ‘Mr. Karlbeck.’” + +On that agreement, Rebener left; but the proprietor, after following +him far enough to make sure that he was out of earshot, returned to +the little parlour where the other men waited. + +“We will have to leave him out of our calculations,” he shook his +head. “He is not heart and soul in the cause as is your Royal +Highness. However, it can be managed without Rebener. + +“Hottenroth has telephoned me that he thinks Edestone has the +instrument on his person, but cannot make sure, as his rooms at +Claridge’s are too closely guarded to permit of a search. We must go +upon the assumption that he has it with him, however, and get it away +from him. That plan of Your Royal Highness’s will work perfectly, I am +sure. I will call Edestone to the telephone while you are at dinner, +and since the rest of you will all remain at the table, how can +Rebener suspect either of you gentlemen any more than he would suspect +himself. + +“Now, I will return in a few minutes, and take you up to Mr. Rebener’s +apartment. No one knows of your presence in the house so far, I can +assure you, and the servants on that floor may be thoroughly depended +upon.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + + +When Rebener got back to the entrance hall he found Edestone standing +talking with an American newspaper correspondent, and as he came up +heard the inventor say: “Well you can say that if I sell my discovery +to anyone it will be to the United States, and that rather than sell +to any other nation I would hand it over to my own country as a free +gift.” + +“Here, here,” Rebener joined in laughingly as he came up, “don’t you +offer to give away anything. Just because your father left you +comfortably well off is no reason that you shouldn’t sell things if +people want to buy. Sell and sell while you’ve got the market, and +sell to the highest bidder. Look at me, I am selling to both sides; +that is my way of stopping this war.” He turned to the young newspaper +man. “Is there anything new, Ralph?” + +“Nothing, Mr. Rebener, except that there is a story out in New York +that Mr. Edestone here has been sent over to act as a sort of +unofficial go-between to bring England and Germany to terms; but he +denies this. Then there is another story that he is trying to sell +this new invention of his to England and that the German agents are +trying to get it away from him before he does. You’ve just heard what +he has to say on that subject, so I seem to have landed on a ‘Flivver’ +all around. + +“Say, Mr. Edestone, you’ll give me the dope on this lay-out won’t you, +before the other boys get to it?” he wheedled. “We all know that +something is going on, and she’s going to be a big story when she +breaks, and it would be the making of me with the ‘old man’ if I could +put it over first. + +“I saw you, sir, this afternoon coming home from the Palace,” he +chuckled, “and the President, going out to the first ball game of the +season, surrounded by the Washington Blues, to toss the pill into the +diamond, certainly had nothing on you.” + +“You’ve struck it,” said Edestone, with a good-humoured laugh at +himself. “I have been trying all day to think what I looked like, and +that’s it.” + +Rebener laid his hand upon his arm. “Well, Jack,” he said, “hadn’t we +better be getting up to my place? I don’t want to keep the other +gentlemen waiting, and these Europeans have an awful habit of coming +at the hour they are invited, and do not, as we do in America, in +imitation of the ‘Snark,’ ‘dine on the following day.’ + +“Good-night, Ralph,” he waved his hand to the correspondent. “Drop +around tomorrow; I may have something for you.” + +Then as they were going up in the elevator he confided to Edestone: “I +am not so crazy about these two chaps that are coming to dinner +tonight, but you know most of the good sort are at the front, or, if +they happen to be in London, are too busy to waste their time on us +Americans. Do you know, Jack, there is at this time quite a bit of +feeling against us in England? Exactly what it is they resent it is +hard to say. I certainly do not understand how they can expect us to +take any part in this war with our population composed of people from +every one of the countries that are engaged.” + +They had scarcely had time to take off their coats when Lord Denton +and Mr. Karlbeck came in through the private entrance. Edestone was +introduced, and after the two Americans had had their cocktails, both +Englishmen having declined to indulge in this distinctly American +custom, the four sat down to dinner. Rebener put “Lord Denton” on his +right, Edestone on his left, while “Mr. Karlbeck” took the only +remaining seat. The conversation was general, and Edestone found that +both the Englishmen were evidently making an effort to be agreeable. + +“You are quite like an Englishman,” said “Lord Denton” addressing him. +“I have known so few really nice Americans that I must say it is a +most delightful surprise. When I was told that you were a great +American inventor, I was prepared to see a fellow with the back of his +neck shaved, who, while chewing gum, would seize my lapel and hold on +to it while he insisted on explaining how I could save time and money +by using his electrical self-starting dishwasher or some such beastly +machine. When I visited New York two years ago, a committee had me in +charge for three days. Their one idea seemed to be to force large +cigars and mixed drinks on me at all hours of the day and night. One +of these charming gentlemen, a particularly objectionable fellow, +although he seemed to be very rich, was covered with diamonds and wore +the most ridiculous evening clothes topped off with a yachting cap +fronted with the insignia of some rowing club of which he had been +admiral. He always referred to his one-thousand-ton yacht as his +‘little canoe,’ and took delight in telling exactly what it cost him +by the hour to run, invariably adding that this amount did not include +his own food, wines, liquors, and cigars. ‘We always charge that up to +profit-and-loss account,’ he would say with a roar of laughter, in +which he was joined by a group of his satellites.” + +“I’ll bet I can call the turn, eh, Jack?” Rebener glanced across the +table to Edestone, with a twinkle in his eye. “Didn’t the chap also +tell you with great seriousness, ‘Lord Denton,’ that he had pulled off +more good deals in his ‘little canoe’ than in all the hotel corridors +put together?” + +“Well, I sincerely hope it’s the same,” said ‘Lord Denton’. “You can’t +have two such creatures in your country?” + +“Was that the chap, ‘Denton,’” broke in “Karlbeck,” “who said to you, +the day that he slapped you on the back, that he was not so strong for +making all this fuss over Princes and things, as in his opinion it +wasn’t democratic?” + +“Yes, that was when I was on board his yacht, but he said I was all +right and he didn’t mind spending money on me. ‘This is my pleasure +today,’ he said, ‘although the Boss did say he wanted you treated +right, and his word goes both ways with me. See!’” + +“Tell them about your experience with the New York newspaper men,” + suggested “Karlbeck.” + +“Oh, that was very amusing! The whole committee would stand around and +laugh while the ‘boys,’ as they called them, had a chance, which +consisted in my being asked the most impertinent questions by a lot of +objectionable little bounders whom they constantly referred to as ‘the +greatest institution of our glorious country,’ at times allowing also +that the country was ‘God’s own.’ + +“When I objected, some of your most powerful men would say: ‘You had +better tell the reporters something or they’ll get sore on you and +print a lot of lies about your women-folk.’ + +“The particularly offensive gentleman of whom I have spoken, after +telling me what he thought of the British aristocracy, which was not +always flattering, though I seemed to be exempt, said as he bade me +good-bye: ‘By the way, don’t forget that my wife and two daughters +will be stopping in London next spring.’” + +“Well,” inquired Edestone with a faint smile, “you did forget that his +wife and two daughters were stopping in London in the spring, I am +quite sure, and sure that he is convinced you got the best of it.” + +“Oh, I say, Mr. Edestone, that was a nasty one! You really would not +have expected me to introduce that fellow at my clubs, would you?” + “No,” said Edestone, toying with something on the table to hide the +smile that played across his lips. “No, no, not at all. The Lord Mayor +of London would have satisfied him.” + +He would have dropped the subject there, but pressed by the other man +he continued rather seriously: “Since you ask me, ‘Lord Denton,’ I do +think that you should not have accepted that man’s hospitality unless +you were prepared to return it to a certain extent.” + +“Well, what would you have expected His Royal Highness to do--I mean +‘Lord Denton?’” “Karlbeck” corrected himself hastily. Edestone set his +glass down, and looked at the man for a moment. When he finally spoke +it was with a touch of asperity. With a sarcastic smile he said: + +“The quiet way in which you Europeans accept everything from us and +return nothing, is being resented, not by the lower classes for they +read in our papers how the King shook hands with Jack Johnson; not by +the _nouveaux riches_, for they are perfectly satisfied with the +notoriety they get at the hands of your broken-down aristocracy who +spend their money,--no not by these classes, but by our ladies and +gentlemen.” + +“Then why do you entertain our Princes so lavishly?” sneered +“Karlbeck.” + +“It is our sense of humour, which allows us to be imposed upon. That +sense of humour is often mistaken for hysterical hospitality by the +distinguished stranger. We--and when I say we I mean people of +breeding which does not include the vulgarian who knows nothing and +may be the son of your father’s ninth gardener--we know that the more +ridiculous we appear to you, the better you like it. Not to appear +ridiculous offends you, as it arouses a feeling of rivalry to which +you object, but with your lack of that same sense of humour, this you +deny.” + +Again he would have willingly dropped the subject, but “Lord Denton” + once more insisted upon keeping up the discussion. + +“You must remember,” said he, “Prince Henry’s visit to America. You +don’t mean to tell me the Americans were not complimented and pleased +at a visit from a Royal Prince?” + +Edestone laughed. “You mean when Prince Henry of Prussia came over to +bridge the chasm which had formed between the German and American +nations over the Manila episode, by the interchange of courtesies +between the two ruling families, the Hohenzollerns and the Roosevelts? + +“I was surprised that the Kaiser was so poorly informed as not to know +our attitude toward him and his Divine Right and mailed fist. Why, +everybody laughed except the Kaiser and the President--they were the +only ones who were fooled: the Kaiser, because he could not help +himself, it was in his blood; and Roosevelt, because he was at that +time in a most septic condition and was suffering from auto-intoxication +at the hands of that particular form of microbe.” + +“Edestone entertained Prince Henry himself at his Little Place in the +Country,” said Rebener, who saw that “Lord Denton” was losing his +temper. + +“Yes, I did,” said Edestone. “Not that I thought he would enjoy it, +but somebody--and now when I come to think of it, you were the man, +Rebener--insisted that he would like to visit my machine shops. And he +did seem to enjoy seeing them very much, and Admiral Tirpitz and his +staff took all kinds of notes while asking all kinds of questions.” + The reminiscence seemed to make the three other men a trifle +uncomfortable. + +“Oh! what difference does it make after all?” said Rebener. “Let’s get +down to business. + +“Now, Edestone,” he turned to the inventor, “you know me, and I’m not +much for beating about the bush. When I want something, my motto is, +‘Go to it.’ My object in inviting you here to meet these gentlemen +tonight was to see if we can’t get together. As I understand the +situation, Jack, you have something that you think is pretty good. You +have lots of money, and you don’t want to sell it. You don’t have to, +but you want to get England to use it, and if she won’t, you will try +Germany. Now is not that just about the size of it?” + +“To a certain extent, yes,” replied Edestone. + +“Then why in the name of common sense don’t you let ‘Lord Denton’ and +me have it and we will guarantee to have it used where it will do the +most good. He has more pull with the Government than any man in +England. I think you know pretty well now who he is,” he added with a +wink. “If it is the war you want stopped, he is the best man outside +of the King or Kaiser.” + +“Well, yes, Mr. Rebener,” said Edestone, “I do know who ‘Lord Denton’ +is and had the pleasure of seeing him this afternoon at Buckingham +Palace, but I thought perhaps he would prefer that I should preserve +his incognito and, following the example of his most charming Duchess, +permitted myself to forget. I shall be most happy to----” + +He halted and turned as a waiter stepped up behind his chair to +interrupt him. + +“I beg pardon, sir, but the Marquis of Lindenberry wishes to speak to +you on the telephone. + +“I am sorry, sir, but you will have to go to the booth in the room +behind the stairs. Mr. Rebener’s telephone is out of order.” + +“What do you mean, ‘my telephone is out of order’?” Rebener glanced up +sharply. “I used it not twenty minutes ago.” And going into the +adjoining room he tried to speak to the floor switchboard. + +“The fellow’s right,” he admitted on returning to the table. “You’ll +have to use the booth, Jack. Waiter, show Mr. Edestone where to go.” + +“This way, sir,” said the waiter, and he conducted Edestone down the +long corridor, passing one of Captain Bright’s cavalrymen at almost +every turn. Just around the foot of the stairs the waiter showed him a +door. + +“There it is, sir,” he pointed. + +Edestone went in and found himself in a room that was almost dark. It +was lighted only by a shaded electric bulb used by the man at the +switchboard, who sat facing the door but hidden from anyone entering +by the high instrument in front of him. Edestone walked over to him, +finding him almost obscured by the huge green shade pulled down over +his eyes, and seemingly very much occupied with both incoming and +outgoing calls. + +“Is there a call for Mr. Edestone?” he asked. + +“Yes, sir,” said the man without looking up from his plugs. “The +second booth from this end, No. 2.” + +Edestone, turning, saw in the dim light a row of booths against the +wall over beyond the door. It was quite dark in that corner, but he +could see that the door of the second booth was open. He went inside, +muttering as he did so, “I think they might give a fellow a little +more light.” + +As he sat down and took up the receiver, he put out his hand to stop +the door from slowly closing, apparently by itself. It was one of +those double-walled, sound-proof, stuffy boxes, and he did not want +the door shut tight, so he put out his foot to hold it open. But he +was just a moment too late. The door shut with a little bang, and when +he tried to open it again, he found that it seemed to have jammed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + + +Edestone waited. He thought he heard, or rather he felt, a vibration +as if someone were moving in the next booth. He tried the door again, +but found that it held fast. + +He was about to signal the switchboard operator and tell him to come +and open up the booth, when an, “Are you there, Mr. Edestone?” came to +him from across the wire, and caused him for the moment to forget the +refractory door. + +“Hello!” he answered. “Yes; I am Mr. Edestone. Who is this?” + +The voice, instead of replying directly, spoke as if to another person +with an aside. “Mr. Edestone is on the wire.” + +A moment, and then a second voice spoke. “Are you there, Mr. +Edestone?” + +It was not the voice of his friend, and he answered a trifle +impatiently: “Yes. Who are you? Are you speaking for the Marquis of +Lindenberry?” + +“No, I am not,” came the reply. “And I must apologize for having used +his name.” + +The voice bore the unmistakable intonation of an English gentleman. + +“I am the Count Kurtz von Hemelstein. I regret that circumstances +compel me to force myself upon you in this caddish manner. But my duty +as a soldier in the service of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, +demands it. I shall not delay you long, however, if you will only do +what I ask.” + +There was a moment’s pause. Involuntarily Edestone drew back slightly +from the instrument. + +“Count Kurtz von Hemelstein, did you say?” He spoke with a touch of +sternness. “I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of +meeting you, sir. I did meet a Count Heinrich von Hemelstein last +summer.” + +“Yes; that was my brother. He has often spoken of you, Mr. Edestone. +If I am not mistaken, you were rivals for the attention of a pretty, +young matron with a good-natured husband?” + +“Not rivals, Count von Hemelstein.” Edestone laughed, but under the +laugh he was doing some rapid thinking. “Your brother was the favoured +one, and when the war broke out, and he had to leave for the front, +the lady was almost inconsolable. + +“But, Count von Hemelstein,” he continued, “what can I do for you? We +Americans, you know, do not always insist upon a formal introduction. +As we say, ‘Any friend of a friend of mine.’” + +“Also, you are wrong on one point,” said the Count, with a little +chuckle. “I have had the pleasure of meeting you. It was a trifle +informal, I must admit, but you were just as charming as you are now, +and I think I am indebted to you to the amount of several shillings. +In the end, you did leave me rather abruptly, and seemed offended at +something I had done; but I trust you have recovered from that by this +time.” Edestone could hear him laughing heartily. + +“You have met me?” repeated Edestone, completely mystified. “When and +where?” + +“Today; in London. Indeed, I am in London now.” + +“In London, Count von Hemelstein?” Involuntarily Edestone lowered his +voice. “But I say, isn’t that taking a bit of a chance for a German +officer? Where are you speaking from now, may I ask?” + +The Count was laughing so, that just at first he could not answer; but +after a moment he managed to control his amusement. + +“I am in the next booth to you,” he said. + +When he spoke again, his tone had lost all trace of levity and become +hard and direct like that of a man charged with a distasteful duty, +yet with which he was determined not to let his feelings interfere. + +“In regard to our meeting today,” he said; “I was in disguise. In +short, I was the taxi-driver whom you gave the slip this afternoon by +the aid of that cur, Schmidt. And now, Mr. Edestone, you must realize +what it is I want.” In a more conciliatory tone, he added: “I can see +no reason, however, why we should not settle this matter as between +gentlemen.” + +“Please be more explicit,” returned Edestone, quietly. + +“In brief, then, I am authorized by my Government to meet, and even +double or quadruple any offer for your invention made by the English +Government. I will take your word of honour. All that you have to do +is to say now, on your word as a gentleman, that you will sell it to +my Government, and you can return to your friends. My Government will +then communicate with you, and close with you at your own price.” + +“And if I decline the proposition?” said Edestone. + +“Then I fear I shall be compelled to use force; and much as I may +regret to do so, I will tell you that I am prepared to stop at +nothing. + +“You are now,” he went on, “locked in that solid oak booth, with its +strong double doors, perfectly sound-proof. The operator at the +switchboard is my man. He can by pulling a wire uncork a bottle which +is concealed in your booth and asphyxiate you in one half minute.” + +But if he had expected the American to show any trepidation as a +result of his threats, he soon found out his mistake. Edestone’s reply +was as insouciant as if he had been merely commenting on the weather. + +“Really, this is quite interesting, Count von Hemelstein,” he said. “I +might almost call you a man after my own heart. That bottle trick is +so simple and yet effective that I, as an inventor, cannot help but +compliment you. I am wondering just what chemical you have employed. +There are of course a dozen or more that would answer your purpose; +but as their action varies greatly in the effect upon the victim, I am +naturally curious.” + +“Does that mean that you are about to decline my offer?” demanded the +Count sharply. “Have a care, Mr. Edestone. I am not merely trying to +frighten you, as you may suppose. The facts are just as I have stated +them, and I shall not hesitate to----” + +“Assuredly, my dear Count,” Edestone broke in. “I have never doubted +that for a moment. Nor am I going to refuse your proposition--that is, +not definitely. Instead, I have been so pleased by the charming manner +in which you have presented this little matter that I desire to submit +a counter-proposition. Only, I must beg you to urge your modest friend +with the weak eyes out there at the switchboard to be a little careful +with that wire. Judging from the atmosphere in this booth, his bottle +has been leaking for some time.” + +“Come, come, Mr. Edestone.” The Count’s voice rose nervously, showing +the strain under which he was labouring. “I have already told you that +this is no joke. If it is your game to play for time, in the hope that +some one may come to release you, or that you may discover the manner +in which the bottle is secreted, you are going to be disappointed. I +must do my work quickly. If I do not have your answer at once, I will +give the signal and take your instrument away from you by force.” + +“It is not time I want, but air.” Edestone gave a little gasp. “You +yourself have spent more time than I, with your kind explanations as +to how I may avoid what would be to me a most distressing accident. +However, since celerity is what you want, I hasten to say that I have +not my instrument, nor indeed any instrument with me.” + +“Not with you?” snapped the Prussian angrily. “Where is it, then?” + +“Ah! That is my counter-proposition. Count von Hemelstein, if I +promise to tell you, on my word of honour, where you may find this +instrument of mine that contains the entire secret of my +invention--and it is near at hand where, if you are a brave man, you +can easily get it,--if I do this, will you, on your side, give me your +word as a gentleman, that you will immediately open this booth? + +“I may add,” he went on, as von Hemelstein seemed to hesitate, “that +this is my last and only proposition, and you can take that or +nothing. I will die here in this box before I will sell my invention +to any European Government; but you may have it as a free gift, Count, +if you have the nerve to go after it. There is a challenge to your +boasted Prussian valour! Are you a sport, Count von Hemelstein, or are +you not?” + +Von Hemelstein wavered no longer. From what Edestone told him, he +argued that the inventor must have left his instrument with some of +his subordinates, probably Black and Stanton, and relied upon them to +protect it; and it stung him to think that the American should believe +a German officer would falter at such odds--a couple of electricians, +mere Yankee artisans. + +“Yes,” he growled hoarsely. “I accept your terms. It is a bargain.” + +“On your honour?” + +“On my word of honour as a Prussian officer and a gentleman.” + +“Well, then, hurry up and open this door. It is getting stifling in +here; and, besides, Rebener will be growing anxious about me.” + +“But, first, your information. Where is the instrument?” + +“Oh, the instrument?” It was now Edestone’s turn to laugh. “Why, that +is lying on the floor under the table in Mr. Rebener’s dining-room. I +dropped it there, when I came out to answer your telephone call, and I +also gave instructions to the sentries on guard at the door of the +apartment to shoot any one who attempted to pass in or out during my +absence. You are doubtless a brave man, but I do not think you are +prepared to tackle a whole company of British cavalry. + +“And now,” he concluded, “I have kept to my bargain. Will you kindly +open the door?” + +A muttered German imprecation, like a snarl of baffled chagrin, was +his only answer. But a moment later the door to his booth swung open, +and he was free. + +As he stepped out, he found the lights in the room turned on, and the +man at the switchboard gone. He also noticed that the door to the +adjoining booth was shaking, as if someone had just jerked it open and +had passed out hurriedly, and, as he came out into the corridor, he +thought he glimpsed the figure of a man hastily disappearing down the +staircase. So far as any other evidence went, except for his wilted +collar and heaving lungs, the whole experience might have been a +dream. + +He returned quietly to the dinner table, and stooping over, as if to +pick up his napkin, recovered the instrument and slipped it into his +trousers pocket. + +“Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” kept staring at him with puzzled, almost +incredulous faces. + +“Did you find your friend on the wire?” finally ventured “Lord +Denton,” leaning across the table toward him. + +“No; it was another gentleman speaking for him,” smiled Edestone, “a +mere visitor to England like myself. I took the liberty of asking him +to join us, but he declined. He is, I fancy, leaving the country very +shortly--probably going to Berlin.” + +A little gasp from behind him caused him to turn in his seat. It came +from the hotel proprietor who, entering the room by the rear door, +stood rooted in amazement at the sight of Edestone, his jaw dropping, +his eyes as big as saucers. + +Edestone regarded him a moment; then turned to his host. + +“What silly-looking waiters you have in this hotel, Rebener,” he said. +“That fellow yonder doesn’t appear to have brains enough to be even a +German spy.” + +The real waiter, overhearing this compliment to his employer, clapped +his hand over his mouth and dived for the pantry, just managing to get +through the swinging door before he exploded. + +The self-satisfied Bombiadi also overheard, and although he +endeavoured to appear unconscious, a dull red flush crept up over his +cheeks, and after shifting for a moment from one foot to the other, he +left the room. + +“Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” exchanged glances out of the corners of +their eyes; and Rebener, although he made out to grin at the speech, +shifted a little uneasily in his chair. + +But Edestone, who, under his quiet exterior, possessed a rather +mischievous spirit, was not yet through with them. + +“As I was saying when I was called to the telephone,” he leaned across +the table toward the _incognito_ Royal Duke, “the desire of Your Royal +Highness--pardon me, I mean, of ‘Lord Denton’--is of course to see +England victorious in this contest; but that may mean years of +fighting and an appalling loss of men and money. Such true patriots as +yourself and ‘Mr. Karlbeck’ must see that it would be far better to +end the war now, provided that a lasting peace can be ensured, and +that I think I can guarantee with my discovery. I should be delighted, +therefore, to co-operate with you gentlemen to that end, and if you +would advocate the proposition that England allow me to go to Berlin +with something to show that she is willing to enter into _pour +parlers_, I shall bring pressure to bear on Germany to make some +liberal answer.” + +“Lord Denton,” however, seemed no longer interested in the matter, and +was unable to concentrate his attention; while “Mr. Karlbeck” made no +attempt to hide the fact that he was disgusted gusted with the +evening, and wished to see it end as soon as possible. + +Rebener, seeing his dinner a failure, although not quite understanding +the cause, like many a nervous host compelled to face a tableful of +distinguished guests who do not hesitate to show that they are bored, +did the silliest thing possible under the circumstances, and drank +more than he should. + +Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fashion that “Mr. +Karlbeck” looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His +Royal Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone’s +attention from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were +thrown out. + +They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown +open, and some one announced in a loud voice, “The King’s Messenger!” + +“Karlbeck” and “Lord Denton” sprang to their feet, their faces ashy +pale, as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment +later, Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they +both crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the +starch-pot. + +The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown +gathering between his eyes. + +“Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was +dining with Mr. Edestone tonight,” he drew himself up stiffly. And it +was in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had +inveighed against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and +had loudly urged that no attention be paid to him or his claims. + +Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been +in circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen +with the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them +here in the apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, +and in conference with the possessor of the secret which Germany was +seeking so eagerly to obtain? + +Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, +but turned to Edestone. + +“I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, +has ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, +and I should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your +time.” + +Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener’s permission, had +withdrawn with him into the salon, he explained that the King had +instructed Sir Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine +o’clock and to state the decision of the Government in answer to the +inventor’s proposition. + +“Will that hour be convenient to you?” asked the Colonel. + +“Perfectly,” Edestone assented. Then on an impulse, he added: “I do +not leave for the Continent until eleven.” + +The Equerry extended his hand. “In that case, I shall probably not see +you again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant +journey and good luck when you reach Berlin.” + +It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a +prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of +gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart’s parting salute, and +returned to the dining-room. + +There he found the two discomfited members of the nobility just taking +their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was +playing the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and +over-loud manner urging them to stay and “have another.” Wouldn’t they +try one of his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous +brandy? + +But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and +turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although +“Mr. Karlbeck” did consent to gulp down a large glass of Rebener’s +very fine brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal +associate. + +Edestone left almost immediately, and his “guard of honour,” to which +he was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly +assembled, he was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + + +The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the +occurrences of the evening before at Rebener’s dinner, and Edestone +was surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed +concerning all that had transpired. + +“His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole +distasteful episode,” Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash +of contempt in his eye. “His Royal Highness has been relieved of his +commission and is in retirement, and the Duchess of Windthorst +together with Princess Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess +Adolph, in Berlin. By these means, and of course with your silence, +upon which he counts, His Majesty hopes to keep England in ignorance +of the fact that such rottenness exists in his immediate household.” + +“And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the +_Ivernia_ is in the mire too,” thought Edestone; for it seemed to +him that the King’s order of exile against the Duchess and herself +could mean nothing else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and +aversion for the traitor did not extend to the feminine members of the +family. For them he had only sorrow and sympathy. + +Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a +subject, had taken up the direct purpose of his call. + +He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of +settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, +His Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the +United States, and after her spies had reported the nature of +Edestone’s reception in London, and especially after the inventor +should have had an interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government +might suggest something which could serve as a basis upon which to +open negotiations. In such a case, His Majesty was of the opinion that +Edestone, if he were willing to undertake the delicate task, would be +the most suitable person to act as a go-between. + +The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing +at that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, +and that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any +proposition he might bring back. + +He brought letters to the President of France, General French, General +Joffre, and others, which would guarantee Edestone’s safety up to the +German line; but suggested that it would be well not to show the +French too much, since they were such a volatile nation that they +might readily decide to retire from the field and allow the United +States and England to settle the matter. On account of the long and +sincere friendship which had existed between the French people and +those of the United States, France might feel that she could depend +upon the United States to recover her lost territory, together with +Alsace and Lorraine, and that was all she wanted. + +In leaving, Sir Egbert, upon behalf of the King, insisted on placing a +torpedo boat at Edestone’s disposal. Then, with the assurance that +anything he might have to communicate to the British Government would +be given most careful consideration, the Foreign Minister bowed +himself out. + +Edestone could not but compare this interview with the one he had held +with Lord Rockstone--the opening gun of his campaign. Verily, +twenty-four hours had made a vast change in the attitude of the +British Cabinet. + +His journey to Paris was uneventful except for one incident. + +In the middle of the Channel, as he leaned against the rail, gazing +back toward the white cliffs of Dover, he drew the Deionizer from his +pocket and quietly dropped it overboard. With scarcely a splash the +little instrument, for which the warring nations were willing to +barter millions and commit almost any crime, disappeared beneath the +waves. + +He did not, however, intend giving any further demonstration until his +arrival in Berlin, and there he thought he might have a larger and +better one; while, in the meantime, and especially since his encounter +with Count von Hemelstein had shown him how far the Germans were +prepared to go, he did not feel like taking any unnecessary chances. + +At Calais, he was received by the representative of the President and +other high officials, and when they had seen some of his photographs, +and had heard an outline of his plans, they readily followed the lead +of England in accrediting him as a sort of unofficial peacemaker. +Indeed, the Frenchmen looked upon Edestone as someone almost +superhuman--a being who had come to establish on earth the dream of +their philosophers, “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”--and they gloried +in the good fortune of their sister Republic in having produced and +sent to their rescue such a son. + +When he left for Berlin, he was conducted to the Swiss frontier like a +conquering hero, and, with prayers that he would be careful while in +the land of the Huns, was turned over to the Swiss Government. The +latter also accorded him every consideration and courtesy; but when he +finally left their outposts behind and arrived on German soil, he +found a different story. + +Here, he was immediately taken in charge by the frontier military +authorities, and practically held a prisoner for three days under the +excuse that instructions in regard to him had to be asked for from +Berlin. + +He was incensed at the petty annoyances to which he was subjected by +his jailer, a fat old German martinet. + +Under one pretext or another he and his men were constantly being +interrogated, and his baggage, which they insisted upon opening, was +thoroughly and repeatedly searched. + +When they discovered among other things something that suggested a +miniature wireless plant, they would not let him or any of his men out +of their sight. His letters were so strong, however, that they would +not dare to do anything with him without instructions. + +He let it be known that he had absolutely nothing hidden on his person +by taking off all of his clothes and going to bed, and would +apparently sleep while watching the spies go through them. They seemed +to enjoy this little game so much that he would sometimes play it once +or twice a day, varying it by taking a bath or having James give him +massage. + +They never seemed to suspect that he was playing with them, but would +stand around and pounce down on his clothes, each time searching them +thoroughly as if they had discovered something entirely new, when they +had just turned the same things inside out within an hour. + +While waiting here, too, he came to learn how intensely bitter was the +feeling against Americans among Germans of all classes. They regarded +themselves as superior beings, he found, and when they first noted his +splendid physique, would not believe but that he must have German +blood in his veins. When he convinced them, however, that he was of +pure Anglo-Saxon stock, Virginia bred--a thorough-paced “Yankee,” as +they called it--even the peasants treated him as the dirt beneath +their feet. + +But at last word came from the German General Staff. He was “sealed, +stamped, and marked, ‘not to be opened until after delivery in +Berlin.’” He was shown greater consideration now; but it was a +consideration which rather unpleasantly reminded him of that shown by +the keeper to a condemned prisoner in presenting him with his new +clothes in which to be executed. + +He and his men and all his belongings--the latter carefully listed in +triplicate--were put into a private car, and locked in, like a rich +American with the smallpox whom they were sending out of the country; +while, to add to his comfort, he was told that Count von Hemelstein +was to act as his escort. + +As they started on the journey, Edestone had an opportunity of seeing +in his true character for the first time the man whom he had so +cleverly outwitted in the telephone booth, and he found it hard work +to identify the smart cavalry officer as the grimy London taxi-driver +of a few days before. + +The Count was a big, splendid-looking fellow, who rather affected an +American manner in order to hide the fact that he had been educated +both at school and college in England. Without his uniform, he would +have been taken anywhere for an Englishman, blond, blue-eyed giant +that he was, with as beautiful a moustache and as winning a smile as +was ever given to the hero of a love story. He wore the uniform of a +Colonel of Uhlans, which well set off his handsome figure. In fact, he +was as noble-looking an Uhlan as ever, either before or after +marriage, broke the heart of a rich brewer’s daughter. + +“Delighted to meet you again, Mr. Edestone,” he grasped the American’s +hand, with a hearty laugh. “Ever since our last encounter, I have been +wanting the opportunity of asking how you knew that I would keep my +word and release you, when you divulged to me the whereabouts of your +instrument there in the telephone booth? Didn’t you realize that, by +‘putting you out,’ and then having the switchboard man raise an alarm, +I could in the resultant confusion, easily have secured the +instrument?” + +“But I also realized that I was dealing with a soldier, not a burglar; +and I took a chance,” said Edestone with a smile. + +“Well,” said the Colonel, “now that you are safe in Germany what +difference does it make? We mean to keep you here.” + +“The United States might have something to say to that,” suggested +Edestone. + +“The United States? Bah! One more country to fight; what difference +would it make to Germany, especially one that could make so little +showing? You have no army. Your navy could do no more than England is +already doing. We are at present cut off from your supplies as much as +if we were at war with you. Finally, the German-Americans would put +the brakes on you, now that another Presidential election is +approaching. + +“No, Mr. Edestone,” he shook his head triumphantly; “you are making a +bad mistake, if you are relying on the protection of the United +States, now that you have stuck your head into the tiger’s mouth.” + +“Do I understand, Count von Hemelstein, that Germany proposes to hold +me a prisoner? Are you telling me that she would dare do such a +thing?” + +“Ah, do not put it so crudely.” The Count raised his hand a trifle +mockingly. “Let us say, rather, that we expect you to become so +convinced of the righteousness of our cause that you will gladly turn +over your instrument and render us any other aid you can toward the +crushing of our enemies.” + +The smile faded from his lips, and for a moment he, “showed his +teeth.” + +“Take my advice, my friend,” he said sharply. “Don’t try to frighten +the Wilhelmstrasse with your moving pictures and your covert threats +of intervention by the United States as you did at Buckingham Palace. +We are made of sterner stuff here. We know the nature of your +invention, and just what you can accomplish with it; and our gifted +men of science are now hard at work in the effort to duplicate your +achievement. + +“My brother brought back word a year ago,” he disclosed, “that you +were building a super-dreadnought 907 feet long, 90 feet beam, 35 feet +draught, 40,000 tons displacement. We also know that you are now +working full blast night and day at your ‘Little Place in the +Country.’ We know about the tricks you played with that flunkey in +your audience with the King. A hint to us Germans is all that is +needed. + +“We know further,” he went on in a sterner voice, “the sentiments of +love and devotion toward England that you expressed to the English +King, and we know the tenor of the answer that was returned to your +proposition. + +“But do you imagine that you can come here, sir, and dictate terms to +our Emperor, or arrange a peace for us, which would mean anything less +than the absolute humbling of England? Do you think we would run the +slightest risk of letting this invention of yours fall into England’s +hands? + +“Your question was expressed very undiplomatically, Mr. Edestone, for +one who is arrogating to himself the prerogatives of an envoy and +ambassador. Nations in speaking to one another use language that is +lighter than fairy’s thought, and sweeter than a baby’s dream, but +more deadly than a pestilence. But I will answer you on this occasion +just as bluntly and baldly. + +“We do propose to hold you virtually a prisoner on German soil until +such time as our men of science have completed their labours. If they +succeed in solving the secret of your discovery, we shall be ready to +try conclusions with the United States, and shall deal with you +personally as may seem most advisable, dragging you by force from the +very Embassy itself, if you attempt to take refuge there. If, on the +other hand, our men of science fail, your position will be in no way +preferable. We will simply compel you to disclose your secret to us, +and, as I told you once before, we stop at nothing to gain our ends. +Your best plan, therefore, and I believe I am your sincere friend when +I tell you this, is to sell to my Government at once.” + +A slightly amused smile flitted over Edestone’s lips from time to time +as he listened; but when he spoke it was quite seriously. + +“I have no doubt,” he said, “that everything you tell me is absolutely +true. Germany is undoubtedly thorough, whether her thoroughness take +the form of the destruction of Louvain, or of sewing two buttons where +only one is needed on the trousers of her soldiers. But I pity her for +not finding a larger way to gain her ends in the first place, and for +her conceit in thinking that a lot of little thoughts and extra +buttons when added together make a great nation. Germany may know +exactly how many gold and how many amalgam fillings there are in the +teeth of the German army, but she does not know that thousands of men +leave Germany and come to the United States simply because they do not +want their teeth counted. Germany may know what I have done and am +doing at my place on the Hudson, but she does not know that she has so +incensed me by her methods of obtaining this information that it were +better for her if she had never known, or you so boastful as to have +told me of it. + +“Yes,” and he spoke almost with the fervour of an inspired prophet; +“Germany may know her alphabet of war from end to end, forward and +backward, but she does not know that she and it are doomed to +destruction, because she thinks that she can drive the intelligent +modern world with a spear, as her forefathers did the wild beasts of +the Black Forest.” + +Von Hemelstein started and laid his hand indignantly to the hilt of +his sword. His instructions to bring Edestone safely to Berlin alone +prevented him from punishing then and there such insult to his country +and his Emperor. + +“My orders prevent me from killing you!” he said hoarsely, as he +straightened up and, drawing his heels together with a click, turned +and stalked away. + +He took a seat at the other side of the car, and as if utterly +oblivious that such a creature as Edestone existed, produced and +deliberately adjusted the two parts of a very long and handsome +cigarette holder, and with much straining of his very tight uniform +restored the case to the place provided by law for its concealment on +his glittering person. He then took out his cigarette case, and after +selecting a cigarette, he gently tapped it on the gold cover, glaring +all the time quite through and beyond the unspeakable American. With +more absurd contortions the cigarette case was disposed of, and +matches produced. Then, stretching out his beautiful patent-leather +boots, he finally lighted his cigarette. + +He took a deep inhalation, and blew from the very bottom of his lungs +a thin cloud of smoke in Edestone’s direction, while with much +rattling he unfolded a newspaper, and pretended to read it. + +Edestone, who was with difficulty keeping a straight face, sat all +this time solemnly watching him with the expression of a schoolgirl +looking at her matinee idol at about the juncture in the last act when +that hero puts on his kingly robes which have been hidden for a +hundred years in the moth closet of his twenty-story apartment house +on upper Riverside Drive. + +When the Count finally peeped cautiously over the top of his paper to +see what effect he was producing, he felt almost tempted to applaud +and blow him a kiss. + +“Count von Hemelstein,” he said lazily, when finally the Prussian had +put down his paper, and was sitting glaring in front of him, “I was +just thinking what a stunning book-cover you would make for a cheap +novel, or how many thousands of bottles of beer your picture would +sell in Hoboken. Hoboken, you know, is the headquarters of the +German-American standing army, and your second largest naval base. Or +you might serve as----” + +He halted in some anxiety, for it seemed as if the Count were about to +choke to death. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + + +They sat this way for some time, Edestone looking thoughtfully out of +the car window and rather disgusted with himself for having lessened +his dignity in the eyes of the other man. + +He was broad enough to be able to put himself in von Hemelstein’s +place. He knew that by birth, education, and example the man’s attitude +to him, in fact to the rest of the world, was that of a superior being +looking down upon those immeasurably beneath him. For him, a Prussian +nobleman, to be spoken to in this way by one of a lower sphere was bad +enough, but when that one was of the very lowest of spheres, an +American, it was acute pain. He looked upon Edestone as a low comedian +rather than as a gentleman in the hands of a chivalrous enemy, which +the officer considered himself to be. + +Edestone himself felt no resentment but the sort of pity that he would +feel for one who was born with an hereditary weakness that he could no +more control than the colour of his eyes. He was as sorry as he would +have been, had he been guilty of laughing at the irregularity of +another man’s teeth which were not so perfect as his own. + +He got up and walked slowly over toward his travelling companion. The +handsome warrior quickly let his hand fall to his loaded automatic as +if he expected to be attacked, but when he saw Edestone standing +quietly before him, and with a rather sad smile on his face, he turned +back to his reading and refused to look up, even after Edestone had +begun to speak. + +“I am sorry, Count von Hemelstein,” said the inventor, “to have +offended you, and I beg that you will accept my most humble apology. We +Americans, I fear, are too much inclined to let our sense of humour run +away with us.” + +The soldier raised his eyes with a threatening look, not knowing but +that Edestone was still poking fun at him, or else, fearing the +consequences of his rashness, was trying to ingratiate himself with his +jailer. But after that glance at Edestone’s face he felt confident that +his apology was sincere. The Prussian’s pride was too deeply wounded, +however, for him to give in at once. + +“I am glad, Mr. Edestone,” he replied stiffly, “that you realize that +it is not customary to speak lightly of Germany in the presence of one +of her officers.” + +“I know,” exclaimed Edestone, “it was extremely bad taste for me to +criticize a civilization so much older than my own, but you will,” he +smiled, “forgive the cowboy I am sure when he tells you he is sorry.” + Then seeing by the expression of the officer’s face that he had won the +day: “Come now, Count von Hemelstein, let’s be friends. I would not +have liked you had you not resented my remarks, and I was a cad to take +advantage of your absolutely defenceless position.” + +The Count broke out into a hearty laugh, and jumping up took Edestone’s +extended hand. + +“You Americans,” he vowed, all traces of his ill-feeling gone, “are the +most remarkable chaps. I never saw a cowboy, but if they are anything +like you they must be descended from some branch of the Hohenzollern +family.” + +“No, I cannot claim that distinction,” laughed Edestone; “but I think +perhaps there are many cowboys who if they knew and knowing cared to +could boast of as distinguished a lineage. Did you ever breed dogs, +Count? Well, if you have, you would know that the good points of the +champion do not always appear in the oldest son of the oldest son, but +spring up where we least expect to find them. And so it is I think with +men; the good points are in the blood and will appear long after the +man has lost his family tree. Sometimes they appear in individuals who +show so strongly the traits of the champion that they scorn the +existence of musty documents to tell them who they are.” + +“Then, Mr. Edestone, you do not believe in our method of keeping our +best blood where it belongs--at the top?” + +“Yes, I do most thoroughly approve of some of your methods. They are +perhaps the best that have yet been devised, but you have not yet found +the true method of following the centre of the stream. You sometimes +dip from an eddy, simply because you believe that at some time it might +have been in the middle, and you allow the deep dark red torrent to +carry its saturated solution by you.” + +“Well, Mr. Edestone,” the Count smiled, “whether you are descended from +a cowboy king or a business baron, you are deuced good company. I am +glad that if I am to be cooped up here for two days it is with you +instead of some conceited English duke, whose English grandfather was a +fool and whose American grandfather was a knave--oh, I beg pardon. I am +like poor little Alice in Wonderland when she was talking with the +mouse. I seem always to insist upon talking about cats.” + +Edestone laughed. + +“And now, Mr. Edestone, that you have been such a brick and apologized +to me, I shall have to admit that I was rather rude in what I said to +you. I think that the German Government has every intention of treating +you fairly, and if you will only listen to reason, you will find that +they are as anxious to bring this war to a close as is the United +States. I know, however, that Germany intends to have her fair share of +the earth; we are righting for our national existence, and we will not, +and in fact we cannot afford to, stop at anything. If you really do not +intend to sell your invention to any of the countries of Europe, you +can at least use your influence with the United States to keep out of +this muss, and let us settle our little difficulties in our own way.” + +Edestone became serious. “My sole object, Count von Hemelstein,” he +said, “is to stop this war and settle these ‘little difficulties,’ as +you call them, without further loss of life. If your Government will +allow me to take back to England some assurance that it is now willing +to discuss a settlement, I know that my Government will keep out of the +discussion.” + +The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stopping of the +train at a station where the Count said he expected to take on the +lunch baskets. With a comfortable lunch between them, and a bottle of +wine to divide, they soon forgot their differences and laughed and +joked like old friends. + +“It is a great pity, Mr. Edestone,” said the Uhlan, “that you are not a +German. I am sure the Kaiser would like you. He might even make you a +Count, and then you could marry some woman of rank and with all your +money you could be one of the greatest swells in Europe. He might make +you an officer, too, so that you could wear a uniform and carry the +decorations which he would confer upon you. Then when Americans came +over to Kiel in their big yachts, you could tell the Emperor which were +the real cowboy families and which were the Knickerbocker noblemen.” + +“Well, that is exactly what I was thinking about you, Count von +Hemelstein,” Edestone chuckled. “If you would only come over to America +I would get you a nice position in one of our large department stores, +where your knowledge of German would be of the greatest assistance to +you and soon put you at the top. Your German-Jew boss would invite you +to his palace at Long Branch to dinner some night before a holiday and +you would meet his beautiful daughter. She would take you into the big +parlour, which would be open that night, and say to all her friends: ‘I +want you to shake hands with Count von Hemelstein, who is head salesman +in Pa’s M. & D. Department.’ And she would be corrected by Ma, who +would say: ‘No, dearie, you mean the M. & W. Department.’ + +“With your military training you would, by this time, have undoubtedly +become a second lieutenant in one of our exclusive National Guard +regiments, and after marrying ‘Dearie,’ you would come over to Germany +and visit me at one of my castles on the Rhine. I would now have +gambled away my entire fortune, and my son, the Baron von Edestone, +would marry ‘Dearie’s’ daughter.” + +So they passed the time with good-humoured chaffing, carefully avoiding +more serious subjects, and when they reached Berlin they had become +fast friends. + +But as the train pulled into the German capital the Count leaned forward +a trifle persuasively. “Now, Mr. Edestone,” he said, “we have had a +deuced good time together, and to tell the truth I am sorry to turn you +over because I do not believe these old fellows on the General Staff will +understand you as I do, but don’t be an ass, I beg of you, and stand up +against these wise old chaps. Do what they want you to do--they know +better than you how to handle this complicated European situation. You +will get no thanks for your trouble if you do not, and you may get your +fingers rapped or even pretty severely pinched. My orders are to see you +to some comfortable hotel, any that you may select. I would suggest the +Hotel Adlon as perhaps the most comfortable. + +“After that I am to take you to call on General von Lichtenstein, who +will hear what you have to say, and if in his judgment you should go +higher he will pass you on.” + +“I am to see nothing more of you?” asked Edestone. + +“My duty finishes when General von Lichtenstein takes you up. You will, +of course, be watched and your every movement will be recorded, but +that will not be my duty, nor here in Berlin will you be at all annoyed +by it. Now that you are in Germany, you will be looked upon as a friend +and treated accordingly, unless you are found not to be. I have given +you my card, and I will take great pleasure in introducing you at the +clubs or helping you in any way so long as it is consistent with my +duty.” + +“You are extremely kind, and I appreciate it very much, Count von +Hemelstein.” + +“Now above all things,” warned the Count, and his tone was very +impressive, “if by any chance you should be ordered to appear before +His Imperial Majesty, please be careful what you say. You have said +things to me in the last two days which, understanding you as I do, I +could overlook, but I would no more think of repeating them while you +are in Germany than I would think of flying. They were not of a nature +that would make it my duty to report them, but they might get you into +no end of trouble. For instance, you would not be so foolish as to +intimate that the Hohenzollern family is not in the middle of the ‘big +stream.’” He smiled in spite of himself. + +Then as the train rolled into the station he took Edestone’s hand and +said: “_Auf wiedersehen_, my friend. I must now assume my other role of +your escort of honour. Speak German,” he suggested quickly as the +guards came into the car; “you will be less apt to be annoyed.” + +Edestone was conducted hastily through the station, where automobiles +waited to whisk him and his entire party off to the hotel. At his +request, the trunks containing all his apparatus were sent to the +American Embassy. He was not as familiar with Berlin as he was with the +other capitals of Europe, but if he had not known that Germany was +engaged in a most desperate war, and millions of her sons were being +sacrificed, there was nothing that he saw as he rushed through the city +that would have suggested it. + +He was received at the hotel with extreme politeness, but it was the +politeness that was insulting. The proprietor, waiters, and even the +bell-boys treated him with poorly concealed contempt, and though he +spoke to them in perfect German, would always answer in English, as if +to show him that they knew he was of that despised race. + +Count von Hemelstein left him with the understanding that he would call +for him in the morning and conduct him to General von Lichtenstein. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + + +That afternoon, Edestone took occasion to call at the American Embassy, +where he found that Ambassador Gerard, broken down by the strain of the +first few months of the war, during which he had accomplished such +wonderful work, had been forced to go to Wiesbaden for a rest. + +The Ambassador had left in charge Mr. William Jones, First Secretary of +Legation, who with his wife was occupying the Embassy and representing +the United States. The doctors had warned the Secretary that the +Ambassador’s condition was such that he must have absolute quiet, and +that he should under no circumstances be troubled or even communicated +with in regard to affairs of state. Jones was, therefore, to all +intents and purposes the Ambassador. + +This suited Edestone’s plans perfectly, for Jones was only a few years +older than himself and he had known him intimately since boyhood. + +His friend received him with almost the delight of a man who has been +marooned on a desert island and was pining for the sight of a friendly +face. + +“Well, well, Jack,” he said, “what foolish thing is this that you are +up to now? We have received the most extraordinary instructions from +the State Department--I gather that the Secretary of State has either +lost his mind or that you have got him under a spell, and then with +your hypnotic power have suggested that he order us to do things which +we could not do in peace times and which are simply out of the question +now. Don’t you people over home understand that these Germans, from the +Kaiser to the lowest peasant, are all in such an exalted state of +Anglophobia that they regard everyone with distrust, and are especially +suspicious of us. My advice to you, as Lawrence would say,”--referring +to one of his under-secretaries, a college mate and intimate friend of +Edestone’s,--“is to ‘can that high-brow stuff’ and come down to earth.” + +“Now, speaking for myself as your friend, I advise you to go and see +General von Lichtenstein, whom you will find a delightful old gentleman +but as wise as Solomon’s aunt. Talk to him like a sweet little boy, and +then come back to the Legation and stop with us while you see something +of the war. I can take you to within one hundred and fifty miles of the +firing line and show you the crack regiments of Germany looking as +happy and sleek as if they were merely out for one of the yearly +manoeuvres. I would have difficulty, though, in showing you any of the +wounded, as they are very careful to see that we are not offended by +any of the horrors that one reads of in the American papers.” + +“Berlin is being forced to fiddle, eh, while Germany is burning?” + +“Yes, she suggests the hysterical condition of Paris just before the +Reign of Terror, while I, like Benjamin Franklin, in ‘undertaker’s +clothes’ in the midst of barbaric splendour, wait for the inevitable.” + +“Is your face, like his, ‘as well known as that of the moon’?” asked +Edestone. + +“Yes, but a thing to be insulted, not like his to be painted on the +lids of snuff-boxes, as souvenirs for kings. + +“Or if that does not amuse you, Mrs. Jones can introduce you to some of +the prettiest girls you ever saw.” + +“Big, strong, fat, and healthy, I suppose, with red faces looking as if +they had just been washed with soap and water.” + +“Well, then we might have some golf, and if you will give me half a +stroke, I will play you $5 a hole and $50 on the game. Or if that is +too rich for your blood, I will play you dollar Nassau. In fact, Jack, +I will do anything to get this foolish idea out of your head. These +people can’t see a joke at any time, but to try one now might put you +into a very serious if not dangerous position. Now you go along and see +Lawrence, as I have to look after some American refugees who are +waiting in the outer office. You will dine with us tonight, of course.” + +Lawrence Stuyvesant, to whom the Secretary had referred, appeared at +the door at that moment and beckoned to Edestone. He was one of those +irrepressible Americans, born with an absolute lack of respect for +anything that suggested convention, at home in any company and showing +absolutely no preference. He would be found joking with the stokers in +the engine room when he might be walking with the Admiral on the +quarter-deck, flirting with a deaf old Duchess when he might be supping +with the leader of the ballet. With a sense of humour that would have +made his fortune on the stage, he spoke half-a-dozen languages and a +dozen dialects. He could imitate the Kaiser or give a Yiddish dialect +to a Chinaman. Light-hearted to a fault, he would make a joke at +anyone’s expense, preferably his own. An entertaining chap, but a +rolling stone that could roll up hill or skip lightly over the surface +of a placid lake with equal facility. He had already run through two +considerable fortunes, and had been almost everything from a camel +driver to a yacht’s captain. Now he imagined himself to be a diplomat. + +“Behold the dreamer cometh,” he said in Yiddish dialect as Edestone +approached, and grasping the inventor by both hands, dragged him into +the other room, and began to ask questions so fast that a Chicago +reporter, had he heard, would have died of sheer mortification. + +After he had gotten all the information that he could pump, pull, and +squeeze out of Edestone, he shook his head discouragingly. + +“I am darn glad to see you, old chap,” he said, “but I am sorry to hear +that you have come over to try and reason with this bunch of nuts. +Don’t you know they are so damn conceited that if you were to tell them +that every time you look at a German you see two men, they would +believe you; and then as if they hated to lie to themselves, they would +say perhaps it was an optical illusion. Tell them that God did not +create anyone but the Germans and that he left the rest of the world to +the students in his office, and they will give you a smile of assent.” + Edestone smiled indulgently. “Tell them that when the Kaiser frowns +every wheel in the United States stops and refuses to move until +reassured by the German papers that it is but the frown of an indulgent +father and not the thunder of their future War Lord, and they will give +a knowing look. Tell them that only German is taught in our public +schools, and that any child who does not double-cross himself at the +mention of the name of any of the North German Lloyd steamers is taken +out and shot, and they will say, ‘Ach so?’ + +“But just you pull something about what a hit Brother Henry made in the +United States, especially with the navy, and what a swell chance he +would have of being elected Admiral when Dewey resigns, then look out! +Get under your umbrella and sit perfectly still until the storm passes. +Keep well down in the trenches and don’t expose anything that you do +not want sent to the cleaners. For when one of these Dutchmen begins to +splutter, there is nothing short of the U-29 that can stand the tidal +wave of beer and sauerkraut which has been lying in wait for some +unsuspecting neutral in their flabby jowls like nuts in a squirrel’s +cheek. They back-fire, skip, short-circuit, and finally blow up, and if +you don’t throw on a bucket or two of flattery quick, you’ve got a duel +on your hands, which for an American in this country means that you get +it going and coming.” + +Edestone, knowing Lawrence well, took what he said largely as a joke; +but from his own observations and from what Jones had told him he felt +convinced that there did not exist the kindest feeling for Americans in +Berlin. Brushing all this aside, he turned to Lawrence with a +businesslike air: + +“Where are the trunks that I sent to the Embassy?” he asked. “Have they +got here yet?” + +“Down in the basement,” Lawrence nodded. + +“I’d like to get something out of them.” + +“Well, why look at me?” inquired Lawrence. “I’m no baggage smasher.” + +“It’s a pity you’re not,” rejoined Edestone. “You would be better at +that than you are at diplomacy. However, all I want is for you to have +someone show me where they are.” + +“Fred, show the King of America where his royal impedimenta await his +royal pleasure,” Lawrence directed a young man with the manners of a +Bowery boy, who appeared in answer to his summons. + +With him Edestone went down to the trunks and took from one of them a +small receiving instrument with a dial attachment similar to the one on +top of the Deionizer, which he had dropped into the Channel. Then after +a few words with his other friends in the Embassy, he went back to the +hotel. + +The next morning Count von Hemelstein called, and it was quite like +meeting an old friend. Edestone was really sorry when, the Count +leaving him at the door of General Headquarters said: “This is where I +turn you over to my superiors. These are times that try men’s souls, +and you are now dealing with men who must win.” + +They had arrived on the stroke of the hour, and Edestone was quickly +taken in charge and shown without a moment’s delay into the presence of +General von Lichtenstein. The General was a man whose age was +impossible to tell. He was over sixty, but how much over one found it +hard to estimate. He was erect and rather thin, and he wore his uniform +with the care of a much younger man. The lines about his mouth and +chin, which are such a sure index, were hidden by a full beard, white +as snow and rather long. His high forehead was half covered by a huge +shock of hair, also perfectly white, which was parted neatly on the +side. His steel-blue eyes, looking out through a pair of gold-rimmed +spectacles, were bright, but were set so far back under his heavy brows +that they looked very old, very wise, and almost mysterious. + +When Edestone was brought into the room without any form of +introduction, the General rose and greeted him in the most kind and +fatherly manner. + +“Good-morning, Mr. Edestone,” he said in English with a marked accent. +“I am very glad to see you,” and, putting out his hand with an air of +simple kindness as if to lead him to a chair, he said: “Won’t you sit +down, sir? + +“You must not mind if I treat you like a boy,” he went on with a gentle +smile; “you are about the age of my own son who was killed at Ypres. I +am too old to fight any more, so they keep me here to entertain +distinguished strangers like yourself,” and he laughed quietly to +himself, looking at Edestone as he might at a little boy whom he had +just told that he had on a very pretty suit of clothes. + +He picked up from his desk, a box of very large cigars, selected two, +and, after looking very carefully at one to see that it was absolutely +perfect, handed it without a word to Edestone. After he had watched +with great interest to see that Edestone had lighted his cigar +properly, he lighted his own. + +“I see by the way you smoke that you are a good judge of tobacco. I +have always understood that you Americans like very fresh cigars and +smoke them immediately after they are made. I like them old myself.” + +“You are thinking of Cuba, perhaps,” suggested Edestone. + +“Oh, that is true,” admitted the old gentleman. “The Americans live in +the United States and you do not allow the other inhabitants of the +hemisphere to the north or to the south of you to use that name. You +are perfectly right; you are--what do you call it?--the boss,” and +again he smiled his gentle smile. + +“I get all my cigars from England,” he continued. “The English and I +have very similar tastes--in cigars. I have a very old friend, +Professor Weibezhal, who lives in England, and he sends them over to +me. I just received these a few days ago. He is not having a very good +time over there now, he writes me. He can’t get what he wants to eat, +and he says he misses his German beer.” + +Edestone could scarcely realize that he was sitting in General +Headquarters, the very heart of German militarism, talking to General +von Lichtenstein, the most powerful and astute man in all Europe. But +for the German accent and magnificent uniform it might have been in the +Union Club in New York, and he himself talking to a very nice, rather +simple-minded old gentleman, who was flattered by the attention of a +younger man. + +After the General had inquired about a friend of his who lived in +America--he said he did not know exactly where, not in New York, but +some town near there, Cincinnati or perhaps St. Louis. This struck +Edestone as strange when he thought of the springs on his father’s old +place which were marked on a German map that he had seen, although he +himself did not know of their existence, and he had spent his entire +childhood roaming all over it. + +Finally, when he had told him one or two stories about an American +woman whom he had been quite fond of when he was a young man, the +General said in a most apologetic manner: + +“Now I must not keep you. I suppose you would like to go out with some +of the younger officers and see something of this war, now that you are +over here. Or, by the way, it was about some discovery or invention you +have made that you called to see me, was it not? What is this +invention, tell me, and exactly what is it that you want the German +Government to do? If you will explain to me and I can understand, I +will be glad to help you in any way I can. Of course you know that I am +a very small part of the German Empire. I am, however, in a position to +bring your wishes to those who are above me and are all-powerful.” + +Then, while Edestone explained to him everything in regard to his +mission except the actual construction of the Deionizer, the old +General sat quietly smoking, smiling occasionally and listening with +the attention that a man might show who was being told of an +improvement in some machine in which he had no personal interest but +was glad to be enlightened, although up to that time the matter had +been something he had never thought much about. + +He would now and then say, “How very interesting!” “Can that be +possible?” “Is that so?” Not even when Edestone described the pictures +shown to the King of England did he manifest any feeling except that of +kindly interest in a most charming young man, who was taking a great +deal of trouble to explain his youthful hopes to a rather slow-thinking +old one. + +He allowed Edestone to talk on, not even interrupting him, to ask a +single question, and when the visitor had finished by expressing the +hope that he might be instrumental in bringing the war to a close, +General von Lichtenstein replied with apparent sincerity: + +“I really see no reason why you should not. You are a brilliant +inventor, apparently a hard worker, and above all you seem willing to +give your talents to the world for the benefit of your fellow-men. The +only thing that you lack is age and experience. I am not an inventor, I +cannot work hard any more, and I am not known as a philanthropist, but +I have age and I have experience, so I think that you and I might make +a good combination. Leave this to me, and I think I can show you how +all that you wish to accomplish can be accomplished, if not exactly in +your way, in a way which I think you will agree with me is a better +way. Whereas I should not dare to speak for His Imperial Majesty, the +Kaiser, I believe I am perfectly safe in saying that he will see you +and inspect your photographs, drawings, and anything else that you may +wish to show him. I will see him and let you know when and where.” + +He laid his hand on Edestone’s shoulder and walked with him as far as +the door. + +“You are a fine young fellow,” he said with a hearty grasp of the hand +as he bade him goodbye, “and all you want is an old head on your broad +young shoulders. Let the old man help you, and everything will be all +right.” + +When Edestone was on the outside and thought over all that the General +had said, he would have been delighted with the turn things had taken +had he not been warned by Jones and did he not recall what Count von +Hemelstein had said. + +Being so straightforward himself, he could not understand deceit in +others, and when he recalled the almost inspired expression on the kind +old gentleman’s face when he spoke of his son so recently killed in +battle, he could not bring himself to believe that this was the trained +diplomat of iron who covered with that gentle exterior a determination +to crush and kill anything that came between him and the accomplishment +of the great purpose, the great cause to which he had gladly sacrificed +his first-born and the heir to his name and title. + +It was nearly noon, Greenwich time, now, so Edestone hurried back to +his hotel to receive from “Specs” the daily signal: “Awaiting orders. +All is well.” + +With the forethought of a good general he wished to be prepared for any +emergency, and when the needle of the receiver, which he had taken from +the trunk at the Embassy, recorded the reassuring message, Edestone +thoroughly satisfied with the work of the morning returned to the +Embassy to keep his appointment with Lawrence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + + +Lawrence was on the lookout for him when he arrived at the Embassy, and +conducted him at once to his own private quarters, where they could be +absolutely alone. + +“Now, Lawrence,” said Edestone, when they had made themselves +comfortable, “I want your assistance. Are you game?” + +“Well I ask you, you old simp! Did you not initiate me, in my freshman +year, in the Ki Ki Ki, and do you think that I have forgotten the oath +that I took while sitting with my naked back within a foot of a red-hot +stove, my fingers in a bucket of red ink, and you branding me with a +lump of ice?” He went through with some ridiculous gesticulations to +prove the honours that had been bestowed upon him. + +“I know, old man, but this is no college boy performance. Before you +commit yourself I want you to understand that you are running great +danger. Besides, I don’t think that the Acting Ambassador would exactly +approve, as it might involve the United States. Desperate situations, +though, have to be met sometimes with desperate measures.” + +“Yours is a noble heart, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and the child is +safe in the hands of Jack Hathaway, the Boy Scout. Go on, I listen. +Your story interests me strangely,” said Lawrence. + +Edestone paid no attention to this, but went on in the same manner: “I +can assure you that, except as a last resort, you will not be called on +to do anything that will be an actual violation of our neutrality, and +not even then until I have obtained the permission of the Secretary of +the Embassy. But from now on, Lawrence, you will be looked upon with +great suspicion, and you may have trouble explaining yourself out of a +German prison, if not from in front of a firing squad.” He eyed the +younger man keenly as if questioning whether or not he could rely upon +him, and upon seeing this, Lawrence altered his light tone and for once +spoke soberly. + +“Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, +while I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the +level, so what’s the use of saying anything more. I’m with you. What is +it you want?” + +“Well, take me up on the roof,” said Edestone. + +“Say, Bo, is that all?” + +“Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run +for your money, so for Heaven’s sake do be serious.” + +The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, +and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the +elevator shaft, was unencumbered. + +Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care. +He found as he expected a small free space over the machinery which was +entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of +the car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by +climbing over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly +dark inside and one could remain there for days without being +discovered. + +After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined +the tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were +waving from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the +edge of the roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at +the city below. He seemed to be establishing his bearings, but seeing +one of the soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Embassy, +he stepped back quickly. + +“Come below,” he drew Lawrence back. “We must not be seen.” + +Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be +some real excitement, led the way back to his apartments. + +“Little did I think,” said Edestone with a smile when they were once +more settled, “when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on +board the _Storm Queen_, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of +the information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument +and one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am +calling on you now.” + +“Good,” cried Lawrence. “I am the best little sparker that ever sent an +S. O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on +my back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as +for a catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of +toast.” + +“All right,” said Edestone with a laugh; “as your references from your +last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my +trunks, did you not?” + +“Yes,” replied Lawrence. + +“Well, in the one marked ‘Black,’ there is a small wireless instrument. +The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get +through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do +not know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be +both of but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they +are welcome. Still, on Jones’s account, I want them not to know that I +am sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this +instrument is in the Embassy. I want you to install it in the penthouse +above the drum, and I will assure you that if I ask you to send out my +two messages, it will not be until after Jones has given his consent. +Do you think that you can do this?” + +Lawrence pondered for some moments. “Of course I can send the messages, +and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting +the Secretary know or keeping the damn German servants from catching on +I don’t quite see.” + +“I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any +person can run it by pushing the button. All you have to do then is to +unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have +adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of +the elevator car?” + +“Yes,” Lawrence nodded. + +“Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians +in America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you +how. In the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine----” + +“Oh, I say, come now!” said Lawrence. “I suppose you are going to tell +me next that you’ve got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are +going to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that’s no merry +jest; we haven’t seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months.” + +“No, Lawrence, I’m not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a +moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, +and I propose to give a show right here in the Embassy. I will ask the +Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I +can keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get +Black, who will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run +him up to the top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the +rest, and all you will have to do after that is to see that he gets +down before I turn up the lights, when your absence might be remarked. +Isn’t that simple enough?” + +“But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time +comes?” asked Lawrence. + +“I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages +at all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps +it’s just as well that you can’t get up there without my assistance.” + +Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his +strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful +machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said: + +“You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go ‘round, +or else you’d be sending messages off to a lot of girls. + +“Now, make haste,” he directed, “send for the trunk marked ‘Black.’” + +With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and +Edestone having tested Lawrence’s knowledge, and explained to him again +exactly what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for +him to know about the code that was to be used. + +A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Ambassador, he +wanted to know what they had been up to. “Has Lawrence been giving you +the telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides,” he +asked, “or does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You +know, Jack, Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart +army set. It appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the +military governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he +is teaching the entire royal family the latest American dances.” + +“Well, if you care to know what we have been up to,” said Edestone, +“I don’t mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little +moving-picture entertainment here at the Embassy. Have we your +permission to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for +the people here in the house.” + +“Certainly,” consented Jones. “Go as far as you like. I myself will be +glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name +of common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way +over from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I +suppose, of course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, +as long as it doesn’t get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds +off this war, I haven’t any objection. When do you propose to have your +show?” + +“I can’t exactly say as to that,” Edestone answered. “It all depends +upon Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date.” + He looked at the other conspirator with a questioning glance. + +“We’ll have it tonight then,” said Lawrence. “I think I can get up my +part by that time.” He made significant faces at Edestone behind the +Secretary’s back. + +“Tonight’s the night, eh?” said Jones with a smile. “Very well, we’ll +all be on hand.” + +Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days’ +journey shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings +with his old friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some +of Mrs. Jones’s young friends, who were delighted when they heard of +the moving-picture show. + +Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, +Lawrence having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture +machine, Jones turned to his guest. + +“I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon,” he said. +“He seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young +man, and will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes +to present you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will +be in a few days. When I told him that you had not told me what your +invention was he merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems +to think that the United States has something to do with sending you +over here. He is a sly old fox and I tell you to look out for him.” + +He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating +a barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the +performance. + +The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some +scenes from America which he had brought over to amuse the +distinguished audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures +showing him tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the +servants, but the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not +hesitate to say that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, +travelling all around the world with such silly things. + +But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to +him that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the +penthouse, and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour +longer the work would be finished. + +Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, +taking tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some +especially fine pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little +nervous though as he found his supply of films running short, but at +that moment he spied Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal +“All is well.” + +The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him +something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head. + +“I am purposely keeping you out of this, William,” he said, “for if I +get into trouble I don’t want to drag you and the Missus in with me.” + +Then with the promise that he would move around to the Embassy in the +morning, he left for his hotel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +KAFFEE KLATSCH + + +Edestone had now been at the Embassy for about a week and was wondering +what would be the next move on the part of the German General Staff. + +He knew that General von Lichtenstein was not waiting for the return of +the Emperor, for he was in Berlin. In fact he had seen him driving past +the Embassy in his big automobile with the General. Edestone was just +coming out, and although he was not certain, he thought that the +General had recognized him, for he leaned over and spoke to the +Emperor, who looked straight at the American. + +He had heard nothing, but from what the different officers at the clubs +had dropped, he was confident that he had not been forgotten. These had +all received him with great show of cordiality, and among Count von +Hemelstein’s friends there had sprung up a certain friendliness, which +he knew was due to the Count’s influence. The Count himself, on the +other hand, seemed now to be a little bit ill at ease when in his +presence. He said to Edestone one night after he had been drinking +quite heavily: + +“Mr. Edestone, it is a great pity that you have come over here and +mixed up in our troubles. It is too late now, however; you could not +get out if you tried,” and then with a sneer, “not even if you called +to your assistance Princess Wilhelmina, who seems to take so much +interest in you.” + +Edestone decided that the German General Staff were preparing their +answer to the new condition that had been brought about by his +invention, and that they were waiting for additional information before +delivering it. He knew that they must realize that some action must be +taken, but with the forethought for which they were so celebrated they +were preparing the way. When they had satisfied themselves that they +were in possession of all of the facts that could be gotten without his +assistance, and had looked at these from every possible standpoint, he +would be sent for, and not until then. + +Several days after his sight of the Emperor, Edestone, in passing +through the halls of the Embassy, was approached by one of the German +servants, who in a rather mysterious manner handed him a note, which +read as follows: + + “Dear Mr. Edestone: Please have Mr. Stuyvesant bring you to tea + on Tuesday afternoon. It is a matter of the greatest importance. + I must see you. + + “PRINCESS WILHELMINA.” + +He knew that Princess Wilhelmina was in Berlin. Lawrence had seen her +at the house of Princess Adolph, and in his joking way had said that +she had inquired very particularly after the American inventor, and +that Count von Hemelstein, who thought he was the “candy kid,” was very +jealous. + +But why had she sent for him? he thought. When he spoke to +Lawrence, he in his usual jocular manner exclaimed: “Ah, so now you are +to have Kaffee Klatsch with the Princess. I told you so. The lady is in +love with you, and the Emperor is going to offer you her hand in +marriage after he has bestowed on you an Iron Cross in return for one +of your quack medicines.” + +Edestone, who declined to take any notice of this, thoughtfully said: +“Can it be possible that she also is a traitor? She cannot imagine for +one moment that she will be able to accomplish what her father was +unable to do, but God gives women confidence in themselves to +compensate them for the fact that nobody else has.” With an impatient +gesture, “No, no, Lawrence, that is impossible! That sweet little +child!” + +“Ah!” said Lawrence, “so little Willie Westinghouse has fallen for the +baby stare?” + +“You are absurd, Lawrence,” said Edestone with a rather embarrassed +expression. “It is perfectly clear. She feels deeply her father’s +disgrace, and perhaps she thinks that I might do something to help her +to exonerate him.” + +“Well,” said Lawrence, “I don’t think there is any satisfaction in +being a hero in Berlin while being locked up in the Tower in London +like her father, but you are the limit. You talk as quietly of using +your influence for a Prince of the Royal Blood with the King of England +as if she were asking you to get her brother a position on the New York +police force. God certainly gave you confidence in yourself.” + +“There is nothing very strange about that,” replied Edestone. “As I +understand it, the only thing that they have against the Duke of +Windthorst is that he was dining with Rebener and myself, and were I to +state that at no time during the dinner had he shown any disloyalty to +his King and country, it might do a little good. But whatever it is, we +will go and see this afternoon.” + +About half-past five they were driven to the handsome residence +occupied by Princess Adolph when in Berlin. + +They were immediately shown into a large and beautiful room in the +style of Louis XVI., which had evidently been designed and executed by +a French artist. It was free from the brutal touch which the Germans +show in their attempt at the refinement of the French Renaissance of +that period. + +They were received by Princess Adolph, a very striking young woman, who +shocked all of Berlin by affecting French clothes, French language, and +a French mode of life. She was surrounded by some of the dashing young +officers of the very exclusive army set. These glared through their +monocles when the Americans were announced and did not try to hide +their annoyance. + +Lawrence, without taking the slightest notice of these “Knights of the +Butchered Face,” as he called them, with his usual careless and +frivolous manner, went over to the Princess and immediately began to +shower upon her in the most effusive manner compliment after +compliment, which she received with laughter. She rather prided herself +on shocking Berlin by pretending to be tremendously interested in this +wild young American. + +The Princess turned to Edestone and extended her hand. He had +hesitated; he resented the manner of her young gallants, and feared +that they might, with their usual rudeness to Americans in the presence +of women, put him into an embarrassing position. Smiling she said: + +“I welcome you, Mr. Edestone, as the greatest lion of them all in this +den of lions,” and with a reproving frown she waved her hand at the +officers who were so poorly hiding their annoyance. + +She then turned to Princess Wilhelmina, who was seated behind a large +table and was pouring out a cup of coffee, which she continued to do +when she saw Edestone until it was called to her attention that the cup +was full as well as the saucer. + +“Billy,” she nodded, “you and Mr. Edestone are old friends. Give him a +cup of tea; I know he does not like _Kaffee und Schlagsahne_.” + +The little Princess, who was very much embarrassed, extended her hand, +which Edestone took and seated himself beside her. + +This scene might have been enacted in an English country house if it +had not been so entirely different. The Germans, in their effort to +affect certain charming English customs and Germanize them, in the +process lose the charm. Tea time for the Englishman is the hour of +relaxation after a day in the open, when he can in his easy clothes +receive the homage of the ladies in their beautiful tea-gowns. Whereas +here, these men in their tight-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms, were +attitudinizing and indulging in that military form of gallantry, which +may be picturesque but certainly looks most uncomfortable. + +The entrance of the Americans had thrown a chill upon the entire +company. The officers simply refused to open their mouths, and sat +glaring at the two intruders. + +Edestone, after having made several attempts to relieve the situation, +relapsed into silence. The feeble efforts of the Princess Wilhelmina +but added to the atmosphere of restraint which she was unable to +dispel. + +Princess Adolph up to this time had been entirely monopolized by +Lawrence, but catching an appealing look from her English cousin, came +to the rescue at last. She was apparently in the secret, and in a most +natural manner called upon Princess Wilhelmina to show Mr. Edestone her +new French garden, which she said had been laid out by a young American +studying at the École des Beaux Arts. + +Princess Billy, who by this time was in such a state of excitement that +she could scarcely get up from where she was sitting, and as if to +postpone as long as possible the meeting which she had brought upon +herself, managed to say: + +“I don’t think that Mr. Edestone is interested in such simple things as +flowers,” but catching the glance that was thrown at her by Princess +Adolph she continued with a nervous little laugh: “Come, Mr. Edestone, +I hope I shall be able to explain everything to you properly.” + +When the timid little figure led the way and was followed by that of +the big man with his dignified bearing, one might almost imagine that +it was an indulgent father taking his very frightened little daughter +out to give her a lecture. + +When they were on the outside and alone, as she stopped and grasped the +balcony to support herself she said, looking up into his face with eyes +in which tears were gathering: + +“Oh, Mr. Edestone, I don’t know what to say! I don’t know what you will +think of me. I know you hate all of us and especially me.” + +“Oh, don’t say that, Princess!” interrupted Edestone, moved to pity for +the poor little child who seemed to him, as he looked down into her +sweet little face, almost young enough to have been his own daughter. + +“Oh yes you do; I know you do! But I am not what you think I am,” and +in a very hurried manner, looking about her, she continued, lowering +her voice: “I am no traitor to my country, and I know that what my +father did he did because he believed it was his duty.” + +“Oh, Princess Wilhelmina!” said Edestone, as if to stop her on this +most disagreeable subject. + +“Please do not call me Princess in that sarcastic manner. I hate being +a Princess! I know you hate all of our class, and believe that we are +all as heartless as we are sometimes forced to appear. But it is not of +that that I wish to speak. My sole object in sending for you is to tell +you that I know you are in great danger, and to beg--I mean advise--you +to leave Berlin at once. I know that you believe I am working for them, +and in fact I could not have arranged this interview unless I had left +them under the impression that I was, but I don’t care. Please go +before it is too late.” + +Edestone, who at first thought that she might have been playing a part, +was now convinced of her sincerity. “My dear little Princess Billy,” he +said, leaning over and with great effort resisting his inclination to +take her hand, “is that why you sent for me?” + +“Yes,” she blushed and smiled when he used the familiar form of +address, “I have heard that you were going to be killed, and I was +determined to warn you, so I pretended to be working for them. Now +please go before it is too late.” + +“But, Princess, why did you take all of this risk for me?” + +“Oh, I don’t know; but I must show you the garden. I hope that you +won’t think I am very forward.” + +She then hurriedly passed into the garden and gave him in a very rapid +and disconnected manner a description of the different plants, +fountains, statues, etc. She hurried back into the drawing-room, but +just before reaching the other group, she said in an undertone: + +“Now, won’t you promise me that you will leave Berlin at once?” + +Before he had time to answer they were joined by Princess Adolph. + +The Americans remained for a few moments and then took their leave. The +little Princess, as she put her icy cold hand in his, gave him an +appealing look. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + + +The Secretary came in with a very grave face one morning after having +had a long talk with the German Chancellor. + +“Do you know, Jack,” he said, “I think the German Government intends +to declare war on us, and I would not be a bit surprised if she +proposes to strike first and declare afterwards. Their newspapers, +and they are all inspired by the Government, you know, are working +up a strong anti-American feeling, and this I think is done in order +that when they do strike the Government may have the entire country +back of it. Have you noticed, too, that they are constantly increasing +the guard around the Embassy, which is either to save us or to catch +us? Is it possible that your nonsense has got anything to do with all +this? By Jove, Jack, I think it is about time that you told me what +you are up to.” + +Edestone considered for a moment. “When you tell me that you are +absolutely certain that they are going to strike, I will tell you, +William, and not before. You know enough now, however, to realize that +those soldiers outside are to catch and not protect. It is me that they +want, though, and not you. Your position is perfectly safe and +unassailable so long as you do not know too much.” + +That ended the discussion for the time, but Lawrence came in one night +in a state of great excitement. He had just seen some woman who, he +rather intimated, was a little bit fond of him, and who was also very +closely connected with certain high officials. She had told him, he +said, apparently joking although he knew she was in earnest, that she +hoped her pretty boy would not mix up with this man Edestone, or he +might get into trouble too. + +“‘They are only allowing us to stay in Berlin,’ she said, ‘until they +get you, Jack,’” declared Lawrence, “and then we will have to go, the +whole lot of us.” + +In the meantime things were going from bad to worse. The Secretary was +getting more and more anxious. Reports of all kinds kept coming in from +all sides. Americans were being insulted in the street. The officers at +the clubs were a little more arrogant in their studied politeness +toward Edestone and his associates, the younger officers even taunting +Lawrence with having to leave his girl in Berlin and go back to +cow-punching. + +Finally one of the papers reported that the entire American fleet was +collecting at Hampton Roads, that all the German boats in New York had +been dismantled by force, and broadly suggested that the Yankees were +about to strike first and apologize afterward. + +However, there came a slight rift in the clouds. Coming back one +morning after a conference with the Chancellor, Jones was all smiles. + +“Well, we are all right for a little while at least,” he announced. +“The Chancellor has just informed me that the Emperor has decided to +see you, Edestone, and he wishes to inspect here, at the Embassy, +anything that you may like to show him. The Chancellor intimated that +it would depend entirely upon your attitude on this occasion whether or +not your mission to Europe was a failure or a brilliant success.” + +“And when is he coming?” asked Edestone quickly. + +Jones grinned. “With his usual impetuosity, he has selected tonight, +and will pay the Embassy a formal call at nine o’clock, after the +celebration at the Palace in honour of the birthday of one of the Royal +princes.” + +Edestone was delighted with the prospect of some action at last, but he +had long since lost all hope of an amicable settlement. They had waited +too long. He felt that they were preparing to strike, and should they +do so it made him sick to think of the awful consequences. He was +almost tempted to tell Jones of the wireless instrument in the +penthouse and his daily communications with “Specs,” but he remembered +that he had no right to involve him as a representative of the United +States, and that, as the matter stood, he and Lawrence were the only +culprits. + +He did not care to destroy the roseate hopes of the Secretary after his +conference with the Chancellor, and contented himself with saying: +“William, I hope that you are right, but I have an impression that we +are in for it. I am prepared to meet any game that they may play, but I +do sincerely hope that I shall not be forced to it.” + +By seven o’clock that evening the streets for blocks around the Embassy +were filled with soldiers, and Edestone smiled when looking from the +window he noticed that the Germans were bringing up anti-aircraft guns. + +“They are taking no chances,” he thought to himself, his curiosity +aroused as he noticed several large mortars being brought up and +so placed that each battery of four could throw their shells in +parallel lines over the Embassy to the north, south, east, and west. +This struck him as very strange, but he became even more interested +when he perceived that besides the ordinary ammunition wagon each gun +was provided with a trailer that looked like a big wheel or drum on a +two-wheeled carriage, although it was so carefully covered over that +he could not make out exactly what it was. + +“I have got to find out what those things are,” said Edestone to +himself, and taking his hat and cane, he left the Embassy as if for a +short stroll before dinner. + +The soldiers took no notice of him as he sauntered along, and allowed him +to inspect everything at his will until he approached the strange-looking +mortars. Then he was stopped by a young officer, who told him in a very +polite but firm tone that he would have to pass on and could not go by +that way, at the same time showing him where he could walk around the +block. + +“I would give a good deal to know what those things are,” muttered +Edestone to himself. “In fact, I must know before the night is over.” + +He went back into the house, after strolling about for a quarter of an +hour, and for the first time since he had left the Little Place in the +Country, he became really anxious. + +“These are wonderful people. They evidently are satisfied now that they +have the answer, and who knows but they may have. All may yet be lost.” + +He sat down and drove his brain as he had never driven it before. He +wondered if he could get the Secretary to demand what all this +preparation meant, and what these new death-dealing instruments might +be that were threatening the Embassy of the United States; but that was +useless, he knew. They would reply that it was to protect the Emperor, +or would simply refuse to answer, or answering would lie. + +After waiting until it was time to dress for dinner, in a fit of +desperation he sent for Lawrence. + +“Lawrence,” he said, “have you seen those mortars out there?” + +“Yes,” replied Lawrence, “I did. They take no chances with the ‘Big +Noise.’” + +“Don’t joke, Lawrence. This is serious; very serious. Did you notice +those two-wheeled wagons that are so carefully covered with canvas just +behind each of the mortars?” + +“No, to tell you the truth, I did not. They have so many travelling +soup wagons and ice plants that I don’t pay any attention to those +things any more.” + +“Well, Lawrence, I’ve got to know what they are tonight in order that I +may be prepared; otherwise we may find ourselves in a very serious +situation, and what is much more important, my whole life’s work may be +absolutely lost.” + +“Now, since you put it that way,” said Lawrence with a broad grin, “I +will step out and in my most polite Deutsch inquire.” + +“They will not let you get within a block of them. Do you think it will +be possible to persuade one of the German servants to find out from the +soldiers? I would pay any price.” + +“Well, I will dress myself like the cook and go out and flirt with one +of the soldiers for $2. I’m a little badly off for money myself just +about this time.” + +“Lawrence, you must stop joking. I tell you, something must be done.” + +“Leave me think, leave me think,” said the irrepressible. +“_Donnerwetter_, I have it! What time does the Hohenzollern Glee Club +arrive?” + +“At nine o’clock.” + +“And you come on immediately after the ‘First Part,’ succeeding which I +suppose Lohengrin will sing his Duck Ditty, while the Boy Scout, +dressed as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, after biting the triggers off all the +guns, and pulling his wig well down over his eyes”--imitating the +action--“will sally forth into the limpid limelights, and after he has +been shot once in the face by a 16-inch howitzer and has been played +upon in the rear by a battery of machine guns, he will limp on with the +regular limp of the old Virginia servant and die at your feet, but not +until I have whispered their secret into the heel of your boot.” + +Edestone had known Lawrence long enough to understand that all of this +nonsense meant that his really bright mind was working, and that he had +some definite plan in view. The best way to handle him, he had found +out, was to let his exuberance of spirit have free swing, so he replied +in the same melodramatic manner: “Good, my faithful District Messenger +Boy. Now in what way can I assist you in your wonderful scheme?” + +“Leave all to me, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and before the clock on +yon ‘back drop’ strikes eight bells, you will know what is hidden +beneath these veils of mystery.” + +“I can depend upon you,” Edestone eyed him searchingly, “and no +mistake?” + +“On the life of me mother who lies dead beneath the sacred soil of dear +old Idaho!” With a wave of an imaginary sword, and jumping astride an +imaginary stick horse, he saluted and galloped from the room, singing +“It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + +“I wonder what that dare-devil is up to,” thought Edestone. +Nevertheless he believed that Lawrence would accomplish his purpose. + +Presently his attention was attracted by the beams of a searchlight +crossing the window, and looking out he saw those great white arms +stretching up from every part of the city. + +“They expect me to show my teeth tonight,” he said. + +The distant tapping of drums showed that troops were moving in all +parts of Berlin, and they were beginning to form in the streets below. +It was easy to see by which route the Emperor was coming, or at least +by which route he wished the people to think he was going to arrive. + +Edestone dressed hurriedly, although James seemed to think that +something extra should be done. + +“Beg pardon, sir,” he pleaded in an accent which would have meant +imprisonment for him if heard on the streets outside, “but these here +barbarians likes a bit of colour, sir. I understands as how the Emperor +calls the Ambassador the ‘undertaker,’ sir, and it’s all on account, +sir, of his not a-having any lace on his coat, sir. Don’t you think you +might wear some of your Colonial Society medals and decorations, sir?” + and he tried hard to hide his contempt for these American signs of +alleged aristocracy. “There is some as is bright in colour, sir, and he +wouldn’t know, sir, but as how you is a duke in America, sir.” + +“None of that nonsense, James, unless,” he said with a quizzical look, +“you give me the copy of the Golden Fleece, which shows that I am a +member in good standing of the South Chicago Aero Club.” + +“Not that one, sir,” protested James, “if you will pardon me, sir, I +think it is a bit large, sir, for the waistcoat opening, sir. I think, +sir, that the Order of the Cincinnati is very neat, sir. It is very +much like one of the Greek Orders, I don’t recall which, sir, but Lord +Knott wore it once, I recall, sir, when the King of Greece was in +London, sir.” + +“No, James,” Edestone shook his head. “My father was a blacksmith, and +I would not like to deceive the Emperor.” + +“How you do like your little joke, sir,” said James, putting his hand +to his mouth. “Won’t you just use that button, sir, instead of a +buttonhole? It ain’t so frivolous like, sir, begging your pardon, sir.” + +“Oh well, yes; just to keep you quiet.” + +“Thank you, sir.” + +And Edestone left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DER KAISER + + +Downstairs, the household was in a state of suppressed excitement. The +German men servants, without the usual protection of a brilliant +uniform, looked as if they would like to drop everything and hide +themselves in the coal cellar. The maids were almost on the verge of +tears. Mrs. Jones, with all the jewelry on that she possessed, was +moving about with a flushed face seeing that everything was in order. + +“For Heaven’s sake, hurry up, Jack,” she said. “We must have a short +dinner and be ready when the Emperor arrives. As for myself, I never +can touch anything for hours before I meet him. He scares me almost out +of my wits.” + +Her husband was walking up and down with the expression of a man who is +the speaker of the evening, watching the waiters serving coffee and +passing cigars. The only persons who seemed perfectly at their ease +were Lawrence and his Bowery boy valet, Fred, who were holding a very +serious conversation in the corner of the hall. + +Dinner, it must be confessed, was very like the gathering of the +distant relatives the night before the funeral of the rich old maid of +the family. Lawrence’s jokes were either not heard or were received +with sad-eyed contortions of the face that were less like a smile than +the premonition of a sneeze. The strain was so great that as they were +having their coffee a sudden clatter in the street came as an immense +relief. + +The air was instantly filled with the subdued noise of the different +members of the household taking their various places. The Acting +Ambassador and Mrs. Jones went out of the dining-room and took a +position near the door of the large reception room, leaving Edestone +and Lawrence alone. They had previously explained to Edestone what he +must do when they notified him that it was time for him to come in and +be presented. + +“Lawrence,” he said when the servants had all gone, “won’t you tell me +what you have decided on? I am rather curious to know your plan.” + +Lawrence, who had grown quite serious for him, came around from his +place and lighting a cigarette sat down close to him. + +“You know Prince Fritz Funk?” he leaned over to whisper. + +“Of course,” said Edestone. + +“Well,” continued Lawrence, “I’m supposed to look something like him. I +am just his height. He has, as you know, certain striking mannerisms, +which when he is drinking are accentuated. I have all last year been +amusing the officers at the clubs by giving imitations of him, and they +do say I am better than he is himself. + +“Now all the soldiers stationed in and about Berlin know Fritzie’s +peculiarities, so I propose to impersonate him tonight while he is in +here drinking the Ambassador’s champagne. My man is to get his helmet, +‘_avec le grand panache_,’ and his long gray-blue military cape, and +with my riding boots and spurs and a sword, I shall be able to fool +those boobs out there; that is, if they don’t throw on me one of those +damned spot lights. If they do, G-o-o-d-n-i-g-h-t! Then I can only say +that I am doing it on a bet. But I hardly think that would save me in +these times. The least I could expect would be a term in prison for +insulting the uniform. I will go down in history as ‘Little Boy Blue up +in the air.’” + +“It’s a big risk you’re taking,” frowned Edestone, “and were there any +other way I would not allow you to do this. But if you do succeed, you +will go down in history in a way you could never dream. Lawrence, if +you get back safely with this information, I will make you a present of +$1,000,000.” + +Lawrence looked at his friend as if he thought that he had lost his +mind, but when he saw the look of determination on Edestone’s strong +face, which seemed to have aged within the hour, and when he felt the +grip of his powerful hand, he knew that he meant every word he said. + +“By God, old man,” he said with a little break in his voice, “you +should be the Emperor instead of his nibs out there.” + +“I may be yet,” said Edestone smiling, and a look came on his face that +Lawrence had never seen there before. + +The servants were moving quietly about the room, but it was plain to +see that they felt the presence of the Lord’s Anointed. Through the +house could be heard the clatter of many swords and the tramping of +booted heels along the marble hall. It sent a thrill through Edestone +that he would have had difficulty to explain. It was like the echo of +some far distant past seeming to recall to life a sleeping spirit, +which with great exultation was throwing off the fetters of its long +slumbers. He seemed to be impelled by an almost irresistible force to +rush into their midst and take his rightful position at their head. + +He was recalled to himself by the sudden silence that had fallen on the +entire house, as though some great army had been halted and was +standing at rigid attention. Then he heard the silvery tinkle and +metallic clink of sabre and spurs as of a single figure striding with +military precision over the softest of carpets, and he could picture +that majestic form advancing well in front of his glittering escort as +they stood in breathless silence while he made his dramatic entrance. + +Then the silence was broken by a voice which said slowly and +distinctly: “His Imperial Majesty.” An almost simultaneous click +followed as if all had come to a salute and were waiting for the sign +to relax and from automatons become human beings again. + +Edestone was all alone in the dining-room. + +The servants had left the room after removing the table decorations, +covering it with a dark cloth and setting a large bowl of flowers in +the centre; and Lawrence had gone out quietly on hearing the noise in +the hall. + +And so he sat, this young man in a strange land, thousands of miles +away from his home, waiting to be called to a death struggle, without +help from anyone, with the most powerful, arrogant, and relentless man +on the face of the earth, an adversary surrounded by the most perfect +fighting machine yet devised by man, with all the confidence, that +tradition, success, and a brilliant mind could give. An Emperor with +the sublime dignity of his position which he sincerely believed he held +by Divine Right, and who had always lived surrounded by an atmosphere +of absolute submission to his will. + +Yet Edestone was not afraid. He was not even nervous. He was merely +anxious to be up and doing. This show of force, those mysterious +two-wheeled wagons, had roused his fighting blood. So assured was +he of his own sincerity in his efforts for the good of all that he +resented the attitude which they had taken. He knew they would try +to get his invention peaceably, if possible, but would stop at nothing +if they failed, and he expected some overt act of violence tonight that +would mean war with the United States. + +So when he was called by one of the under-secretaries of the Embassy he +went with little charity in his heart, but with head erect and +determination shown in his every movement, bearing on his face, which +seemed to have grown very hard, a look that left no doubt of the +fearlessness of the spirit that was behind it. + +He was taken in at one end of the large room that vibrated with light +and colour. Around three sides of it was banked the most brilliant +array of uniforms that he had ever seen. There were white-headed +generals ablaze with decorations and medals; there were young princes +with simple uniforms and with but one handsome decoration to show their +distinguished rank. There were Cuirassiers and Uhlans, and now and then +he could pick out the sombre black and silver uniforms of the +celebrated Death’s-Head Hussars. + +But the one figure which dominated all and held his attention was that +of the Emperor. + +He stood in the centre of the room with the Secretary and General von +Lichtenstein, Mrs. Jones having retired as soon as she had received her +distinguished guest. + +He was a man of medium height but with a bearing which made him appear +larger than he really was. He was dressed in the wonderful white +uniform of the Garde du Corps, which carried with it the celebrated +silver eagle helmet. + +As this figure dominated and held the centre of this brilliant picture, +so his face drew the attention from his magnificent uniform and held it +as with a magnetic power. It was handsome, intelligent, strong, but +above all it was commanding. There was little kindness but there was a +merry twinkle in his sharp blue eyes which showed a human side and was +most attractive. + +These eyes could change, however, and when he saw Edestone and they +were met by his perfectly fearless but respectful glance, they seemed +to try by force to penetrate his very soul. + +Edestone advanced alone until he came to within a few paces of the +central group, and then stopped, standing with one knee slightly bent, +his right hand held lightly in front of his body, which was inclined in +a graceful and easy attitude of reverence, while his other hand hung +naturally at his side. + +After his first quick glance, Edestone dropped his eyes to about the +Emperor’s knees and held them there until the Secretary, with a slight +gesture, called him to his side. The young man then straightened up and +went slowly to the Ambassador’s left, and there stood perfectly erect +looking straight at the Emperor, while Jones with some show of +embarrassment was saying: + +“Your Majesty, may I present Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York.” + +The Emperor, with the hearty and easy manner which he always assumes +with those he has been told are distinguished Americans and with that +quizzical expression in his sharp eyes which, though attractive, is +described as most disconcerting, replied. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said, in a loud voice, “your fame has gone before +you, and we are always glad to welcome distinguished men of science in +Berlin, which we think is the centre of science and culture. Your name, +that of a great lighthouse and suggesting the greatest of your +inventions, electric lights, convinces me that you were born to blaze +the way for us,” and he laughed, in which he was joined heartily by his +well-trained courtiers, who knew that nothing pleased him more than to +appreciate his little jokes of which he was so fond. + +With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn +by Edestone, and said: + +“I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a +greater claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor’s rank?” + +“He was a general, Your Majesty,” replied Edestone with a firmness that +seemed to attract and slightly offend him. + +He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him +that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. +“General von Lichtenstein tells me,” his face brightening up again, +“that you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great +service to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had +expected this cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those +grasping English. He tells me that you have motion pictures of this +invention in actual war practice, which the representative of the +American Ambassador has so kindly invited me here to see.” + +Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: “I thank +you, Mr. Secretary.” Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather +a sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: “I will gladly see your +pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I +will, if I like it, buy your invention at a good price.” + +And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to +applaud his every sentiment, he said: “Germany expects and is able to +pay large prices for American goods now.” And then, as if to cut short +any possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his +back upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: “Where are these +pictures?” + +“In the next room,” replied the Secretary, “and if you please, Mr. +Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone,” he said, +“has everything been arranged?” + +“Yes,” nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly +calm exterior. + +The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into +another room where Black had installed the apparatus. + +Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing +up the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his +place in front of the screen when his attention was called by General +von Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of +speaking to him apart from the others. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said, drawing him aside, “one would think that you +had spent your entire life among us,” and with a quizzical smile he +added: “I think you rather astonished the Kaiser by your _sang-froid_. +I have seen men of the highest rank stand speechless in his presence, +while you are as finished as a courtier of the Grand Monarque and as +cool as the Iron Chancellor. + +“I admit,” he said in his fatherly manner, “I had no authority from you +to do so, but thought it best to leave upon the Emperor the impression +that you would sell your invention. Had I not done so he certainly +would have demanded the reasons for your presence in Berlin, and had I +dared to suggest that you had been sent by the United States to coerce +him he would have been thrown into such a rage that he might have +declared war on your country, which I understand is the last thing that +you want.” + +“I regret that you did this, General von Lichtenstein, if I may be +pardoned for seeming to criticize a statesman of your experience and +distinction; for I do not intend to sell and my country has not sent me +to coerce. I have come instead to appeal to your reason, after showing +you the uselessness of continuing this loss of life in the face of the +great power in the hands of those who know the secret of my invention +and intend to put a stop to it.” + +A cloud seemed to pass over the General’s face, but he soon recovered +his bland, almost Oriental smile. + +“But, Mr. Edestone, you seem to forget that whereas others _may_ have +the secret, we know that you certainly have it, and you are still our +most honoured guest in Berlin.” + +“Where I am also the guest of my own country, so long as the Acting +Ambassador is so kind as to allow me to remain under his roof and our +flag,” replied Edestone pointedly, intending if possible to force the +General’s hand. + +In this he failed as the old man only smiled through his glasses. + +“A great statesman was lost when you turned inventor, Mr. Edestone,” he +said in a most complimentary tone. “But come, I fear His Majesty +waits.” And then changing his manner, he said with a knowing wink: + +“Here is a note which Princess Wilhelmina asked me to deliver to you. +She seems to be very much interested. Can it be possible that you are +raising your eyes to a Princess of the Blood? + +“Still, stranger things than that have happened,” he half mused, “and +His Imperial Majesty is always glad to recognize talent and reward it +in a befitting manner.” + +They went into the other room where the Emperor sat waiting. Evidently +impatient that Edestone was not at his position of parlour entertainer +in front of the screen with his pointer in hand as soon as the Imperial +eye should deign to be cast in that direction, he rose with exaggerated +politeness when the American appeared and said in a most sarcastic +manner: “Must the whole world wait while inventors dream?” + +Then sitting down he added in a harsh and irritable tone: “With your +very kind assistance, Mr. Edestone, we will now inspect these much +talked of pictures.” + +There was a silence in the room that was like a gasp of horror, and +the company all standing looked as if they expected to see Edestone +sink to the floor with mortification; that is, all except Jones, who +slow-moving had only gotten half-way to his feet when the Kaiser sat +down, and who now dropped back into his chair with a quizzical little +smile playing about the corners of his mouth. + +But Edestone, with the respectful manner of a grown man answering his +father, who still looked upon him as a boy, and who had reproved him +unjustly, said with an indulgent smile that bore no trace of +resentment: + +“I beg that Your Majesty will forgive me, but I was held prisoner by +General von Lichtenstein, and not until I waved the Stars and Stripes +would he let me go.” + +The General hurried over to the Emperor. “Pardon me, Sire,” he said, +for he saw that the Emperor would fly into one of his fits of rage and +might upset all of their well-laid plans if something was not quickly +done to quiet him. “Pardon me, Sire, it was my fault. I did not know +that I was keeping Your Majesty waiting.” + +“Go on with the pictures,” said the Emperor, with an impatient gesture +of his enormous right hand, and he sat glaring at the screen as the +lights went out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE MASQUERADER + + +Lawrence waited until the room was dark and then slipped out unnoticed. +He would have liked to remain and see the rest of Edestone’s most +interesting pictures which had started off with those taken in +Newfoundland and included a series not shown at Buckingham Palace. But +he had an exciting task before him. The idea of posing as a Royal +Prince in the magnificent uniform of the Imperial Hussars with nodding +plumes and flowing military cape, his coat-of-arms emblazoned on his +left shoulder, appealed to his dramatic instincts, as did the danger to +his passion for adventure. + +He was brave, but unlike Edestone his was the bravery of an unthinking +recklessness rather than that of a perfectly balanced mind which, +contemptuous of the body that carries it, forces that body to do its +bidding. + +The fact that Edestone had offered him an unheard of reward had made +little impression, going in one ear and out of the other. He would +accept it as lightly as it had been offered because he himself would +have made exactly the same offer under the same circumstances. Whenever +he wanted anything he paid the price, even if it took his last cent. It +was no incentive to action now, as he would have gladly paid for the +privilege of playing this big part in this wonderful melodrama--a +melodrama which he was prepared at any time to see change into a +tragedy, with him the dead hero. + +He found that his Bowery boy Fred, under the pretext that it was +customary in the best New York “high society,” had bullied the German +flunkeys into bringing all of the officers’ helmets and cloaks upstairs +and laying them out on a bed in one of the chambers on the second +floor, from which place it was easy for him to smuggle all he wanted +into Lawrence’s room. Lawrence found him there waiting to help him +“make up.” + +Turning up the collar of his dress coat so as to hide his white shirt +front, the masquerader buckled on the sabre that Fred handed to him. +Without changing his trousers he put on his riding boots and spurs, +which with the busby and cloak, a pair of white kid gloves, and a small +blond moustache completed his disguise. Standing thus in the middle of +the room with the door open, he waited until Fred signalled that the +coast was clear. He then stepped quickly across the hall and into the +elevator, closely followed by Fred, who closed the door. When they were +perfectly safe from interruption, he adjusted his costume and his false +moustache to his entire satisfaction, pinning the cloak securely +together with large safety pins to prevent it from flying open. Then as +the elevator passed the main floor on its way to the basement, he made +a gesture of derision. + +Fred got out of the car and again carefully reconnoitred. Finding that +the passage leading to the garden was clear and that there was no one +in the billiard room, which was between the elevator and the outside +door, he signalled and Lawrence walked out into the garden at the side +of the Embassy. + +It was quite dark there, but not dark enough to prevent the soldiers, +who were stationed about to watch this door, from seeing him as he +stood perfectly still as if hesitating which way to turn. + +Observing that he was an officer, they saluted and stood at attention. +Then as he moved forward and they saw the insignia on his cloak they +signalled in some mysterious manner to the next post, who in turn +passed it down the line that Royalty was at large and that they must be +careful not to be caught napping. + +Accordingly, as Lawrence emerged from the semi-darkness and came around +to the front of the Embassy, every soldier was standing at attention +and the different officers, after looking searchingly but most +respectfully at him to satisfy themselves who he was, stepped back and +allowed him to pass, while they stood like pieces of stone. + +Lawrence did not deign even to notice them, but, reeling unsteadily in +his gait, passed them without even acknowledging their salute. + +His presence having been reported to the Captain who had charge of the +company that was stationed in the street immediately in front of the +Embassy, this officer hastened up to him. + +“Is there anything that you require, Your Royal Highness?” he saluted. +Lawrence, carrying out his pretence of intoxication, gave a perfect +imitation of the Prince when in that condition. + +“I am making a tour of inspection to see that everything is all right,” + he said thickly. + +The Captain saw his condition and showed an inclination to follow him, +but Lawrence waved his hand with what was intended to be a regal +gesture, although in fact it seemed to throw him almost off his +balance. + +The Captain stepped back most respectfully and saluted, but smiled as +he followed with his eyes the young Prince. + +Lawrence strutted quickly but unsteadily until he came to within about +a hundred yards of the mortars, where a sentry challenged him. + +“Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but my orders are to permit no one to +pass. If you will allow me, I will call the Corporal of the Guard, who +will send for the Captain.” + +Lawrence interrupted him by bellowing: + +“Get out of my way, you stupid blockhead, or I’ll kick you out of my +way! I have not time to wait for the lot of fools that you all are.” + +Then as the man did not move he gave him a tremendous upper-cut, +catching his chin with the base of his open hand and sending his head +back and lifting him off his feet. He fell sprawling about ten feet +away against an iron railing, where he lay perfectly still with a nasty +cut in the back of his head. + +The Captain, who had been slowly following to see that nothing happened +to his Royal charge, ran up quickly and, ordering another soldier to +take the place of the fallen sentry, had the wounded man hurried +quickly out of sight. + +In the meantime Lawrence was strolling along, without even looking back +at the poor fellow where he lay. + +“I caught him just right,” he muttered with a touch of compunction. “I +hope I did not hurt him badly.” + +When he finally came to the mortars with the mysterious two-wheeled +wagons attached to them, he walked around from one to the other, as if +he were making a careful inspection to see that everything was all +right. It was impossible for him even now to make out what was hidden +under the canvas covers. One thing he could see, however, and that was, +that from under each there ran a carefully insulated electric cable to +the nearest fire hydrant where it was carefully attached. + +After inspecting all four, Lawrence turned around and went back to the +second wagon, the cover of which he had noticed was not on exactly +straight. He hoped to be able to see what was underneath, but he found +that the cover was strapped down so tightly that he could get no +inkling. + +During all this time the officers and men were standing at attention in +their proper places, although they followed him with their eyes, an +amused expression on their faces. + +Finding that it was impossible for him to discover anything while the +covers remained on the wagons, he bellowed in a loud and commanding +voice, not forgetting to imitate Royalty in its cups: + +“Lieutenant!” + +And to the young officer who ran up to him he said: + +“Why is not that cover on straight? Did you not receive orders that +these--” and as Lawrence had not the slightest idea what “these” were, +he substituted a loud hiccough for the unknown name, and contented +himself with pointing with an unsteady hand. “Did you not understand +these had to be perfectly concealed? Now that one is not perfectly +concealed, for I can see perfectly what it is, so take that cover off +and put it on straight. And be quick about it or I will report you for +untidiness.” + +The Lieutenant, who was one of the very young recruits now officering +the German Army, feeling overpowered by the presence of Royalty, had +given the order, and the men were unstrapping the cover when the +Captain came up. + +“What are you doing there?” he demanded. Then turning sharply to the +young Lieutenant he said in the most brutal manner: + +“Don’t you know that the orders are not to take these covers off, not +until the very last minute, not until everything else has been tried +and has failed to bring her down.” + +“But His Royal Highness,” stammered the younger officer, “has ordered +this cover off because it is not on straight.” + +“But, Your Royal Highness,” expostulated the Captain, although in the +most deferential manner, “don’t you think that this cover is on +straight enough?” + +“What! Do you mean to contradict me?” Lawrence almost screamed. “I say +that the cover is not on straight, and I have ordered this fool to take +it off and put it on straight, perfectly straight.” + +“But that is impossible,” said the Captain, warily keeping out of reach +of His Royal Highness’s fists. “The orders are that these covers are +not to come off until the American flying machine makes its appearance, +and if it does not appear, the covers are not to come off at all. These +are the orders of the General Staff, and Your Royal Highness must +realize that they have to be obeyed.” + +“Well,” said Lawrence with the persistency of a drunken man, talking at +the top of his voice, “if you do not put that cover on straight I will +report you, and you will be court-martialled for insulting a Prince of +the Blood.” + +All the while he kept swaying as if he were about to fall. + +Straightening himself up with much difficulty and assuming a drunken +dignity he started to go away; but as if he were unable to free his +intoxicated mind from the one idea that obsessed it, he turned and +changed his tone to a persuasive one. + +“I don’t insist that you take the cover off,” he laughed, “I only +insist that it be straightened, because you can see as well as I that +it is not on perfectly straight, and your orders were to put these +covers on straight, perfectly straight.” + +The Captain, now thoroughly amused, and deciding that the best way was +to humour him, thought, since his orders were only not to remove, that +he would be able to satisfy the Prince without directly disobeying his +instructions. He therefore ordered the men to unstrap the cover and +pull it around. + +Lawrence seemed entirely satisfied with this, and took such interest in +seeing that the cover was adjusted to exactly the right position, that +he leaned over and took hold of it himself, as if to give his help. As +he did so he gave a lurch, and grabbing at the cover as if to save +himself, he went down in a heap with it on top of him. + +The men helped him quickly to his feet and as quickly readjusted the +cover, but not before he had seen that the drum-shaped objects were in +fact great wooden spools on which were wound thousands and thousands of +yards of large copper wire. + +Having seen all that he wanted, he now turned his attention towards +getting back to the Embassy, so taking the Captain’s arm, and seeming +either to have lost all interest or to have been overcome by his fall, +made his way along. He swung and lurched so that it was with difficulty +the officer kept him on his feet. + +Then when they arrived at the front steps and the Captain was assisting +him up, Lawrence, as if suddenly awaking from sleep, stopped. + +“I am too dirty to go in by the front door,” he protested, “I will go +in by the garden. I am much obliged to you, Captain; don’t come any +farther.” + +Then laughing and shaking his finger in the Captain’s face, he said in +a tone of exultation: “I got that cover on straight, anyhow--perfectly +straight.” + +Swaying as he rounded the corner of the house, he went in through the +side door, where he found Fred waiting for him, who pulled off his +boots and gave him his pumps. + +He took off his busby, and handed it to Fred, unpinned the long +military cloak, unbuckled his sword, turned down the collar of his +evening coat, and “Richard was himself again.” + +Stepping into the elevator and letting himself off at the main floor, +he went hurriedly into the room where Edestone was still showing his +pictures, while Fred, after brushing and cleaning the royal +paraphernalia, put them back in their place. + +Lawrence moved quickly over to the cabinet where Mr. Black was working +the machine and stepped inside. “I must speak to Mr. Edestone,” he +whispered. “Can’t you stop the machine as if something had gone wrong? +Then Mr. Edestone will come back here and see what is the matter.” + +“Not on your life!” Black shook his head violently. “The Emperor now is +in a perfect fury. He and Mr. Edestone have had one or two ‘set-tos,’ +and Mr. Edestone is beginning to put it back at him pretty strong, and +if anything should happen to the machine I think it would end in a +fight. I rather wish we were back in New York. If it is necessary for +you to speak to Mr. Edestone before the lights go up, this reel that I +am running off now will take just about eight minutes more, so if you +will slip quietly back of the screen you can whisper to him from there +without attracting much attention. I will make a little extra noise to +help you out.” + +Lawrence worked his way unobtrusively through the room, and standing +just to the side of the screen in a dark corner, called in a low voice: + +“Jack, can I speak to you?” + +Edestone, who had been deeply concerned about him, felt that a load was +lifted from his mind when he heard the dare-devil’s voice. He knew at +least that Lawrence was back safely, and he was confident that he would +not have come back without the information until he had made a good +fight for it. So as everything was quiet on the outside he was +reassured. + +Lawrence very quickly explained to him exactly what he had seen, and +Edestone, squeezing his arm, said quietly: + +“Ah! That is their little game!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TWO REMARKABLE MEN + + +When the lights finally went up and the entertainment ended, perhaps +the most surprised, almost dumbfounded, man in the room was Jones. He +now had his first insight into the stupendous amount of work that had +been done by his friend, and was completely overcome by the seriousness +of the situation. He understood at last many things which had been lost +on him before, as for instance the insinuating remarks of the +Chancellor at their various conferences and why he had suspected the +Secretary of lying to him. + +Jones wondered also if his own Government had purposely kept the +Embassy in the dark as to its relationship with Edestone. Not knowing +the whereabouts or even the ownership of this frightful instrument of +war, he was at a loss to know what he should say when certain pointed +questions which were inevitable were put to him. + +He realized now for the first time that the German General Staff was at +work and would stop at nothing either to obtain the use of this great +monster of the air or, by seizing Edestone himself, control its +movements; that is, if Edestone and not the United States were +operating it. + +He could not blind himself to the air of confidence that pervaded the +entire company, composed as it was of the highest men in the German +Government, and this led him to believe that they knew Edestone held +the key of the situation, and as long as they held him they occupied +the strongest position. + +But why, he could not help asking himself, had Edestone been such a +fool as to put himself so completely in their power. Still, being a +very astute man, and having the greatest confidence in his old friend, +who he knew would do the straight thing in a strong position and the +wise thing if he found himself in a weak one, he awaited developments. + +Edestone, who had walked over to the Secretary of Legation, leaned down +and said in a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear: + +“Will you please say to His Imperial Majesty that if there is any +question he would like to put to me, or if he would care to have me +repeat any of the pictures, I should appreciate the great honour.” + +The Emperor, who was just waking up to the fact that he had in this +young American a very strong and clever man to deal with, was to a +certain extent at a loss to decide just how he would treat him. + +Without waiting to have the request conveyed to him in due form, and +speaking directly to Edestone he said in an affable voice: + +“I should like to see again the picture showing the working of the +bomb-dropping device, and I would like to have the film stopped exactly +at the moment that the projectile leaves the tube. I wish to examine +the action of the ejector.” + +“I shall be most happy,” replied Edestone, “to run that film again very +slowly and repeat it as often as Your Majesty may desire. I can also +run it backward very slowly, but I cannot stop the machine that I am +using tonight without ruining the film, and I am quite sure,” he bowed +most respectfully, “that Your Majesty will not wish me to do that.” + +“Stop that machine as I order you to do, and ruin the film if it is +necessary!” said the Emperor in his most commanding tone. + +At last Edestone had the chance he had been looking for. He knew that +he was perfectly in his rights, and if he refused and the Emperor still +insisted upon his most unjust demand, it would open the eyes of his +country’s representative to the situation and the true attitude of the +German authorities. Besides, he was incensed at the wanton destruction +of other people’s property to satisfy the whims of this absolute +monarch. + +“I am very sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot do that, and for state reasons +that it is impossible for me to explain.” + +The Emperor turned perfectly livid. His face was painful to look at. He +tried vainly to speak, but could not. It was plain that he was +labouring under an emotion greater than his physical condition could +stand. His mouth worked and each hair of his moustache seemed to stand +on end, giving to his trembling lips an almost ghastly expression. He +was seized with a violent fit of coughing which on account of the weak +condition of his throat caused his doctor, without whom he rarely +moved, to step forward, as if alarmed, to his assistance. + +General von Lichtenstein leaned over as if to restrain him and +whispered something in his ear, but this seemed only to infuriate him +the more, and he waved his Councillor aside. + +The Acting Ambassador, a lawyer of ability, felt strongly the justice +of Edestone’s position in defending his property rights, and had he +been sitting on the bench instead of on the edge of a raging volcano +would have ruled in his favour. As it was, he watched with intense +interest this contest between these two remarkable men. + +When the Emperor had recovered sufficiently to speak, in a way that +showed his uncontrollable rage was battling with an inherited physical +weakness, his voice, starting in a whisper, rose and broke, and, in his +violent efforts to control the convulsive spasms of his throat, turned +into a scream. + +“Show that film!” he shouted, “and stop it where I command or I will +confiscate everything you have and throw you into prison.” + +At this Jones rose quickly to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes, +and he was about to speak, but General von Lichtenstein rushed over and +stopped him. + +“His Majesty is beside himself,” he urged in a low voice. “He does not +mean what he says. When he is himself again he will regret the +indignity that he has offered your country and will make reparation.” + +The Emperor had also arisen and was standing in the midst of as furious +and warlike a looking lot of men as had ever grouped themselves around +his wild barbaric ancestors, ready to pile their dead bodies about +their master and give the last drop of blood for his protection. + +They looked as if they approved and only waited for the word to rush in +and avenge the insult to their beloved lord, and while waiting for this +word they stood and glared at Edestone with a look of absolute contempt +and undying hatred. + +“Well, which shall it be?” said the Emperor, in a voice which was more +under control but none the less determined. “Will you stop your film?” + +Edestone, who all this time had stood perfectly still looking at the +Emperor with eyes out of which had gone every vestige of deference and +respect, showed in every feature a fixed and determined but absolutely +cool defiance. The only time that his face had changed or his position +altered since he last spoke was when the Emperor was apparently +suffering, and then it had taken on an expression of deep pity and +sincere sympathy and he too had made a step forward as if to render +assistance. + +This had quickly changed, however, when his glance caught the look of +hatred that was riveted upon him. Declining even to glance at the +Emperor, he addressed himself directly to the Secretary of Legation, +speaking in a perfectly clear voice, which was a relief after the +Emperor’s painful and rasping efforts. + +“Mr. Secretary,” he said slowly, “I resent the insult to you, and +through you to our country, which you represent, but if I thought that +by complying with the unjust demands which the Emperor of Germany has +seen fit to make I could prevent war between the United States and his +country, I naturally would comply. When I see, however, that the +Emperor of Germany refuses to respect the rights of an American citizen +in the house of his Ambassador, I realize that the destruction of my +film will not save the situation.” He turned to the Emperor. “I regret +that I cannot comply with your commands. The matter is now between our +two Governments.” + +The Emperor laid his hand upon his sword and made a movement as though +he intended to strike, at which every sword in the room flashed from +its scabbard, save only that of old von Lichtenstein, who pressing +forward laid a dissuasive hand on the Emperor’s arm. + +“Don’t let him draw you on,” he whispered to his master; “this may be +some trick.” Then to the rest he said in a contemptuous tone: “Don’t +make fools of yourselves and make Germany ridiculous.” + +The Emperor turned to the Secretary. “Sir,” he said in a voice +trembling with agitation, “you have heard the insult that has +been offered to my Imperial person, and if you do not deliver +this man over to my police, I shall at twelve o’clock tomorrow +night declare war against the United States of America, and until +that time”--threateningly--“I shall hold you personally responsible +for him.” + +Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly +twenty-five minutes past eleven o’clock, a proceeding which almost +caused the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once +more held in check by General von Lichtenstein. + +“I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty,” he declared. + +The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor’s last attack. “I +shall report to my Government all that has passed,” he replied, “and +exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I +receive an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty.” He finished, and +stood waiting as if to force the Emperor’s immediate departure. + +Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of +their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the +Emperor and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the +slightest further notice of Edestone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + + +The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and +Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the +return of General von Lichtenstein was announced. + +The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He +greeted the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone. + +“Young man,” he said, “you needed my old head on your young shoulders +badly tonight. I have returned to have a talk with the Acting +Ambassador, and I think that if he can prevail upon you to be +reasonable I may be able to settle this little difficulty between you +and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. If you will only lead us into +some smaller room, Mr. Secretary, we can sit down and over our cigars +discuss this matter quietly.” + +“I am sorry that my machine--” began Edestone, but he was quickly +interrupted by the General. + +“Tut, tut, that is nothing at all. That was simply two young men losing +their tempers, and ought to be soon settled. One being an Emperor makes +it a little more difficult, I will admit, but I have seen Emperors +angry before and they are just like any of us. They cool off when they +realize that they have,” and he lowered his voice with a quizzical +look, “been a little bit foolish.” + +When they were all comfortably seated around the table in the library +of the Embassy, and the General and Edestone had lighted cigars, while +Jones, who never smoked, looked on, the old General, statesman, +philosopher, and writer opened the conversation. + +“We have now come to the last hand in this game which we have been +playing,” he said, “and I think it would be just as well for all cards +to be laid on the table.” + +Edestone looked at him in surprise, for instead of the simple, smiling +old gentleman, with the soft gentle voice and fatherly manner, he saw a +crafty, dangerous, and determined man of steel. His voice was cold and +harsh, his winning smile had gone. He had come to fight and to fight +desperately to the finish. + +“In the first place,” he continued, “we do not know exactly what is the +relationship between you,” looking at Edestone, “and the United States +of America,” with a wave of his hand toward Jones, “and as there can +now be no reason for further concealment, since we are virtually on the +verge of a declaration of war--a step which I am here to prevent if +possible--I will say that it makes no difference to His Imperial +Majesty’s Government what that relationship may be, so long as Germany +gets the use of Mr. Edestone’s invention. But we will declare war upon +the United States tomorrow night unless we get an assurance from you +that we shall have the exclusive right to the one and only flying +machine in which this invention has been installed.” + +At this Jones looked over at Edestone with a glance of inquiry. + +“Yes,” said Edestone in answer to this, “there is only one.” + +“Germany understands, of course,” proceeded the General, “that the +United States will construct others, but so will Germany. Germany is +willing and prepared to pay well for this, although she knows that by +holding Mr. Edestone she controls this machine and could have it +without paying for it. We admit that we do not know where it is, but we +are confident that Mr. Edestone does,”--he turned upon Edestone the +look of a wild beast who has his prey and loves to torture it,--“and we +intend that he shall communicate with the commander and see that this +ship is sent to some place where we can take possession of it.” + +And then with a grim smile he leaned forward on the table, looking +first at the Secretary and then at Edestone. + +“You are both virtually prisoners in this Embassy,” he said. “That is +my hand.” + +“Then we are now at war,” said the Secretary with a quiet smile. + +“No,” replied the General, “it has not come to that yet. And it does +not necessarily have to come to that. We should be able to arrange this +matter here tonight. As I have said, Germany will pay well. She is +willing to start on even terms with the United States, who can build +just as fast as we can. Germany will bring this war to an end within a +week, and then she and the United States can come to an agreement as to +how they will divide up the rest of the earth.” + +Edestone smiled and made no answer. + +The Secretary said: “I can do nothing until I have communicated with my +Government.” + +“I am sorry,” said the General impatiently, “but we cannot wait until +we get an answer from your very slow and inefficient State Department. +We must have a reply before tomorrow night at 12 o’clock. Have you +nothing to say, Mr. Edestone? You are perhaps personally the most +deeply interested, because I tell you,” he grinned cruelly, “we will +get your secret if we have to put you on the rack and go back five +centuries in the eyes of the rest of the world, should it be necessary +to do that in order to give it the blessings that can only be gotten +under German rule. I ask you again, have you nothing to say?” + +“Nothing, General,” replied Edestone. + +He was slowly blowing rings of smoke, seeming almost to fascinate the +General, who would often stop speaking to follow them with his eyes +until they broke or were lost in the darkness in the corners of the +room. This was an old trick of his to divert the attention of his +adversary, therein improving on Bismarck who always used his cigar to +gain time when driven to a corner. + +“That is your final answer?” said the General. + +“My final answer,” Edestone bowed. + +“And you, Mr. Secretary?” + +“I am but the mouthpiece of my Government, and she has not spoken yet.” + +“Well, gentlemen,” said the General rising, “I think we understand each +other.” + +“I think so,” replied Edestone. “Good-night, sir.” + +The Secretary accompanied the visitor out into the hall, leaving +Edestone, who as soon as he was alone rang for a servant and sent for +Lawrence. In the meantime he just had opportunity to glance at the note +which General von Lichtenstein had given him. It was a mere scrap of +writing asking him to come to the Princess Wilhelmina immediately after +the departure of His Imperial Majesty. + +When Lawrence came in he hastily slipped this into his pocket. + +“Lawrence,” he said, “I want you to send a message for me as soon as +Jones has given his consent. I will ask him in regard to it as soon as +he returns, so you had better wait and hear what he has to say.” + +A moment later the Secretary came into the room with a very worried +expression on his face. “Edestone,” he said impressively, “this +undoubtedly means war.” + +“And if so,” rejoined Edestone, “we will win.” + +He then explained to Jones how he was in daily communication with +“Specs” and was now only waiting for the Secretary’s consent to send +for him and he could have him over Berlin in seven hours. He also +explained to him about the instrument that was in the penthouse on the +roof of the Embassy. + +“But what do you propose to do, Jack?” frowned the Secretary. “Do you +intend to fight these people single-handed and thereby drag your +country into a cruel and disastrous war? That seems to me to be +unnecessary.” + +“No, I propose to save you and the members of the Embassy from a very +disagreeable experience and from what may develop into a very dangerous +situation; for I am convinced that these Germans will not hesitate to +fire upon the Embassy if you do not deliver me up to them. The only +hope of stopping war without loss of life is through me and my +invention. I therefore ask your permission to send the following +message,” and he handed the Secretary a scrap of paper upon which he +had written: + +“Be exactly over American Embassy Berlin tomorrow night at nine +o’clock. Take station at 5000 feet and there await instructions. + +“E.” + +The Secretary took the paper and read it through twice very slowly. + +“I fear,” he said with a sigh, “that is the only way.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WHERE IS IT? + + +The Secretary left the room after practically turning the entire matter +over to Edestone. He feared that the time had come to show force. The +Germans, in what they felt might be a desperate strait, had thrown to +the wind caution, tradition, and the usages of civilized warfare. They +were preparing some desperate move which he felt that he was powerless +to stop. Diplomacy with them now was as useless as pure logic on a +charging elephant. + +How they expected to stand against Edestone and his diabolical mystery +of the air, he could not comprehend, but he had lived long enough with +this nation to know them. Simple, kind, and lovable in their ordinary +lives, they were nevertheless, on the subject of war, individually and +collectively mad and they were ready to die fighting. + +Whereas any sane man could see that their fight with Edestone was +hopeless, they with their absolute confidence and conceit were +preparing to pit themselves against him and some unknown secret of +nature. While he, with his discovery, was apparently in a position to +let loose upon their defenceless city an engine of destruction too +terrible to think of. Edestone, like the pilot who has come aboard the +ocean liner, had now taken entire charge. + +The first thing was to get off this message, so he sat down to work out +the cipher known only to himself and “Specs.” He said to Lawrence: + +“My initials J. F. E. are the call which must be repeated three times, +then twice, and then finally once. This must all be repeated with one +minute intervals until answered by the single letter ‘E,’ which will be +repeated eight times, once for every letter in my name, and after an +interval of five minutes, once again only. + +“After you have satisfied yourself that you are in touch with Mr. Page, +my head man, ‘Specs,’ I call him, send him this.” He handed Lawrence +one word of twenty-two letters, or rather twenty-two letters which he +had apparently taken indiscriminately from a small pocket dictionary. +“Have him repeat, and see that there is no mistake,” and continuing, he +said: “We are certainly being watched by the German servants; the +condition of my trunks shows that, so the first thing to do is to get +them out of the way. Call them all down into the ballroom, and say that +I wish to speak to them. See that everyone is there, and if there is a +single one missing, search the house from garret to cellar until you +find them all. I will give them a little talk which will give you and +Black time to get off this message. I will, incidentally, show them +that I propose to put up with no nonsense whatever.” + +As Lawrence was leaving the room he said to him with a jolly laugh: +“Oh, by the way, how does it feel to be rich again? I have been so +occupied with other things that I have not had time to thank and +congratulate you on your splendid work. What a fine story it will make +when we get back to New York, which will be very soon, I hope.” + +When the servants came in he first gave them a little insight into the +real state of affairs from a standpoint that they had never known. He +then explained to them that the Embassy was practically in a state of +siege, and that he was in command, and that if he heard of any one of +them having any communication whatever with anyone on the outside, he +would treat them in the way that he had treated the people in the +pictures which he had shown them, only he would put them out of the +window and they would keep going up and up and never come down again. +So when Lawrence returned and signalled that he might let them go, a +more thoroughly scared set of domestics never waited on the word of +“Ivan the Terrible.” + +“Well, Bo,” said Lawrence as he threw himself into a comfortable chair, +after slopping whisky and water all over the tablecloth and dropping a +large piece of ice on the floor which he kicked violently at the +retreating servant at whom he had bellowed, giving a perfect imitation +of a Prussian officer in a public restaurant when American ladies are +present, “this has certainly been ‘some day.’ Will you please be so +kind as to put me wise on a few of your dates? + +“In the first place, who was the ‘wise guy’ who rushed out from nowhere +and swallowed up my J. F. E. like an old trout from under a bank who +had never seen a Silver Doctor before? Where is he? How is he to get +here, and what is he going to do when he does?” + +Edestone quietly finished the lighting of his cigar, and after he was +thoroughly satisfied that this was perfectly done and it was going to +draw to his entire satisfaction, he said: + +“Well, now that you are to be my fellow-partner in crime, and Jones is +our associate, I will tell you. Do you remember the summer way back in +the 90's that you and I spent in Switzerland mountain climbing?” + +“Yes, perfectly,” said Lawrence, “but that was a long time ago. We were +nothing but kids then.” + +“Do you remember that you, kid-like, insisted upon going over a very +flimsy-looking snow bridge, simply because the old guide told us that +he had never seen that crevasse bridged before, and that the tradition +down in Chamonix was that it had only been bridged once or twice in the +memory of man? + +“And do you remember,” went on Edestone, “that at first he refused to +go, saying that if it broke after we got over, there was no possible +way of our getting back?” + +“Yes,” acknowledged Lawrence, “the old ‘chump,’ and I remember that we +went over and got back all right, and those guides are talking about it +yet.” + +“Well, do you remember,” continued Edestone, “that when we scrambled +up over the next rock ridge we looked into a regular bowl-shaped +valley that had the appearance of a crater of an extinct volcano?” + +“Yes,” said Lawrence. + +“Well, ‘Specs’ is there in that valley, where perhaps no human being +has ever been before. I sent him there for that reason. He has been +there for the last two months and a half, unknown to anyone on the face +of the earth and thoroughly protected from the storms that sweep over +that portion of the French Alps.” + +“Well, I’ll be damned,” said Lawrence. “Is ‘Specs’ the skipper of that +pretty little toy you were showing on the screen?” + +“No, Captain Lee is the skipper,” laughed Edestone. “Dear old ‘Specs’ +is my boss. He is the Admiral.” + +“Well, for the love of Mike,” exploded Lawrence. “What a swell chance +those mortars out there with their long distance telephone attachments +will have with that Queen of the Milky Way. You don’t mean to say that +he is coming over here with his forty thousand tons and float around up +there five thousand feet above the Embassy?” he exclaimed as he looked +up at the ceiling with a look of alarm, as if he expected to see it +come crushing down on him at any moment. And jumping out of his chair +he ran about the room, making the most ridiculous gestures, crying: +“Air, I want air!” while Edestone laughed until the tears rolled down +his cheeks. + +“But say, Bo,” said Lawrence, “there is nothing to it. What do you +suppose those crazy Dutchmen are thinking about? Why I thought that sky +pirate belonged to the United States, and was now probably tied to a +dock in some mud flat, with a crew of two brass polishers and a Sunday +School teacher, while the Virginia creeper and the North Carolina +milkweed twined about it to make nests for the Dove of Peace.” + +“No,” said Edestone, “it is what you have just called it, a Sky Pirate, +and I am the buccaneer.” + +“Did the Emperor know that when he got so gay with you tonight?” asked +Lawrence. + +“No, he does not know that, but he knows everything else.” + +“Well, what is his game?” + +“Well,” said Edestone, after thinking for a while, “as far as I can +make it out it is this: They do not want to kill me; they are using me +to bait the trap with which they hope to catch the ‘Queen of the Milky +Way,’ as you call her. They will take her dead, now that they cannot +get her alive, and they hope to be able to put new life into her after +they have taken all life out with the ‘long distance telephone +attachments,’ as you call them.” + +“Why is he so certain that you will not drop bombs on his city?” asked +Lawrence. + +“I do not know,” replied Edestone, “unless he knows that I am more of a +gentleman than he is. Or perhaps he thinks that I will not allow any +damage to be done until I am safely on board, which may or may not be +perfectly true.” + +“_Tu as raison, mon vieux_,” shrugged Lawrence. + +“They will do nothing to me until they are certain that they are going +to lose me. They want me alive, but would rather have me dead than in +the hands of the other fellow. Now do you understand?” + +“Not exactly,” replied Lawrence, pretending to look very wise. “What do +you mean about taking her dead if they can’t get her alive, and what +have those wires got to do with it?” + +“I mean by taking her alive,” said Edestone, “buying her from whoever +she belongs to, and keeping me here to show them how to run her. And +when I spoke of taking her dead, I had forgotten that you had not heard +what I said tonight while showing the pictures. I will explain this to +you sometime when we get on board and we have more time, but you will +understand enough when I tell you this.” + +Lawrence listened attentively as Edestone continued. + +“They know that she floats by virtue of an instrument that I have; they +know that she will not float if brought in contact with the earth or if +connected with it by means of some electrical conductor. They propose +to establish an electrical connexion between her and the ground by +throwing those wires over her with mortars, just as the life-saving men +throw a life-line to a ship in distress.” + +“Oh, that was why they were so carefully connected with the water +main,” interrupted Lawrence. + +“Yes,” replied Edestone, “and when they get her down they will expect +me with my instrument to float her off again.” + +“Well, what do you think of their chances of pulling this off?” asked +Lawrence. + +“I think,” said Edestone thoughtfully, “their chances are small, but +you can never tell what these very resourceful people may do. They are +buoyed up by a hopefulness that is almost uncanny and they can’t all be +crazy!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + + +Edestone and Lawrence sat quietly for a few minutes, Lawrence watching +him with a merry twinkle in his eye while Edestone was unconsciously +fingering the note that General von Lichtenstein had given him. Finally +he said: + +“Well, I’m off for bed. I have a hard day before me tomorrow.” + +“Yes, you are, you old fox!” said his companion. “I’m on to you. There +is something up, and you can’t hide it from me. You have been sitting +there fingering that note from--well, I guess I can pretty well call +you, because your lady friends in Berlin are limited--with the silliest +expression I have ever seen on your face. Now, out with it! You had +better get it off your chest by telling your troubles to papa.” + +Edestone put the note quickly into his pocket, and was about to force +through his bluff when Lawrence stopped him by saying: + +“You can trust me, old man; now out with it.” + +“Well,” said Edestone in an embarrassed tone, “General von Lichtenstein +did give me a note from Princess Wilhelmina,” showing it to Lawrence. + +“My dear fellow,” Lawrence said, “what do you propose to do? If you are +going to take a chance for the pleasure of seeing a beautiful woman, I +am with you heart and soul; but if you are taking a chance because you +believe she is sincerely in distress and calling on you, an American +here in Berlin, when she’s got all of those becorseted Johnnies around +her, you had better allow me to advise you.” + +“I am perfectly willing to take a chance,” cried Edestone in an angry +tone, “if you choose to call it that, because I have absolute confidence +in her.” + +“Say, Jack, I think you are beginning to get a little bit soft on the +Princess. You may be all right when it comes to straight electricity, +but I think you will admit that I have had more experience in this kind +of animal magnetism than you. She is certainly a snappy little +induction coil.” + +“Lawrence, please don’t,” said Edestone. + +“Well, you don’t know perfectly well, Jack, that General von +Lichtenstein would not have delivered that note from a Princess of the +house of Windthorst to you, a low-born American plebeian, unless it was +part of their scheme. Why it’s as much as his life is worth, if it is as +you believe it to be,” and he gave Edestone a knowing look. + +“Now, cut that out, Lawrence,” said Edestone in a decided tone. “Do not +think for one moment that I have any illusions as far as that young lady +is concerned. She is evidently in trouble of some kind, and the fact +that she is so young offsets that of her being a Princess.” + +Lawrence shrugged his shoulders, and occupied himself smoking while +Edestone continued: + +“I think that General von Lichtenstein thinks she is working for them, +but I am just fool enough to think that she is not. In fact, I know she +is not, but even if she were, I would like to show those people that I +will not allow them to sacrifice her dignity and compromise herself in +her own eyes even for them, so I am going, if for no other reason than +to keep her from doing something which she may some day deeply +regret. I’m off. If you want some excitement, why you might drop into +some of the clubs and feel out the officers.” + +“Ah,” said Lawrence, “that is a good idea. I will be just about as +popular as a baby rabbit in a litter of foxes.” + +“And you can enjoy watching them as they sit around, licking their +chops,” interjected Edestone, “as they think of the dainty morsel you +will make when they eat you alive tomorrow. Be careful. We want no +false steps, and there are some pretty skittish ponies in the Emperor’s +stable. He can hold in check his plough horses, but these young +thoroughbreds are getting nervous at the post.” + +“Well,” said Lawrence, “I never was very strong for these Prussians, but +they made a hit with me tonight in the way in which they started for +you. They were a pretty fine looking lot of handsome young chaps,” and +curling an imaginary moustache, he continued: “Almost as good as our +eleven of 1903,” and they both stood and toasted grand old Harvard, and +he was leaving the room singing, “Here’s to dear old Harvard, drink her +down!” when Edestone called him back and said: + +“Lawrence, get one of the Embassy automobiles and I will drop you on the +way.” + +Edestone, whereas he knew that his movements were being watched and that +this meeting had been arranged, if not by the German General Staff, by +some of its female lieutenants, was determined to show them that he did +not intend to compromise this little Princess by calling upon her at +that hour of the night in a secretive manner. + +All was perfectly quiet in the streets, and the automobile was allowed +to pass without interruption. When he arrived at the Palace he imagined +that the coast had been cleared for him, for on entering he discovered +that there was some sort of an entertainment going on, which would have +necessitated the presence of waiting automobiles on the outside, which +were conspicuous by their absence. + +He was evidently expected, and was immediately conducted to a small +room. He could hear music and laughter in another part of the Palace, +but saw no one except the flunkeys in the hall. + +The room into which he was shown was evidently one of those used by the +family in their home life, as was shown by the papers, books, and fancy +work lying about. + +The situation would ordinarily have been most amusing to him, and had he +not been so occupied with such serious matters, and had there been less +of a difference in their ages and social positions, he would have +enjoyed the excitement of a mysterious rendezvous with this extremely +charming and attractive young woman. + +He was thoroughly conscious of her attractions, and though he might have +denied the necessity of this, in thinking of her he always kept before +his mind the fable of the fox and the sour grapes. + +He was kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, and he began to wonder if +the whole thing had not been arranged, and would not have been surprised +if when the door quietly opened he had seen von Lichtenstein or even the +Emperor himself instead of a very much frightened little woman. + +She was apparently supported by sheer will power and the pride of the +Princess, which she had inherited from her long line of ancestors, +extending back into the unwritten pages of history. + +She was dressed so simply that the lines of her most graceful little +figure were perfectly revealed, but with such modesty that though she +followed the dictates of the modern fashions, which leave little to the +imagination, the effect upon Edestone was that of reverence in the +presence of such youth and innocence. + +To him she seemed to be draped in some soft silky material, and though +her neck and arms were bare, they were enveloped in a shimmer of tulle, +which she held about her as if for protection. Her hair, parted in the +middle, was flatly dressed, and held close to her small head by a little +band of jewels which encircled it and crossed her low white brow. + +She was perfectly calm, dignified, and had herself well in hand. There +was an expression upon her face of resolution, and as if to help, she +assumed a more royal and dignified bearing than he had ever supposed she +was capable of. + +She had evidently been crying, but her voice was steady and rather +haughty in its tone as she said, giving him her hand: + +“I am glad that you have come.” + +Edestone took it gently in his own, and bowing, scarcely touched it with +his lips, but when he felt its icy touch, and caught the faint perfume, +he felt a thrill, and for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence +of a Royal Princess, who looked upon him as something a little bit +better than a servant, and not as good as the most miserable Count that +ever wore a paper collar or passed a fraudulent check at the Newport +Reading Room. + +Recovering himself quickly, however, he dropped her hand and stood in an +attitude of deep respect, but not until she had caught the look that he +had given her. + +Not daring to look up at her for fear of her indignation at his +presumption, he busied himself arranging the cushions in a seat for her. + +Raising her hand to her throat, which had moved convulsively, she +watched him with a quiet little smile, as if waiting to finish the +deadly work which she, young as she was, knew that she had started. Like +a great ring general, she did not intend to allow her adversary time to +recover before she administered the _coup de grace_. + +When he recovered sufficiently to allow himself to look at her, although +he resolved to keep strictly to the object of their meeting, he was so +struck with her great charm that he could not resist saying: + +“I sincerely hope, Princess, that you will pardon me if I take the great +liberty of saying to you that you are looking extremely beautiful +tonight.” + +She answered with a smile. + +And then in a light and frivolous tone, and looking at her in a manner +which she could not misunderstand, with the deepest respect he added: + +“If I were a Prince and a few years younger, I would humbly kneel and +worship at your shrine, Princess.” + +A cloud passed over her face, but recovering, with a look which if +Edestone had been younger and less sensible would have finished him: + +“Well, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled coquettishly, “I understand that you +were tonight a match for an Emperor; and I am feeling very old myself.” + +With a smile acknowledging her condescension in allowing this slight +exchange of repartee, he assumed a fatherly air, and said, having +recovered himself entirely: + +“Now, my dear and very sweet little Princess, your very old and most +humble servant awaits your orders. The only reward that he expects is +that he be allowed to see you one or two times before he dies of old +age, or you are seated on a throne.” + +With an impatient gesture, and an almost imperceptible stamp of her +little foot, she said: + +“Please don’t talk that way. I hate being a Princess, and the way you +say it makes me hate myself,” and with a quick glance and a tone of +great seriousness: “I don’t think you are so old as all that. + +“I have sent for you,” changing her voice, “to warn you again. It was +absolutely necessary in order to arrange this meeting to lead them to +believe that I was willing to do that which you must hate me for--use my +power as a woman to persuade you to give up the position which you have +taken, and though I hate them all for it, in order to save you from +certain death I have compromised myself in my own eyes, and have done +that which will cause you to hate me.” + +“That I could never do,” said Edestone, which brought a faint smile to +her lips. “Princess, I appreciate more deeply than I can say your great +kindness, and if there is anything that I can do which will save you +from these people when they find that you have failed in your +undertaking, you can command me. Your warning, however, comes as no +surprise to me; but I appreciate it none the less.” + +“Could I not hold out to them,” she anticipated, “that you had agreed to +reveal this secret to me, and in that way gain time, and you might be +able to get out of Berlin?” + +“But what would become of you when they discovered that you had played +them false?” asked Edestone. And then, as if hesitating to refer to the +delicacy of her position, an English Princess in Berlin, he added: “They +are relentless, and they might suspect you of playing into the hands of +England. No, Princess, there is but one thing for you to do, and that is +to say that I declined absolutely and entirely to consider any +proposition of any kind. + +“If you were in any way associated with me in what I have already done +and what I propose to do, I should not be willing to leave you in +Berlin, and though I know you are absolutely sincere in your intentions +to assist me in my work, there is no possible way for me to protect you +other than by taking you with me, which is absolutely out of the +question. You would not be safe even in the American Embassy.” + +She thought for a while, and then, as if an idea had struck her, she +said blushingly: + +“My mother, like myself, is perfectly loyal to England, and if as I +understand it is the intention of the American Government to come out on +the side of the Allies, would there be any impropriety in my going with +her to the Embassy and taking my chances with the Secretary’s family?” + +“That would be impossible,” said Edestone. “They have taken you into +their confidence, and would not allow you to leave the country. I think +mine is the only plan. Say to them that I would listen to no +proposition, and allow me to go and take my chances.” + +He could not trust himself, and he knew his only hope of keeping her +esteem was in getting out before she discovered his real secret, and +rising in a most dignified manner he kissed her hand, and then allowing +himself to press it gently to his cheek for a moment, left the room +abruptly, while she sank into a seat and covered her face with her +hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + + +The next morning everything was perfectly quiet on the outside of the +Embassy. The soldiers had apparently settled down for a siege. They +contented themselves with singing hymns and drinking songs, and with +mock reverence rendering the “Star Spangled Banner,” closely followed by +the “Marseillaise,” and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + +But there was mutiny within the walls. Mrs. Jones had flatly refused to +leave the Embassy. She said that she had not the slightest idea of +going up in Jack’s foolish flying machine, to be shot at by the soldiers +or dropped into the middle of the ocean; that for her part she intended +to stay exactly where she was. The Secretary might go if he wished to +risk his life in a balloon or if it was his duty, but she thought she +was safer in the Embassy. She was perfectly sure that the Germans would +not dare to shoot at it while the United States flag was flying over it, +and there were women inside. + +The Secretary seemed to agree with her, and said: “It was only on your +account, my dear, that I was going. As long as the flag flies above this +roof, my duty is here, and I sincerely hope that you are right.” + +“But we are now at war with these people,” said Edestone, “and they may +take it into their heads to shoot that flag away, and they have plainly +shown that they will kill and burn women and children if in their +judgment one single point, however small, can be gained in their +national game of war. It is a ruling passion with them, and they think +that all of the nicer feelings of honour, humanity, and even religion +must be crushed, and that these sentiments are foolish and are for women +and weaklings only.” + +At which Mrs. Jones seemed worried. She preferred, however, she said, to +stay and take a chance rather than go to certain death with Edestone. + +“I think,” said he, “that if we were dealing with any of the other +civilized nations, the Embassy would be perfectly safe, even if war had +been declared or forced upon us without any formal declaration, but with +the Germans in their present state of nerves, it is quite +different. They have a strange method of retaliation, not for an injury +to themselves, but for the failure on their part to inflict one upon +others, which can only be accounted for by their savage passion for +revenge. The real danger, however, will be before this while they are +trying to prevent my escape.” + +The Secretary was anxious to remain at his post as long as possible, so +he was glad to side with Mrs. Jones. Lawrence begged for and obtained +permission to go with Edestone. + +“You can take absolutely nothing in the way of luggage,” said +Edestone. “I can fit you out when we get on board. I have just told +Black, Stanton, and James the same thing, and I suppose your boy would +like to go with you also.” + +“Certainly,” said Lawrence. + +With no preparations to make, there was nothing to do but wait. Lawrence +was the only one who was willing to go out on the streets and stand the +ugly looks that were given by all those who in some way or another knew +that they were Americans. + +On his return he reported that the papers were silent on the subject of +the Kaiser’s call at the Embassy the night before. One of the afternoon +papers, he said, did report that a very large Zeppelin had been seen +flying over Berne at 9 o’clock in the morning, at about 5000 feet, +judging by her size. At first it was thought that she was on fire from +the clouds of smoke that she was emitting, but she continued on her way +in the direction of Berlin at about fifty miles an hour. She was up too +high, the papers stated, to be identified, but as the Swiss Government +knew that none of the Allies had Zeppelins, it was suggested that a +protest would soon come from Switzerland for a violation of her +neutrality. + +Lawrence said that evidently the German General Staff had received some +information, for he found no officers at the Club, and troops with +anti-aircraft guns and mortars with their two-wheeled trailers were +moving in all directions. + +The general public, however, as usual, seemed to have no information, +and were going about their duties in their usual stolid manner. + +The troops around the Embassy had been reinforced and were showing great +activity. He thought that the Kaiser was making a personal inspection +judging by the number of high officers he saw going and coming. + +The soldiers were most insulting in their manner and kept him moving, +and would not allow him to go anywhere near the mortars which were +stripped for action. The covers over the two-wheeled drums were +unstrapped so that they could be thrown off at a moment’s notice. + +“You are right,” said Edestone, as he and Lawrence stood looking out of +one of the windows of the Embassy at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. +“They have heard something. I am surprised that we have heard nothing +from them today. You can depend upon it, they will try to get me without +an actual fight. They know that they can bamboozle our Government, but +fear the temper of our people will not stand for any killing, which they +certainly intend to do if necessary. I do wish Mrs. Jones was not here. + +“If ‘Specs’ was over Berne at 9 o’clock,” he went on, “and he wanted to, +he could have been here hours ago. He is evidently jogging along +slowly. He cannot now be more than fifty miles away; he is perhaps just +about at Leipsic. I think we had better speak to him and tell him to go +higher up and not to come over Berlin before dark. You know he does not +know what is going on here. I am afraid to warn him about the wires, +for if by chance they should intercept our message they would know that +they had struck a very good answer to my ‘Little Peace Maker.’” + +“You don’t mean to say,” cried Lawrence, “that there is any chance of +their pulling you down with those wires?” + +“It all depends,” replied Edestone. “It would take me some time to +calculate the amount of metal it would require to take the current that +would wreck us, but if they do get that amount in contact with us and +the earth at the same time we will come down.” + +“My God!” said Lawrence. + +“Well, that is the reason that I do not want to take any chance by +mentioning wires at all. They don’t know now that one wire will not do +the trick, and if they get the idea that it is a question of the largest +possible number, they will double up on us. As it is, they have sixteen, +and we have a fighting chance. At any rate, I will speak to ‘Specs’ and +tell him not to come over the Embassy until after dark.” + +“Won’t he have some difficulty in finding the Embassy?” asked Lawrence. + +Edestone laughed. “You do not know old ‘Specs.’ In the first place he +studied for six years in Berlin and knows it from end to end. Besides, +he has all of the cities of Europe plotted, and he can get his bearings +from a dozen different points. He will feel very badly unless Capt. Lee +puts him within a few inches of where his calculations tell him he +should be. Why, you should see him calculating! He used a 6 H pencil, +and he can cover a large sheet of paper with microscopic figures before +you have even sharpened yours! It will be just like ‘Specs,’ if it is a +still night, to drop a plumb line and check himself. When you see him +coming down slowly, you can be sure that he is going to drop his ladder +at exactly the right spot. + +“You see to it that the servants are all out of the way. If necessary, +lock them all down in the basement. I will work out the message.” + +When Lawrence returned and stated that everything was clear, Edestone +said to him: “Send this. It says: + + “Stand by at 50, up 10,000. After dark follow orders. If called + come quickly.’” + +They then took the elevator and went together to the roof, where with +powerful glasses they searched the south-western sky. On all sides they +could see Taubes, which like great birds were circling in all +directions. + +Edestone was startled by seeing something that looked like the “Little +Peace Maker,” but it turned out to be one of the largest German +Zeppelins. + +“Why, my boy,” laughed Lawrence, “Captain Lee could make that fellow +look like an _ante bellum_ picnic in a thunderstorm, all hoop +skirts and bombazine, before Count Zeppelin could get it under the +shelter tent. + +“It is circling now,” he exclaimed; “he must have his eye on a Belgium +baby, the old buzzard!” + +After Edestone had gotten Lawrence to his wireless instrument by first +running the car down until the top was at the level of the roof, and +after Lawrence had stepped on running it up to the top of the penthouse, +he then dropped the car down and came out on the roof again. + +He looked about with his glasses; and was not surprised to see soldiers +on the roofs of the other buildings where they had stationed powerful +anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. + +“I am rather glad Mrs. Jones is not coming with us,” he thought. “It is +going to be pretty hot here for a little while. We shall be under fire +for about ten feet; Captain Lee will not dare come down any closer.” + +When Lawrence came down, he said: “I got him and he answered me. I am +sure someone was trying to cut in. I could not tell whether he could get +us or not, but he was trying to mix us up.” + +Edestone worked with his little book for a few minutes, and then read +aloud: + + “Passed over Leipsic up 5000. Have been seen. Will stand by at 30, + up 10,000.” + +“That means that he is about over Dessau, and could get here in fifteen +minutes easily if called. So far so good. But those machine guns are +worrying me. I did not want to make any show of force, but self +protection may drive me to it. + +“Run the elevator down, Lawrence, and come back by the stairs. We can +walk down. I want to look over my ground and plan my campaign.” + +“How foolish,” he thought, “not to have remembered the machine guns on +the roofs. The only protection we have on the Embassy are the chimneys +and the penthouse, and they will protect only halfway up the landing +ladder. There is always that ten feet in which we will be exposed on all +sides to a fire under which nothing could live for half a minute.” + +He then examined the door to the bulkhead at the head of the stairs. It +was strong, but there was no way to fasten it on the outside. There was +another door at the bottom of the stairs that could be locked, but it +was an ordinary door and could easily be broken down. He found only one +place on the entire roof where there was what might be called a zone of +safety, and that was by no means perfectly safe. + +He carefully worked out the plan of defence, giving to his enemy the +part to play which he thought they would naturally take. + +When Lawrence came up he explained his plan to him. He said: “When they +see that we are attempting to escape by the roof, they will rush us by +coming up those stairs. I do not intend to allow my men to fire unless +it is absolutely necessary.” + +“Oh, just shoot me one little one,” begged Lawrence. + +Edestone frowned disapprovingly. “When they have broken through the +lower door, we can stand here between the penthouse and the chimneys, +and by keeping down below the parapet be comparatively safe. I will then +tell them that I have a machine gun trained on the bulkhead door, and +that it will be certain death for them to attempt to come out that +way. If they fire on the Embassy, I will order my large guns to silence +every gun that bears on it.” + +As they went downstairs the sun was just setting. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +“SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” + + +As Edestone and Lawrence were coming down the stairs they were met by +one of the German servants, who told them in a rather excited manner +that the Secretary wished to see them both in his library. + +Hastening down they were surprised as they arrived in the main hall to +see through the iron and glass grille a squad of German soldiers +standing at the front door. + +“This is their last card,” said Edestone in an undertone, “and if it +fails there is nothing left for them to do but kill me. They have +received word from Leipsic and they know that there is no time to lose, +so we can look out now for anything. You had better get our party +together, Lawrence, and see that every man has a pistol. There are two +automatics in my room. When you get back, if you find me standing, or if +I rise, or if I light a cigar, make some excuse and get up to the roof +as quickly as you can and send your S. O. S. call to ‘Specs.’ He can be +here in fifteen minutes after he receives it. Then, lock that grille and +station someone there you can trust.” + +“I wonder what they’ll charge me with?” he thought as alone he entered +the room where the Secretary was sitting calmly, although Edestone could +see that he was making a great effort not to show his indignation to the +German officer who was standing in front of him. + +Edestone knew him so well that when he saw his mouth fixed as though he +was whistling quietly to himself, the forefinger of his right hand at +his lips as if to assist him in his musical efforts,--he who could not +turn a tune,--he knew that Jones had himself well in hand. In his left +hand the Secretary held a formal-looking paper with which he was quietly +tapping the table in front of him as though keeping time to his +soundless and imaginary ditty. With his chin well down, he was looking +from under his heavy eyebrows with eyes that were dangerously cold. + +The officer who had delivered these papers was apparently waiting for +his answer and stood very erect, looking straight ahead of him. He did +not change his position or notice Edestone as he entered the room. + +“Good-morning, Count von Hemelstein,” said Edestone on seeing who it +was, and the soldier then condescended to acknowledge the greeting with +a slight bow. + +The Secretary leaned forward, and putting both hands flat on the table +while looking straight at Count von Hemelstein, said in a rather +judicial tone, as though delivering an opinion from the bench: + +“Mr. Edestone, Count von Hemelstein has just delivered to me an order +for your arrest on the charge of giving assistance to the enemies of +Germany. He also charges Lawrence Stuyvesant with insulting the +Emperor’s uniform and his dignity by impersonating a Prince of the Royal +Blood and rendering that Prince ridiculous. He states, however, in your +case that the Emperor will accept your explanation if you will accompany +Count von Hemelstein quietly and make it to His Imperial Majesty in +person. In the case of Lawrence Stuyvesant, he demands an apology and +has paroled him in my custody until this is received, and as in the +first case he makes a further condition, which is that the Emperor will +accept an apology made by Lawrence Stuyvesant to the Prince himself, +provided only that you agree to accompany Count von Hemelstein quietly +and at once.” + +Then turning as if addressing a prisoner on trial before him he said, in +that soft and quiet voice always assumed by a judge in speaking to a +criminal, even though he knows that the culprit has just boiled his +mother: + +“In the case against you, Mr. Edestone, in your absence I have flatly +denied the charge. In the case against Lawrence Stuyvesant I deny all +knowledge of, and decline to express an opinion until I have had an +opportunity of looking into, the circumstances of the alleged offence.” + +Edestone who had stood during this went over and took a seat at the +Secretary’s side of the table. “It is just as you said it would be,” he +observed to the Count with a mocking laugh as he passed him. “You +Germans are so thorough.” + +The Count made no reply, only stiffening up, if it were possible to give +any more of that quality of German militarism to a ramrod in human form. + +He stood as if expecting the Secretary to continue, or to hear further +from Edestone, but both men sat perfectly still looking at him. The +Secretary, as if having delivered his ruling, he was waiting for the +case to go on, settled back into his chair, while Edestone, with the +look of a lawyer who is perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the +court, was grinning at his opponent, toying with both hands with a small +bronze paper-weight made in the shape of a ploughshare, recently +received from Washington with the compliments of the Secretary of State. + +As neither man seemed to have the slightest intention of breaking the +silence, after a moment which seemed an age, Count von Hemelstein +brought his hand with a snap to a salute. + +“My orders are to bring Mr. Edestone with me,” he said, “and if you +decline to deliver him to me, Mr. Secretary, I must use force.” + +“That I have no power to prevent you from doing,” said Jones. “You are +now in the Embassy of a friendly nation, on soil dedicated by His +Imperial Majesty to the use of the representative of that nation, whose +safety and that of those he may see fit to protect are guaranteed by the +most solemn promise that it is possible for one nation to make to +another. If His Imperial Majesty intends to break his solemn word, I am +as powerless as the lowest peasant in his domain. As to my word of +honour as to the safe-keeping of Mr. Lawrence Stuyvesant, you have by +your act reduced me to the rank of a simple American citizen, and as +such, and not as representing the Ambassador at the Court of Berlin--for +after this there can be none--I tell you that I will not give my word to +those who do not keep theirs. As to Mr. Edestone, I can simply, for his +own sake, advise him to go with you, but not before I tell him that his +country will resist with all its power the indignity which His Majesty +has seen fit to offer it.” + +Lawrence, who had come in during this speech, was standing looking in +amazement from one to the other. + +Then Edestone rose. “Mr. Secretary,” he said, “I regret to have been the +cause of putting you in this most trying position, and before I decide +to accompany this officer or detective I must think, so with your +permission I will light a cigar.” He walked over to a table and very +slowly selected one from a box that was there. + +Lawrence, as if he had forgotten something, left the room hurriedly. + +Edestone very deliberately took his cigar and very slowly lighted it. He +then as slowly walked back to his seat and sat blowing ring after ring, +holding all the time the box of matches in his right hand. + +In the meantime Lawrence had walked to the front door, as if looking out +to see why the soldiers were there, and turned the key of the grille so +noiselessly that it failed to attract any attention from the men on the +outside. Then turning to Fred, the Bowery boy, who was waiting for him, +he spoke in an undertone. + +“Don’t let any of the servants open that door or even go near it,” he +said, and, satisfied that his order would be obeyed, stepped inside the +elevator and closed the door with a bang. + +Edestone, who had meanwhile been doing anything simply to kill time, +heard this. He knew that Lawrence would work quickly, and had had ample +time to carry out the first part of his instructions. As if about to +drop into his pocket the box of matches he was holding, he drew with a +quick motion a .38 automatic, and leaning across the table covered the +Count with it. + +“Hold up your hands!” he said without raising his voice. “It is safer.” + +There was on his face that unmistakable look of the man who intends to +kill. The other man saw it and understood, and reluctantly raised his +hands above his head after making a half-gesture as if to draw his own +pistol from his belt but thinking better of it. + +“This is very foolish, Mr. Edestone,” he said with a disdainful +sneer. “Will you fight single-handed six million men?” + +Jones, who when a young man had spent a good many years in a frontier +town, was too accustomed to this method of punctuating one’s remarks and +calling the undivided attention of one’s listener to them, to be much +surprised. At any rate, he showed none, and besides he knew Edestone to +be a perfectly cool man whose trigger finger would not twitch from +nervousness. + +“Be careful, Jack,” he contented himself with saying very quietly; “I +suppose you know what you are about.” Then he settled back to wait for +Edestone to explain what he would do next. + +“Yes, William,” said Edestone, “I know exactly what I am doing, and in +order to relieve you and your Government from any responsibility, I +here, in the presence of the Emperor’s representative, renounce my +allegiance to the United States of America and to all other countries, +and I now become a law unto myself, accountable to no one but myself--in +other words, an outlaw, a pirate.” He turned then to the emissary of +the Kaiser. + +“Count von Hemelstein, as I intend to keep you in that position for some +little time unless you will allow me to remove your arms--not your +sword,” he explained quickly on seeing the look of horror that came over +the Prussian’s face. “I will allow you to keep that barbaric relic of +the Middle Ages and modern Japan, to which you and the Knights k of the +Orient attach so much importance. But that very nice automatic I must +have. I beg that you will allow me to take it without any unnecessary +fuss.” He walked around the table and, gently pulling the pistol out of +its holster, put it into his own pocket, keeping the Count carefully +covered all the while. + +“Now you can take down your hands. I know that you can hide nothing more +dangerous in that tight-fitting uniform of yours than a long cigarette +holder and a very pretty box. I am delighted that you have been so +quiet, as no one could come to your assistance. Your soldiers are locked +outside of the iron grille and would have some difficulty in breaking it +down, even if they could hear you; so sit down. I wish to explain a few +things to you. + +“It is now exactly a quarter before eight o’clock. By eight the Little +Peace Maker will be over the Embassy, and you with your boastful +knowledge of other people’s business must realize what that means. You +have heard what I just said to the Secretary representing the United +States at the Court of Berlin, and my object in making that statement +before you was to relieve him and the United States of America of the +responsibility of any of my acts. The Little Peace Maker is my own +personal property, and before she fires a gun or drops a bomb I shall +haul down the flag of the United States and run up my own private +signal, which on my yacht, the _Storm Queen_, is well known in all +yachting circles. In short, from now on I declare myself an outlaw. + +“If your Emperor will allow me and my men to go abroad peaceably, I will +do so and all may be well, but at the very first act of violence I will +take the necessary steps to protect them. I intend to keep you here +until I am notified that the airship has arrived, and when I leave this +room, my advice to you is not to follow me, but go at once and notify +your superior officer and thereby save the great loss of life that will +otherwise ensue. + +“Now, Count, as we will have about ten minutes longer together, I am +quite sure that the Secretary will not object to your joining me with +one of the Ambassador’s extremely good cigars,” and he winked at his +friend Jones. + +He walked over to the table as if to get the box, but the moment his +back was turned the Count jumped and started for the door like a +flash. With a quick side step, however, Edestone threw himself between +him and the only exit from the room, and giving the fugitive a good poke +in the stomach with the muzzle of his gun, said: + +“I allowed you to do that to show you that you are absolutely in my +power. Sit down, Count von Hemelstein, and if you will give me your word +of honour that you will not move I shall not tie you. Do you accept +these terms?” + +The Count nodded his head and sat down, and the Secretary, who all this +time had been sitting perfectly quiet, said with a very little bit of a +smile on about one-half of his mouth: + +“Count von Hemelstein, if I were you I should sit still. You must see +that you are powerless to do anything, and whereas I know that +Mr. Edestone does not intend to kill you unless it is absolutely +necessary, I am equally certain that he intends to if it is. In fact, I +do not know that he might not kill me if I stood in his way. He has just +declared himself to be an outlaw, and it is my duty to turn him over to +the authorities, but I should hate to have to try to do it now that he +seems so bent on leaving us.” + +Edestone, who quickly caught the idea that the Secretary was trying to +convey to him, turned on his friend. + +“If you, my friend, whom I have known for years, desert me now,” he +declared in a loud and apparently much excited tone, “or attempt to +deliver me over to these wild people to kill, I will kill you, if it is +the last act of my life.” He faced about so that one eye was hidden from +the flabbergasted German and gave another significant wink. Then +turning back to the Count he resumed: “I will kill any man who prevents +me from going on board the Little Peace Maker tonight. Now let us talk +about more pleasant things for the few remaining minutes that we are to +have in each other’s company.” + +But the Count was in no mood for conversation. He sat staring at the +floor, while Edestone with his watch in his hand waited for word from +Lawrence. It was now eight o’clock and still no response. Could there +be some mistake? Had the Germans been able to prevent his message from +going through? Or was Lawrence waiting to be sure that the airship was +coming before leaving the roof to notify him? + +On the outside all was quiet, and as long as the soldiers did not +suspect, everything would be all right. But suppose that the Emperor +should grow impatient and send another messenger? He was just +congratulating himself that the Count did not know what time it was or +that the Little Peace Maker was now overdue, when a clock somewhere +struck eight. + +The Count straightened up and his look of k interest changed to hope, +and finally a smile broke over his face as the minutes slipped by. + +“Well, Mr. Edestone, your little dream will soon be over,” he taunted, +after sitting for about five minutes longer. + +Even the Secretary was growing fidgety. He knew that something would +have to happen soon or the German General Staff, with its usual +thoroughness, would ask the reason why, and this question would be put +in their usual forcible manner. + +It was now ten minutes after eight, and Edestone expected every minute +to hear a ring at the front door. Besides, the dusk was coming on and +the servants would soon be in to light the lights. He had decided that +if they did he would retreat to the roof, forcing the Count to accompany +him, and there make a last stand. He formed a mental resolution never to +leave that roof alive except on board of the Little Peace Maker. He had +always said that he had rather be dead than a failure. He did not want +to live to see his life’s work, his beautiful ship, which must finally +come down, used for war, death, and destruction, his dream of universal +peace gone forever; or by his own discovery remove still farther from +the grasp of the long-suffering world that relief which it was vainly +reaching out for in its present desperate plight. + +Was this the end? If so, he would meet it calmly, but not until he had +made a fight. Then he would meet Fate with a smile, for she had been +good to him. Perhaps an all-wise Providence had decreed that man must +fight on to the bitter end, and to punish him for his presumption in +attempting to alter an unalterable law had led him on only to destroy +him just as he, with his petty little mind, thought he had reached the +goal. + +The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to +happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and +Jones was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth +in what he was saying. + +It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front +door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph. + +“Mr. Edestone,” he said, “don’t you think that it is just about time to +ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I +hate to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary.” + +The ring was followed by another longer than the first. + +Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a +light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring. + +“I return the compliment,” he said. + +There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell +was rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door +was followed by the breaking of the glass in the iron grille. Above this +din, which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought +nerves of the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last +forty minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which +at first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity +increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up +from the southern part of the city. + +Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have +been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window. + +The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces +within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made +a jump for the door. + +“Sit down, you dog!” cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and +he sent a bullet crashing through the door just above the Count’s hand +where it rested on the knob. + +Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the +ball that he thought must certainly follow. + +“Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word +without help, I will help you next time.” + +But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their +efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and +trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came +down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor +who announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the _Maine_, said: + +“Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been +sighted on our starboard bow.” Then throwing off his assumed character +he added: “Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a +minute! + +“And what are you going to do with this?” he asked on seeing the +Count. “Don’t you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka +bibble.” + +“No.” Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: +“Good-bye, William,” he called over his shoulder. “I am sorry to have +given you so much trouble.” + +When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started +for the roof. + +“Where are all of those who are going with us?” asked Edestone. + +“They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!” Lawrence interrupted himself, +“Fred is still down in the front hall.” + +“We must go for him,” said Edestone, halting the car and starting it +down. + +“Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him.” + +“No, they won’t stop at anything.” Edestone shook his head. + +By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone +flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, +while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was +running up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to +the soldiers who had their guns through the grille: + +“Shoot that man!” + +There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the +Bowery boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell +dead. His body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +L. P. M. + + +Almost beside himself, Lawrence resisted all of Edestone’s efforts to +get him back into the elevator. + +“You damn’ dirty Dutchman, I’ll pay you for this!” he yelled over his +shoulder, as he struggled to break loose from the firm grip which held +him, and get at the Count. + +It was not a time to permit of argument. Overpowering him with his great +strength, Edestone simply dragged him back, and flung him into a corner +of the car, where he sat crying like a baby with uncontrollable rage. + +After he had started the lift, however, Edestone went over and patted +him soothingly on the shoulder. + +“I am sorry, old man,” he said regretfully, “awfully sorry! He thought +it was I, and I almost wish it had been.” + +This brought Lawrence back to himself. He knew that Edestone meant every +word he said and, jumping to his feet, he threw his arms around his +friend’s neck. + +“Bo!” he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-sobbing, “you are a king among +men!” little dreaming of the amount of truth there was in what he said. + +A moment later he dropped back into the vernacular, where he was more at +home. + +“You are the best sport I ever knew,” he said, “and I am nothing but a +rotten squealer! Forgive me, and I will try to be good. But, Bo! that +did hurt!” The tears came to his eyes once more. “He was such a nervy +little chap!” + +By this time they had gotten to the roof, where they found Black, +Stanton, and James eagerly awaiting them. + +“Where is Fred?” asked Black, noting his absence as the other two +stepped out to join them. + +“Dead by God!” Lawrence started again to become hysterical. “That devil, +Count von Hemelstein, killed him!” + +“Shut up, Lawrence!” broke in Edestone sharply. “Cut out that swearing +and get to work. We have no time to lose.” + +In the same quick, authoritative tone, he issued his orders to the +others, as they stood staring at the news, each in his different way +showing his breeding. Black was commencing to whine; Stanton with a +scowl of rage was in sympathy with Lawrence; while James, demonstrating +his years of training, stood statue-like with hand behind his back, +leaning forward as if to catch his master’s next order, and carry it out +with perfect decorum. + +“Have you locked the door at the foot of the stairs? Ah! That is good!” + he exclaimed, as he saw that they had barricaded the door of the +bulkhead by putting a piece of timber between it and the coping around +one of the skylights. + +It had grown quite dark in the interval, but in the glare of the great +searchlights which were playing upon her he could plainly see above him +the Little Peace Maker which had swung into a position directly over the +Embassy, and was now slowly descending. + +She was not over a thousand feet above the roof as she hung there, three +of her great searchlights bearing steadily on three different points in +the city, and giving to her the aspect of an enormous spyglass standing +on its gigantic tripod, and by its own weight forcing the feet of the +tripod into the soft earth, as the ship slowly settled. + +Shrapnel shells were exploding all about her, and at times she was +almost entirely enveloped in smoke. Between the reports of the heavier +artillery could be heard the staccato spatter of bullets on her iron +sides as the machine-guns sprayed her from end to end. Now and then one +of the gunners would reach one of her searchlights, and as the ray was +extinguished, one almost expected to see her topple in the direction of +her broken support, but in each case it was quickly replaced by another, +and she continued to drop nearer and nearer to the earth. + +Excepting for the searchlights there was no sign of life on +board. Silently and without response of any kind, she came. But as she +approached nearer, and the angle of the German guns was still further +reduced, although they must already have been doing frightful damage in +all parts of the city, the shrapnel and small bullets could be heard +screaming over the heads of the little party on the roof. + +“It is getting pretty hot here, and we had better lie down,” Edestone +said. But the words were hardly out of his mouth before Stanton fell +with a bullet in his head, and James sat down, probably more abruptly +than he had ever done anything before in all his life. + +“I beg pardon, sir,” he observed with a little gasp, “but I think, sir, +as how they have got me in the leg, sir.” + +They all dropped down. Stanton was dead, and James was bleeding badly +from the flesh-wound in his leg. + +“That was the fellow in that tower over there.” Lawrence made a +reconnoissance. “He is now shooting straight at us.” + +“This has got to stop.” Edestone frowned. “Lawrence send this +message. No cipher; I would rather have them catch this. + +“Tell ‘Specs’ first to haul down the U. S. flag and run up my private +signal. Then he is to silence every gun he can find that is bearing on +us, and train a machine-gun on the door of the bulk-head, ready to fire +when I give the signal by throwing up my hat. + +“Take Lawrence up to the instrument, Mr. Black,” he directed, turning +to Black who was giving “first aid” to the unfortunate valet. “I will do +what I can for James.” + +When the elevator with Lawrence and the electrician had gone up above +the level of the roof, leaving the shaft open down into the house, he +could distinctly hear the soldiers running up the stairs. At any moment +now they might be hammering on the door at the foot of the stairway +leading to the roof. + +He hated the idea of killing those innocent Germans, mere machines, as +they were, in the hands of a Master, who with his entire entourage had +become sick with a mania which took the form of militarism, imperialism, +and pan-Germanism. But after the death of his two fellow-countrymen--for +at heart he was still true to the land of his birth, although to save her +he had just renounced the flag--he felt that he was justified in what he +was about to do. + +With a silent prayer for the peasant mothers who were soon to lose their +dear ones, he commended their souls to God, and not as these mothers, +poor benighted creatures, had done, to their Emperor. + +He was startled from these sorrowful reflections by the white glow of a +searchlight from the Little Peace Maker sweeping across the roof, and +playing hither and thither. Evidently, “Specs” had received his order, +and was now feeling about for the bulkhead door. + +A moment later he located it. Immediately the night was made hideous +with the roar of the guns from the airship, as they sowed bursting +shells in all directions, and carried death and destruction to the heart +of this great and wonderful city, built up stone by stone, and standing +as a living monument to one of the greatest people on the face of the +earth--a people that science teaches are the very last expression of +God’s greatness shown in His wonderful evolution of matter into His own +image. And for what? That one family might maintain the position given +to one of their ancestors in the remote, dark, and grovelling ages of +the past for prowess of which a modern prizefighter might be proud, but +for acts to which he with a higher standard might not stoop. + +The telling response of the Little Peace Maker soon put an end to the +storm of shrapnel and bullets which had been singing, whistling, +buzzing, and screaming about them, and Edestone might have been able to +stand up, but for the pertinacity of the snipers, those serpents of +modern warfare, who were searching every dark corner of the roof. + +Matters were fast coming to a climax, however. By the time that +Lawrence and Black had returned from sending the wireless message, and +had crawled over to where Edestone lay, the soldiers had broken down the +lower door, and were pounding at the upper, which “Specs” was holding as +with a rapier point at the heart of a fallen foe, ready to strike at the +slightest movement. + +Crawling over to the elevator shaft, Edestone called down a warning in a +loud voice to those below: + +“I have a machine-gun trained on the top of the stairs! If you order +your men to break that door down, I will order my guns to fire, and will +kill them faster than you can drive them up!” + +For a moment the only response to his challenge was silence. Then a +voice rang out which he had heard before, arrogant and commanding: + +“As God has ordained that I and none other should rule the earth, with +Him alone, I shall. By my Imperial order, and with His assistance, +bring that man to me, dead or alive!” + +A brief pause ensued. Edestone could hear the officers urging on their +men. Suddenly pistol-shots rang out, and with a mad rush they came on. +The door swayed and shivered under the impact. It split and +shattered. Finally it fell. + +“May God have mercy on his soul!” murmured Edestone, and he tossed his +hat high in the air. + +“Specs” from his look-out caught the signal; and instantly the doorway +became a writhing, shrieking mass of wounded humanity. Like vaseline +squeezed out of a tube, it was forced out of the opening by the pressure +of those behind and spread in wider and wider circles across the roof, +until the aperture itself was choked and stopped with bodies. + +But Edestone and his companions were spared the full measure of this +sickening sight, as the rapid manoeuvres of the Little Peace Maker +compelled them to devote their attention to her. + +As the great ship descended to within about ten feet of the +chimney-tops, men appeared on her lower bridge and dropped over the +insulated ladder which extended almost to where the refugees lay. + +Picking James up and putting him on his back where he clung like a baby, +Edestone ran for the ladder, quickly followed by Lawrence and Black. He +reached the bridge just in time to turn James over to one of the crew, +and extend his assistance to Lawrence, who had received a shot in one +hand, and was rather dizzily holding on to the ladder with the +other. Eventually, though, they all gained the bridge, and with their +rescuers already there raced up the gangway under a perfect hail of +bullets for the open doorway at the top. But before the last man had +passed through, two of the sailors had been shot, and had fallen to +their death on the roof. + +As they entered the ship, they were met by “Specs,” Captain Lee, +Dr. Brown, and other officers in uniforms which at the first glance +might have been taken for those of the New York Yacht Club, except for +the insignia on their caps which was a combination of Edestone’s private +signal and the letters L. P. M. Edestone, however, interrupted their +attempt to salute him. + +“Please waive all ceremony,” he said. “We have wounded men here that +must be attended to.” + +At this, Dr. Brown immediately came forward, and after ordering Lawrence +and James to the hospital gave a start as his glance fell upon Edestone. + +“You did not tell me that you yourself were wounded, sir,” he exclaimed; +and then for the first time Edestone discovered that his face, hands, +and clothing were covered with blood which was streaming from a wound +above his temple. + +He was about to permit himself also to be examined, when there was heard +from below the detonation of one of the Kaiser’s big mortars; and +pulling away from the Doctor, he called an excited order to “Specs”: + +“Throw on your full charge, and lift her as fast as you can!” + +He ran to the gangway in time to see the wire carried up to a great +height by the ball from the mortar settling down across the Little Peace +Maker about midships. It was falling now, and would soon come in contact +with the ship. + +When it did, there was a slight jar perceptible, but no such result as +the enemy had hoped. The wire was so quickly fused, accompanying an +explosion giving out an intense light, that it seemed to shoot to the +earth like a streak of lightning, setting fire to or knocking down +everything that lay in its path. + +Another and another mortar shot followed until the sky seemed to be +filled with falling wires which were swinging, twisting, and snapping +above him. The Little Peace Maker was the centre of an electrical +storm, and was sending back by every wire messages of death to those who +were striving to bring her down. + +The ship was rising very rapidly now, however, and almost before +Edestone had time to sing out, “Steady now, as you are,” she was 3000 +feet above the German capital, and out of range of the wire-throwers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +YACHTING IN THE AIR + + +While Lawrence’s hand was being dressed by one of the assistant +surgeons, he had an opportunity of observing how perfect were the +appointments of the operating room to which he had been taken. The +orderlies and nurses moving about were all dressed in spotless white +gowns and caps. The doctor and those assisting him in cleaning and +dressing the slight flesh-wound which had been inflicted looked at their +patient through holes in a cap that completely covered their heads and +faces. Every appliance was provided for perfect cleanliness and +sanitation, and the apparatus was on hand to permit of any operation of +modern surgery, no matter how complicated. + +From where he sat, he could see into another room exactly similar where +James was having the injury to his leg attended to with the same +scrupulous care; and he had passed, as he was brought in, a long room +which he was told was one of the surgical wards, and where he had seen +several men on hospital cots. The surgical wards, he was further +informed, were on the starboard side of the ship, and not connected in +any way with the sick bay which lay over on the port side. + +With his great love for ships and machinery, Lawrence was impatient to +get away and make a tour of inspection of this strange craft upon which +he had embarked; but while he was waiting he occupied himself in his +usual fashion by giving vent to his high spirits and making a joke out +of everything. + +“Well, Doc,” he remarked to the surgeon, “you certainly have got one +nifty little butcher shop, but I want to tell you, before one of those +Ku-Klux throw me down and slap the gas bag in my face, that I have no +adenoids, and that my appendix was cut out by an Arabian doctor who +threw a handful of sand into me to stop the bleeding. If you would like +to study German sausages, though, there is a pile of it down there on +the roof.” And even he shuddered as he recalled that awful carnage. + +A bright-looking chap, dressed in the smart uniform of a steward on a +gentleman’s yacht, appeared at the door, but was not allowed to come in +by Lawrence’s aseptic guardians. He had been sent down by Edestone to +inquire as to the condition of the wounded, and to announce to Lawrence +that if he felt well enough to join him, dinner would be ready as soon +as he was. He begged, the messenger said, that Mr. Stuyvesant would go +directly to his room and dress, and allow him to have the pleasure of +showing him over the ship after dinner. If he would let the +quarter-master’s department have his measure, he would be fitted out. + +Wild horses could not have restrained Lawrence from such an invitation, +much less a little scratch on the hand; and his injury having been +dressed by this time, he was about to set out with the messenger, when +James appealed to him from the next room, begging to be allowed to look +after his master’s clothes. + +“Beg pardon, sir,” he urged, showing his embarrassment at not being able +to stand, “but I am the only one who knows how Mr. Edestone likes his +dinner clothes laid out, and his whole evening will be spoiled without +me, sir. I only ask to be allowed to break in the new man, sir, as +starting right in laying out a gentleman’s clothes is half the battle, +sir.” + +“Don’t you think, you have had enough of a battle for one day, you dear +old fighting fossil?” asked Lawrence in a tone of real affection, for +there is nothing which draws men together, regardless of rank, more +quickly than to fight on the same side, and he could not help but admire +the cool manner in which the valet had borne himself under fire. + +“Thank you, sir, but mightn’t I be allowed to see to his bath, sir? A +drop of hot water in it turns his stomach for a week. Just let me do +that, and I will come straight back to these very kind persons.” He +glanced about at the men of science with the condescending manner of the +English upper servant in dealing with the shopkeeper class. + +But Lawrence shook his head. “I’m sorry, James, but--” he bowed low to +the grinning circle of doctors and nurses, and assumed his most +grandiloquent air--“you are now in the hands of the only acknowledged +ruling class of the twentieth century, who hold you with a grip of +steel, but whose touch is as gentle as a mother’s kiss. So get out your +knitting, Old Socks; you are doomed.” + +He turned with a laugh and a new impersonation to the surgeon as he left +the room. + +“Thank you, Doc. You’ve cert’nly been kind to me, a poor working +girl. Just send the bill to Mr. Edestone. He is my greatest gentleman +friend.” + +In his room, which was reached by an elevator, he found the ship’s +tailor waiting for him; but after this functionary had taken his measure +and gone, he had an opportunity to look around. + +He was in a room, he found, a parlour or sitting-room, about fifteen by +twenty, neatly but handsomely furnished, and suggesting to him in its +general appearance the owner’s apartments on the largest and most +perfectly equipped yachts. There was this difference, however, that +nothing about it indicated that it was ever off an even keel. There +were no racks or other contrivances to suggest that it was prepared to +turn in any direction at an angle of forty-five degrees, and which to +the land-lubber causes qualms even while the ship is still tied to the +dock. + +It might indeed have been a handsome living-room in a bachelor’s +apartment, but for the windows, which at the first glance seemed to be +of the ordinary French casement form, running down to the floor, and +looking as if they might open out onto a balcony; but to his surprise, +he found, when he pulled aside the heavy curtains, that they looked into +a perfectly blank white wall about two inches from the glass. + +Adjoining the living-room was a bedroom furnished in similar style with +the same sort of windows, and beyond, Lawrence found as attractive a +bath-room as ever welcomed an American millionaire after a hot day in +his office, or a game of polo. + +After a boiling tub and a freezing shower, in the pink of condition--and +nothing else--he went back into the bedroom. + +“Now what,” he had wondered, “will the Fairy Godmother have for me in +the way of a union suit, and a pair of jumpers?” + +But he had not wondered very hard. He found, as he knew he would, for he +had yachted with Edestone before, a complete outfit, not forgetting the +cocktail, which was standing on the table as quietly and innocently as +if it had always been there, although in reality it had just been placed +there by a man who, with years of experience in listening to the sounds +that come from a gentleman’s bathroom, had timed its arrival to the +second. + +Nor was it one of those cocktails that are poured from a bottle, and +served hot out of a silver-snouted shaker on a sloppy waiter, but a +masterpiece from the hands of an artist, who took pride in his +handiwork. + +With the modesty of a chorus girl with a good figure on a “first night,” + he toasted the valet with much ceremony. + +Soon he was dressed in the mess jacket of a petty officer, and putting a +yachting cap jauntily on his head, he went out to seek his friend. The +valet told him he would find Mr. Edestone in the breakfast room, and he +was shown thither by an officer who was waiting for him. + +As he passed along, he could not divest himself of the idea that he was +on board Edestone’s yacht, the _Storm Queen_ again, only that everything +here was on a larger scale. The breakfast room, he discovered, was on +the same deck but farther forward, and was reached by passing through a +large room furnished as a general living-room. + +Edestone came forward to greet him with a rather melancholy expression +on his face. He was dressed in a yachtsman’s dinner jacket which fitted +him perfectly, and with his bandaged head, he looked more than ever the +sea lord. His rank of Captain was shown by the stripes on his arm. + +The room was, as one would expect Edestone to have in his New York or +country house, simple but handsome. + +He had just been giving some orders about the windows which were of the +same form and size as those Lawrence had remarked in his own room, and +like them opened against a wall; but at Lawrence’s appearance, he +interrupted these instructions. + +“I am glad to see you aboard.” He presented his hand, which Lawrence +took with his left. “I had looked forward to your first trip with me +with so much pleasure. But how different it is from the way I had +pictured it. I cannot get Fred, Stanton, or my two sailors out of my +mind.” + +Lawrence’s own face saddened, but for Edestone’s sake he endeavoured to +speak philosophically. + +“The fortunes of war, old man. Why grieve? You certainly were not to +blame.” + +For a moment there was silence between them; then Edestone, as if +attempting to shake off his gloomy reflections, struck a lighter note. + +“How do you like being a pirate, Lawrence?” he smiled. + +“Great! The dream of my life, with you for a captain!” + +So they sat down to dinner. The men attending to their wants moved about +unheard and almost unseen in the shadow outside the circle of soft light +which fell only on the table. The room was filled with an indescribable +aroma of comfort and good cheer. A newly-lighted fire crackled on the +hearth, for it had suddenly become quite cold. Indeed, it was with +difficulty Lawrence could realize that but a few hours before they had +been in the midst of battle and sudden death, and that, as they sat, +down there five times the height of the Eiffel Tower below them was the +Embassy from which they were still removing the dead, or aiding the +dying. + +As he looked at Edestone with his sad, brooding eyes, he felt all at +once as if his friend had been taken away from him, and had been lifted +to a place so exalted, that for the life of him, he could not have taken +the liberty of speaking until he was first addressed. + +The dinner went on, and though the food was delightful and the wines +perfect, both men merely toyed with what was on their plates, while +Lawrence gulped his champagne as if he were trying to get its effect +quickly in order to throw off this strange new diffidence and restraint +which he now felt in the presence of his oldest and dearest friend. + +He tried to imagine that they two were cruising alone on the _Storm +Queen_, as they had so often done, and that this was just one of many +evenings that they had spent in this way together; but + + Where was the lap of the water at her side, + Or the pounding of the launch as she rode at her boom? + The groan of the anchor as she swung with the tide, + Or the blowing off steam, which demanded more room? + +All was perfectly quiet. If there were storage batteries on board, they +had been charged. There was no shovelling of coal; no shrieking and +banging of doors in the boiler room, nor banking of fires. The only +thing that remained true to tradition was the ship’s bell. It had just +sounded out five bells. + +The silence was at last broken by Edestone; but, although he spoke, it +was more as if he were merely letting his pensive thoughts run on. + +“How different this has been from the way I had planned it. How +different, too, has been your home-coming, old man--for the _Storm +Queen_ was like home to you in the old days.” + +But Lawrence by this time was beginning to feel the effects of +champagne, and was certain that unless he very soon did something to +lift the pall that had fallen on them, he himself would be dissolved in +tears. + +“I don’t know what your plan was,” he said; “but don’t you worry about +my home-coming. The thing that ought to worry you is my leave-taking. +The L. P. M. has got the _Storm Queen_ beat a mile, and I am booked for +life. And, by the way, what is my rank on this ship? My old position of +room clerk on the _Storm Queen_ won’t go here, as I don’t suppose you +intend to have any ‘cuties’ on board, not even for the New London week.” + +“No.” Edestone consented at last to smile. “I am afraid, Lawrence, +those days are all over for me. My little house of cards has fallen +about me, and I have serious work before me, if I wish to build it up +again. I have been thinking, and thinking very hard. From the moment +that I saw poor Fred roll down the stairs of the Embassy, I knew that my +first plan had failed. When Germany discovers that the United States is +not back of me, she will apologize, and you know how quickly our present +Administration will accept the apology, and how quickly they will +disclaim any responsibility for my acts, if it means a fight?” + +Lawrence nodded. + +“Germany,” went on Edestone, “will then call on all the neutral nations +to join her in bringing me, an outlaw, to earth. This will give her a +common cause with them, and she will hope in that way to strengthen her +position relative to the Allies. She does not know my relationship with +England, but she will undoubtedly declare that I am one of the means +England is using to subjugate the world.” + +“And is there nothing you can do?” asked Lawrence. + +“My last and only hope is that tomorrow, after they have realized the +uselessness of opposing me, they will listen to a proposition of +peace--without honour, from their old standard; but with great honour, +from the standard that I intend to establish. I propose to send what is +practically an ultimatum; and that is, that if they do not immediately +open negotiations looking toward peace, I will sink every German +battleship that floats, and destroy every factory in which guns, +explosives, or any of the munitions of war are manufactured.” + +“Me for the junk business,” exclaimed Lawrence with an inspiration. “Oh, +you Krupps!” + +But Edestone paid no heed to the frivolous interruption. “It is my +intention,” he continued, “to give sufficient notice, so that if they +are willing to admit my supremacy, there need be no loss of life.” + +He halted, as an officer had just come in, and was standing after +saluting, waiting for Edestone to stop speaking. + +“The look-outs report, sir, that there are several Taubes climbing up +toward us. What are your orders, sir?” + +“Close everything down, except one of these.” Edestone pointed to a +window. “Expose no lights.” + +After the man had retired, he said to one of the servants in the room: +“Put out the lights, and bring us two cloaks.” + +When the lights had been put out, Lawrence saw for the first time that +during dinner the solid cubes of steel, the size of the windows, had +noiselessly rolled back, leaving a square aperture or passage-way +through the six-foot thickness of the armour-plate, and forming a sort +of _loggia_ into which they stepped. It was a beautiful night, and +through the clear, rarefied atmosphere the stars seemed to Lawrence +brighter than he had ever seen them before, while down below them he +could just see the lights of Berlin. + +The explosions of the motors of the Taubes could be plainly heard, but +as yet nothing could be seen of them. + +“What do you suppose those mosquitoes expect to do against us with their +pop-guns and tomato cans?” asked Lawrence. + +“I do not know.” Edestone shook his head. “Perhaps they are just coming +up to look us over. They will keep out of sight, and as they may not +know that we are protected on top, will perhaps try to drop one of their +tomato cans on us. That is, if they can get close enough. I hardly think +that they will risk a miss, and drop bombs on their own capital, so long +as the Only One Who Seems To Count In Germany is in the midst of his +beloved people.” + +The Taubes could be heard on all sides, as if they were climbing in +great circles around the Little Peace Maker. There seemed to be at least +a dozen of them, although owing to the confusion of sounds as they +crossed and re-crossed, it was impossible to count them. + +At last, though, when judging by the noise they were about on the same +level as the ship, Edestone turned to an officer who was standing by +him. + +“Tell Commander Anderson to load all of the big guns with a full charge +of black powder only, and fire them all off at the same time. + +“And, Lawrence,” he advised his friend, “when you hear a bell ringing, +stand on your toes, open your mouth, stick your fingers in your ears, +and if you’ve never been in Hell before, prepare yourself for a shock.” + +Hardly had he gotten the words out of his mouth, when bells began +ringing all over the ship. In just exactly one minute, Lawrence thought +he had been blown into bits, as he was lifted and thrown from side to +side against the steel walls of the passage. The noise was so great that +his ears seemed unable to record it, and it was made known to him by the +air pressure which seemed to be crushing him to death. The rush of air +down his throat was choking him, while his very insides seemed to be +turning over and over in their effort to escape. A dizziness and nausea +followed, and he had to lean against his friend, trying to catch his +breath in the thick, black smoke with which they were enveloped. + +“This is Hell all right,” he managed to gasp. + +“That is the worst you will ever get,” said Edestone. “It was noise that +I was after, and black powder makes it. Your experience would not have +been half so bad had the guns been loaded or had I used smokeless.” + +The ship which had trembled from stem to stern under the tremendous +concussion was floating now as quietly as a toy balloon, while the wind +was rolling up and pushing before it a great cloud of smoke which +obscured the sky. On all sides there was perfect stillness, broken only +now and again by the last explosion of gas caught in the cylinders of +the Taubes by the sudden stoppage of the engines. The airmen were +volplaning to earth as fast and as silently as they could. + +“Well, that ought to hold them for a while,” commented Lawrence in a +tone which showed that he was almost himself again. + +“And make them a little bit more amenable to reason in the morning,” + added Edestone, and he laughed, for action with him always drove away +the blue devils. + +“With that settled, too, we will just have time before turning in, to +inspect my quarters,” he continued. “Tomorrow I will introduce you to +‘Specs’ and Captain Lee, and you can go with them at eleven o’clock on +their tour of official inspection. They will show you the fire drill, +the life-balloon drill, the gun drill, the kitchen, and the cows. But +now I want you to see a different side of the ship. We will look at my +quarters, then at my guest rooms, and finally at my royal suite or state +apartments as I call them.” + +He then took Lawrence through room after room, which were arranged in +the form of a horseshoe, starting on the port side with his breakfast +room, and working around to the starboard side with its opening toward +the stern of the ship. + +On the port side were Edestone’s apartments--living-room, library, +or den, bedroom, dressing-room, bath-room, and gymnasium. On the +starboard were a number of guest rooms arranged in suites of parlour, +bedroom, and bath, while at the crown of the arch was a large dining-room +in which fifty persons could sit down to dinner comfortably. + +The centre of the horseshoe was the large room through which he had +passed, and like the general meeting room of a large country house was +filled with all known kinds of games--instruments and devices to amuse +that most unfortunate class of human beings who have no resources within +themselves, and must play some foolish game, or do some foolish puzzle +in order to get through the life which seems to hang so heavily on their +hands. + +From this they passed to a lower deck about amidships, to a room about +eighty feet by one hundred and twenty feet, which extended the full +width of the ship and up three decks. At one end of this large and +handsome room was a raised platform arranged like the Speaker’s desk in +the House of Representatives at Washington with the desks at lower +levels for stenographers, clerks, and attendants, while around the room +in concentric circles were large comfortable seats and desks, also like +a Senate Chamber, only more luxurious in appointments, as though it were +to receive a more distinguished body of men than the Senate of the +United States, if that were possible. + +“This,” said Edestone, “is where I intend to hold my Peace Conference, +and when you see the names of the distinguished men who are to sit here, +and the apartments that I have arranged for them and their suites, you +will perhaps be glad to take your old position of room clerk.” + +Then after showing his companion through these magnificent “royal +suites,” as he called them, all furnished and equipped in the most +sumptuous fashion, he suggested that they had better turn in. + +“We will hope and pray for the best in the morning,” he said, as he bade +Lawrence good-night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE ULTIMATUM + + +The sun was streaming through the windows when Lawrence awoke the next +morning. The valet had come in shortly before to throw back the +curtains with a slam, and by moving about the room, slapping up shades +and dropping boots, make the usual noises of a well-trained valet at +that time of the morning. + +“Mr. Edestone is already up, sir,” he said when he saw that he had +succeeded in waking Lawrence, “and is having his breakfast in his own +apartments. Will you have yours here or will you go to the breakfast +room?” + +“Breakfast room,” elected Lawrence sleepily. “What time is it?” + +“Eight o’clock, sir. What will you have for breakfast, sir?” + +“Anything and eggs,” said Lawrence, and was about to turn over and go to +sleep again when he realized where he was, and leaping out of bed to the +window in one bound stepped out into the _loggia_. + +The Little Peace Maker had dropped down and was now only about a +thousand feet up; and when he looked down from his balcony, he could see +that she had changed her position so as to float exactly over the +Palace. It almost seemed to him as if he could step off and onto the +roof of this great pile of masonry. The airship, too, must have just +moved into this position, as was shown by the excited way in which the +little people below him were running away in every direction. + +He had his bath, and hurriedly dressing went into the breakfast room, +where he found Edestone, who had finished his breakfast and was waiting +for him, while reading from a lot of slips of paper which he was turning +over in his hand. The master of the ship was dressed all in white and +looked refreshed after a good night’s rest. + +“Good-morning, Lawrence,” he greeted him. “Did you sleep well?” + +“Like a top.” + +“And how is your hand?” + +“I had almost forgotten it, only I did get the dressings wet while +taking my bath, but that will give me an excuse for passing the time of +day with the doctors. How is your head?” + +“Oh, that does not amount to anything,” said Edestone. “It will be well +in a week. Have you seen the morning papers?” With a smile he handed him +a sheet on which was printed all the news of the day which the wireless +man had picked up during the night. + +“The United States has not been heard from,” he commented as he glanced +it over. “I wonder what the Southern Baptist Union School Children will +think of me now? You know the Secretary of State thought I was a +Baptist. And as for him, why he will leave the State Department and stay +away until it gets too hot in Florida, or the lecturing season is all +over, while the President will write a most scholarly note to all of the +Powers telling them how much he loves them, and what a glorious thing it +is to be an American. He will then give an unqualified invitation to all +of the dark-skinned downtrodden criminals of Europe to come over and be +sprinkled with the holy water of citizenship, after they have made their +mark to their naturalization papers which have been read to them by +their interpreter. + +“London reports that the news from Germany has filled the entire country +with new confidence,” he went on, “and that the Londoners have given +themselves over to the most un-English and thoroughly Latin +demonstrations by parading the streets and singing songs and indulging +in another Mafeking. I see, too, that Lord Rockstone is reported to have +said that he thought now the war would not last as long as he had +expected. The King has called a special meeting of the Cabinet for today +at 4 o’clock. + +“Reports come from Rome that Italy will enter the war immediately, and +the papers point out the fact that now since her friend America has +joined the Allies it is high time that Italy should take her position. + +“Petrograd reports that they have lost 100,000 men but have captured +250,000 Austrians. + +“Constantinople,” he went on reading, “declares that the Dardanelles are +impregnable and that the city is perfectly quiet, but the Sultan and +half of his harem have moved to his summer residence.” + +He laid down the printed sheet. “I have had no communication yet from +down there,” he said as he pointed down in the direction of the Palace. +“My international law department is drawing up a proclamation which I +will send as soon as it is finished. It will be along the lines that I +spoke of to you last night, but framed in more diplomatic +language. These are the latest bulletins I was just reading over when +you came in.” + +Then while Lawrence sat eating his breakfast, Edestone continued to read +now and then bits of the different press notices. + +“Listen to this,” he said with a laugh. “‘The twenty Taubes sent up to +make a night attack on the American airship inflicted great +injury. After using up all their ammunition and bombs they were forced +to retire before the large guns of the enemy. They all reached the +ground in safety. The tremendous explosion that was heard in the city +is thought to have been caused by the exploding of one of the large +magazines.’” + +“What’s that from?” Lawrence glanced up from his “anything and eggs.” + “_Die Fliegende Blatter?_” + +But Edestone did not smile, he was glancing at another of the slips. + +“Ah,” he said in a sad voice, “I seem to have killed about one thousand +people last night.” + +“Still,” argued Lawrence, “that was not as large a percentage of the +German Empire as they killed of your little kingdom.” + +“No,” granted Edestone; “and as long as they insist upon treating me as +an outlaw I will be one so far as they are concerned. I will now go and +see if my ultimatum is prepared. I am undecided as to whether I will +send it by wireless or by a messenger.” + +Lawrence finished his breakfast and while he sat in the _loggia_ smoking +his cigar and looking down over the city, he decided to ask permission +to carry the message to the Emperor himself. The idea delighted him, +and he pictured exactly how he would walk and speak his lines like the +prince in the story book. He only regretted that he was not to be +dressed up in spangles, like the heralds of old, and have the triumphal +march from _Aïda_ played by trumpeters from the Metropolitan Opera +House who would precede him in their brand-new Cammeyer sandals and +badly fitting tights but he decided that if said trumpeters were obliged +to read sheet music he would not allow them to wear glasses. He was just +making up his mind what he would say to the Emperor when Wilhelm fell on +his knees and begged him to intercede for him, as Edestone came in, and +blasted all these glowing dreams with a word. + +“Well, it is done,” he said, “and I have given them until one o’clock to +answer.” + +Lawrence was then formally introduced to “Specs” under his title of +Admiral Page, to Captain Lee, and the officers, and he spent one of the +most delightful days of his life, so much interested in what he saw that +he entirely forgot that he was a pirate, waiting to destroy a peaceable +city if it did not do his bidding. + +Edestone had settled himself down for a quiet day of waiting, and +Lawrence amused himself by inspecting every part of the ship and talking +with all on board from the oil men to the Admiral. + +“Admiral Page,” he inquired, “where do you keep the Deionizer?” + +At which “Specs” peeped at him with a suspicious glance through his +thick glasses. “Has Mr. Edestone spoken to you of that?” he asked. + +“Yes,” replied Lawrence, “but he did not explain to me its working.” + +“Specs” hesitated to take even Lawrence into the holy of holies until he +had obtained permission from Edestone to do so. Having by telephone +communicated with him, and receiving his permission, he conducted +Lawrence up into the bow of the ship. After passing through several +heavy doors, which “Specs” unlocked, saluting the sentries at each, they +came to a great iron grille and he motioned to Lawrence to look through, +saying, “This is as far as I can take you.” + +Lawrence looked through, and he saw what appeared to be the door of an +enormous safe-deposit k vault. “That,” nodded “Specs,” “is the door to +the safe in which the Deionizer is kept. No one on earth excepting +Mr. Edestone knows the combination that will open those doors. That is +run by a one hundred H. P. motor in the engine room, and from it run the +deionizing cables which run down the port and starboard sides of the +vessel.” + +“Do you mean to say,” said Lawrence, “that I have no weight?” as he felt +his large biceps with an expression of pride. + +This caused “Specs” to laugh, and in response to the numberless +questions put to him by the young man, he explained the different +mechanisms by which the weight of the ship and its contents was kept at +the weight of the amount of air displaced by it. + +“So,” said Lawrence, “we are floating not by virtue of gas bags filled +with gas lighter than air, but by the amount of air displaced by all +metallic substances on this vessel, which for all practical purposes are +rendered lighter than air?” + +“Yes,” replied “Specs,” with a look of pity for the other man’s +ignorance, “I suppose that is the way you would express it. If you +really want to understand, and are willing to give the time to it, come +to my quarters, and I will give you the scientific explanation.” + +“No, thank you,” said Lawrence; “I’ll take your word for it, but I am +glad to know that when I get back to earth I’m not liable at any time to +be blown away like a thistledown.” + +At lunch Edestone appeared very thoughtful and seemed to feel great +anxiety about the outcome of his note. They had observed that soon after +the message had been sent automobiles were coming and going from the +Palace in great numbers, and gathered that the Emperor apparently was +holding a council of war. They had also seen with powerful glasses that, +in certain parts of the city there was great activity of some kind, but +they were unable to ascertain exactly what it was. + +“I cannot understand,” frowned Edestone, “how they can possibly decline +a proposition _pour parler_. I asked them to agree to nothing. I +assured them that I would use my influence in favour of a just +settlement of all the claims arising out of the war and of the incidents +leading up to it. I appealed to their humanity, and guaranteed as far +as lay within my power to protect the lives and property of Germans all +over the world if they would only stop all actual fighting until I could +make an exactly similar appeal to the other Governments that are +involved.” + +Just then an officer came in and handed Edestone a wireless message +which had just been received. + +Edestone read it hurriedly, but as he glanced up it was easy to see from +the expression on his face that he was pleased. + +“Well,” he exclaimed elatedly, “these Germans are not so bad after all, +and if they will only give up the idea that they are the only people on +the face of the earth, the sooner will they get what they want. That is, +if they are telling the truth when they state they are fighting only to +bring religion, science, and culture to the entire world. They do +sincerely and honestly believe, I think, that this can be obtained only +under the German form of government, and many of the other nations would +be willing to admit this in part were they absolutely convinced of their +sincerity and did not suspect them of greed on the part of the merchant +class and ambition on the part of the war party. + +“They have apparently received my note in the spirit in which it was +sent,” he explained, “and have agreed to consider carefully the +proposition which I have made. They only ask to be given until five +o’clock this afternoon to draw up in proper form their reply to me and +their message to the other countries. I am expecting every minute now to +see a white flag displayed somewhere on or around the Palace, which was +the signal agreed upon and is to be acknowledged by a similar flag +displayed by me. This is not to be considered as an indication of any +weakness on their part, or any surrendering of their rights or the +acknowledgment of my power, but as a truce which will last only until +five o’clock, or until such earlier time as I shall answer them. They +stipulate that I, as an indication of good faith, withdraw to some point +outside of the city, where it will be well out of range of my largest +guns, and in order to fix some location which will be perfectly +satisfactory they have suggested that I lie over the Gotzen See and have +established my exact position by the ruins of an old castle on its +north-eastern bank. There I am to remain until I receive their answer, +which if not satisfactory terminates the truce. They have indicated very +justly that they do not think they should be called upon to open +negotiations for an amicable settlement with me while the Little Peace +Maker is lying so close to the Emperor’s Palace and threatening it with +instant destruction.” + +As it was impossible for them from where they were to see the Palace, +Edestone suggested that they go up on the upper deck. + +“I hope that by the time we arrive on deck,” Edestone said as they +hurried along, “the white flag will be flying, and I sincerely hope that +this will mark the beginning of the end of this cruel war and the +realization of my hopes, the accomplishment of my life’s work. + +“Ah,” he exclaimed as they arrived and looked down, “there she is! You +can see it on the large flagpole out in front of the Palace, while the +Imperial standard is still floating over His Majesty’s residence.” He +called an officer to him and gave him his orders: + +“Dip my colours and then run them up to the peak again. Display a white +flag. Tell Captain Lee to call all hands, and get under way at once. +Drop to within four hundred feet, man the rail, and circle the +Palace. Haul down my colours and run up the German Imperial Ensign and +fire a national salute of twenty-one guns, and then run at top speed and +take a position over the Gotzen See at a point which I shall indicate.” + +The ceremony was executed faultlessly, as he directed, and when the +Little Peace Maker, just skirting the tops of the buildings, cast the +shadow of its nine hundred feet of steel as it came between the sun and +the Imperial city, its big guns booming the national salute, the people +of Berlin must have been impressed, for when she circled at about four +knots they cheered. But when she changed her speed, and at one hundred +and eighty knots disappeared from sight, they must have been relieved. + +At such speed it was only a few minutes before they were hovering +quietly over the old ruin on the banks of the lake, and they settled +down to spend the afternoon as they would have, had they been anchored +in Frenchman’s Bay off of Bar Harbour in the month of August on board +the _Storm Queen_. + +It was a beautiful and quiet summer scene, and like a big trout in a +limpid pool the Little Peace Maker lay perfectly still basking in the +warm sunshine. Most of the ports were open and the men were lying around +enjoying the relaxation of the first dog-watch. + +Although it was with difficulty that Edestone could keep Lawrence still +long enough, he forced him to join in a game of chess, which was +Edestone’s favourite form of relaxation. Lawrence, however, kept +continually breaking in with the suggestion that they go below and take +a walk among the ruins of the home of one of the ancient Barons of +Prussia. + +From time to time, while waiting for Lawrence to move, Edestone would +consult his watch, and as the fatal hour of five approached, although +perfectly calm he was anxious. + +With the finish of the game, Lawrence, who had chafed under the +confinement, insisted upon going on deck and talking with the officers +and men. + +When next he saw his friend, Edestone was walking up and down the +general living-room with an expression of great anxiety on his face. It +was half-past five o’clock, and although Lawrence had entirely forgotten +it, he suddenly thought of the ultimatum. + +“Well what did they answer?” he asked. + +“Nothing,” said Edestone. + +“And what are you going to do?” + +“I am going to Kiel to sink one of their largest battleships, and see if +that will wake them up. We shall be under way in ten minutes and should +be there by eight-thirty o’clock. I have ordered ‘Specs’ to get under +way as soon as possible.” + +Lawrence was delighted; this was the best yachting that he had ever had, +and he wanted to be in so many places at the same time that he ran about +like a boy on his first ocean trip. He was just going up the +companionway to the pilot house, where he knew he would find Edestone, +when he was almost knocked off his feet by the impact of something +against the side of the ship which felt as if it would tear out every +rivet and buckle every beam. At the same instant there was an explosion +which was worse than the black-powder explosion of the night before, and +he was just thinking how unkind it was of Edestone not to have warned +him before indulging in another one of his pyrotechnical demonstrations, +when it was followed by another and another. + +He had managed by this time to get into the pilot house, where he saw +Edestone with an expression of rage on his face giving sharp peremptory +orders while the life was being pounded out of the Little Peace +Maker. In response to these orders, the ship suddenly shot up with such +rapidity that it seemed to Lawrence as if his legs would be driven +through the floor. + +He was suffering great pain in his head and his nose was bleeding. He +could scarcely hear what Edestone was saying to him, but finally he +caught these words: + +“So that is their answer, the liars! They have taken advantage of my +willingness to remain here quietly, and with their thoroughness in all +matters and their usual method of working in the dark, they have placed +me where they have carefully worked out the range of their +forty-two-centimetre guns. They hoped to be able to capture us, but +seeing our smoke, and realizing that I was going to move, they took this +unspeakable method of putting an end to the Little Peace Maker.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + + +It seemed for a time as if Edestone had completely lost control of +himself. Lawrence, “Specs,” and Captain Lee, who had all known him for +years, stood back staring at him in blank amazement. He was perfectly +livid. Out of his face had gone every semblance of the man that they had +known, loved, honoured, and respected for his kind, big, and forgiving +nature, willing to stand an insult rather than use his great power where +a smaller character would have demanded the last ounce of flesh. In its +place was an expression of rage which would have been frightful to see +on the face of a weaker man, but on his, with all the power and +determination of his strong character behind it, it was appalling. It +made them feel that they were held helpless by a powerful demon who +would destroy and kill any who might stand in his way. Pushing everyone +aside in a manner that was entirely foreign to him, he sprang to the +wheel and taking it rang for full speed ahead. He swung the ship around +so quickly that she banked and turned over at an angle of thirty +degrees. + +She was then at an altitude of from 7000 to 8000 feet and he put her +head down as if he intended to drive her steel-pointed bow into the very +heart of the city of Berlin. But when he had gotten her at about 400 +feet he straightened her out and sent her at 150 knots. Without taking +his eyes off his goal, which seemed to be the Palace of the Kaiser, he +said in a cold and emotionless voice: “See what damage has been done and +report to me quickly, and as there is a God in Heaven if a single one of +my men has been killed I will hang the Kaiser after I have destroyed his +city!” + +While the different officers were busily telephoning to every part of +the ship carrying out this order, Lawrence stood paralysed waiting for +the answers. He sincerely hoped that none of the men had been killed, +but as one officer after another reported all well in his department, +and as the number of departments yet to be heard from grew less and +less, he could not control a distinct feeling of disappointment, for he +had silently said “Amen!” to Edestone’s last sentiment. When all had +been heard from, and it was found that none had been killed, and that +the injuries to the ship were, so slight that they could be repaired +within a week, Edestone said to the officer of the deck: + +“Take the wheel. When you are over the city and have made the Palace, +circle it at eight knots. I wish them all to see me. After you have +rounded the Palace, run at full speed for Kiel.” + +And without a word to Lawrence he turned and left the bridge. On his +face was a look that showed that the demon within him was under perfect +control, but he had no desire to hide the fact that it was still with +him. Lawrence would no more have thought of following him than he would +have thought of following a wounded Manchurian tiger into its cave. + +“I would have hated to hear that any one of our fine fellows had been +killed,” he said with a nervous laugh, “but my, what a swell little +afternoon hanging that would have been! Nathan Hale with the original +cast wouldn’t have had a speculator in front of his doors. His front-row +seats would be selling at box-office prices, while we would have sold +out the house at ten thousand times the cost of the production before +the first-nighters had even seen a press notice. There would not have +been a piece of paper in the house except the Press and the Princes. By +the sacred substance of John D. Rockefeller’s hair-tonic, I hate to +think of the money we would have made with the movies! The Crown Prince +giving the Papa Wilhelm kiss, while the trap man plays on the melodeon +‘It’s the Wrong Way to Tickle Mary,’ and the Ghost of the Hohenzollern, +who ate up her two babies when she found they disturbed her gentleman +friend, hovering over the scene like Schumann-Heink in the +_Rheingold_,--I would not release that reel for less than a billion +dollars down! + +“But why talk about pleasant things when we have such serious matters on +our hands.” + +“Mr. Edestone looked as if he meant serious business all right,” said +one of the officers. “Listen! I hear the wireless sending a message +now.” + +Lawrence listened, and repeated as he heard: “The Little Peace Maker is +now running for Kiel, where she will arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 I will +begin to drop tons of lyddite and dynamite on the decks of all German +ships of war, and in order that there may be no unnecessary loss of life +I give this notice.” + +The instrument stopped, but Lawrence continued, as if still catching and +translating the message: + +“And realizing the extreme supersensitiveness of the German sailors, we +are sending ahead by Parcel Post baskets for the cats and cages for the +canaries. The women and babies, being contraband, must go down with the +ships.” + +They were now slowly swinging around the Palace, and as the people of +Berlin knew nothing, they took the accepted German position, which was +that Edestone was afraid of the Kaiser’s wrath, and they therefore came +flocking out into the streets to see him dip his flag to that of the +all-powerful German Empire. + +Lawrence noted that the Imperial standard was no longer flying over the +Palace. “It looks,” said he, “as if we would have to put in an +under-study for the leading man.” + +And then as if some sudden idea had struck him, he rushed from the +bridge, and while the Little Peace Maker was slowly passing over the +plaza in front of the Palace, the men on the bridge saw with a mingled +feeling of horror and delight a large black object, which resembled a +submarine mine, dropping from the port side of the ship, and they stood +in breathless expectation of seeing the hideous Renaissance monument, +erected by Schluter, blown to atoms. When the sinister-looking cylinder +struck the pavement it exploded, but instead of death and destruction +the flaggings were strewn with egg-shells, coffee-grounds, and garbage. + +“I always did like that French chef,” said Lawrence when he returned to +the bridge, gasping for breath. + +“I am sorry,” he added, “that we didn’t have our little lynching bee +this afternoon, but the sinking of a billion dollars’ worth of +battleships must be almost as much fun as hanging a ‘kink.’” + +They were now going at top speed, and after waiting about for some time +and finding that Edestone did not return to the bridge, he went to his +room and dressed for dinner. + +At dinner Edestone appeared, but he was very quiet. + +“Lawrence,” he said, “you must forgive me, but I really am not myself. I +cannot recall at any time in my entire life when I was ever so angry as +I was this afternoon. I think they call it ‘seeing red.’” + +“You were ‘seeing red’ all right,” said Lawrence, “and you certainly got +my goat.” + +“If one of the men on this ship had been killed, after that pledge had +been given for their safety, I do not know what I would have done.” + +“Exactly what do you propose to do?” + +“I intend to wreck and destroy everything in this country that will be +of the slightest use to them for military purposes. Today it is Kiel +with its ships, shipyards, and dry-docks; tomorrow, Krupps; and so on +until they will have to stop fighting for the lack of munitions of +war. I shall endeavour as far as possible to avoid loss of life, but,” + with an ironical smile, “if these people wish to indulge in a fanatical +display of heroism and patriotism, I shall allow them the privilege of +sinking with their ships, or dying with their pet inventions.” + +With everything closed down tight they were fast approaching Kiel, and +going up into the conning tower Edestone and Lawrence were able to see +the entire German fleet. His message had evidently been received, but +the commanders, instead of accepting his warning, had steam up, were +stripped for action, and with flags flying were making for the open sea. + +Edestone, as quietly as if he were standing on the bridge of the +_Storm Queen_ giving instructions for the next day’s cruise, turned +to “Specs.” + +“Go out and circle them,” he said, “meet the leading ship, and then with +every gun, aerial torpedo, and bomb dropper destroy them.” + +The air was soon filled with the most frightful conflict that had ever +taken place in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters +under the earth. Every ship in the fleet was, as far as possible, +training all of her guns on them, while they, moving at the rate of +thirty knots, were sailing around and around, dropping bombs on those +under them, bombarding with their great 16-inch guns the distant ships, +while the smaller guns rendered the middle distance untenable to any +ship yet built by man. + +In the course of an hour not one of the German ships could be seen above +the water, and Edestone, with none of his usual kindness of heart and +sympathy for others, leaving to their fate the dead and dying that +filled the sea beneath them, gave the orders to destroy the shipyards +and dry-docks before it was too dark. + +For a week this rain of destruction was continued day after day until +his prophecy had been fulfilled, and Germany, driven to her knees, was +suing for peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + +Edestone, in the meantime, through Sir Egbert Graves, had communicated +with the King of England, politely calling His Majesty’s attention to +what he was doing, and begging that he would call upon his Allies to +stop all hostilities, and intimating that the same treatment would be +meted out to any who declined to comply with His Majesty’s request. + +He also suggested that it was his sincere hope that His Majesty would +call to a conference the representatives of the nations of Europe to +discuss the settling of all questions that had caused the war, or had +grown out of it, as well as the possible methods of securing for the +world perpetual peace. + +He stated that he would put at His Majesty’s disposal the Little Peace +Maker if it were necessary in order to accomplish this. + +He intimated that, if it were perpetual peace that was sought, much time +and many lives would be saved if all would, of their own accord, each +for himself, do what he was doing for Germany as fast as possible, +namely, destroy all ships and implements of war. + +This raised a storm of protest, and international notes burned the ether +of space as they flashed back and forth. Even the United States entered +the controversy, seeming to have at last found something sufficiently +threatening to her interests and insulting to her dignity to cause her +to take her place with the other nations of the world. + +Edestone was inundated with communications from the different nations, +drawn in the most bombastic manner; for although they must have by this +time realized that they were absolutely in his power, they were unable +to set aside the boastful method of addressing their fellow-men which +they had inherited from their savage ancestors, who, standing half-naked +around the council fire, tried by this method to throw terror into the +hearts of their listeners. + +To all this he made but one reply, which was that nations which came +together for the purpose of sincerely discussing universal peace must +come absolutely unarmed, and those who refused so to do should be +disarmed by force. When these protests finally took the form of an +approaching coalition of the nations of the earth for the purpose of his +destruction, his answer was to take possession quietly of two or three +of the largest plants in Europe, which he forced to run to replenish the +Little Peace Maker with munitions of war. + +After a diplomatic correspondence had gone on, extending over several +weeks, and Edestone had punctuated his demands with an occasional +sinking of a battleship or destruction of a powder plant belonging to +the nations who stood out against him, after he had visited all of the +principal capitals, and representatives of the Governments had come on +board to discuss with him, his terms were finally agreed upon, and the +date for this great meeting was fixed. He declined to negotiate with +any, other than the absolute heads of the respective Governments, and +after much discussion all precedent was set aside, and it was agreed +that the conference should be held on board of the Little Peace +Maker. Franz Josef I., Emperor of Austria; Wilhelm II., Emperor of +Germany; George V., King of England; Nicholas II., Czar of Russia; the +President of the French Republic; Mr. Cockadoo of the United States of +America, together with a company of lesser lights, all with suites in +keeping with their rank, were there received and entertained by him. + +Lawrence, accepting the position of Room Clerk, took great pride and +pleasure in seeing that everyone was properly installed. This was not, +however, his official position, as Edestone had turned over to him the +task of answering the great volume of communications that he had +received from amateurs, fanatics, ladies, and criminals, and it devolved +upon him to answer these and also to provide for the entertainment of +the representatives of the Anarchists, Socialists, Organized Labour, and +Suffragettes. + +To the Anarchists, in answer to their inquiries as to where they were +now to obtain their explosives with which to continue their campaigns in +the future, and without the use of which they could secure for their +arguments no attention, he made no reply. + +To the Socialists, he said that the best that he could do for them was +to provide an overflow meeting at the foot of the stairs; the Emperor of +Germany had refused to sit down with the traitors, as he called them, +and for once Edestone agreed with the Imperial contention. There, +Lawrence assured them, their point of view would be given serious +consideration; in fact, he himself expected to have the great honour +of addressing them and the Prohibitionists, the Anti-Vivisectionists, +the Cubists, the Futurists, the Post-Impressionists, and the Reds. + +To Organized Labour, Edestone wrote that he would represent their +cause. Descended as he was from a long line of honest labouring men, who +had succeeded without the assistance of an organization of lazy and +inefficient ones combined under dishonest leaders, he assured them that +he would insist upon their rights, and that under the new regime, +honesty, efficiency, and sense of responsibility to those who employed +them would be recognized and rewarded in a manner beyond their wildest +dreams. This could not, however, be accomplished, he said, except by +forcing the dishonest, lazy, and inefficient into their rightful +position, that of a worthless by-product in this great world of +recognition of true merit. + +To the Suffragettes, Lawrence extended a most cordial invitation, but +stipulated that no representative would be received who had not borne +and raised twelve children, or were willing to appear at the meeting +without their hats, with hair cropped close to the head. + +The date selected by Edestone was the Fourth day of July; the place, in +order to offend no one, was the beautiful valley of St. Nicholas in the +neutral country of the Swiss, and the Little Peace Maker, painted and +polished, was floating about twenty-five feet from the ground. About +one-quarter of her length from her stern, leading from an opening in her +bottom, ran a great flight of stairs which rested on a platform at their +foot. This was constructed in a manner similar to the cradle upon which +she was seen to rest by the King of England and his Cabinet. In this +manner she was connected with the earth but absolutely insulated. + +To reach this platform one had to walk up four or five steps, which were +made of hard rubber, over which was laid a thick red velvet carpet, +which continued across the platform and up this most impressive flight +of stairs and disappeared into the opening in the Little Peace Maker. +Bands were playing, children were laughing, but not one soldier was to +be seen. + +The Royalties, as they arrived, were received at the foot of the stairs +by Edestone and conducted to their apartments where, surrounded by their +secretaries and servants, they might live entirely alone, or could, if +they desired to do so, mingle with the rest of the distinguished +company. + +When the great day arrived, and these Royal Potentates were seated in +their places, which had been arranged with great consideration for their +extreme sensitiveness on the subject of precedent, an exact science, +Edestone, dressed in his simple yachting costume, walked slowly up +through the aisle, on either side of which were seated Royalties, each +in his favourite uniform of ceremony, soon to become as old-fashioned as +the tattooing on a savage’s face. With perfect composure and +self-possession he took his place as Chairman of the Board and called +the meeting to order. + +Then in a perfectly businesslike manner he explained the object of the +meeting, which he did with the greatest consideration for his +distinguished listeners, but there was in his voice a ring of +confidence, which they all knew was due to the fact that the suggestions +that he made would certainly be put into effect, and whereas they came +to discuss, they remained to agree. + +He first briefly outlined the Utopian condition of the world as it would +be after his first suggestion had been carried into effect, and all +arms, ammunition, ships of war, and all destructive agencies had been +destroyed. + +He then laid down some new principles and relegated some of the old to +the scrap-heap. + +He scoffed at the theory of majority rule, equality of man, and +perpetual peace through brotherly love. + +Why should the majority rule, if the minority were more intelligent? + +Why should all men be considered equal in intelligence, if not in weight +and height? + +Why should dried-up old women be able to do something that young men, in +their full health and strength, had been unable to accomplish? + +He then established a very limited ruling class, which he called, for +the lack of a better name, the Aristocracy of Intelligence, over which +he placed a head with absolute power, backed with sufficient force to +see that its wishes were carried out. + +He then finally laid before them the plan of administration which he +proposed, which was that the entire world should be run by a Board of +Directors, of which, for the present, he sincerely hoped that they would +allow him to hold the humbler position of Chairman, while the President +and glorious head should be selected from some of the distinguished +monarchs within the sound of his voice. + +He then very diplomatically explained that the form of government would +be based upon the administration of the great corporations of America, +which was his extremely polite method of informing them that the +Chairman of the Board was the power, and the President was but the icing +on the cake. + +He stated that history taught them that all wars had come about on +account of three things: Race, Religion, and Riches. + +He suggested that the Race problem might be entirely solved by +segregating the races of the world, and giving over to them a portion of +the earth sufficiently large to support them in comfort in the climate +and surroundings to which they were accustomed, in which section they +should speak their own language, and were entitled to indulge in their +own forms of religion, customs, and superstitions, and there and there +alone they were supreme, and then only on matters of the administration +of their own allotment of the earth, but were subject absolutely and +entirely to the ruling of the Board of Directors as to their +international policies. + +The title of the portion of the world allotted to them was based not +upon the claims of any barbarian of antiquity, fanatic of the Middle +Ages, or the war lords of modern times, but upon the decision of the +Board of Directors, which would annul all previous titles and be final +and irrevocable. + +If at any time any one or group of these left the portion of the earth +to which they had been restricted, they lost all of their rights as +citizens of the world, and while visiting the other sections must bow +absolutely to the will of those whose hospitality they were accepting. + +In the case of those nations who had no home, and who had been parasites +on the nations of the earth for thousands of years, it was proposed that +they purchase from the country now holding the cradle of their birth a +home sufficiently large to accommodate their ever-increasing numbers +under the hygienic and healthful condition of the countries which they +swarmed. + +Religion, he said, which had for so many years been the cause of wars +and tumults, numbered by actual count up into the thousands, were in his +opinion sufficient in number to satisfy all who were not wishing for +personal aggrandizement or accumulation of wealth to create +others. Therefore, he stated, that all religions which had been +established up to the beginning of the nineteenth century might be +allowed to continue, but all others, being drawn on rather too +scientific and financial lines, were to be eliminated. + +Coming to the last, and, as he expressed it, the cause of the present +war, namely, Riches, he showed that in the new form of government +competition would be eliminated, the interest of the whole being +controlled by one head with power to police, and greater profits to all +would accrue by the elimination of waste of time and money and by the +efficiency of a single administration. + +He then suggested that a grand and international festival be held, at +which the combined fleets of the entire world be gathered together in +the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and there, as a bond of good faith of +all, in the midst of universal rejoicing, they should be consigned to +the bottomless depths of absolute and eternal darkness. + +In the meantime, Lawrence was addressing an assemblage of Reds, +I. W. W.’s, Prohibitionists, and other thoughtful members of society. To +these he was serving grape juice and patent medicines. The percentage +of alcohol in these beverages quieted the nerves of most, but rendered +the Prohibitionists quite hilarious. They listened with much attention +and applauded violently the scheme which he outlined before them. + +“You should be allowed,” he said, “to settle in the middle of the Desert +of Sahara, where you could all live in beautiful glass houses, and where +the soil produces no stones of a throwable size. There will be no +saloons there, clubs or dinner parties, but drugstores with their +alluring lights will decorate every corner. There with your palates +parching with pain your motto should be ‘Speak Easy’ for the sake of the +Cause. The lives of the inhabitants will be regulated by priestesses and +preachers, and to them will be submitted the most intimate affairs of +the family. Yours will be a maternal government; to each member of every +family the Government will daily, after taking the temperature, issue +canton flannel underclothes of the proper weight to be worn during the +day. Alarm clocks set by the Government will be issued to all. Your +food, your cooking, and your babies--if you have any, and God grant that +you may not in such a dry place!--will all be according to the canons of +your religion. Should you at any time find that the inhabitants are +drying up and blowing away, you can recruit from the malcontents of +other portions of the globe.” + +With the Anti-Vivisectionists he was most sympathetic. “Ladies and +cranks,” he said. “I, too, am very fond of dogs, but as it is absolutely +necessary for the progress of science to make experiments upon living +subjects, I call upon you to volunteer for this work for all portions of +the body except the brain; for that portion I am creditably informed +that the doctors would prefer to use wood pulp.” + +This was received with violent protestations of disapproval by the +Cubists, the Futurists, and the Post-Impressionists, who claimed that +this was entirely unnecessary, as they were able in their pictures to +reveal the most secret workings of the brain, and that upon their +canvases they laid bare for the study of the scientific world all that +it was necessary for it to know. + +To the representatives of the Allied A.M.L.Q. American Architects, he +expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind expression of their +approval and offer of assistance, and in recognition of their +co-operation, he gave them entire charge of the competition for the +laying out and decorating, with befitting whirlwind monuments, hot air +fountains, and castles in the air, the great Edestone aerial highway +which was to encircle the globe. + +Aloft Edestone, on the other hand, was having more trouble with his +audience, for his speech when finished was received with loud +protestations of disapproval, rendered in the most kingly and imperial +manner by this group of cousins, first cousins, double first cousins, +and half-brothers. Fortunately, however, for the welfare of the great +mass of the people of the world, they were well represented by the +strong, serious, and intelligent-looking men who sat at the elbow +of this consanguineous group, some of whom had by a process of +intermarrying degenerated into mere effigies of the strong men from +whom they were descended. These powers behind the tottering thrones +of Europe realized and bowed before the inevitable. + + +FINIS + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + +***** This file should be named 7826-0.txt or 7826-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/2/7826/ + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. 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Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/7826-0.zip b/7826-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..57138fe --- /dev/null +++ b/7826-0.zip diff --git a/7826-8.txt b/7826-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..789dc83 --- /dev/null +++ b/7826-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10015 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: L. P. M. + The End of the Great War + +Author: J. Stewart Barney + + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7826] +This file was first posted on May 20, 2003 +Last Updated: May 28, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + + + + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + +L. P. M. + +THE END OF THE GREAT WAR + + +By J. Stewart Barney + + +1915 + + +[Illustration: "COUNT VON HEMELSTEIN," THE AMERICAN SAID LAZILY, +"I WAS JUST THINKING WHAT A STUNNING BOOK-COVER YOU WOULD +MAKE FOR A CHEAP NOVEL." Drawn by Clarence F. Underwood.] + + + + _THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED_ + + TO MY REAL FRIENDS, WHO MAY LOVE IT. + WHILE THE OTHERS IT MAY BORE; + TO MY ENEMIES, GOD BLESS THEM, + THO' THEY SPLUTTER, MORE AND MORE. + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + I.--THE MAN AND THE HOUR + II.--THE ONE-MAN SECRET + III.--CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + IV.--THE FIRST REBUFF + V.--ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + VI.--A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + VII.--DIPLOMACY WINS + VIII.--THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + IX.--BUCKINGHAM PALACE + X.--HE MEETS THE KING + XI.--THE DEIONIZER + XII.--FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + XIII.--"THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!" + XIV.--THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + XV.--SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + XVI.--A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + XVII.--THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + XVIII.--IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + XIX.--THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + XX.--GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + XXI.--HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + XXII.--KAFFEE KLATSCH + XXIII.--THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + XXIV.--DER KAISER + XXV.--THE MASQUERADER + XXVI.--TWO REMARKABLE MEN + XXVII.--ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE +XXVIII.--WHERE IS IT? + XXIX.--THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + XXX.--THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + XXXI.--"SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!" + XXXII.--L. P. M. +XXXIII.--YACHTING IN THE AIR + XXXIV.--THE ULTIMATUM + XXXV.--A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + XXXVI.--THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + + + +L. P. M. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN AND THE HOUR + + +The Secretary of State, although he sought to maintain an air of +official reserve, showed that he was deeply impressed by what he had +just heard. + +"Well, young man, you are certainly offering to undertake a pretty +large contract." + +He smiled, and continued in a slightly rhetorical vein--the Secretary +was above all things first, last, and always an orator. + +"In my many years of public life," he said, "I have often had occasion +to admire the dauntless spirit of our young men. But you have forced +me to the conclusion that even I, with all my confidence in their +power, have failed to realize how inevitably American initiative and +independence will demand recognition. It is a quality which our form +of government seems especially to foster and develop, and I glory +in it as perhaps the chief factor in our national greatness and +pre-eminence. + +"In what other country, I ask you," he flung out an arm across the +great, flat-topped desk of state, "would a mere boy like yourself ever +conceive such a scheme, or have the incentive or opportunity to bring +it to perfection? And, having conceived and perfected it, in what +other country would he find the very heads of his Government so +accessible and ready to help him?" + +The young man leaned forward. "Then am I to understand, Mr. Secretary, +that you are ready to help me?" + +"Yes." He faced about and looked at his visitor in a glow of +enthusiasm. "Not only will I help you, but I will, so far as is +practicable, put behind you the power of this Administration. + +"Doubtless the newspapers," his tone took on a tinge of ironic +resentment, "when they learn the broad character of the credentials +that I shall give you in order that you may meet the crowned heads of +Europe, will say that I am again lowering the dignity of my office. +But I consider, Mr. Edestone, that I am, in reality, giving more +dignity to my office by bringing it closer to and by placing it at +the services of, those from whose hands it first received its dignity, +the sovereign people. 'The master is greater than the servant'; and +to my mind you as a citizen are even more entitled to the aid and +co-operation of this Department than are its accredited envoys, our +ministers and ambassadors, who, like myself, are but your hired men." + +His face lighted up with the memory of the many stirring campaigns +through which he had passed and his wonderful voice rang out, +responding to his will like a perfect musical instrument under the +touch of the artist. + +"I tell you, sir," he declared, "I would rather be instrumental in +bringing to an end this cruel war which is now deluging the pages of +history with the heart's blood of the people, whose voices may now be +drowned in the roar of the 42-centimeter guns, but whose spirits will +unite in the black stench clouds which rise from the festered fields +of Flanders to descend upon the heads of those who by Divine Right +have murdered them,--I would rather be instrumental in bringing about +this result, than be President of the United States!" + +He had risen, as he spoke, and had stepped from behind his desk to +give freer play to this burst of eloquence, but he now paused at the +entrance of a secretary for whom he had sent, and changing to that +quizzical drawl with which he had so often disarmed a hostile +audience, added, "And they do say that I am not without ambition in +that respect." + +He turned then to the waiting secretary, and letting his hand drop on +Edestone's shoulder: + +"Mr. Williams," he said, "this is Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New +York, whose name is no doubt familiar to you. He is desirous of +meeting and discussing quite informally with the potentates of Europe, +a little matter which he thinks, and I more or less agree with him, +will be of decided interest to them." + +He chuckled softly; then continued in a more serious tone: "Mr. +Edestone hopes, in short, with our assistance, to bring about not only +the end of the European war, but to realize my dream--Universal +Peace--and his plan, as he has outlined it to me, meets with my hearty +approval. + +"I wish you to furnish him with the credentials from this Department +necessary to give him _entre_ anywhere abroad and protect him at +all times and under all circumstances. + +"And, Mr. Williams," he halted the retiring subordinate, "when Mr. +Edestone's papers have been drawn, will you kindly bring them to me? +I wish to present them in person, and I know of no more appropriate +occasion than this afternoon, when I am to receive a delegation of +school children from the Southern Baptist Union and the Boy Scouts of +the Methodist Temperance League. I will be glad to have these young +Americans, as well as any others who may be calling to pay their +respects--not to me but to my office--hear what I have to say on +peace, patriotism, and grapes." + +With the departure of the secretary he unbent slightly. "Well," he +smiled, "you cannot say, as did Ericsson with his monitor and Holland +with his submarine and the Wrights with their aroplane, that you +could not get the support of your Government until it was too late. In +fact, my dear fellow, when I think of the obstacles so many inventors +have to contend with, it strikes me that you have had pretty easy +sailing." + +"Perhaps," Edestone raised his eyebrows a trifle whimsically, "it has +not been so easy as you think, Mr. Secretary." + +"Oh, I know, I know!" the other replied. "You still must admit that in +comparison with most men you have been singularly fortunate. You have +had great wealth, absolute freedom to develop your ideas as you saw +fit, and finally the influence to command an immediate hearing for +your claims. Do you know that perhaps you are the richest young man in +the world today? It is this which, I must confess, at first rather +prejudiced me against you." + +Edestone laughed good-naturedly. "It is lucky that my photographs were +able to speak for me." + +"Yes," the Secretary assented. "As you probably have recognized, I am +not a scientist, and all your formulae and explanations were about as +so much Greek to me, but those photographs of yours were most +convincing, and prove to me how simple are the greatest of +discoveries. I fancy," he added slyly, "that they will penetrate even +the intelligence of a monarch." + +"Ah!" He rubbed his hands together. "I can imagine the chagrin and +fury of those war lords when they find themselves so unexpectedly +called to time, while your device is held over the nations like a +policeman's club, with America as its custodian. What a thought! +Universal dominion for our country; Universal Peace!" + +Some sense of opposition on the part of his companion aroused him, and +he levelled a quick and searching glance at the other. + +"That is your intention, is it not, Mr. Edestone?" he demanded. "That, +upon the completion of your present mission, the Government shall take +over this discovery of yours?" + +Edestone moved uneasily in his seat. He had naturally anticipated this +question, and yet he was unprepared to meet it. + +The Secretary frowned and repeated his question. "That is your +intention, is it not?" + +Hesitating no longer the inventor answered quietly: + +"Mr. Secretary, I yield to no man in my devotion to my country, but I +am one of those who believe that the highest form of patriotism is to +seek the best interest of mankind, and standing on that I tell you +frankly that I cannot at this time answer your question. Just now I +look no farther than the end of this brutal war. After that is +accomplished it will be time enough for me to decide the ultimate +disposition of my invention. Its secret is now known to no living soul +but myself, and is so simple that it requires no written record to +preserve it, and would die with me. It is the result, it is true, of +many years of hard work, but the finished product I can and often do +carry in my waistcoat pocket. + +"Do not misunderstand me," he lifted his hand as the Secretary +endeavoured to break in. "I thoroughly realize the responsibility of +my position and that my great wealth is a sacred trust. Upon the +answer to the question you have just put to me depends the destiny of +the world, whether it is answered by myself at this time or by others +in the future. Exactly what I will do when the time comes I cannot +say, but I will tell you this much, that in reaching a decision I will +call to my assistance men like yourself and abide by whatever course +the majority of them may dictate." + +"But, my dear young fellow, that will not do." The Secretary shook his +head. "You are called upon to answer my question right here and now." + +He dropped his bland and diplomatic manner as he spoke, and with his +jaw thrust forward showed himself the unyielding autocrat, who, in the +rough and tumble of politics, had ruled his party with a rod of iron. +This man whose wonderful talents and personality had fitted him for +his chosen position of champion of the plain people, and whose great +motive power, against all odds, that had forced him into the first +place in their hearts, was his sincere and honest love of office. + +He had now assumed a rather boisterous and bullying tone, showing that +perhaps his great love for the rougher elements of society was due to +the fact that in the process of evolution he himself was not far +removed from the very plain people. + +"You have been talking pretty loud about using the 'big stick' over on +the other side," he went on sternly, "but that big-stick business you +will find is a thing that works two ways. Suppose then I should tell +you, 'No answer to my question, no credentials.' What would you have +to say?" + +"I should say," Edestone's face was set, "simply this, Mr. Secretary, +if I must speak in the language of the people in order that you may +understand me: 'I should like very much to have your backing in the +game, but if you are going to sit on the opposite side of the table, I +hold three kings and two emperors in my hand, and I challenge you to a +show-down.' I should further say that, credentials or no credentials, +I am leaving tomorrow on the _Ivernia_, and that inasmuch as I +have a taxi at the door, and a special train held for me at the Union +Station, I must bid you good-day, and leave you to your watchful +waiting, while I work alone." + +He rose from his seat, and with a bow started for the door. + +"Hold on there, young fellow, keep your coat on!" the Secretary +shouted, throwing his head back and laughing loud enough to be heard +over on the Virginia shores. "You remind me of one of those gentle +breezes out home, which after it has dropped the cow-shed into the +front parlour and changed your Post-Office address, seems always to +sort of clear up the atmosphere. When one of them comes along we +generally allow it to have its own way. It doesn't matter much whether +we do or not, it will take it anyhow. I never play cards, but what you +say about having a few kings in your pants' pocket seems to be pretty +nearly true. You are made of the real stuff, and if you can do all the +things that you say you can do, and I believe you can, nothing will +stop you." + +"In that case," said Edestone, resuming his seat, "I suppose I may as +well wait for my credentials." + +And in due time he got them, the presentation being made by the +Secretary to the edification of the Baptist School children and the +Methodist Soldiers of Temperance and a score of adoring admirers. Then +with a hasty farewell to the officials of the State Department, this +emissary of peace started on his hurried rush to New York. + +His taxi, which he had held since seven o'clock that morning, broke +all speed regulations in getting to the station, and the man was well +paid for his pains. + +Edestone found his Special coupled up and waiting for him. He always +travelled in specials, and they always waited for him. In fact, +everything waited for him, and he waited for no one. When he engaged a +taxi he never discharged it until he went to bed or left the town. It +was related of him that on one occasion he had directed the taxi to +wait for him at Charing Cross Station, and returning from Paris three +days later had allowed his old friend, the cabby, who knew him well, a +shilling an hour as a _pourboire_. He claimed that his mind +worked smoothly as long as it could run ahead without waits, but that +as soon as it had to halt for anything--a cab, a train, or a slower +mind to catch up--it got from under his control and it took hours to +get it back again. + +To him money was only to be spent. He would say: "I spend money +because that calls for no mental effort, and saving is not worth the +trouble that it requires." + +A big husky chap, thirty-four years old, with the constitution of an +ox, the mind of a superman, the simplicity of a child: that was John +Fulton Edestone. He insisted that his discovery was an accident that +might have befallen anyone, and counted as nothing the years of +endless experiments and the millions of dollars he had spent in +bringing it to perfection. He was a dreamer, and had used his colossal +income and at times his principal in putting his dreams into iron and +steel. + +Upon arriving in New York he was met by his automobile and was rushed +away to what he was pleased to call his Little Place in the Country. +It was one of his father's old plants which had contributed to the +millions which he was now spending. + +It was nothing more nor less than a combination machine shop and +shipyard, situated on the east bank of the Hudson in the neighbourhood +of Spuyten Duyvil. + +It was midnight when he arrived. The night force was just leaving as +he stepped from his automobile and the morning shift was taking its +place. At eight o'clock the next morning this latter would in turn be +relieved by a day shift; for night and day, Sundays and holidays, +winter and summer, without stopping, his work went on. It got on his +nerves, he said, to see anything stop. Speed and efficiency at any +cost was his motto, and the result was that he had gathered about him +men who were willing to keep running under forced draft, even if it +did heat up the bearings. + +"Tell Mr. Page to come to me at once," he said, as he entered a little +two-story brick structure apart from the other buildings. This had +originally been used as an office, but he had changed it into a +comfortable home, his "Little Place in the Country." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ONE-MAN SECRET + + +With the giving of a few orders relative to his departure in the +morning, the brevity of which showed the character of service he +demanded, Edestone permitted himself to relax. He dropped into an +arm-chair, after lighting a long, black cigar, and pouring out for +himself a comfortable drink of Scotch whisky and soda. + +For a few minutes he sat looking into the open fire, while blowing +ring after ring of smoke straight up into the air. The well-trained +servant moved so quietly about the room that his presence was only +called to his attention by the frantic efforts of the smoke rings to +retain their circular shape as they were caught in the current of air +which he created and were sent whirling and twisting to dissolution, +although to the last they clung to every object with which they came +in contact in their futile struggle to escape destruction. + +Edestone loved to watch these little smoke phantoms, their first mad +rush to assume their beautiful form and the persistency with which +they clung to it until overtaken by another, were brushed aside, or +else drifted on in wavering elongated outlines and so gradually +disappeared. + +They suggested to his fancy the struggling nations of the world, +battling with the currents and cross-currents near the storm-scarred +old earth, and continually endeavouring to rise above their fellows to +some calmer strata, where serene in their original form they could +look down with condescension upon their harassed and broken companions +below. + +The little rings were, however, more interesting to him for another +and more practical reason. It was their toroidal movement around a +circular axis which moved independently in any direction that first +suggested to him the principles of his discovery. + +Before him the fire upon the hearth sang and crackled as it tore +asunder the elements that had taken untold ages to assemble in their +present form, and with the prodigality of nature was joyfully rushing +them up the chimney to start them again upon their long and weary +journey through the ages. + +The bubbles coming into existence in the bottom of his glass, rushing +in myriads through the pale yellow liquid to the top and obliteration, +set the thin glass to vibrating like the sound of distant bells. + +From his workshop came the soft purr of rapidly moving machinery, +punctuated now and again by the roar of the heavy railroad trains that +thundered past his little flag station. + +Had he seen then what the future had in store for him, had he realized +that he was in that well-beloved environment for the last time, he +would not have hesitated to have gone on along the road that he had +marked out for himself. It would simply have made the wrench at +parting a little bit more severe. + +His musing was interrupted by his man, who had attracted his attention +by noiselessly rearranging on the table the objects that were already +in perfect order. + +"Mr. Page is outside, sir." + +It was a call to action. Edestone, without changing his position, +said: "Tell him to come in." And then taking two or three deep puffs +at his cigar, he blew out into the clear space in front of him a large +and perfectly formed ring. Rising he followed it slowly as it drifted +across the room, twisting and circling upon itself. Then with a low +laugh, which was almost a sigh, after sticking his finger through its +shadowy form, with a sweep of his powerful hand he brushed it aside. + +"Good-bye, little friend," he said, "we have had many good times +together, and whatever you may have in store for me, I promise never +to complain. Let us hope that I shall use wisely and well the +knowledge which you have given me." + +Turning quickly at some slight sound, which told him that he was no +longer alone, he threw his shoulders back, and with his head high in +the air there came over his clean-shaven face a look of quiet +determination, a look before which those who were born to rule were so +soon to quail. + +Then, with a complete change of manner, upon seeing his old friend and +fellow-workman, his face lighted up, and he laughed: + +"Well, old 'Specs,' I'm back, you see, and the 'Dove of Peace' is +safely caged. He came to hand with scarcely even a struggle." Then as +he looked down into the other's worn and haggard eyes which peered up +at him through their round, horn-rimmed spectacles, his voice softened +and he spoke with a touch of compunction. + +"By Jove, old chap, you look all in. I've been driving you boys a bit +too hard; but don't you worry. I'm off in the morning, and then you'll +have a chance to take it easier. Soon our beautiful _Little Peace +Maker_," he winked, "will be tucked safely away in some quiet +corner, and you scientific fellows can devote all your attention +to your beloved bridge, while I bid up The Hague Conference for a +no-trump hand. + +"But to business now. How did the films for the moving pictures come +out?" + +"Splendidly." + +"Good. I'll have you run them over for me presently. I don't want to +show too much when I give my performances for Royalty, you understand; +just enough to scare them to death. And how about the wireless? Did +you test that out, and tune it to my instruments, as I asked you?" + +With a satisfactory answer to this also, he ranged off rapidly into a +dozen other inquiries. + +"Does Lee understand exactly where he is to go, and what he is to do, +if by any chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don't +think he need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but +we've got to be prepared for every emergency. + +"Now, 'Specs,' I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough men +about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your +absence may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as +you are safely out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary +risks. As soon as you are settled, communicate with me, once only +every day at exactly twelve o'clock Greenwich time, until I answer +you. I shall then not communicate with you again until this peace game +is up and we are forced to show our hands." + +He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing; +then resumed his instructions. + +"Captain Lee's men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for +a big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child's play; but +it will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that +no rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I +intend to have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most +extreme measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man +is faultlessly perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be +pronounced outlaws at any time with a price upon our heads, and +therefore, before leaving here, I wish that none be allowed to join +the enterprise except those who willingly volunteer for the sake of +the cause. The men who are unwilling to volunteer, and yet know too +much, must be taken and held _incommunicado_ in some perfectly +safe place until such time as I notify you. + +"I think that is all," he reflected. Then, while the other man watched +him curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a +small, hardwood box about six inches square. + +"I have never explained to you, Page," he said, "the exact +construction of the instrument that is contained in this box. As you +know, there is but one other instrument like this in the world, and +that you know is in a safe place. My reason for not taking anybody +into my confidence was not from any lack of faith in you or my other +trusted associates, but simply in order to be absolutely sure at all +times and under all circumstances that I was the only one in +possession of this secret." + +And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents +directly on to the burning logs. + +Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and +half stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised +an interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile. + +"That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical +construction of this instrument is so simple," he said, "that I can +at any time construct one which will answer all purposes that I may +require of it until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the +_Ivernia_ during the crossing constructing a new smaller and +more compact instrument, combining with it one of the receivers which +you have attuned to your wireless. See that these as well as the +following," handing "Specs" a list of electrical supplies, "are put in +Black's steamer trunk. And now, let's have a look at those films." + +He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire +establishment, although the latter was largely perfunctory in +character, since he knew that for days everything had been in +readiness for his orders, waiting only for his return from Washington; +then returning to his quarters, he tumbled into bed to catch a few +hours of sleep before again whirling off at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait +to board his steamer at the dock. + +His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were +fellows of tested experience and education, many of them college +graduates, while his "commissioned officers," as he called them, +numbering sixty, were all experts in their respective lines. They had +been drawn from all ranks of life, from the college laboratory, the +automobile factory, and the war college. There were among them bank +clerks, former commanders of battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, +and sailors. In fact, his little world was a perfectly equipped and +smoothly running community with all the departments of a miniature +government, save only a diplomatic service, and that he combined with +his own prerogatives as Executive and Commander-in-Chief. + +One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,--and +that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he sifted them out, and applied +to each of them the acid test, that he was sure he could rely on them, +as he liked to say, "to the last ditch." + +For the rest, although he had taken only a few of them into his +confidence as to his real purposes and intentions, he had assured each +recruit that he would be required to do nothing that was contrary to +his duty to his fellow-man, his country, or his God. + +And tomorrow the wheels would be set in motion. The undertaking to +which he had dedicated his life and colossal fortune would be +launched. + +It was characteristic of Edestone that no sooner had he laid his head +upon the pillow than his eyes closed, and he slept as peacefully as a +tired child. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + + +After a perfectly uneventful voyage, the _Ivernia_, with Edestone +and his three men aboard, swung slowly to her dock. As the big vessel +had approached the coast the few cabin passengers were at first a +little nervous, but the contempt in which the officers held, or +pretended to hold, the submarine menace made itself soon felt +throughout the ship, and but for the thinness of their ranks all went +as usual. It is true that the little group of army contract-seekers +and returning refugees seemed to enjoy constituting themselves into +special look-outs, and regarded it as their particular duty, as long +as it did not interfere with their game of bridge, or might cause them +to lose a particularly comfortable and sheltered corner of the deck, +to notify the stewards if they happened to see anything which to them +looked like a periscope or floating mine. + +Throughout the voyage Edestone kept very much to himself and in his +quarters occupied himself constructing a new instrument, and to the +hard-rubber case that had been provided for it he attached a wireless +receiver. In some of this work he was assisted by Stanton and Black, +two electricians he had brought with him, who, with James, his valet, +made up his party. + +He had little time and less inclination to observe his neighbours, who +occupied the corresponding suite just across the passageway; but his +man James, who had been formally introduced to their servants, +insisted upon telling him all about them. They were, James said, the +Duchess of Windthorst and her daughter, the Princess Wilhelmina, who +were returning from Canada, where they had been visiting the Duke of +Connaught at Toronto. + +But, if Edestone was preoccupied, the Princess, on the contrary, +being a girl of nineteen, with absolutely nothing on her mind, had +not failed to note the handsome young man across the passage. +Unconsciously answering to the irresistible call of youth, which is as +loud to the princess as to the peasant, she had watched him with a +great deal of interest, and had been fascinated by his faultless boots +and the fact that he failed to notice her at all. + +Yet Edestone, it may be remarked, was not the only person on board +favoured with the royal regard. The Duchess, with the propensity of +her kind on visiting the States, had selected for her rare promenades +on deck a Broadway sport of the most absurd and exaggerated type, +known as "Diamond King John" Bradley. + +This vagary is explained by the fact that the social chasm separating +them from all Americans is, to their limited vision, so infinitely +great that it is impossible for them to see and to understand the +niceties that the Americans draw between the butcher of New York and +the dry-goods merchant of Denver; and since it is impossible to see +nothing from infinity, they content themselves by selecting those who +are, in their opinion, typical, in order that in the short time they +can give to this study they may learn all of the characteristics of +this most extraordinary race, who on account of the similarity of +language have presumed to claim a relationship with them. They will +not accept as true what much of the world believes: that Old England +is in her decadence, and that her only hope is in those sons who have +left her and who, away from the debilitating influence of the +poisonous vapours arising from the ruins of her glory, are developing +the ancient spirit of their ancestors and are returning to her +assistance in her time of need. + +As to the Princess, Edestone, although he noted that she was extremely +attractive in face and figure, did not give her a second thought. He +was amused at the attitude of the Duchess and her class, and was +willing to accept it, but it did not arouse any desire on his part to +follow the lead of the gentleman from Broadway and seek their +acquaintance. As a matter of fact, he had always found the young women +of the upper classes of England either extremely stupid or perfectly +willing to appear so to an American of his class. + +Still, as it happened, he did meet the Princess. One night after +dinner he found her struggling with the door into the passage which +led to their adjoining apartments. She was, or pretended to be, +helpless in the wind that was blowing her down the deck as she clung +to the rail, and, quietly taking her by the arm, he pulled her back to +the door, where he held her until she was safely inside. This was all +done in a perfectly matter-of-fact manner, and she might as well have +been a steamer rug that was in danger of being blown overboard. Then +before she had time to thank him, the door was blown shut, and he had +resumed his solitary walk along the deck. + +The next time that the Princess saw him, although she felt sure that +he must have known that she had looked in his direction, there was no +indication of any desire on his part to continue the acquaintance. He +had apparently entirely forgotten the episode or her existence, and +the pride of a beautiful young girl was hurt, and the dignity of +royalty offended--but the first was all that really mattered. + +And so the voyage ended. The passengers all seemed perfectly willing +to go ashore, notwithstanding their assumption of indifference to the +German blockade. Edestone, as usual, was met by the fastest form of +locomotion, and before the trunks and bags had begun to toboggan down +to the dock, he was whirling up to London in the powerful motor car +belonging to his friend, the Marquis of Lindenberry. Edestone had +notified him by wireless to meet the steamer, and they were now being +driven directly to the Marquis's house in Grosvenor Square. Stanton +and Black were left behind with James, who condescended with his +superior knowledge to assist them in getting the luggage through the +custom-house. + +"Well what in the name of common sense has brought you over to England +at such a time as this?" demanded Lindenberry, after the automobile +had swept clear of the town and with a gentle purr had settled down to +its work. He leaned over as he spoke, to satisfy himself that the +chauffeur, having finished adjusting his glasses with one hand while +running at top speed, finally had both hands on the wheel, and then +turned expectantly to his companion. + +"Oh, I see," Lindenberry nodded when he found that he got no +satisfactory answer to this or the other inquiries he put; "you +evidently do not propose to take me into your confidence. Still, I +would not be so deucedly mysterious, if I were you. I call it beastly +rude, you know. Here I have come all the way from Aldershot, and am +using the greater part of my valuable leave in response to your crazy +wire. Tell me, is it a contract to deliver a dozen dreadnoughts at the +gates of the Tower of London before Easter Sunday?" and his eyes +twinkled, "or have some of your young Americans enlisted and the fond +parents sent you over to rescue them?" + +Edestone smiled. "Well, the first thing I want, Lindenberry, is a +little chat with Lord Rockstone." + +"Oh, is that all?" with a satiric inflection. "Well, why in the name +of common sense didn't you say so at first? I do not know, however, +that I can positively get you an appointment today. You must not mind +if His Lordship keeps you waiting for a few minutes if he happens to +be talking with the Czar of Russia on the long-distance telephone. You +know, we over here are still great sticklers on form. We are trying +hard to be progressive, but we still consider it quite rude to tell a +King to hold the wire while we talk to someone else who has not taken +the trouble that he has to make an appointment. You must remember that +he has perhaps dropped several shillings into the slot, and would +naturally be annoyed if told by the girl that time was up and to drop +another shilling. + +"Or Lord Rockstone may perhaps be just in the midst of one of his +usual twenty-four-hour interviews with an American newspaper +representative," he continued his chaffing. "Now if he does not invite +Graves and Underhill and Apsworth to have tea with you, you might drop +in at Boodles' on your way back from the city, and we will just pop on +to Buckingham Palace and deliver to Queen Mary the ultimatum from the +suffragette ladies of the Sioux Indians." + +Edestone laughed so heartily that the footman nearly turned to see if +something had happened. "And they say that you Englishmen have no +sense of humour. The trouble with you though, old top, is that your +joke is so deucedly good that you don't see the point yourself." + +They were just passing through one of Rockstone's military camps, +where England's recruited millions were being trained, and cutting +short his badinage Edestone gazed at the scene with interest. + +"It does seem a pity that all these fine young fellows should be +sacrificed in order to settle a question which I could settle in a +very short time," he said, becoming more serious. + +"Settle it in a very short time?" repeated Lindenberry. "I would like +to know how you propose to do it. I know you are full of splendid +ideas, and invent all kinds of electrical contrivances to do things +that one can do perfectly well with one's own hands. I suppose you +would take a large magnet and with it pull all of the German warships +out of the Kiel Canal, and hold them while you went on board and +explained to Bernhardi and von Blow the horrors of war, and if they +did not listen to you, you would, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin lead +them off with all the other disagreeable odds and ends, submarines and +Zeppelins, to an island, way, way out in the ocean, where they would +have to stay until they promised to be good little boys?" + +"Well, wouldn't that be better than killing a lot of these fine young +fellows you have here?" demanded Edestone, although he smiled at his +friend's fantastic idea. + +"You Americans are developing into a nation of foolish old women," +taunted Lindenberry, "and the sooner that you get into a muss like +this one we're in, the sooner you will get back that fighting spirit +which has made you what you are. You are fast losing the respect of +the other nations by your present methods, always looking after your +own pocket-books while the rest of the world is bleeding to death." + +Edestone was thoughtful, and appeared to have no answer for this, and +Lindenberry reverted to his request. + +"If you really want to have an interview with Lord Rockstone, Jack, I +think I can possibly arrange it. I will telephone to Colonel Wyatt, +who is on his staff, and find out what he can do for you." + +And so they chatted until coming to Grosvenor Square where they got +out of the automobile in front of an unpretentious red brick house +with an English basement entrance, trimmed with white marble and +spotlessly clean. + +Lindenberry at once telephoned to Colonel Wyatt, who said that Lord +Rockstone was in and that if Edestone would come around at once he +would see to it that his letters were presented. As to an appointment, +he could promise nothing, but he did say to Lindenberry, not to be +repeated, that the Department was not at that time very favourably +disposed toward Americans. + +With his usual promptness, Edestone jumped into his automobile and +started for Downing Street, not stopping even to wash his face and +hands nor to brush the dust from his clothes. + +At the door he was met by an officer in khaki, was told that Colonel +Wyatt was expecting him, and was asked if he would be so kind as to +come up to the Colonel's office. There he was told that his +credentials and letters could be presented that afternoon, but there +was practically no chance of an interview, as Lord Rockstone was +leaving the War Offices in a few minutes. + +Word was finally brought in that Lord Rockstone would see Mr. Edestone +and receive his letters, but regretted that he would be unable to give +him an appointment, as he was leaving for the Continent in a few days +and affairs of state required his entire time--which translated into +plain English meant: "Come in, but get out as soon as you can." + +Shown into a large room, he saw seated at a big desk the man who is +said to have said that he did not know when the war would end, but he +did know when it would begin, and fixed that date at about eight +months after the actual declaration--after millions of pounds had been +expended and hundreds of thousands of English dead. + +Cold, powerful, relentless, and determined, Edestone knew that it was +useless to appeal to a sense of humanity in this man who, sitting at +his desk early and late, directed the great machine that slowly but +surely was drawing to itself the youth and vigour of all England, +there to feed and fatten, flatter and amuse these poor boys from the +country, and with music and noise destroy their sensibilities before +sending them across the Channel to live for their few remaining days +in holes in the ground that no self-respecting beast would with his +own consent occupy. + +To appeal to a sense of duty so strong in him as applied to England, +was one thing; but to convince him that Edestone as an American had a +sense of duty to the nations of Europe was something quite different. +This man of steel had no imagination, he was convinced, and to ask him +to follow him in his flights would be as useless as to request him to +whistle Yankee Doodle. + +He had a chance to decide all this while Rockstone, who had risen and +received him with courtesy, was reading the letters he presented. The +great soldier's face never changed once as he read them all with care. + +"Your credentials are satisfactory," he finally said, "but I do not +quite understand what it is you wish. Your letters say that you do not +want to sell anything, which is most extraordinary; I thought you +Americans always wanted to sell something." And his face assumed the +expression of a man who, having no sense of humour, thought that he +had perhaps made a joke. + +"If you have drawings and photographs of a new instrument of war," he +caught himself up abruptly, "I should greatly prefer that you submit +these to the Ordnance Department; but since your Secretary of State +has been so insistent, I will look at them tomorrow. I will give you +an appointment from 9 to 9:15." + +And he rose and bowed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE FIRST REBUFF + + +At exactly a quarter past nine the following morning, Lord Rockstone +with military precision rose from his desk. + +"I fear that my time is up, Mr. Edestone," he said, glancing at his +watch. "I have enjoyed this opportunity of meeting you and listening +to your presentation of your theory. Your drawings are most +interesting; your photographs convincing, if--" he paused, his lip +curling slightly under his long tawny moustache,--"if one did not know +of the remarkable optical illusions capable of being produced in +photography. Our friends, the Germans, have become particularly expert +in the art of double exposure." + +Then, as if he thought he might have said too much, he added less +crisply: + +"Please do not understand that I doubt either your sincerity, or that +of the Government at Washington in this matter; you may have both +perhaps been deceived. I hope that your stay in England may be +pleasant, and I regret that this war will prevent you from receiving +the attention to which your letters and your accomplishments would +entitle you." + +With an expression on his face that said plainer than words: "This is +the last minute of my most valuable time that I intend to give to this +nonsense," he bowed formally, and reseating himself at his desk, took +up papers. + +Then without looking up, "Good morning, Mr. Edestone." + +The American did not allow himself to show the slightest trace of +annoyance at the brusque dismissal. + +"You will at least permit me to thank you for your kind intentions, +sir," he said; and standing perfectly still until he had forced Lord +Rockstone to look up, he added with a smile, "We may meet again, +perhaps." + +There was something about his perfect ease of manner as he stood +waiting which showed that although he would not condescend to notice +it, he was both conscious of the War Minister's unpardonable rudeness +and intended to make him acknowledge it. + +Rockstone hesitated a moment; then with a belated show of courtesy +came from behind his desk, and stiffly extended his hand. + +"You Americans are the most extraordinary people," he said; "I must +admit, I never quite understand you." + +"Then you must grant us a slight advantage," rejoined Edestone evenly; +"because we believe we do understand you Englishmen. If there had been +the same clear understanding on your side in the present instance it +would have been more to your interest, I am satisfied; for then +instead of merely disturbing you I should have aroused you." + +"It is not a question of arousing me as you call it. You are dealing +with the Government of the Empire, and, as you know, England moves +slowly. The suggestion that I invite His Majesty to see a lot of +moving pictures of an impossible machine, if you will pardon me, is +preposterous. If you really wish to sell something to the War +Department, although I understand you to state that you do not, +nothing is simpler. Ship one of your machines to England, give a +demonstration, and whereas I cannot speak with authority, I am +confident that England will pay all that any other Government will +pay. As to our friends, the enemy, our ships will attend to it that +nothing goes to them that can be used against us." His jaws snapped, +and his cold greenish-grey eyes flashed, as he gave another curt bow +of dismissal. + +Edestone had no alternative but to leave; but as he turned to rejoin +Colonel Wyatt, who had stood stiffly at attention throughout the +entire interview, he could not resist one parting shot. + +"Do not forget, Lord Rockstone," he said, "that England six months ago +spoke lightly of submarines." + +The War Minister pretended not to hear; but no sooner had the door +closed upon his offensive visitor than he caught up the +telephone. "Get me the Admiralty, and present my compliments to +Mr. Underhill," he directed sharply. "Tell him I would like to speak +to him at once." + +He turned back to a tray of letters left upon his desk to sign, but +halted, his pen held arrested in air. + +"Suppose," he muttered, "the fellow should actually have--? But, +pshaw! It's simply a mammoth Yankee bluff. That Foreign Department at +Washington is just silly enough to believe that it can frighten us +with its manufactured photographs. They are so anxious over there to +stop the war, that they would resort to any expedient--anything but +fight." + +The telephone tinkled. + +"Ah! Are you there Underhill? Yes, this is Rockstone. I called you up +to warn you against a madman who is now on his way to see you. You +can't well refuse to give him an audience, for he has such strong +letters from the American Government that one might imagine he was a +special envoy sent to offer armed intervention and to end the war. But +in my opinion he is merely a crank or an impostor, who has succeeded +in obtaining the support and endorsement of their State Department. + +"What is that? Oh yes; he's an American. His name? How should I +remember! I wasn't interested either in him, or what he had to say. +He pretends to have discovered some new agency or force, don't you +know, and tries to prove by a lot of double-exposed photographs that +he has broken down the fundamental laws of physics, neutralizing the +force of gravity, or annihilating space by the polarization of light, +or some such rot. + +"Do not kick him out. He has letters not only from his Government, but +from some of its most prominent men whom it would be unwise to offend +at this time. Just listen to his twaddle about universal peace and +that sort of thing, and then pass him on to Graves with a quiet +warning such as I have given you." + +Meanwhile Edestone, having taken leave of Colonel Wyatt, was making +his way out of the building, when he found himself accosted in the +dimly lighted corridor by a man in civilian clothes whom he recognized +as a New York acquaintance of several years' standing. + +"Well, look who's here!" he greeted Edestone lustily as he extended +his hand. "What brings you into the very den of the lion? Is it that, +like myself, you are helping dear old England get arms and ammunition +with which to lick the barbarians on the Rhine?" + +Glancing around cautiously he lowered his voice. "Make her pay well +for them, my boy; she would not hesitate to turn them on us, if we got +in her way." + +Edestone laughingly disclaimed any interest in army contracts, but at +the same time avoided divulging the actual mission upon which he was +engaged. + +There was something in his companion's manner that put him rather on +his guard; he remembered smoking after dinner not more than three or +four months before in the house of one of the most prominent German +bankers in New York, and listening to this man, who had expressed +himself in a way that might have suggested somewhat pro-German +sympathies. Edestone had at the time attributed this to a +consideration for their host and to the fact that the German +Ambassador was present; but he recalled that, although the speaker was +most violent in his protestations of neutrality, someone had suggested +at the time that he was of a German family, his father having been +born in Hesse-Darmstadt. He was a man of wealth, with establishments +in New York and Newport, at both of which places Edestone had been +entertained. His loud and hearty manner stamped him as a typical +American, but his large frame, handsome face, and military bearing +showed his Teutonic origin. + +"You surprise me Rebener." Edestone's eyes twinkled slightly at these +recollections. "I should have supposed, if you had anything of the +kind to sell, that it would be to your friend, Count Bernstoff. +However," he laid his hand on the other's arm, "it's an agreeable +surprise to run across a fellow-countryman, no matter what the cause. +Are you going my way?" + +"No," Rebener told him, he had an appointment on hand with one of the +bureau chiefs in the Ordnance Department. + +"Well then suppose you dine with me tonight," suggested Edestone. "I +am stopping at Claridge's and shall be awfully glad if you can come. I +am entirely alone in London, you see; my cronies, I find, are all dead +or at the front." + +"Delighted, my boy. But listen! Don't have any of your English +swells. Let's make this a quiet little American dinner just to +ourselves, and forget for once this ghastly war." + +"At eight o'clock, then," Edestone nodded. + +"And a strict neutrality dinner, remember. That is the only safe kind +for us Americans to eat in London." + +"All right, Rebener, as neutral as you please. _A bientt_." And +with a wave of the hand he passed on down the corridor and out of the +building. His appointment with Underhill, Chief of the Admiralty, was +not until 11:30, so he put in the time by sauntering rather slowly +along the Thames Embankment. + +He regretted now that, in talking with Lord Rockstone, he had not made +a little more show of force, for had he assumed a more dictatorial +manner he would have at least aroused the fighting spirit in his stern +antagonist, who might then have taken some interest in crushing him +under his heel; whereas now he saw plainly that Rockstone considered +him beneath his notice, and thereby much valuable time had been +lost. Yet he did not wish to make any show of force until he knew +positively that his men were all at their stations, and that the +_Little Peace Maker_ was near at hand. He must be in a position +to use force before playing his last card, and he had not as yet heard +from "Specs." Although he knew that their instruments were perfectly +attuned, he had not, up to twelve o'clock of the day before, received +a single vibration. + +At this point he was interrupted by encountering another American who +also insisted upon stopping and shaking hands. This was a young +architect from New York, who had from time to time done work for his +father's estate and who had also made some alterations at the Little +Place in the Country for Edestone himself. He was a tall, lank young +man of about twenty-seven, with little rat-like eyes, placed so close +to his hawk-like nose that one felt Nature would have been kinder to +him had she given him only one eye and frankly placed it in the middle +of his receding forehead. His small blonde moustache did not cover his +rabbit mouth, which was so filled with teeth that he could with +difficulty close his lips. + +"What has brought you to London, Schmidt? Aren't you afraid that these +Englishmen will capture you and shoot you as a spy?" + +"Sh! Not quite so loud please, Mr. Edestone; these English are such +fools. They think that because a man has a German name he must be a +fighting German, when you know that I am a perfectly good naturalized +American citizen. My passport is made out in the name of Schmidt, and +that's my name all right, but I call myself Smith over here to keep +from rubbing these fellows the wrong way." + +"Well, Mr. 'Smith,' you have not told me what you are doing in +London." + +"I have been sent over by a New York architectural paper to make a +report upon the condition of the cathedral at Rheims. I stopped over +in London to get my papers visd by the Royal Institute of +Architects." Then, lowering his voice, and keeping his eyes on a +policeman who was apparently watching them with interest: "I am sorry +to see you here, Mr. Edestone. This is no place for us Americans, and +my advice to you is to get out of here as soon as you can, and don't +come back again until the war is over." + +Edestone felt that he would have said more but they were interrupted +by the policeman who said: "Excuse me, gentlemen, but these be war +times, and me ordhers are to keep the Imbankment moving." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + + +After leaving the War Offices, Rebener went directly to the nearest +public telephone. + +"Hello, Karlbeck," he called, after satisfying himself by mumbling a +jumble of unintelligible words and numbers that he had the man he +wanted on the wire. "Is Smith there? What? Thames Embankment? What did +you say is the number of that officer? Oh, my old butler, Pat! That's +all right. Now listen; if I should miss Smith and he comes in, tell +him to call me at my hotel at once. I have made an engagement for +dinner with our man for eight o'clock tonight, but you and H. R. H. +need not be at my rooms until half-past eight. You understand, eh? +Good-bye." + +He strolled out, following Edestone's course with the air of a man +wishing to enjoy this beautiful spring morning, and approaching the +officer who had interrupted the interview between Edestone and Smith, +he said, with a little twinkle in his eye: "Will you tell me which of +these bridges is called the London Bridge?" + +The blue-coated Pat, with Hibernian readiness, caught the humour of +the situation. "Shure, I would gladly, but 'tis a strhanger I am here +mesilf," he grinned as he smothered the entire lower part of his face +with his huge paw of a hand, and significantly closed one eye. + +"Pat, your fondness for joking will get you into trouble yet. Did +Smith turn Edestone over to you?" + +"He did, and I mesilf took him up to the Admiralty where he is +now. 4782, I think they called him, takes him up from there, and will +keep him until he hears from either you or Smith." + +"Where has Smith gone?" + +"Shure he's up at Claridge's, bein' shaved by Count von Hottenroth." + +"Now, now, Pat, if you don't stop that joking of yours I'll certainly +report you to the Wilhelmstrasse." + +"And they said I was to be the first King of dear old Ireland!" as +with a broad grin on his face he raised his hand as if drinking. "Der +Tag!" he cried, thereby causing several passers-by to laugh at the +idea of a London bobby giving the sacred German toast. + +Rebener, leaving him, went directly to his rooms at The Britz where he +was received with the greatest consideration by everybody about the +place. He was shown to the royal suite by the proprietor himself, who +after he had carefully closed the door upon them stood as if waiting +for orders. + +"Call Claridge's on the 'phone, and tell Smith who is being shaved," +he smiled at the recollection of Pat's jest, "to meet me here at +once. I do not want him seen in the hotel, so tell him to come in by +the servants' entrance, and you bring him up on the service elevator +and in here through my pantry and dining-room." + +The proprietor retired to attend to this, but was soon back, and +Rebener continued his instructions. + +"Luckily Edestone invited me to dine with him tonight before I had a +chance to invite him," he said, "but I will persuade him to come here +and dine with me." + +"So, Mr. Bombiadi," he turned to the proprietor, "I shall want dinner +here for four at 8:30. See to it yourself, will you, that my guests +are brought through my private entrance, and one especially--you know +who--who will be incognito, must not be recognized. Not that there +could be any objection to these men dining with me here--a common rich +American, who loves to spend his money on princes and things--but by +tonight this man Edestone will be watched by at least twenty men from +Scotland Yard, and they suspect anyone of being a German spy, be he +prince or pauper." + +Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the arrival of +Smith, who came in very much excited. Sniffling and rubbing his nose +with the back of his forefinger, like a nervous cocaine fiend, he +broke out agitatedly: + +"Mr. Rebener, I'm getting sick of this job. When I undertook to find +out for you what was going on at the Little Place in the Country, I +was working for Germany as against the world, and anything that I can +do for her I am glad and proud to do, but that Hottenroth talks like a +damn fool. Excuse me, Mr. Rebener, but he don't want to stop at +anything. He says that if he pulls off this thing the Emperor, when he +gets to London, will make him Duke of Westminster, or something, and +six months from now he will appoint me Governor-General of North +America. I tell you, Mr. Rebener, that fellow is plumb nutty." + +"Pardon me, Mr. Rebener," interposed the proprietor, "it is true that +Hottenroth is excitable, but he is faithful to the Fatherland and an +humble servant to His Imperial Majesty. He has been in charge of a +fixed post in London for fifteen years. He was one of the very first +to be sent here, and he was in Paris before that. He would die +willingly for the Fatherland, as would I, and if this Schmidt, I mean +Smith, thinks there is any sin too great to be committed for the +Fatherland, he is not worthy of a place among us, and the sooner we +get rid of him the better." And he looked at the unfortunate Smith in +a way that showed he was willing to do this at any moment. + +But Rebener, who had lived all his life in America, and like Smith did +not thoroughly agree with the philosophy of German militarism--before +which everything must bow--hurriedly raised his hand. + +"Come, come, you are both getting unnecessarily excited. Don't let us +try to cross our bridges until we get to them. What did von Hottenroth +have to report?" + +"It was not very satisfactory, to tell you the truth, Mr. Rebener," +said Smith; "they searched through all of his things and they found +nothing but a drawing of a Zeppelin of our 29-M type, with some slight +changes, which Hottenroth said don't amount to anything, and some +photographs of Mr. Edestone himself, doing some juggling tricks with +heavy dumb-bells and weights, but we learned afterwards from the +porter that an expressman had left two large and heavy trunks marked, +'A. M. Black and P. S. Stanton,' at No. 4141 Grosvenor Square East." + +"Well what is the report," demanded Bombiadi, "on No. 4141 Grosvenor +Square?" + +Smith read from a memorandum book: "Lord Lindenberry, who is a +widower, lives there with his mother, the Dowager. The old lady is now +up at their country place, in Yorkshire, and the Marquis went on to +Aldershot last night after having dined with Edestone at Brooks's and +dropping him at Claridge's at 12:15 A.M. The house is only partially +opened; there are only a few of the old servants there." + +"And do you think these trunks contain the instrument which you +reported to us from America was always kept in the safe at the Little +Place in the Country?" snapped the hotel proprietor. + +"I don't know," whined Smith. "Mr. Edestone probably has it with him." + +"Well, we must get hold of it before he shows it to Underhill," +frowned the proprietor, "that is, if it has not been shown already, +and in that case we must get hold of Edestone himself." + +"Now that is exactly what is troubling me," Smith's voice rose +hysterically. "I'm not going to stand for any of that rough stuff, +Mr. Rebener. Mr. Edestone and his father have both been mighty good to +me, and if anything happens to him I'll blow on the whole lot of you." + +"So?" The proprietor's pale fat face was convulsed with a look of +hatred and contempt. "Then we are to understand, Smith, that if we +find it necessary to do away with Edestone you wish to go first? You +dirty little half-breed," he growled in an undertone. "Your mother +must have been an English woman." + +"Here, here, you two fools!" Rebener broke in with sharp authority, +"there is no question of 'doing away' with Edestone, as you call +it. What we're after is the invention and not the man himself, and +we'll not get it by 'doing away' with him. I am, like Smith here, +opposed to murder, even for the Fatherland." + +"But it is not murder, Mr. Rebener," interrupted the proprietor, "if +thereby we are instrumental in saving thousands of the sons of the +Fatherland." + +"That would not only not save the sons of the Fatherland, but would +put an end to our usefulness, both here in London and in America, +especially if Edestone has already turned the whole thing over to +England. The very first thing for us to do is to find out how the +matter stands. If the Ministry knows nothing, we must work to get him +to Berlin, and then even you fire-eaters may safely trust it to the +Wilhelmstrasse. If it should happen, however, that the British +Government has the invention, His Royal Highness tonight will try to +get enough out of Edestone to enlighten Berlin, and in that way we +shall at least get an even break. That is, always provided that +Edestone has not a lot of the completed articles, whatever they may +be, at the Little Place in the Country. That would put us in bad +again, and it will be up to Count Bernstoff to attend to it from the +New York end." + +"Of course, Mr. Rebener," said the proprietor, "we can do nothing +until we hear from His Royal Highness, but I am satisfied that he will +say Edestone must not be allowed to go to Downing Street tomorrow to +continue his negotiations, unless in some way we can get hold of this +secret tonight." + +"Well, I'll be damned if I'll--!" started Rebener angrily, when he was +interrupted by the proprietor, who holding his finger to his lip, +said: + +"Please, Mr. Rebener, please! Always remember that the service on +which we are engaged has no soul and a very long arm." Then dropping +into the persuasive and servile tone of the _matre d'htel_: "I +propose, Mr. Rebener, that you allow me to send you up a nice little +lunch, some melon, say, a _salmon mayonnaise_ or a _filet du +sole au vin blanc_ and a _noisette d'agneau_ and a nice little +sweet, and you must try a bottle of our Steinberger Auslese '84. + +"And Smith," he turned to the humbler agent, "you had better get in +touch with 4782, who is reporting to His Royal Highness every hour. +His last message was that Edestone is still with Underhill, so you get +down to the Admiralty and report to me here as often as you can. +Edestone will probably lunch quietly alone somewhere, as I know that +all of his friends are at the front, but don't lose him until you turn +him over to Mr. Rebener tonight at 8 o'clock." His eyes narrowed as +they followed the skulking figure of the architect out of the room. + +"That fellow needs watching," he muttered to Rebener. "He has lost his +nerve. He is not a true German anyhow. But if he makes a false step, +4782 knows what to do and you can depend upon him to do it. We do not +know who he is, but he is a gentleman, if not a nobleman, and he will +kill or die for his Emperor." + +Smith, in the meantime, had gone down the service stairs and out at +the rear of the hotel. He was thoughtful, and when he was settled in +his taxi, after having directed the chauffeur where to drive, he said +to himself: + +"They are going to kill him tonight unless they get that machine, or +else can fix it so that Rockstone doesn't get it tomorrow, that is if +Underhill hasn't got it already. I wish I'd never started this +business; I never thought it would go so far, and what do I get out of +it? A German decoration which I can't wear in America, and God knows I +don't want to live in Germany, and seventeen dollars a week. I'm not +going to stand for it, and that's settled." + +Arriving in front of a little restaurant he entered and sat down at a +table near a window looking out on Whitehall Place. The proprietor, +who was another German, came over to him, and while ostensibly +arranging the cloth spoke to him in an undertone in his own language. + +"Edestone is still with Underhill," he said. "The taxi driver on the +stand opposite, the one who looks as if he were asleep, is 4782. In +that way he keeps the head of the line, you see, and when Edestone +comes out, if he doesn't take that cab, 4782 can follow him until he +alights again, and then he is to telephone His Royal Highness. So you +sit here and have lunch, where you can see what is going on." + +Then, turning to a group of his regular customers at another table, +the jovial host in a loud voice and in perfect English took a violent +pro-Ally part in the war discussion that was going on. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + + +Edestone had met the Honorable Herbert Underhill before, both in +America and in the country houses of England. The two were about the +same age, and as Underhill's mother was an American, Edestone had +hoped that he would not have quite so much trouble in getting him to +look at the matter from an American point of view. + +Underhill, however, was just on that account a little bit more formal +with the cousins from across the sea than were most of the men of high +position in Europe. He was undoubtedly taken aback and thrown off his +guard when he found that Edestone was the dangerous American lunatic +of whom he had been warned. In the first place, he knew that there was +not the slightest chance of his being an impostor, and he also knew +exactly how much of a lunatic he was. He knew, in fact, that he was a +hard-riding, clear-thinking, high-minded Anglo-Saxon of the very best +type to be found A Rusty Old Cannon-Ball anywhere, and he smiled as he +thought of Rockstone's advice not to kick him out of the Admiralty. + +With considerable show of cordiality, he invited his visitor into a +small room adjoining his large office, and sat him down at the +opposite side of a wide table. + +"Lord Rockstone told me you were coming, but did not mention your +name. He is quite a chap, that Rockstone. Not what you Americans would +call a very chatty party, however. Now what can I do for you? Lord +Rockstone tells me that you have some new invention, or something of +the sort, that will help us to finish up this little scrimmage without +the loss of a single Tommy. Well, that is exactly what we are looking +for, and you American chaps are clever at thinking out new ideas. He +tells me, however, that you do not wish to sell it. Now I can +understand better than he why that part would be of no especial +interest to you; but can't we deal with a Syndicate, or a Board of +Underwriters, a Holding Company, or some of those wonderful business +combinations that you Americans devise in order to do business without +going to jail? Is the poor starving inventor some billionaire like +yourself, who works only for honour and glory? In that case we might +get an Iron Cross for him. In fact, we might get one blessed by the +Emperor himself, by Jove!" + +Edestone laughed. "Well, Mr. Underhill, you cannot deny inheriting a +certain amount of American wit. I have so often heard the older +members of the Union Club tell stories of Billy Travers's witty +sayings. He must have gone the pace that kills. One of the old +servants used to tell that whenever Travers and Larry Jerome and that +set came in for supper, they expected the waiters to drink every fifth +bottle; it made things more cheerful-like--but _revenons nos +moutons_. Lord Rockstone is right, I do not want to sell my +discovery, for mine it is. I am the penniless inventor. I only want an +opportunity of showing it to the heads of the Powers that are now at +war, and of demonstrating to them the stupendous and overwhelming +force that is now practically in the hands of the greatest of the +neutral governments, and thus try, if possible, to convince them of +the uselessness of continuing this loss of life and treasure. + +"If I could demonstrate to you, Mr. Underhill, that I could, sitting +here in your office, give an order that would set London on fire and +send every ship in the English navy to the bottom in the course of a +few weeks, would you not advocate opening negotiations for peace? And +were I to show the Emperor of Germany that his great army could be +destroyed in even less time, would he not be more receptive than we +now understand him to be?" + +"Why, Mr. Edestone, I most certainly should," the First Lord of the +Admiralty granted with a smile, "and I think that perhaps the German +Emperor would be amenable under the circumstances, but as they say in +your great country, 'I am from Missouri, you must show me.'" + +He changed his position and glanced at Edestone as if he were +beginning to think that possibly Rockstone might be right in his +estimate after all. + +"Very well, Mr. Underhill; it is now five minutes to noon, and I think +that I will be able to show you in exactly five minutes." + +He took from his pocket a leather case, such as a woodsman might use +to carry a large pocket compass, and removing the cover set out upon +the table an instrument that was entirely enclosed in vulcanized +rubber. On the top, under glass, was a dial, with a little needle +which vibrated violently, but came to a standstill soon after being +placed on the table. Two small platinum wires, about twelve inches +long and carefully insulated, issued from opposite sides of the hard +rubber casing. + +Underhill's face at first bore only an expression of mild amusement, +but as Edestone evidenced such a deadly earnestness, he showed more +interest and said with a rather nervous laugh: "Look here, old chap, +don't blow the entire English navy out of the water while you're +closeted here with me. I must have some witness to prove that I didn't +do it or I might have to explain to the House of Commons." + +Edestone, a hard and drawn look about his mouth, paid no heed, but +taking his watch out of his pocket fixed his eye on the little needle +of the instrument and waited as the last few seconds of the hour +ticked off. As the second hand made its last round, and the minute +hand swung into position exactly at twelve, he leaned over the table +as if trying by mental suggestion to make the instrument respond to +his will. But it remained perfectly quiescent, and with a half sigh +and a tightening of the lines about his mouth, he closed his +watch. Could it be possible, he thought, that "Specs" had forgotten +his instructions always to use Greenwich time? + +He was about to replace the instrument in its case, when he was +startled by a clock on the mantel, which began to strike the hour of +twelve. Involuntarily he counted the strokes as they chimed slowly, +and as the vibrations of the last stroke faded away the little needle +swung an entire circuit of the dial, returning to its original +position. This was repeated three times. + +Underhill, although still interested in what was going on, seemed a +bit relieved when nothing more startling happened. + +"Oh, I say, you know, you gave me quite a start," he jested. "I +thought that you were going to set London on fire, and you simply seem +to be taking your blood-pressure." + +Edestone still paid not the slightest attention to him, but after +glancing about the room walked over to the mantelpiece where he picked +up an old twelve-inch cannon-ball, which with considerable difficulty +he brought back and placed on the table by the side of his +instrument. His eyes once more roved about the room as if he were +seeking something, and stepping deliberately to a passe-partout +photograph of King George V., he ripped off the binding with his +pocket-knife and tore from it the glass. + +"Oh, I say, now, Mr. Edestone, those cow-boy methods don't go here in +London, and if you cannot behave a bit more like a gentleman, I'll +have you shown to the street." + +"We have more important matters on our hands just now, Mr. Underhill, +than whether or not I am a gentleman," snapped the American, his face +set and serious as he with nervous fingers laid the glass on the +table. + +Rolling the cannon-ball to him, he lifted it very gently on to the +glass plate, and then taking a key from his pocket he appeared to wind +up on the inside of the instrument some mechanism which gave off a +buzzing sound. Next he drew on a pair of rubber gloves with vulcanized +rubber finger tips, and moistening with his lips the ends of the two +platinum wires, pressed them to either side of the ball, first the one +and then the other. A spark was given off when the second contact was +made, and the room was filled with a pungent odour as of overheated +metal which caused both men to cough violently. + +Following this, with great care, and using only the tips of his +fingers, he lifted the glass plate with the ball on it. When he had +raised it his arm's length above the table, like a plum pudding on a +platter, he took the glass away, leaving the ball hanging unsupported +in the air. + +He sat down and smiled across the table into the astonished, almost +incredulous, face of his companion. + +"And now, Mr. Underhill, I hope you will pardon my rudeness," he +apologized lightly; "but I get so interested in these little tricks of +mine that sometimes I forget myself. If you will permit me, I shall, +when I go to Paris, order from Cartiers's a more befitting frame for +His Majesty, and shall beg you to accept it from me as a little +souvenir of our meeting today." + +Underhill made no reply. His whole attention was riveted on that +amazing ball, and Edestone, a trifle mischievously, added: "If you +have a perfectly good heart, and think you can stand a bit of a shock, +touch that ball lightly with your finger." + +"My heart's all right, and I am prepared for anything," Underhill +surrendered, as he reached up and touched the innocent looking rusty +old cannon-ball, whose only peculiarity seemed to be its willingness +to remain where it was without any visible means of support. + +The room was suddenly filled with a greenish light, as if someone had +just taken a flash-light photograph. Underhill was thrown violently +back into his chair, and the ball crashed down on the table, splitting +it from end to end. + +Without moving a muscle of his face, and taking no notice of the +gestures of pain made by Underhill as he sat rubbing his arm and +shoulder, Edestone resumed: + +"Mr. Underhill, I will not take any more of your valuable time to show +you my drawings and photographs, but I beg you to say to Sir Egbert +Graves that you do not think with Lord Rockstone that the American +Secretary of State has been deceived, and that you hope he will, when +he sees me tomorrow, try to forget for a while that he is an +Englishman and be a little bit human. You know, Underhill, confidence +and pigheadedness are not even connected by marriage; much less are +they blood relations. By Jove," he grinned, "you can tell him I'll +stick him up against the ceiling if he insists upon handling me with +the ice tongs and leave him there until you take him down; that is, if +you care to take another little shock." + +Underhill, although he might have thought at another time that it was +his duty to resent such light and frivolous reference to the heads of +His Majesty's Government, was now, however, occupied with more serious +reflections, and overlooked the offence. + +"I am sure," he said, rousing himself, "that if Sir Egbert is +convinced that you are working for the sake of humanity he will be +most happy to make use of your talents." + +"That is exactly what I want him to do," returned Edestone, "but not +in the way in which you mean. I wish to be given authority to open +negotiations for peace with the Emperor of Germany. Now, +Mr. Underhill, do we understand one another?" + +He rose to leave with this, but Underhill, stepping quickly forward, +laid a hand upon his arm. + +"You don't suppose for a moment, Mr. Edestone, that we will allow you +to leave England and go to Germany to sell them your invention and +have it used against us?" + +"You have my word, Mr. Underhill, and that of the American Secretary +of State, that it is not my intention to sell to any government. With +that assurance, unless your Ministry wishes to risk the chances of war +with the United States, I think it will allow me to leave England and +go anywhere I please. Good-morning, Mr. Underhill. I am sorry to have +taken up so much of your valuable time, even more sorry to have broken +His Majesty's beautiful old oak table." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DIPLOMACY WINS + + +Underhill, left alone, sat for some moments looking from the broken +table to the cannonball and then back again. Finally he picked up a +fragment of glass, for the Royal face protector had likewise been +broken, when the good old English oak had met its defeat at the hands +of this Hun of the world of science, and with it, very gingerly, he +tapped the iron ball--this rusty old barbarian which had set at naught +the force of gravity, had violated all the established laws of nature, +and had like the Germans in Belgium smashed through. + +Finding that nothing happened, he hesitated for a moment, and, then, +bracing himself against the shock, he touched his finger gently to +this rude old paradox. There was no shock, and, reassured, he leaned +across the table and tried with both hands to lift the cannon-ball. + +"That part is genuine there is no doubt," he granted. "That old +cannon-ball must have been here since--?" He gave a start as his eyes +caught the inscription pasted upon it, which was: + + "A freak cannon-ball, made at the Forge + and Manor of Greenwood, Virginia, 1778. + Presented in 1889 to Lord Roberts by + General George Bolling Anderson, Governor + of the State of Virginia." + +"How extraordinary!" he exclaimed. "These Americans are popping up at +every turn." + +He passed out into the large outer office, and, glancing at his watch, +summoned an undersecretary. + +"It is now just a quarter after twelve," he said, "and the Cabinet +lunches at Buckingham Palace at two. Present my compliments to Lord +Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves, and say that I should like to see +them both here for a few minutes on a matter of the greatest +importance, and that much as I regret to trouble them it is absolutely +necessary that this meeting be held in my office and before they go on +to the Palace." + +To another attendant who, moved by curiosity, was going in the +direction of the smaller room, he said: "Place a sentry at that door +when I leave. No one is to be allowed to enter that room until I give +further orders." + +A telephone orderly came in a few minutes later to say that his +message had found Lord Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves together, and +that they both would be with him within the half-hour. + +Underhill was now fully convinced that Edestone possessed some +wonderful invention or discovery which the United States intended to +use as a final argument for peace, and, with the aid of this +discovery, render untenable any position in opposition to its will +taken by England or any of the other Powers. Had he dreamed that the +United States was as ignorant as to the nature of this invention as he +himself was, the history of the world might have been changed. + +When Graves and Rockstone arrived, he greeted them with serious face +and at once drew them into private conference. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "I am sorry to have to trouble you to come to +me, but I am confident that you will forgive me when you understand my +reasons for insisting upon a meeting here." Keeping both men still +standing he continued: "I have a strange story to tell, so strange in +fact, that you gentlemen would be justified in doubting not only my +word but my sanity, had I nothing to show you in corroboration." + +Both men stood like graven images; one like a soldier at attention; +the other, his hat and cane in his right hand and the tips of his two +first fingers resting lightly on the table behind which Underhill was +standing, his thin, clean-shaven, mask-like face as expressionless as +if it belonged to a head that had been stuck on the end of a pike and +shoved out across the table for Underhill to look at, instead of to +one well placed on his broad athletic shoulders. They both knew that +Underhill was young and had inherited from his beautiful American +mother a nervous and temperamental disposition. They also knew that +this was tempered by the crafty cleverness of the blood of the hero of +Blenheim. They had come prepared for one of his excitable outbursts, +although they knew he would not have been so insistent had there not +been good cause. + +"Will you be so kind as to walk into this room with me?" He pointed +toward the door of the small room. + +Still with that show of utter imperturbability the two complied, +continuing to gaze stolidly as their associate, closing the door +behind them, called their attention to the cannon-ball and broken +table. + +"Exhibits A and B"; he waved his hand toward the two objects. "I +wanted you to see these in order to convince you that I have neither +been dreaming, nor am I the victim of an aberration." + +Then with great care and endeavouring to maintain a semblance of +self-possession, he described his recent experience, omitting no +single detail that he could recall. He showed them exactly where and +how he had been sitting, and followed every movement made by Edestone, +even to the ripping of the glass from the portrait of the King, until +finally, as if overcome by the strain that he had put upon himself to +appear perfectly calm, he ended with a nervous little laugh. + +"Will you look at the inscription on that blooming old cannon-ball? It +really seems quite spooky." + +Graves moved forward and thoughtfully examined the split table and the +rusty old relic of Valley Forge, but Rockstone did not offer to stir. +With what was almost a sneer on his face he met the challenging glance +of his younger confrre. + +"I would not have believed, Underhill," he said impatiently, "that you +with your experience with the fakirs of India could have been taken in +by so old a trick." He half-closed his eyes as if to indicate that for +him at least the incident was closed. + +Underhill frowned. "You are wrong, Rockstone," he exclaimed +impulsively. "This man is no faker, nor am I so easily imposed upon as +you seem to think. I tell you that we are called upon to deal with a +new agency that can neither be disputed nor sneered away, and unless +we can contrive some way to oppose it, the United States will step in +and force a peace upon us--a peace that will leave Europe exactly +where it was before the war--and keep it so, while she herself can go +ahead unchecked and take possession of the whole Western +Hemisphere. Don't you see the scheme?" + +"Where is this extraordinary individual?" inquired the Foreign +Minister, completing his inspection of the table. "What has become of +him?" His thin voice was as evenly modulated as if he were asking +where he had put his other glove. + +"Oh, probably at Boodle's or Brookes's lunching with some of his +friends," Underhill answered indifferently. "He left here only a short +time ago. And you need not be afraid, Sir Egbert," with a significant +glance. "A very careful eye is being kept upon his movements. We can +get him at any moment if we want him." + +Graves nodded, and then went on meditatively. + +"It is of course entirely irregular," he said, "but from what both of +you gentlemen tell me as to the nature of his credentials, there can +be little doubt that the man is here with the approval of his +Government, if not as an authorized representative. The sole question, +therefore, is whether or not he does possess such an invention or +discovery as he claims----" + +"But can you doubt that?" demanded Underhill hotly. + +"And whether," proceeded Sir Egbert without change of tone, "granting +that the contrivance is of value, the United States will permit its +purchase for use in the present war. + +"On the first proposition, I can only say that if he has this +invention, as my young friend of the Navy stands so firmly convinced, +it is tantamount to admitting that the United States has a new and +terrible instrument of war, in which case it would be most unwise to +offend her. If he has not, there certainly can be no objection to +allowing him the opportunity of offering to our enemies something that +is of no value. Therefore, that seems to settle the question as to the +advisability of detaining him, as has been suggested. I should +strongly favour letting him go when and where he pleases. + +"Assuming that he has in his possession facts or mechanisms that would +give to one nation such stupendous advantages over the others as he +claims, we must not forget that the United States has had these facts +and mechanisms for some time. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to +detain him forcibly, for the United States' answer to this would be a +declaration of war in which the superiority of her position would be +overwhelming. + +"I'm inclined to believe that the reason he does not wish to sell his +discovery is because he has not obtained permission from his +Government to do so. They intend to dispose of it to the country with +whom they can make the most favourable bargain. I think indeed that +under all circumstances the best policy for this Government is to +treat this man with the greatest possible consideration. If he has the +power to do us harm, we must put him in such a position that he will +not wish to do it; and if he has not, our treatment of him will have a +tendency to draw the United States nearer to us than she is at +present. We must, at least, pretend to take the American Secretary of +State at his word. Whereas I do not think that there is any doubt that +America is influenced entirely by selfish motives, she is now our +friend, and as long as this war goes on it is to the interest of Great +Britain to keep her so." + +"A very good idea, Sir Egbert," agreed Underhill. "That is absolutely +the only way to deal with this man. He says that he is almost a pure +Anglo-Saxon, you know, and he is as proud of it as if he were an +Englishman. He is the ninth in direct line from the original old chap, +or rather young chap, who went from England to Virginia in 1642. Think +of it! Say what you may, blood is thicker than water. That fellow is +at heart an Englishman; he has been away from home nearly three +hundred years." + +Graves gave a little bow of comprehension. "When Mr. Edestone calls on +me tomorrow," he said, "I shall not even touch on the question of the +purchasing of this alleged invention, but shall offer to facilitate in +every way his mission as peacemaker. I shall take him at his word that +he does not intend to sell to any one, and try to persuade him that, +if he is bent on coercing any people, the English are not the ones +that require this, as they are in perfect accord with him, and that he +would accomplish his purpose much more quickly if he would bring force +to bear upon the German Emperor." + +"But, Sir Egbert," broke in Underhill excitedly, "he says that he +wants us to authorize him to open peace negotiations with the Kaiser, +and I think he rather intimated that if we should refuse he would use +force, which of course means the United States." + +"Well upon my word!" Rockstone's eyes flashed, and an indignant +expression took the place of the rather bored look with which he had +been listening. "That is pretty strong language to use to His Imperial +Majesty's Government, and for my part I think that this young +gentleman and his little trick box should be shipped back home with a +very polite but emphatic note to the effect that when England wishes +the good offices of the United States in bringing this war to a close, +she will call for them. As to the young man himself, I should say to +him that if he were caught trying to get into Germany he would be +looked upon as a spy endeavouring to render assistance to the enemy, +and would be treated accordingly." + +"But wait a moment, Rockstone," said Sir Egbert. "You are forgetting +that this Mr. Edestone is in some measure at least the representative +of his country. We cannot afford to offend the United States of +America, even though his manners are bad." + +"To the contrary," muttered Underhill, "his manners are surprisingly +good." + +Sir Egbert slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment of the +correction. "There is the point too," he went on, "as to whether or +not he is an impostor. If he is, why should we allow the American +comic papers to put us in the same category with their own Secretary +of State, at whom they have been poking fun for years, when they +discover that this exceedingly clever young man has taken us in also? + +"No, no, to me the matter seems very simple. Uncle Sam has got +something he wants to sell. Good or bad it makes no difference; he +wants to sell, and sell it he will to the highest bidder. Why refuse +to consider his offer on the one hand, or why appear to be too anxious +to close with him on the other? Let him offer it to the enemy; he will +certainly come back for our bid before closing with them." + +"Do you know, Sir Egbert," Lord Rockstone somewhat reluctantly allowed +himself to be won over, "since you put it that way I think that +perhaps you are right. Diplomacy is probably the strongest weapon with +which to deal with this young man. He did not impress me as one to be +easily bluffed by show of force." + +"Nor should I be bluffed, even by you, Rockstone," said Underhill +somewhat ruefully, rubbing his arm, "if I had the power that this chap +has locked up in that little rubber box and stored away in that long +head of his." + +"Well, let us make a decision: does His Majesty go to Washington or +shall the Chautauqua lecturer extend his professional tours to include +London?" Graves gave his sly secretive laugh. Then as if ashamed of +his momentary levity, and changing his entire manner, he said: "Well, +gentlemen, what do you propose?" + +"I rather think we are unanimous," said Underhill, "in considering +that Mr. Edestone should be given a fair hearing. The final answer to +his proposition can be given, of course, only after it has been +discussed in full cabinet." + +"That would perhaps be the best way to leave the matter," approved +Rockstone. + +"We are agreed then, it seems," said Graves, and they left together +for Buckingham Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + + +On coming out of the Admiralty, Edestone, a trifle preoccupied, was +about to take the taxi with the rather sleepy driver which stood at +the head of the line. But the thought came to him, where shall I go? +As he had told Rebener, none of his pals were in town and he had +absolutely nothing to do until dinner at eight o'clock. Why not take +lunch at some quiet little place in the neighbourhood? + +"I say, cabby, is there any sort of a decent restaurant around here +where one can get a very nice little lunch?" + +"Yes, sir, thank you, sir"; the chauffeur rather abruptly came into +full possession of his faculties. "There is a very neat little place +right across the road, sir, thank you, sir," and he pointed in the +direction of the window at which Schmidt was sitting. + +"Ah, thank you, cabby," said Edestone in his usual kind manner with +people of that class. He was rather struck by the handsome face of the +man, although it was covered over with grease and grime. "Here is a +shilling. Don't you think I might be able to walk that far this +beautiful day?" + +"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." The man showed no appreciation of the +humour. "Would you be wanting a cab later on, sir? If so I'll just +hang about, sir. Times is hard in these war times, sir." + +"Certainly, wait by all means," said Edestone with a jolly laugh. "Set +your clock. Now open your door and drive me to that restaurant over +there, and then wait for me till I have had my lunch. By the time that +I get through with you I think you will find that you have done a good +day's work." + +"I am sure of it, sir." The chauffeur hid a surreptitious chuckle with +his very dirty hand. + +On entering the restaurant the first person Edestone saw was Schmidt, +and he gave a little nod of recognition. + +"Well, Mr. Schmidt, we seem to be meeting quite often this morning. I +hope that I am to infer from your presence that I will be able to get +some of your delightfully greasy German dishes." + +But at this point he was interrupted by the proprietor, who came +bustling up, trying to force him to take a seat at a table in another +part of the room. + +"German dishes?" stammered the restaurant keeper. "Not at all. That +was when the place was run by Munchinger, but he went back to Germany +last July, and this place is run by me, and I am a Swiss. Still, sir, +if you are fond of the German dishes I think I might be able to +accommodate you, sir." + +"Well, suppose I leave that entirely to you. I can't by any chance get +a large stein of Mnchener beer?" + +"No, sir, I am sorry. I can get you some French beer though, which we +think is much better. You know that Admiral Fisher has got those +Dutchmen bottled up so tight that they tell me the beer won't froth +any more in Germany." And he burst into a roar of laughter in which he +was joined by a chorus of adoring customers sitting about at the +different tables. + +Edestone sat down while the proprietor in person took his order to the +kitchen. In a very short time, the man returned and put down before +him a _gemse suppe_, following this with _schweine fleisch, +sauerkraut_, and _gherkins_--a luncheon which might have been +cooked in a German's own kitchen--and set before him a glass of beer +which Edestone would have sworn had not been brewed outside of the +city of Munich. + +The proprietor bustled about, laughing and cracking clumsy jokes with +everyone who would listen to him, and his jokes seemed to Edestone to +be almost as German as his beer. In this way he finally worked over to +where Smith was sitting, and as he pretended to arrange something on +the table whispered sharply: "Go to the lavatory." + +Smith, unable to eat, sat toying with his food. He gulped his beer as +if it choked him. He turned around several times to look at Edestone, +but the latter after his perfunctory greeting took no further notice +of him. At last, paying his check, the man walked to the rear of the +restaurant and into a small, dark, badly ventilated room under the +stairs. The place was so dimly lighted that he could scarcely see in +front of him a wash basin, but as he was wondering what he was +expected to do next he heard a voice that seemed to come from a little +partially opened window that looked out into a dark ventilating shaft +to the left of the basin. "Pretend to wash your hands," the voice +whispered cautiously. Smith did as he was directed and found that he +thus brought his left ear close to the window opening. + +"Now listen," said the voice, speaking rapidly in German. "God is with +the Fatherland today! 4782 has been engaged to wait. Hottenroth has +telephoned that our man undoubtedly has his instrument with him. The +order is for you and 4782 to get it from him this afternoon at any +cost. 4782 knows what he is to do." And the window closed softly. + +Smith broke out into a cold perspiration. He knew that he was looking +death straight in the face, and in a twinkling his mind carried him +back over his entire life. He clutched at his throat as he realized +his horrible situation. His present position in the grip of this +relentless but invisible master had come about so gradually that he +had not realized how firmly he was caught until now it was too +late. Not being borne up by the hysterical exaltation of the true-born +Prussian, he resented that he should be the one selected to do this +ghastly thing. + +He staggered back into the restaurant where the proprietor, laying a +hand upon his arm, and laughing loudly and winking as if he were +telling a risqu story, muttered some further directions into his ear. + +"He is preparing to go now. Join him and don't leave him until--" he +broke off and rushed over to Edestone who had risen from the table and +was taking his hat and cane from the waiter. + +"I hope, sir, you found everything perfectly satisfactory?" he bowed. + +"Very nice indeed," said Edestone, handing him a half-crown. "I am +glad to have discovered your place and I shall come again." + +At the door he encountered Smith, who was lingering about as if +waiting for him. + +"Oh, Mr. Edestone," he forced himself to say, swallowing and fumbling +with his mouth. "I remember when I was fixing up your Little Place in +the Country for you that you took a great deal of interest in old +English prints. Well, I have just found an old print shop over in the +Whitechapel district with some of the most wonderful old prints, and +if you have the time to spare I would like to take you over and have +the old man show them to you." + +"I should like to very much," said Edestone. "I have just been +wondering what I should do with myself this afternoon." + +"The Kaiser and God will bless you for this," the restaurant keeper +whispered into Smith's ear, after he had bowed Edestone out to the +sidewalk. + +"Mr. Smith, will you please give the address to the driver," said +Edestone as he stepped into the taxi. Smith leaned over and gave some +mumbled instructions to the chauffeur, who had remained upon his box; +then he took his place at the side of his friend and patron. + +But no sooner had the motor started than he turned to +Edestone. "Mr. Edestone,"--his voice trembled so violently that he +could scarcely speak,--"please do not move or seem surprised at what I +am going to say." + +Edestone drew back slightly and looked at him. He thought at first +that the man had suddenly lost his reason. Smith was perfectly livid +and his little eyes were starting from his head. His mouth was open +and he seemed to be vainly trying to draw his blue lips over his great +dry yellow teeth on which they seemed to catch, giving him the +appearance of a snarling dog as he cringed in the corner of the +cab. One hand was pulling at his collar while with the other he +clutched at the seat in a vain effort to restrain the tremors which +were shaking him from head to foot. "Don't speak. I must talk and talk +fast," he said. + +Edestone leaned forward as if to halt the car, but the fellow caught +him by the knee in a grip almost of desperation. + +"For God's sake don't do that!" he pleaded. "He will kill both of +us. Oh, don't you understand? He is a German spy. I am German, Rebener +is German, we are all Germans--all spies. We have been watching you +for the past six months. This man is now driving you to a place where +they will certainly kill you unless you turn over that instrument +which you have in your pocket." + +At this Edestone started. Although he could scarcely control himself +and felt like strangling the chicken-hearted wretch, he recovered +himself in time to say with a look of disgust, "You poor miserable +creature." + +"I know, Mr. Edestone, but please keep quiet. I may save you if you +will do as I say. I don't know about myself. I am a dead man for +certain, though, if you let him once suspect," and he motioned in the +direction of the chauffeur. Then continuing he gasped out: "Stop the +taxi anywhere along here: get out and go into some shop. When you come +out again say to me that you have decided you will look at the prints +some other day, and that you will walk to the hotel. Discharge and pay +him. I will re-engage him and as soon as we get out of sight you take +another taxi and drive straight to your hotel. But you must be +careful; he knows that you have the instrument with you. They are +desperate enough to do anything. Your life is in danger." + +Edestone, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the situation, had +absolutely no fear either for himself or for the instrument, since as +a matter of fact he knew that he could destroy that at any moment. He +felt sorry for Smith, however. He pitied him for his weakness but +realized that he was risking his life to save him, so he did as he was +urged. + +While he was in the shop 4782 got off the box, and, looking into the +cab, said sternly to Smith in German: "If you are playing me any of +your American tricks, you half-breed, you will never see the sun set +again." + +Also, when Edestone returned and discharged him with a very handsome +tip, he did not seem especially gratified, and when poor Smith in a +trembling voice re-engaged the taxi, the driver almost lost control of +himself. Had he done so, Edestone, who was watching him closely, would +have been delighted, since he would have liked nothing better than to +have forced the fellow to show his hand then and there. He was again +struck with the chauffeur's appearance as he stood talking to Smith +for he had the air of a gentleman and even through his dirt looked +above his position. Leaving them there, the American strolled along, +and, after a block or two, hailed another cab and ordered it to drive +to Claridge's. He really did not think to look about him, but had he +done so he might have discovered that he was being followed by the +first taxi with its woebegone passenger and its handsome chauffeur. + +Arriving at the hotel he was interested to see standing in front of +the door a carriage with men in the royal livery, and he was met at +the entrance by the proprietor himself in a frightful state of +excitement. + +"Mr. Edestone, one of the King's equerries is waiting in the reception +room to see you. I have been calling you up at every club and hotel in +London." + +Edestone went into the reception room where he was met by an officer +in the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards, who after going through the +formality of introducing himself delivered his message: + +"His Majesty, the King, instructs me to say that he will receive you +and inspect your drawings, photographs, etc., at Buckingham Palace +this afternoon at half-past four o'clock." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE + + +To nearly every man, especially if he happened to be an Englishman, +the fact that he had received a Royal Command would have been +sufficient to make him, if not nervous, at least thoughtful. Edestone +was, however, so incensed at Rebener and so disgusted with Schmidt and +so angry with the entire German Secret Service, that it came to him as +a relief, like an invitation, from a gentleman older and more +distinguished than himself, to dine, or to see some recently acquired +painting or bit of porcelain, after he had been all day at a Board +meeting of avaricious business men. It was no affectation with him +that he felt he was going into an atmosphere in which he belonged. "I +always assume that Royalties are gentlemen," he would say, "until I +find that they are not; and as long as they conduct themselves as such +I am perfectly at ease, but as soon as they begin to behave like +bounders I am uncomfortable." + +He was not one of those Americans who insist at all times and under +all circumstances that he is as good as any man, simply because in his +heart of hearts he knows that he is not, but hopes by this bluster to +deceive the world. On the contrary, he was a firm advocate of an +aristocratic form of government, and did not hesitate to say that he +considered the Declaration of Independence, wherein it refers to the +absolute equality of man, as a joke. + +He was a most thorough believer in class and class distinction and +said that he hoped to see the day when the world would be ruled by an +upper class who would see that the lower classes had all that was good +for them, but would not be allowed to turn the world upside down with +their clumsy illogical reforms and new religions, Saint-Simonianism, +humanitarianism, or as a matter of fact with any of the old +established _isms_. They already have several hundred forms to +choose from, he would say; they should not be allowed to make any more +new ones until one single one of these has been universally +accepted. The glamour of royalty had no effect upon him. Its solidity, +dignity, and gentility did. + +When he saw the royal livery standing before the hotel, he had rather +surmised that it was being used by some Indianapolis heiress who had +married a title which carried the privilege of using it and was +getting her money's worth. He therefore took no interest in looking +into the carriage, but he would have been glad to have gone up to the +men and said: "A nice pair of horses you have there. How well they are +turned out, and how very smartly you wear your livery." + +The equerry, Colonel Stewart, was very simple and direct. He treated +Edestone with consideration, but did not forget to let him understand +that the King was showing great condescension in inviting him so +informally. + +"A carriage will be sent for you at four o'clock, and if there is any +apparatus and you have men to install it they will be looked after by +an officer of the Royal Household who will call in about an hour." + +He said that the King wished to have it understood that he was not +receiving Edestone in any way as representing the United States of +America, since no credentials of any kind had been presented, but +simply as a gentleman of science whose achievements warranted the +honour. + +In the course of their conversation, Edestone referred to his recent +unpleasant experience in the spy-driven taxi, and he was assured by +Colonel Stewart that he need entertain no further apprehensions on +that score as thorough protection would be given him and every single +one of these men would be and already were under espionage. Bowing +then, the equerry left as quietly as he had come. + +Edestone went up to his apartment and issued his instructions to +James, his valet. + +"Send Mr. Black and Mr. Stanton to me at once. Then fix my bath, send +for the barber, and lay out my clothes. I am going out to tea"--he +paused--"with His Majesty, King George V. of England," while he +enjoyed the effect on his snobbish English servant. + +"Mr. Black," he said when his electrician and operating man came in, +"will you and Mr. Stanton go to Grosvenor Square and bring over the +boxes with the apparatus and films. They will have to be back here by +3:15, as there will be an officer of the Royal Household here at that +time. Go with him to Buckingham Palace and install the instrument and +screen where he directs you; then wait there until you hear from me." + +While he was dressing and being shaved he ran over in his mind what he +should say to the King. He knew that either Rockstone or Underhill had +engineered this audience, and he wondered whether it foreboded good or +evil. At any rate it was progress, and that was all-important. + +Colonel Stewart had certainly been most cordial, and the fact that he +was to meet the King without the delay of presenting credentials +through the American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the +necessity for prompt action. + +The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact +than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr. +Black and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the +apparatus and films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say +through the lather: "Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and +shall want everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest," the man +gave such a start that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it +down with a bang on the marble washbasin. + +"I go," he said. "My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber." And +he rushed out of the room. + +"What is the matter, James?" exclaimed Edestone indignantly. "Why +didn't you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that +fool? Come finish this thing up yourself, I can't wait." Recovering +his equanimity he added: "Time flies and the King waits." + +James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished +shaving him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English +valet can, glanced with satisfaction at his work. "I think, sir, when +His Majesty sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor, +sir. A buttonhole, sir?" + +And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down, +when word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the Colonel, "I am glad to tell you that your +apparatus has arrived safely and has been installed in the Green +Drawing Room. The King is deeply interested, and judging from a +mysterious pair of curtains in the gallery I think that other members +of the Royal Family intend to see this wonderful American with his +wonderful invention. As to your friends, the German spies, I made due +report of the matter and shall probably have something to tell you +later." + +It was a beautiful spring day and as Edestone was driven through +Berkeley Square, up Piccadilly, and down Grosvenor Place he saw London +at its best. Then, as he crossed the park with its beautiful old trees +and lake and flower-beds, approaching Buckingham Palace from an +entirely different angle than he had ever seen it before, he realized +for the first time that it was in the midst of a beautiful sylvan +setting. The Buckingham Palace that he knew had always suggested to +him one of the Department Buildings in Washington in their efforts to +look as much like a royal palace as possible. + +When he stopped under a porte-cochre simple little entrance, he felt +that he might be making a call at some rich American's country home +rather than on the King of England in the middle of London. There were +no soldiers and no extraordinary number of servants. He had seen as +many and more at some of the houses at Newport. He was shown into a +long, low, and rather dark room on the ground floor, where a lot of +young officers were lounging about. Colonel Stewart introduced him to +several of them and a smarter lot of young fellows Edestone had seldom +seen. + +He had not been waiting more than fifteen or twenty minutes when he +heard Colonel Stewart's name called. His pulse quickened for he knew +that this was a signal for him. Colonel Stewart, bowing to the other +officers, said to him: "Will you please come with me, Mr. Edestone?" + +Passing out of the room and up a short flight of stairs they came to a +broad corridor about twenty feet wide which ran around three sides of +a court, opening out upon the gardens to the west. They were conducted +around two sides of the square and taken into a large reception room +in the opposite corner where there were perhaps a dozen officers of +high rank, ministers and statesmen, standing about in groups. They +spoke in voices scarcely above a whisper and when the door on the +left, which evidently led into a still larger room, was opened there +was absolute silence. + +Colonel Stewart, who up to this time had been quite affable, now +seemed suddenly to be caught by the solemnity of the place, and stood +like a man at the funeral of his friend. + +In one of the groups, Edestone saw Colonel Wyatt, who gave him a +little nod of recognition. In a few minutes the door to the larger +room opened and Lord Rockstone coming out walked straight up to where +he and Colonel Stewart stood. + +"His Majesty wishes to waive all form and ceremony, and has ordered me +to present you to him at once," he said. But when he saw the cool and +matter-of-fact way in which Edestone received this extraordinary +announcement his expression said as plainly as words: "These Americans +are certainly a remarkable people." He merely bowed to Colonel +Stewart, however, and continued: "Will you please come with me," and +leading the way to the door, spoke to an attendant who went inside. In +about five minutes the man returned, and announced to Lord Rockstone: +"His Majesty will receive you." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HE MEETS THE KING + + +The room into which they were shown was large and well-proportioned, +but was furnished and decorated in the style of the middle of the +nineteenth century--that atrocious period often referred to as the +Early Victorian, a term which always calls forth a smile at any +assembly of true lovers of art and carries with it the idea of all +that is heavy and vulgarly inartistic. But on the whole the room had +an air of comfort, flooded as it was with warm sunlight that streamed +through the four great windows on the right and those on each side of +the fireplace at the opposite end. + +Around the large table, sat a gathering of the most distinguished men +of the Empire drawn from the Privy Council. They had evidently +finished the work of the day, as was shown by the absence of all +papers on the table and the precise manner in which the different +cabinet ministers had their portfolios neatly closed in front of them. +One would say that they had settled down to be amused or bored as the +case might be. They looked like a company of well-bred people whose +host has just announced that "Professor Bug" will relate some of his +experiences among the poisonous orchids of South America, or like a +lot of polite though perfectly deaf persons waiting for the music to +begin. Some were talking quietly, while others sat perfectly still. +The servants were removing writing materials, maps, etc., and a cloud +of clerks and undersecretaries were being swallowed up by a door in a +corner of the room. + +At the end of the table opposite the door through which Edestone had +entered, sat the King. He looked very small as he sat perfectly still, +his hands resting listlessly on the arms of his great carved chair of +black walnut picked out with gold. His face with its reddish beard, +now growing grey, bore an expression of deep sadness, almost of +melancholia. His expression became more animated, however, when +Edestone entered, and he sat up and looked straight at the American as +he stood at the other end of the table. + +"Your Majesty," Lord Rockstone bowed, "I beg to be allowed to present +to you Mr. John Fulton Edestone of New York of the United States of +America." + +The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the +nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him. +Extending his hand he said: + +"Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It +has been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to +visit your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay +of several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming +Americans whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of +York," he sighed. + +His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, +assuming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown +toward one of his own subjects of the middle class--the one great +class to which the nobility, gentry, and servants of England assign +all Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this +while the last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it. + +"I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of +your wonderful achievements in science," the King went on, adding with +rather a sad smile: "It seems a pity to take you from some charming +English girl with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring +afternoon and bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of +death and destruction." And his face seemed very old. + +After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce +Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered +the rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who +had been taken back to the other end of the table where he stood +perfectly still. Not once had the American spoken since coming into +the room. He had acknowledged the King's great kindness with a bow +which showed plainer than words in what deep respect he held the head +of the great English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good +impression on some of the older men, who up to this time had not +deigned to look in his direction. One of the younger men murmured in +an undertone: "Young-looking chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, +isn't he? He has deuced good manners for an American." + +Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of +the company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining +that Mr. Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His +Majesty and explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made. + +The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible +for the American, chose to supplement this formality. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said with a smile, "since this meeting is to be, as +you say in America, 'just a gentlemen's meeting,' you may sit down +while you tell us about your wonderful discovery." + +Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined. +"Your Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand," +and, then, without the slightest sign of embarrassment, he continued: + +"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can +explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful +discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to +you my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty's subjects. +Should I in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established +rules of court etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my +ignorance and not to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that +affection which I and all true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as +representing the head of that great people and the King of 'Old +England.'" + +A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One +old gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of +Edestone, turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large +eyeglasses, said: "Hear! Hear!" + +The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. "I am an American +and I am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my +country, nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the +nations of the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, +and the bag of the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will +amalgamate into a _cafe au lait_ conglomerate, but because I am +proud of that small group of Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of +the free air of our great country, have developed such strength that +they have up to this time put the stamp of England upon all who have +come in contact with them. And while it is not my intention to sell my +invention to England, I will give you my word that it shall never be +used except for the benefit of the English-speaking people." + +He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: +"In your presence and that of Almighty God, I dedicate my life to my +people, the Anglo-Saxons!" + +This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there +were a few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses +who seemed uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of +unemotional men and against their will had swept them along with him, +and it was only with an effort that some of the younger men could +refrain from giving him three cheers. + +Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, +applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his +pleasure. There was something about this man that left in no one's +mind any doubt of his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that +he was not the kind of a man who would so solemnly and in the presence +of the King and all of the greatest men of England dedicate his life +to a purpose if he did not know that therein lay a real gift to +mankind. His sublime confidence was as convincing as his simplicity +was reassuring. + +Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business +of the afternoon. + +"Mr. President," he commenced, "now that I have shown you how I stand +on international politics, I shall proceed----" + +He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while +the rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily. + +The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was +blankly searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and +not altogether lightly said: + +"The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon +people!" + +"I beg Your Majesty's pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so +soon: what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, +physics, and mechanics to explain to you my invention?" + +"Mr. Edestone," said the King, "we understand perfectly. Go on." + +Recovering himself quickly and assuming a thoroughly businesslike air, +snapping out his facts with precision, speaking rapidly without notes +or memoranda, he said: + +"The physical properties of electrons form the basis of my invention, +and it cannot be understood except by those who have studied the +electron theory of matter, according to which theory the electron or +corpuscle is the smallest particle of matter that had, up to my +discovery, been isolated. They are present in a free condition in +metallic conductors. Each electron carries an electric charge of +electrostatic units and produces a magnetic field in a plane +perpendicular to the direction of its motion. This brings us to the +atom, which may be described as a number of electrons positive and +negative in stable equilibrium, this condition being brought about by +the mutual repulsion of the like and attraction for the opposite +electrification so arranged as to nullify each other. Having thus +established the law of the equilibrium of electrons, corpuscles, +atoms, and molecules, I found that the same law applies to the +equilibrium of our solar system, and, in fact, of the universe, and, +by the elimination of either the positive or the negative electron, +this equilibrium is altered or destroyed. + +"I then sought to nullify the attraction of gravity by changing the +electrical condition of the electrons of an object, which until that +time was attracted by the earth, as is shown by the formula, +_V equals the square root of (s times 2g)_ for falling bodies, +and by using the formula _Y equals the square root of mx divided by +(pi times g)_ I found----" + +But at this point he was interrupted by the King, who said, with a +gesture of supplication: "Please! Please! Mr. Edestone do not go so +deeply into science, for, for my part, I regret to say that it would +be entirely lost on me. Save that for my men of science," and he waved +his hand in the direction of his rough and rugged old Sea Lord, Admiral +Sir Wm. Brown. "Just tell us what you have accomplished and then show +us some of these marvellous things that Mr. Underhill has told us you +can do. Besides, I understand that you are to show us moving pictures +of the actual working of your machine, boat, or whatever it is." + +The inventor was disappointed; for he had wished to set all minds at +rest and to establish the fact that he was no trickster but a +scientist. With a deprecating smile he said: "As Your Majesty +pleases." + +Then, without the slightest sign of condescension, and selecting with +the greatest care only words that the man in the street could +understand, he proceeded with his exposition. + +"I have discovered that gravitation is due to the attraction that two +bodies in different electrical condition have for each other, and that +by changing the condition of one of these bodies so that they are both +in the same electrical condition this attraction no longer exists. I +have also discovered that the earth is, so to speak, as far as the +laws of gravity are concerned, in a state of what we might call for +lack of a better name, 'positive electrical condition,' and that all +objects on the earth, as long as they are not in contact with it, are +in what we may call 'negative electrical condition.' These remain in +this condition so long as they are not in actual electrical contact +with the earth and are separated from it by a non-conducting medium +such as the atmosphere, glass, hard rubber, etc., and are attracted by +it, as is shown by the formulae which I will gladly explain to your +gentlemen of science." And he turned with a bow to Admiral Sir William +Brown, who was leaning across the table frowning at him and who with +his scrubbing-brush hair, long upper lip, and heavy brows looked more +like a Rocky Mountain goat than ever. + +"I have invented an instrument," continued Edestone, "which I call a +_Deionizer._ With this, so far as regards any phenomena of which +we are conscious, I am able to change the electrical condition of an +object, provided this object is insulated from electrical contact with +the earth. That is, I can change it from the so-called minus +condition, which is attracted by the earth, to the plus condition, +which being the same condition as the earth, is therefore not +attracted by it. The object in that state can be said to have no +weight, although frankly for some reason which I have not yet +discovered it does not lose its inertia against motion in any +direction relative to the earth." + +He then took from his pocket the leather case which Underhill readily +recognized, and, turning to Lord Rockstone, he said with a slightly +quizzical expression: + +"If your Lordship will be so kind as to stand on a glass plate or +block of hard rubber I can with this little instrument which I have in +my hand alter your electrical condition from its present minus to that +of plus. I can then place you anywhere in this room and keep you there +as long as you do not come in contact with any object that, +electrically speaking, is in contact with the earth." + +This caused Lord Rockstone to give a grim but thoroughly good-natured +smile, and Edestone, feeling as if he had somewhat settled scores with +the "Hero of the Nile," continued: "As a less valuable object than one +of the most brilliant stars in Great Britain's crown will answer my +purpose just as well, may I ask that one of the servants fetch the +glass plate that was brought to the Palace this afternoon with my +apparatus." + +The glass plate having been brought in by a flunkey, he repeated the +experiment with which he had so astonished Underhill at the Admiralty, +using the flunkey however in place of the cannon ball, and leaving the +poor unfortunate creature suspended in mid-air while he himself +replied to the many questions that were put to him. + +Finally he touched the man's hand, and taking the shock through his +own body let him drop to the floor. The fellow remained there in an +almost fainting condition, but, recovering and finding that he had +sustained no injuries except to his dignity, which in his state of +great excitement had fallen away from him, he rushed out of the room +without asking for or receiving permission to do so. His +panic-stricken exit would at any other time have been most amusing, +but the audience just then was in no humour for levity. + +Edestone next repeated the same experiment, utilizing different small +objects that were handed to him by the gentlemen about the table, and +soon had suspended above the glass plate an assortment of +pocket-knives, watches, and a glass of water, while he chatted with +those who were nearest to him, and handed to the scientific members of +the council diagrams and mathematical formulae which he hastily +scribbled on bits of paper. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE DEIONIZER + + +After the different objects had been returned to their respective +owners, the King by a slight gesture called the meeting to order, for +all had left their seats and were crowding around Edestone in what, +for Englishmen, was a state of violent excitement. Even the more +self-contained were unable to conceal the fact that they were +impressed by these experiments as well as by the quiet dignity of this +young man. They seemed to realize that he had them figuratively if not +literally in the palm of his hand. The dullest and least imaginative +saw the endless possibilities in the application of his discovery to +the arts and sciences. During all of this time the young American had +kept himself under perfect control and had answered all questions in +the most deferential and respectful manner; and now, having received +from the King permission to continue, he went on: + +"The secret of my discovery lies in this little instrument, the +construction of which is known only to myself. The application of this +newly-discovered principle can be best understood by viewing my moving +pictures, which show it in actual operation. Now, with your most kind +permission I should like to inspect my apparatus to see that +everything is all right." + +And then, as if some sudden impulse which pleased him had flashed +across his mind, like the big healthy-minded boy that he was, and with +an irresistible smile on his face, he dropped into a more familiar +tone than he had allowed himself up to this time. + +"And to show you what I think of Englishmen," he said, "I will leave +this Deionizer in your keeping until I return. A gentle tap or two on +that hard-rubber shell and you will know its secret." He laid the +instrument with its little case beside it on the table in front of the +King and left the room escorted by a member of the Royal Family, young +Prince George of Windthorst, who insisted upon acting as his guide to +the Green Drawing Room. + +As the door closed upon them, the King rose, saying as he did so, +"Please remain seated." He walked into one of the windows and stood +for some minutes looking out over the park. Whatever it was that was +passing through his mind, it was not a pleasant thought, as was shown +by his hands, which were clasped behind his back so tightly that the +fingers were perfectly white; and the veins of his neck swelled, while +the muscles of his jaws were firmly set. No one dared to move. The +silence in the room was so intense that the men about the table, as if +caught by a spell, sat with unfinished gestures, like the figures in a +moving picture when the film catches. The clock on the mantel seemed +suddenly to have waked up and to be trying by its loud ticking to fool +itself into thinking that it had been ticking all the time. When the +time came for it to strike five o'clock, it went at it with such +resounding vim that Admiral Sir William Brown, who had served his +apprenticeship in the turrets, seemed to think that he had better open +his mouth to save his ear-drums. + +"War is war! All is fair! War is war! All is fair!" it seemed to say. + +The King finally turned, and walking back to the table picked up the +innocent-looking instrument. He turned it over and over in his hand +and then slowly and carefully wound the platinum wires about it as a +boy winds a top and placed it back into its leather case. As he put it +down on the table, he said, almost as if to himself: + +"We have come today to one of the turning points in the history of the +world. This is a remarkable man." + +After a moment, he turned to Underhill: "I think you have done your +country a great service today in averting what might have been an +appalling catastrophe. Do you not agree with me, Sir Egbert?" he +glanced toward the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + +"I do, Sire," the minister acquiesced thoughtfully. "If this man +represents the United States of America, it will not be long before +she will insist that this war be brought to an end upon her own terms, +and it would have been almost suicidal on our part to antagonize him. +She doubtless controls this instrument whose practical application +will probably be shown us by his pictures." + +"But what this man has just said to you, Sire," suggested Underhill, +"does not seem to bear out the idea that he is acting under +instructions from the present State Department at Washington." + +"If it please Your Majesty," interposed one of the statesmen of the +old school, "should we not make some formal representation to the +United States of America before this man be allowed to go to Berlin?" + +"I should not approve of that," dissented the King. "In the first +place, as far as we know, Mr. Edestone may have already communicated +with Berlin, Paris, and Petrograd. I do not think he would put himself +so completely in our power if he thought he was risking the +destruction of his entire scheme." + +"I believe, Your Majesty," said another sneeringly, "that this +melodramatic exit is just another Yankee bluff. You will probably find +in looking into it that the fellow has palmed the real instrument and +has forced this one on us by clever sleight of hand." + +"I disagree with you entirely," said the King, frowning and bringing +his hand down on the table as if to put an end to the discussion. "I +believe this man to be a gentleman and a thoroughly good sportsman." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + + +On entering the room, when he returned, Edestone, although he was +aware that the King had been notified and the attendants been given +orders to admit him, did not advance, but took his stand near the +door, looking neither to the right nor to the left. He permitted the +young Prince, his escort, who had discovered that they had many +friends in common, and whose sister it was that had been his +fellow-passenger on the _Ivernia_, to inform His Majesty that +everything was in readiness for the exhibition of the moving pictures. + +The King immediately beckoned the inventor forward and, picking up the +little instrument from the table, thrust it into Edestone's hands, +almost with an air of relief. + +"We appreciate the compliment you have paid us in believing that we +still play fair." There was in both his tone and action a touch of the +bluff heartiness of the naval officer, which was natural to him, and +showed that he had thrown off all restraint. "But do not, I beg of +you, do this again, even in England. These are desperate times; and +nations, like men, when fighting for their very existence, are quite +apt to forget their finer scruples. + +"My cousin in Berlin, I am convinced," and there was perhaps a hint of +warning in his smile, "would give the souls of half his people to know +what that little box contains; and, in his realm, it is the religion +of some of his benighted subjects to give him what he wants." + +Bowing slightly, Edestone took the little case, and, without even +looking at it, slipped it carelessly into the inside pocket of his +coat. + +"I knew that Your Majesty would understand me," he said in a tone +intended for the Royal ear alone, and with more emotion than he had +yet displayed. As he spoke, too, he lifted his hand in obedience to an +involuntary and apparently irresistible impulse. + +The King met him more than half-way. Reaching out, he grasped the +extended hand in his own, and standing thus the two men looked +straight into each other's eyes. + +The suppressed excitement which the scene created was so intense that +some of the spectators seemed to be suffering actual pain; and when, +after a fraction of a moment which seemed an age, the King released +the American's hand and spoke, there was an audible sigh of relief +that pervaded the entire room. + +"We will now look at the pictures," said His Majesty simply, and, +leading the way, he set out in the direction of the Green Drawing +Room. + +Edestone fell back and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment of the +pleasant glances which were thrown in his direction, as the Lords, +Generals, Admirals, and Ministers of State took their places in line, +clinging with an almost frantic tenacity, in response to the teachings +of the Catechism of the English Church, to their position "in that +state of life unto which it had pleased God to call" them. + +Thoroughly amused at the situation which compelled him to bring up the +rear of the procession like the piano-tuner or the gas-man, Edestone +marched along at the side of an attendant in livery, who evidently +looked upon him as a clever vaudeville artist that had been brought in +to entertain the company. He told the visitor, with a broad grin, that +he had frightened the other flunkey almost out of his wits with his +magic tricks. Edestone, his sense of humour aroused, thereupon gravely +offered to give a show in the servants' hall at two shillings a head, +half the receipts to be donated to the Red Cross, provided he was +given a guarantee of ten pounds; and when the fellow promised to +consider the proposal, pretended carefully to take down his name. + +The King, who, in the meantime, seemed to be in a sort of brown-study, +passed down the corridor with the long file of dignitaries following +him in order of precedence. But when His Majesty reached the Green +Drawing Room and, looking around, saw nothing of the American, he gave +a slight frown of annoyance. Immediately he directed that Edestone be +brought up and placed in a chair near himself, while the attendants +drew the curtains and extinguished the lights. + +After the room had been made perfectly dark, and the buzzing of the +cinematograph in its temporary cabinet indicated that everything was +in readiness, Edestone's operator, in response to a word from his +employer, threw upon the screen two or three portraits of the King and +various members of the Royal Family. This was not only by way of +compliment, but also to give assurance that the machine was in proper +working order. Edestone proposed to run no chances of a bungling or +incomplete presentation of his pictures. + +Satisfied at length, he rose and faced about toward his audience. + +"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said, after addressing the King,--for from +the gallery had come sounds which showed that, as Colonel Stewart had +suggested, some of the ladies of the Court were taking an interest in +the exhibition,--"I shall not trouble you to listen to a long, +scientific discourse on the theory of my discovery, nor how I have +made practical application of it. I shall simply throw the pictures on +the screen, letting them speak for themselves; and then, with His +Majesty's kind permission, shall be glad to answer any questions that +may be put to me. The first picture I shall show you is one of my +workshop in New York." + +There appeared on the screen a dark, somewhat indistinct interior, +which seemed to have been photographed from high up and looking down +through a long, shed-like building lighted from the roof. The immense +height of this roof was not at first apparent until it was compared +with the pigmy-like figures of the workmen who were busily engaged +about a great, black, cigar-shaped object, which had the general +appearance of a Zeppelin. In the dim light, there was nothing about +its aspect to distinguish it from the latest models of the German +air-ship, save that it seemed to be of heavier construction, as shown +by the great difficulty with which the men were moving it toward the +farther end of the shed, which was entirely open. + +"I would especially call your attention to the track upon which moves +the cradle that carries the large black object in the centre of the +picture," said Edestone. "The tires are made of hard rubber, and the +rails which are of steel rest on glass plates attached to each of the +tires. Thus, any object placed in the cradle becomes absolutely +insulated, and has no electrical connection with the earth, which, as +I have explained, are the requisite conditions to permit of +'Deionizing' by the use of an instrument similar to the one I have in +my pocket. Of course, though in actual operation we use a much larger +'Deionizer' than the little model I have shown you, and run it with a +hundred horse-power motor, instead of with a small spring and +watchworks. This track and cradle at which you are looking, although +they weigh many tons, can be easily taken apart and transported in +sections, as I stand ready to demonstrate." + +The film ended as he finished, and for a moment the screen was blank; +then with a little splutter from the cabinet, another picture +appeared. + +This was of a great open space, the most desolate and lonely stretch +of country that could well be imagined, a broad, open plain that +stretched on for miles and miles, perfectly flat, treeless and +uninhabited. The wind apparently was blowing violently, judging from +the way it tossed Edestone's hair about as, hatless, he walked back +and forth in the near foreground, shading his eyes from the sun with +his hand while he looked into the lens and called his directions to +the man who was working the camera. + +"That disreputable-looking individual is myself," he confessed. "My +hat had blown away, a circumstance quite inconvenient at the time, but +not without a certain element of present interest, as showing that a +high wind was blowing at that time." + +Behind him in the middle distance was a track and cradle similar to +the one shown in the first picture. The machine in the cabinet buzzed, +and clicked, and made a noise like that of a small boy rattling a +stick along a picket fence. A draught from some open window blowing +against the linen screen caused the flat, deserted plain to undulate +like the waves of the sea. The horizon bobbed up and down, showing +first a great expanse of sky, and then the foreground ran up to +infinity. The cradle was seen first at the right, and then at the left +of the picture. The clouds in the sky kept jumping about, as if the +operator was trying to follow some object aloft, but was unable to get +it into the field of his camera. + +The audience began to grow impatient. Had the apparatus got out of +order, they wondered, and were they to be cheated of the promised +sensation? But just then the screen steadied, and there appeared in +the upper left-hand corner of the picture a faint, far-away dot which +gradually assumed the form of a dirigible. Across the desolate +landscape it sailed, growing more and more distinct as it drew nearer. +It circled, turning first to the right and then to the left, rising +and descending, as if responding willingly to the touch of its unseen +pilot, until with a majestic swoop it hovered like a great bird +exactly over the cradle, and came to a standstill. + +To those among the spectators who had witnessed the evolutions of the +great battleships of the air over Lake Constance, there was nothing +notable about either the vessel or its performance, except that it +seemed larger, more solid, and had four great smoke stacks. In the +gale which was blowing, the volumes of inky smoke which poured from +the four great funnels were tossed about and flung away like long, +streaming ribbons; yet the ship itself was as steady as a great ocean +liner on a summer sea. + +On closer inspection, too, it was seen that on the upper side of the +craft there was a platform or deck running its full length, where men +were working away like sailors on a man-of-war, and from portholes and +turrets protruded great black things which looked like the muzzles of +guns. + +All at once, as if acting under an order from within, these were +trained on the spectators and simultaneously discharged, belching out +great rings of smoke. There was a stifled scream from the gallery at +this, but immediately the room grew quiet again, and the audience sat +as if spellbound awaiting further developments. A small door in the +starboard side now opened, and the figure of a man came running down a +gangway to a platform suspended under the ship, where, silhouetted +against the sky, he occupied himself in signalling to some one on the +ground. He was joined from time to time by others of the crew as the +vessel settled slowly toward the earth. + +When it was about one hundred and fifty feet above the cradle, +Edestone was seen to walk out with a megaphone in his hand, and +through it communicate instructions to the man on the bridge, in +evident obedience to which the airship settled still lower, until it +was not more than twenty feet above the top of the cradle. + +A ladder having then been lowered to Edestone, he climbed up it, +ascended the gangway, and disappeared into the interior of the great +cigar-shaped object, it all the time remaining absolutely stationary. +But he was not long lost to view. In a few minutes he re-appeared on +the top deck and a man by his side energetically waved a large flag. + +And as the two stood there, the airship began to move. + +Slowly at first, but gradually gaining momentum, it soared away across +the wastes, and soon was lost to sight. + +There was a moment after that when the room was dark, while horizontal +streaks of light chased each other from bottom to top across the +screen, and disappeared into the darkness from which they had come. + +Another picture followed, taken from the same viewpoint as the last. + +"Here she comes!" cried Edestone, seeming to forget for the moment +where he was, as a small speck which represented the approaching +airship disclosed itself. "This time in the upper right-hand corner of +the picture. See! I am on board, and I am driving her at one hundred +and ten miles." And he followed with his pointer the swift course of +the vessel, as it shot down the screen like a great comet, leaving a +long tail of smoke behind it. To the overwrought nerves of the +audience, the buzz and splutter of the moving-picture machine seemed +to increase in volume, and thus lend a semblance of reality to the +monster as it swept nearer and nearer. + +Straight for the camera it was headed, grim, threatening, +irresistible, as if it were preparing to rush out of the screen and +destroy Buckingham Palace. The spectators with difficulty kept their +seats, and when the formidable thing dashed by and disappeared at the +side of the picture, they settled back in their chairs with an +unmistakable sigh of relief. + +It appeared again, after making a great circle, returning slowly now, +and dropping lightly as a feather to the cradle, where it remained +perfectly still, while the black smoke enveloped it in a veil of +mystery. + +The machine in the cabinet stopped, and some one was heard to say in a +loud whisper, "Lights!" Admiral Brown was the first of the assembly to +recover. He sprang to his feet and like a wounded old lion at bay +stood glaring at Edestone. His rugged weather-beaten face convulsed +with suppressed rage, which but for the presence of the King would +have exploded upon Edestone after the manner of the old-fashioned +sea-dog that he was, but holding himself in check he said loudly and +challengingly: + +"If there is no objection I will ask the young man to repeat the last +picture, and I would also like to inquire with what material the +framework of this ship is covered, and what is the calibre of those +large guns--if they are guns?" + +"Will you please be so kind as to answer the Admiral's questions, Mr. +Edestone?" said the King. + +"The material which I used through her entire length of 907 feet, both +top and bottom, is Harveyized steel, six feet thick; and the largest +gun is sixteen inches," replied Edestone slowly, enjoying the look of +blank amazement which spread over the Admiral's face as he dropped +back into his chair gasping and mopping his brow. + +"This is the end of everything. I wish I had never lived to see the +day!" The old sailor sat like a man who had seen a vision so appalling +that it robbed him of his reason. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!" + + +The King, of all the company, seemed to be the only one who had +remained perfectly cool. He was like a man who realizing the gravity +of the situation yet had nerved himself to meet it. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, as if speaking to one of his own naval +officers, "you will please show the last two pictures again, and for +the benefit of Admiral Brown you might give us some further details in +regard to the ship's equipment and armament. May I also ask you where +these pictures were taken?" + +"On the flat plains in the centre of the island of Newfoundland," +Edestone informed him, "between the White Bear River and the east +branch of the Salmon, and from fifty to seventy-five miles from the +seacoast on the south. If Your Majesty will look into the middle +distance when the second picture is again thrown on the screen you +will see some small, dark objects; these are one of those immense +herds of caribou, which happen to be moving south over this vast +barren at the time of year that these pictures were taken--that is, in +October." + +He observed that the face of the King took on an expression blended +partly of astonishment and partly of resentment when he mentioned the +name of one of the Colonial possessions of the Empire, and hastened to +add: + +"You will find, Sire, if you inquire of the Governor of that Province +that I was there with the full knowledge and consent of Your Majesty's +Government to carry on certain scientific experiments. I selected this +deserted spot, so far removed from all human habitation, because there +I should not be disturbed. Until I showed these pictures here today no +one outside of my own men knew the nature of these experiments. The +guns were loaded with nothing more harmful than several hundred pounds +of black powder to produce the display of force which you have just +seen. I will admit," he granted with a smile, "that if the newspapers +had got word of what was going on there they might have made some +excitement; I can assure you, however, that no act of mine could be +construed even by our most susceptible and timid State Department as a +violation of neutrality." + +"But where is your ship now?" asked the King, while the rest of the +company held their breath, awaiting the answer. + +"That, Your Majesty, for reasons of state, I regret I cannot at this +time tell you, but you have my word and that of our Secretary that +wherever she may be, her mission is one of peace." + +"Peace!" snorted Admiral Brown. "With a six-foot armour-belt and +sixteen-inch guns! It is a ship of war, Your Majesty. We have the +right to demand whether or not it is now on or over British soil, and +if it is, to make such representations to the United States Government +as will cause her to withdraw it at once and apologize for having +violated the dignity of Great Britain." + +"And if they should refuse, Sir William," asked the King, with a weary +smile, "would you undertake to drive it off? + +"No, Admiral," he continued, "up to this time we have no official +knowledge of this airship's existence. Until we have, we will take Mr. +Edestone's assurance that his own and his country's intentions to us +are friendly." + +A wave of hot indignation had swept over the entire assembly, and it +was with some difficulty that the King was able to restore order. + +"Please continue with your pictures, Mr. Edestone," he said in a tone +of authority. + +The lights again went out, the machine in the cabinet began to turn, +and as the dramatic scene was re-enacted before them his audience sat +in perfect silence while Edestone, as though he were recounting the +simplest and most ordinary facts, gave out the following information: + +"This ship has a length over all of 907 feet. Its beam is 90 feet. Its +greatest circular dimension is described with a radius of 48 feet. She +would weigh, loaded with ammunition, fuel, provisions, and crew, if +brought in contact with the earth, 40,000 tons. Her weight as she +travels, after making allowance for the air displacement is generally +kept at about 3000 tons, which automatically adjusts itself to the +density of the surrounding atmosphere, but can be reduced to nothing +at pleasure. Its full speed has never been reached. This is simply a +matter of oil consumption; I have had her up to 180 miles. Her +steaming radius is about 50,000 miles, depending upon the speed. She +carries twelve 16-inch guns, twenty-two 6-inch guns, sixteen 4-inch +anti-aircraft guns, eight 3-pounders, four rapid-fire guns, six aerial +torpedo tubes, and six bomb droppers, which can simultaneously +discharge tons of explosives. She has a complement of 1400 officers +and men. She required three years and eight months to build at a cost +of $10,000,000. In action her entire ship's company is protected by at +least six feet of steel, and there is no gun known that can pierce her +protection around the vital parts. As you have seen, she can approach +to within a few feet of the surface and remain perfectly stationary in +that position as long as she is not brought in electrical contact with +the earth." + +The machine in the cabinet had stopped. As the lights were again +turned on, Edestone, glancing in the direction of the gallery and +seeing that there was no one there, bowed merely to the company before +him. "I thank Your Majesty, Lords, and Gentlemen for your very kind +attention," he said. He then stood quietly, waiting respectfully for +the King to speak. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the King as he rose, "you have certainly given us +a most instructive afternoon, and you must be exhausted after your +efforts." He turned to Colonel Stewart, "Please insist upon Mr. +Edestone taking some refreshments before he leaves Buckingham Palace." + +He grasped the inventor firmly by the hand. "Good-bye, Mr. Edestone. I +shall probably not see you again," and bowing to the rest of the +company he left the room deep in conversation with Sir Egbert Graves. + +Edestone immediately became the centre of attraction. + +"The King is dead; long live the King!" expresses the eagerness with +which man adapts himself to a new order of things. The older men were +stunned and seemed unable to throw off the gloom that had settled upon +them. They bowed to the inevitable fall of the old and its replacement +by the new. They were not buoyed up by the elasticity and confidence +of youth; they seemed to realize that their race was run and that it +were better that they step aside and give to younger men the task of +solving a new problem in a new way. They sat perfectly still with +dejected faces that seemed to see only dissolution. + +The younger men were quicker to recover, and as they felt the old +foundations crumbling under their feet, saw visions of a new and +greater edifice. They gloried in the development of the age as they +did in their own strength to keep abreast of it, and rushed to meet +progress, to join it, and to become one with it. They did not stop to +think what the future might have in store for them, but seemed to be +intoxicated by its possibilities. + +Crowding around Edestone they probed him with questions which he +answered with the greatest patience and in the most modest, quiet, and +dignified manner. When asked a question almost childish in its +simplicity, he appeared to acknowledge the compliment in the +assumption that he knew the answer, and gave it with the same +precision as one which called for the most complicated mathematical +calculation and reference to the most intricate formulae of the laws +of mechanics and physics. He was rescued and borne away by Colonel +Stewart who announced that, acting under His Majesty's order, he was +obliged to give him some refreshments, whether he wanted them or not, +and if he did not come at once to his quarters and have a drink he +would be forced to order out the Guards. Drawing him aside the Colonel +whispered, "I must see you alone before you leave the Palace." + +Edestone turned and slowly left the room, bowing to each of the +separate groups. + +"Now," said Colonel Stewart, "come to my quarters first, as I have +something rather confidential to tell you. You can come back and join +the others afterward, if you care to." + +When they were comfortably seated in the Colonel's private apartments, +and had provided themselves with drinks and cigars, the equerry leaned +toward his charge a trifle impressively. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, "you do not look like a chap who would lose +his nerve if he suddenly found himself in a position that was more or +less dangerous. Indeed I rather gather that you are like one of your +distinguished Admirals--ready at all times for a fight or a frolic." + +Edestone smiled. + +"The facts are, Mr. Edestone, that you are in a pretty ticklish +position, and had not Mr. Underhill notified Scotland Yard when he +did, I do not know what might have happened. These German spies who +have been following you all day are well known to them, and when our +men picked you up, which was when you left the Admiralty and were +talking to the taxi-chauffeur, they were convinced that you were in +real danger. Then when you were directed to the German restaurant and +afterward left it in the taxicab with this man Smith they had your cab +followed, at the same time notifying Mr. Underhill, and covering your +hotel." + +"This is most interesting," said Edestone; "but if the business of +these men is known why are they not arrested?" + +"Mr. Edestone," said Colonel Stewart, "we Englishmen are not credited +with any sense by our friends the enemy, and relying upon our supposed +stupidity their work, which they take so much pride in, is by no means +as secret as they suppose it to be. There have been in London +thousands of what the Germans term 'fixed posts.' These are men who +have established places of business and have lived in the community +from ten to fifteen years. They receive a salary from the German +Government running from two pounds to four pounds a month and all +incurred expenses. The 'fixed post' men report to men higher up, who, +in turn, report to the Diplomatic Service. Under them, too, are all of +the patriotic emigrants from Germany, who act as spies without being +conscious of the fact that they are doing so. These receive no pay for +bringing in the bits of scandal or other information which is all +carefully noted and kept on file in Berlin under a system of card +indexes. + +"That man Munchinger who keeps the restaurant where you lunched, and +the barber Hottenroth at your hotel, are both of them 'fixed post' +men. This American architect was new and had not been quite placed as +yet. The chauffeur also seems to be one of them, although he is +entirely unknown to Scotland Yard. + +"When you discharged your first taxi and took another, Smith and the +chauffeur spy followed you until they were frightened off by seeing my +carriage with the royal livery in front of your hotel. They drove off +then with such a rush that the chauffeur must have lost control of his +car, for it plunged into the Thames with Smith inside it, and before +he could be reached and rescued he was drowned. The chauffeur was +either drowned or ran away, as nothing has been seen of him since." + +Edestone rose, his face stern as he learned the news of Smith's fate. +"Colonel Stewart," he declared sharply, "that poor devil was +murdered." And to support his accusation he told briefly of Smith's +confession and behaviour in the cab. + +The Colonel bowed. "I shall see that these facts are turned over to +the authorities," he said, "but at present I am more concerned in +regard to you. These men are fanatics, you must understand, whose +faith teaches them to do anything that is for the benefit of the +Fatherland. We know most of them. We do not arrest them because they +are more useful to us as they are. As soon as one is arrested he is +immediately replaced by another, and it takes some little time before +we can pick up the new one. We have received reports to the effect +that a small army of them have been around Buckingham Palace all +afternoon, as well as at your hotel; so it is evident that Smith's +story was no fancy and that these men are after you in desperate +earnest. Would you mind telling me, Mr. Edestone, what are your plans +for the future?" + +"Not at all. My movements are extremely simple. I shall return to my +hotel, where I expect to remain until I retire. A friend of mine, an +American, Mr. Rebener, whom I have known for a great many years, will +dine with me there this evening." + +"An old friend of yours you say?" The Colonel's eyes narrowed +slightly. + +"Yes," replied Edestone. "I have known him for fifteen years." For +reasons of his own he had made it a point not to include Rebener's +name among those mentioned by Smith in his confession, nor did he +refer to it now. + +Colonel Stewart hesitated a moment. "Of course, Mr. Edestone," he said +finally, "you Americans are neutrals and are at liberty to select your +friends where you please, but my advice to you would be not to take +London as the place to entertain people with German names. You will +probably understand that we cannot take any chances." + +"I have known Mr. Rebener," repeated Edestone, "for years. He is one +of our most prominent men, and I am confident that he would not lend +himself to any of these Middle-Age methods." + +"You can never tell," said Colonel Stewart darkly. "Germany holds out +to the faithful the promise of great rewards at the end of this war, +which she has convinced them cannot fail to end successfully for her." + +"No," the American insisted stubbornly. "Mr. Rebener might readily +sell to Germany a few million dollars' worth of munitions of war, and +likewise tell his friend, Count Bernstoff, anything that he might +hear. I will even go so far as to say that he might make an especial +effort to pick up bits of gossip here in London; and he will almost +certainly endeavour to use his influence with me in favour of Germany. +But that he would take part in a plot to kill, kidnap, or rob me is +incredible." + +"I see you are determined to have your own way, Mr. Edestone," the +Colonel smiled, "so I come now to the most difficult part of my +mission. What do you propose to do with that instrument which you now +carry so carelessly in your coat pocket? You can readily understand +that it is not safe in your hotel, or, in fact, at hardly any other +place in London outside of the vaults of the Bank of England. We are +put in the delicate position of having to protect it without having +the privilege of asking that it be put in our charge." + +"I appreciate all that you say and have considered destroying it, but +have now come to the conclusion to keep it always with me, for, after +all that you tell me, I think that I am in pretty safe hands in +London." + +"But think, my dear fellow," cried the Colonel jumping up, "what might +happen if this thing falls into the hands of the Germans! To prevent +that it would be my duty to shoot you on the spot." + +"Good work! Right-o!" laughed Edestone. "You have my permission to +shoot whenever it goes to the Germans. Don't worry. They'll not murder +and rob me in the middle of dear old London with all your fellows +about, and I do not expect to leave the hotel tonight." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + + +As Edestone and Colonel Stewart were leaving the Palace, they were met +by the young Prince of the Blood, who seemed bent upon renewing his +acquaintance with his American friend. + +"I say, Edestone," he greeted him, "you really must not leave before +giving me an opportunity of presenting you to some of the ladies of +the Court. You are the lion of the day and they are anxious to meet +you. My sister, Princess Billy, is almost in tears and hysterical. She +insisted upon seeing your pictures because she said that you were an +old friend of hers she had met on the steamer coming over from +America." + +Accepting, Edestone smiled as he thought of the undignified manner of +their meeting, and was taken in charge by the young man. + +Colonel Stewart made his excuses when the invitation was extended to +him, saying: "Mr. Edestone, I shall wait for you in the Guards' Room," +and, turning to the young man, he added: "I deliver him into your +hands, and I hold you responsible for his valuable person which must +be delivered to me there." + +Edestone was then taken in charge by the young Prince, who proudly +bore him off to deliver him into the hands of the ladies. He was +rather bored with the idea, and would have preferred to have gone +directly to his hotel, as he had had an eventful day and he did not +feel in the humour for the small talk of the tea-table. + +He was taken into one of the smaller rooms where several ladies and +young officers in khaki were just finishing their tea. The atmosphere +of the room was offensively heavy with the strong odour of iodoform. +His pity was aroused when he suddenly realized that almost every man +in the room bore the unmistakable mark of service in the trenches. It +was the first time that he had been brought violently into contact +with the far-reaching and horrible devastation of this cruel war. One +pitiful figure, a young man of about twenty-two who sat apart from the +rest, so affected him that he scarcely recovered himself in time to +acknowledge the great kindness of the Duchess of Windthorst, who was +receiving him in the most gracious manner. This boy was totally blind. +Edestone was filled with admiration for these descendants of the +Norman conquerors, who in their gallantry and patriotism responded so +quickly to the call of their country, while the miserable swine whose +homes and families were being protected by these noble men were +instigating strikes and riots under the leadership of a band of +traitors who hid their cowardice behind labour organizations, or +attempted to mislead the disgusted world by windy speeches on the +subject of humanitarism into which position they were not followed by +the very women that they were giving as their excuse for their +treasonable acts. + +The Duchess presented him to Princess Wilhelmina and the others. In +the soft and rich voice of the Englishwoman of culture and refinement, +which always charmed him, she said: + +"Mr. Edestone, my daughter tells me that you came over on the +_Ivernia_ with us." + +"No, no, mamma!" interrupted the Princess, with a frown and nervous +little laugh. "I said that Mrs. Brown said that she thought that Mr. +Edestone was on board." + +The Duchess acknowledged this correction, and with the cool effrontery +that only a woman can carry off to her entire satisfaction, she then +pretended that this was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on +him, when as a matter of fact she and the Princess had discussed this +remarkable, independent individual, who had so quietly and alone +occupied the large suite adjoining theirs. + +"Do sit down, Mr. Edestone," she smiled, "and tell us about your +wonderful electrical gun or ship. I really know so little about +electricity that I could not understand what my daughter has just been +telling me." And then, as if to save him from the great embarrassment +of speaking, which she felt that he must have in her presence, she +hastened to continue: "I am really so sorry that I did not know you +were a fellow-passenger or I should most certainly have had you +presented. I am very fond of you Americans, I find them most charming +and so original, you know." + +Edestone bowed. + +"I really became quite attached to your Mr. Bradley, who was on board. +I think you call him 'Diamond King John.' He was most attractive," +and, with a charming smile, "he showed me his diamond suspender +buttons; and he dances beautifully, my daughter tells me. I understand +that Mr. Bradley is one of your oldest Arizona families--or was it +Virginia?--I am so stupid about the names of your different counties. +But I agree with him that family is not everything, and that clothes +make the gentleman. He tells me that he gets all of his clothes from +the same tailor as the Duke. Do you get your clothes in London, Mr. +Edestone?" And then, seeing an expression on Edestone's face which +indicated to her that he was going to be bold enough to attempt to +enter into the conversation, hastily added: "No, of course not, you +would naturally get yours in New York, where Mr. Bradley tells me that +the finish of the buttonholes is much better on account of the +enormous salaries that you very rich Americans are able to pay your +tailors. No tea, Mr. Edestone? How foolish of me to ask! You would +like to have one of those American drinks; what is it you call them? +Cockplumes? My son could make one for you. Madame La Princesse de +Blanc taught him how to make one." + +Edestone smilingly declined. + +The Duchess, who by this time was beginning to feel that perhaps Mr. +Edestone would not insist upon taking off his coat or squatting Indian +fashion on the floor, continued: + +"My son tells me that it was at her house in Paris that he had the +pleasure of making your acquaintance." + +"Yes, Duchess," nodded Edestone. + +"She is a most delightful little American," continued the Duchess. "So +bright, natural, unconventional, and original. And she chews tobacco +in the most fascinating manner." + +Edestone all this time had been debating in his mind whether this +silly prattle was the result of real ignorance, snobbishness, or +kindness of heart. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, however, and, +wishing to show her that she might put her mind at rest as to his +ability to overcome any embarrassment that he might have had, said +with a perfectly solemn face: + +"You should have asked your friend, Mr. Bradley, to show you his +suspenders themselves, Duchess. They are, I am told, set with rubies, +sapphires, and diamonds, and cost, I understand, $10,000." + +"How very odd," said the Duchess. + +"And I am sure," he continued, "that he feels as proud of having +danced with the Princess as she could have been at having been the +recipient of so much attention at the hands of 'King John,' who +apparently is also a Prince Charming." + +And then ignoring their pretence of having just seen him for the first +time, in a most natural manner Edestone referred to the episodes of +the crossing. + +Turning to the Princess, who all this time had vainly endeavoured to +check her mother, and changing his manner out of deference for her +youth and inexperience, and assuming a more humble demeanour, he +continued: + +"I sincerely hope, Princess, that I did not hurt you when I was forced +to handle you so roughly, but it was blowing almost a hurricane." + +"I forgive you, Mr. Edestone," she said with a charming smile, "for +hurting my arm; but," with a little pout, "I don't think I can forgive +you for hurting my feelings. Why did you not ask Mr. Bradley to +present you? He said that he knew you very well." + +"Oh, I was rather afraid," laughed Edestone, "to suggest this to him. +You know we do not move in exactly the same set, and I did not wish to +give him an opportunity to snub me. Now that he does speak so +familiarly of his royal friends, I thought that he might consider me a +bit presumptuous." + +"You don't mean to say," snorted the Duchess, "that that creature +would dare to speak of me as a friend?" + +"Well," said Edestone, "I shall do him the justice of saying that I am +quite certain he would not if he did not believe that you were, and +did not think that it was perfectly natural that you should be." + +The Princess, who was looking at Edestone with an intense look, of +which however she was absolutely unconscious, broke in impatiently: + +"Oh, mamma, do stop talking about that dreadful man and ask Mr. +Edestone to tell us something about his wonderful work." A light came +into her eyes which would have alarmed an American mother had she seen +it in the eyes of her daughter at a mixed summer resort. + +Edestone was anxious to get away as he took absolutely no interest in +this particular phase of life; yet he did not wish to appear +unappreciative of the great honour that had been conferred upon him by +these ladies of such high rank. However, an opportunity soon presented +itself which permitted him to retire, and he bowed himself out of the +room, but not, it must be admitted, until he had answered a number of +questions which the Princess insisted on putting to him. He did this +with perfect deference, yet in such a businesslike way that she was +convinced, should a year elapse before he next saw her, he would +probably not recognize her. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + + +As Edestone left the Palace in company with Colonel Stewart, and the +two took their seats in the waiting carriage, he was amused to see a +troop of cavalry, which had been drawn up before the entrance, fall in +about them as an escort. The men were all dressed in khaki, and, +judging from their equipment, they were fixed for business more than a +mere guard of honour. A smart, young officer rode up and, saluting the +Colonel, asked: "Where to, sir?" + +"To Claridge's." The Colonel saluted in return. + +The carriage started, and the troopers, clattering out of the +courtyard, closed up about it in a fashion which showed that they were +going to take no chances with their valuable charge. + +Edestone laughed at himself with his high hat and frock-coat as a +centre for all this military panoply. It recalled to him an +old-fashioned print he had seen when a boy, representing Abraham +Lincoln at the front. + +"You don't mean to tell me that you really consider this necessary?" +he chaffed his companion. + +Colonel Stewart nodded gravely. "They will make no attempt on your +life, Mr. Edestone," he added reassuringly, "except as a last resort; +but they are determined to have your secret. They prefer to get it +with your co-operation and assent. If not, they want it anyhow. +Finally, they stand ready to accomplish its destruction and your own +rather than permit England to obtain it." + +Arriving at the hotel, the soldiers were drawn up in line while he +entered the door. To his surprise, moreover, the Colonel and two of +the cavalry-men accompanied him to the door of his apartment. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the Royal Equerry, "I am sorry, but my orders are +to place a sentry at your door. You are not of course to consider +yourself in any sense a prisoner, but an honoured guest whose safety +is of paramount importance. Should you at any time wish to leave your +apartment, notify Captain Bright by telephone at the hotel office +where he will be stationed, and he will act as your escort. My advice, +however, is that you remain in the hotel." Giving a military salute, +he retired, leaving the two soldiers posted in the corridor. + +A moment later, Edestone was summoned to the door to find that the +sentries had halted Black and Stanton whom he had directed to report +to him immediately on his return to the hotel. + +A word from him proved sufficient to secure the admission of his +moving-picture experts; nevertheless, the three gazed at one another +uneasily as they stood within the room. + +"What is it, Mr. Edestone?" Black's eyes rounded up. "They haven't +placed you under arrest, have they?" + +Edestone shook his head. "Apparently not. At least they tell me I am +under no restraint, and, as they might say to a little boy about to be +spanked, that this is all for my own good. Whether or not this is +merely a polite subterfuge, and they intend to postpone my departure +from London from time to time in a way that can give no offence to our +Government, yet would spoil all my plans, I am still uncertain." + +"By Jove, it might be worth while trying to find out," flared up +Stanton, bristling at the very suggestion of an indignity to his +adored chief. "If they've got anything of that kind up their sleeves, +we could soon show them that----" + +"No." Edestone spoke up a trifle sharply. "I have decided to let the +situation develop itself." + +His manner indicated that he wished the subject dropped; but, after he +had given the two men the orders for which he had summoned them, and +dismissed them, he fell into a rather perturbed reverie. + +After all, might it not be well, as Stanton had urged, to assure +himself in regard to John Bull's honourable intentions? His mind +reverted to an expedient which he had already considered and cast +aside. It was to communicate with the American Ambassador, get his +passports, and start for Paris at once. Then, if he were halted, the +purpose of the British Government would be made plain and its +hypocrisy exposed. + +But, to tell the truth, he rather shrank from such a revelation. +Suppose he forced their hand in this way, and they should retaliate, +either by attempting to detain him in England, or insisting upon his +return to his own country? Was he prepared to----? + +As Underhill had said, blood is thicker than water; and there were in +his nature many ties that bound him to the mother-country. + +No, he concluded; if there was cause to worry, he would meet the +emergency when it arose. Anyhow, he was not of the worrying kind. He +threw himself down upon the sofa, since even for him it had been a +rather strenuous day, and soon was fast asleep. + +He was awakened by James. "It is 7:30, sir, and you are dining at 8 +o'clock." Then with a perfectly stolid face: "I beg pardon, sir, what +clothes will you take to the Tower, sir? The hall porter says, sir, +that with all these soldiers around, they are certainly going to stand +you up before a firing squad. And Hottenroth, the barber, says as how +every American that comes to London is more or less a German spy. But +he is a kind of a foreigner himself, sir. A Welshman, he says he is, +and he talks in a very funny way." + +"No, they are not going to stand me up before a firing squad," +Edestone halted this flood of intelligence, as he sprang up from the +sofa; "but I shall turn myself into one, and fire the whole lot of +you, if you don't stop talking so much. Now hurry up, and get me +dressed. I don't want to keep Mr. Rebener waiting." + +Yet even with James's adept assistance, he found the time scant for +the careful toilet upon which he always insisted; and it was almost on +the stroke of the hour when at last he was ready. + +Snatching his hat and cane from James, he started hurriedly out of the +door, but found himself abruptly challenged by the sentry just outside +whose presence he had for the moment completely forgotten. + +"Excuse me, sir," the soldier saluted, "but my orders are to notify +Captain Bright, if you wish to leave your rooms." + +He blew a whistle, summoning a comrade who suddenly appeared from +nowhere. + +"Notify Captain Bright," he directed; then, in response to Edestone's +good-humoured but slightly sarcastic protests: "I'm sorry, sir, but +those are my orders." + +"Has England declared war on the United States?" said Edestone. + +"I don't know, sir," the sentry grinned. "We seem to be taking on all +comers." Then standing at attention, he waited until the soldier, who +had returned from telephoning, came forward to announce that the +Captain presented his apologies and would be right up. + +A moment later Captain Bright himself came panting down the corridor. +He expressed profound regret that any inconvenience should have been +caused, but explained, as Colonel Stewart had already done, that he +was held personally responsible for Edestone's safety, and had +instructions to accompany him wherever he might go. + +"Very well, Captain; I bow to the inevitable. May I trouble you to +conduct me to the dining-room?" And he strolled toward the lift at the +side of the tall cavalryman. + +But in the office they encountered Rebener himself writing a note on +the back of his card. + +"Oh, there you are, Jack?" he hailed Edestone. "I was just sending you +a note asking you if you wouldn't come and dine with me at the Britz +instead of here. It is too damn stupid here. Not that it's very bright +anywhere in London at present, but at least there's a little bit more +life at the Britz." + +"Who is stopping here anyhow? Royalty?" he interrupted himself. "There +are soldiers all over the place." + +"Yes; I am the recipient of that little attention," laughed the young +American. "Let me introduce Captain Bright here, who is acting as my +especial chaperon." + +"What? You surely haven't run afoul of the War Department?" Rebener +rolled his eyes. "That sounds more like our friends, the barbarians, +than Englishmen. But, say, you are joking of course; you're not really +in trouble? Seriously is there anything you want me to do for you? I +have quite a little pull over at the War Offices, you know." + +"No, thank you; I am leaving for Paris tomorrow." He looked straight +into Rebener's eyes, without giving the slightest hint in his +expression of the disclosure which had been made to him by the +unfortunate Smith. "It is simply that Captain Bright thinks there are +some people who might do something to me. I don't know exactly what it +is, but he insists on preventing them anyhow; so there you are. How +about it, Captain? Am I permitted to dine with Mr. Rebener at the +Britz? I think the Britz is a perfectly safe place for two American +business men." + +"As you please, Mr. Edestone." The Captain drew himself up. "My orders +are to escort you, though, wherever you go." He raised his hand toward +a sergeant who was standing just inside the door. + +"What! You are not going to take all the 'Tommies' along too?" +expostulated Rebener. "Oh, I say; you come along yourself, Captain, +and dine with us, but leave the men behind. I will see that Edestone +doesn't come to any grief." + +"Sorry." The officer's tone ended any further argument. "I shall keep +my men as much out of sight as possible; but it will be necessary for +them to accompany us." + +"You see." Edestone smiled somewhat ruefully. "I can't even go out to +buy a paper, without turning it into a sort of Fourth of July parade." + +On going to the door they found that one of the royal carriages was +waiting for them, and after the two men were seated, and the Captain +had given the directions to the coachman, they dashed off in the midst +of a cavalcade. + +"By the way," Rebener vouchsafed as they drove along, "I have taken +the liberty of inviting Lord Denton and Mr. Karlbeck, two friends of +mine, to dine with us tonight, and as Lord Denton is in mourning, he +has asked that I have dinner in my apartment. I hope that is all +right?" + +"Certainly," assented Edestone. "Lord Denton, you say? I don't think I +have ever met him, have I? And isn't he just a little supersensitive +to raise a scruple of that sort? It seems to me that practically +everybody over here is in mourning. Fact is, I don't feel like going +to a ball myself." His face saddened, as he thought of the many good +fellows he had met on former visits to London who now lay underneath +the sod of Northern France and Belgium. + +But by this time they were at the Britz and the proprietor was bowing +them inside, apparently so accustomed to receiving men of distinction +with military escort that he did not even notice the lines of trim +cavalrymen which drew themselves up on either side of his entrance. + +"Will you gentlemen dine in the public restaurant?" asked Captain +Bright, stepping up to Edestone. + +"No," Rebener took it upon himself to answer. "We are going to have a +little _partie carre_ in my apartment." + +"In that case," said the Captain, "I regret that I shall have to +station men on that floor." + +Rebener frowned as if he were about to voice a protest, but at that +moment the proprietor called him over to consult with him in regard to +the menu. + +For a moment or two they discussed it calmly enough; then as the +proprietor began to gesticulate and wax vehement, Rebener spoke over +his shoulder to his guest. + +"Excuse me, Jack," he said, "but M. Bombiadi insists that I hold a +council of war with him over the selection of the wines. He declines +to accept the responsibility with such a distinguished personage as +you seem to have become." Then lowering his voice, he added with a +wink: "He is evidently impressed with that military escort of yours, +for all that he pretended not to notice it. I won't be away a minute." + +He was hurried by the proprietor through the office and into one of +the small duplex apartments on the main floor. Passing through the +pantry and dining-room of the apartment out into the little private +hall with its street door on Piccadilly, and up a short flight of +marble steps with an iron railing, he was ushered into a handsomely +furnished little parlour. + +There, standing in front of the mantelpiece was a man who did not look +like an Englishman, but more like a German Jew. He was perfectly bald +and had a black beard which was rather long and trimmed to a point. +His nose was unmistakable, and taken with his thick, red lips showed +pretty well what he was and whence he came. Talking to him very +earnestly was another man, who was much smaller, and who was also +German to the finger-tips. + +Pausing on the threshold, M. Bombiadi with the servile and cringing +tone always assumed by those frock-coated criminals, European hotel +proprietors, asked humbly: "May we come in, Your Royal Highness?" + +But Rebener, with the air of a man who was not accustomed to, or else +declined to consider, such formalities, unhesitatingly brushed the +proprietor aside, and walked up to the two men. + +"I am sorry to be late," he said in a thoroughly businesslike manner, +"but Bombiadi here has doubtless explained the reason for it." Then, +as if he purposely refused to acknowledge the high rank of either of +the two men by waiting for them to speak, he said brusquely, even with +a slight touch of contempt: "Bombiadi tells me that you want to speak +with me, before we meet at the table." + +"Yes, Mr. Rebener," said the smaller man, bowing with exaggerated +ceremony. "If it is not asking too much of you, I am sure that His +Royal Highness will appreciate your kindness." + +The silky smoothness of his manner seemed to disgust Rebener. + +"Now, look here, Karlbeck, don't try to get friendly with me," he drew +back as the other attempted to lay a hand upon his arm. "I am not in +love with this business, anyhow. I am German, and I am proud of the +Fatherland, as she stands with her back against the wall, fighting the +entire civilized world--and some of the barbaric;--but you two fellows +are Englishmen, and----" + +"Pardon me, Mr. Rebener," the man with the beard broke in angrily. +"You seem to forget to whom you are speaking." + +"No, that is just the trouble," cried Rebener with a loud laugh. "I +can't seem to forget it. And if Your Royal Highness insists upon +keeping on your crown, you had better let Mr. Edestone and myself dine +alone." + +"Please, Mr. Rebener. Please not so loud," cautioned the proprietor, +pale with terror. "One never knows who may be listening." + +"I have a word for you too." Rebener turned, and shook a threatening +finger in his face. "If I find that you cut-throats have murdered +Schmidt, I will turn you over to the London police, and let you be +hanged as common murderers without having any of the glory of dying +for your country. I distinctly told you, that I would not stand for +that sort of thing. He was a miserable creature, but he was an +American, and we Americans, even if we have got German blood, are not +traitors to the country of our adoption." And he looked with a sneer +at the two Englishmen. "Now, if any of you are planning to indulge in +any of your pretty little tricks with Mr. Edestone tonight, I give you +fair warning. I will call Captain Bright in, and turn the whole lot of +you over to him. I think he would be rather surprised to find His +Royal Highness in such company." + +The man with the beard was literally white with rage. The thick veins +swelled along his neck, and his lower lip was trembling. But he +controlled himself with an effort, and endeavoured to speak calmly. + +"Now, now, Mr. Rebener," he said, "you are unnecessarily excited, and +I therefore overlook your disrespect toward me. There is no intention +whatever of doing any violence to Mr. Edestone. We hope merely to +prevail on him to talk." + +"What good will his talking do?" cried the smaller man before his +associate could silence him. "We know all that he said today at +Buckingham Palace. What we want is his instrument, and if we're not +going after that, what use is this dinner, I would like to know?" + +"I can't tell you," rejoined Rebener, "unless His Royal Highness would +be willing to show his hand, and try to persuade Edestone to take our +view of the matter." + +A sharp retort trembled on the lips of the Jewish-looking man, but +just then he caught sight of Bombiadi out of the corner of his eyes +gesticulating and making signs to him from behind Rebener's back. + +"I suppose that is the only chance left us," he pretended to consider. +"We can try it at any rate. I suppose, too, we had better come to your +apartment immediately. Remember, though, we are to remain incognito +until I give the word. In the meantime, we are simply 'Lord Denton' +and 'Mr. Karlbeck.'" + +On that agreement, Rebener left; but the proprietor, after following +him far enough to make sure that he was out of earshot, returned to +the little parlour where the other men waited. + +"We will have to leave him out of our calculations," he shook his +head. "He is not heart and soul in the cause as is your Royal +Highness. However, it can be managed without Rebener. + +"Hottenroth has telephoned me that he thinks Edestone has the +instrument on his person, but cannot make sure, as his rooms at +Claridge's are too closely guarded to permit of a search. We must go +upon the assumption that he has it with him, however, and get it away +from him. That plan of Your Royal Highness's will work perfectly, I am +sure. I will call Edestone to the telephone while you are at dinner, +and since the rest of you will all remain at the table, how can +Rebener suspect either of you gentlemen any more than he would suspect +himself. + +"Now, I will return in a few minutes, and take you up to Mr. Rebener's +apartment. No one knows of your presence in the house so far, I can +assure you, and the servants on that floor may be thoroughly depended +upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + + +When Rebener got back to the entrance hall he found Edestone standing +talking with an American newspaper correspondent, and as he came up +heard the inventor say: "Well you can say that if I sell my discovery +to anyone it will be to the United States, and that rather than sell +to any other nation I would hand it over to my own country as a free +gift." + +"Here, here," Rebener joined in laughingly as he came up, "don't you +offer to give away anything. Just because your father left you +comfortably well off is no reason that you shouldn't sell things if +people want to buy. Sell and sell while you've got the market, and +sell to the highest bidder. Look at me, I am selling to both sides; +that is my way of stopping this war." He turned to the young newspaper +man. "Is there anything new, Ralph?" + +"Nothing, Mr. Rebener, except that there is a story out in New York +that Mr. Edestone here has been sent over to act as a sort of +unofficial go-between to bring England and Germany to terms; but he +denies this. Then there is another story that he is trying to sell +this new invention of his to England and that the German agents are +trying to get it away from him before he does. You've just heard what +he has to say on that subject, so I seem to have landed on a 'Flivver' +all around. + +"Say, Mr. Edestone, you'll give me the dope on this lay-out won't you, +before the other boys get to it?" he wheedled. "We all know that +something is going on, and she's going to be a big story when she +breaks, and it would be the making of me with the 'old man' if I could +put it over first. + +"I saw you, sir, this afternoon coming home from the Palace," he +chuckled, "and the President, going out to the first ball game of the +season, surrounded by the Washington Blues, to toss the pill into the +diamond, certainly had nothing on you." + +"You've struck it," said Edestone, with a good-humoured laugh at +himself. "I have been trying all day to think what I looked like, and +that's it." + +Rebener laid his hand upon his arm. "Well, Jack," he said, "hadn't we +better be getting up to my place? I don't want to keep the other +gentlemen waiting, and these Europeans have an awful habit of coming +at the hour they are invited, and do not, as we do in America, in +imitation of the 'Snark,' 'dine on the following day.' + +"Good-night, Ralph," he waved his hand to the correspondent. "Drop +around tomorrow; I may have something for you." + +Then as they were going up in the elevator he confided to Edestone: "I +am not so crazy about these two chaps that are coming to dinner +tonight, but you know most of the good sort are at the front, or, if +they happen to be in London, are too busy to waste their time on us +Americans. Do you know, Jack, there is at this time quite a bit of +feeling against us in England? Exactly what it is they resent it is +hard to say. I certainly do not understand how they can expect us to +take any part in this war with our population composed of people from +every one of the countries that are engaged." + +They had scarcely had time to take off their coats when Lord Denton +and Mr. Karlbeck came in through the private entrance. Edestone was +introduced, and after the two Americans had had their cocktails, both +Englishmen having declined to indulge in this distinctly American +custom, the four sat down to dinner. Rebener put "Lord Denton" on his +right, Edestone on his left, while "Mr. Karlbeck" took the only +remaining seat. The conversation was general, and Edestone found that +both the Englishmen were evidently making an effort to be agreeable. + +"You are quite like an Englishman," said "Lord Denton" addressing him. +"I have known so few really nice Americans that I must say it is a +most delightful surprise. When I was told that you were a great +American inventor, I was prepared to see a fellow with the back of his +neck shaved, who, while chewing gum, would seize my lapel and hold on +to it while he insisted on explaining how I could save time and money +by using his electrical self-starting dishwasher or some such beastly +machine. When I visited New York two years ago, a committee had me in +charge for three days. Their one idea seemed to be to force large +cigars and mixed drinks on me at all hours of the day and night. One +of these charming gentlemen, a particularly objectionable fellow, +although he seemed to be very rich, was covered with diamonds and wore +the most ridiculous evening clothes topped off with a yachting cap +fronted with the insignia of some rowing club of which he had been +admiral. He always referred to his one-thousand-ton yacht as his +'little canoe,' and took delight in telling exactly what it cost him +by the hour to run, invariably adding that this amount did not include +his own food, wines, liquors, and cigars. 'We always charge that up to +profit-and-loss account,' he would say with a roar of laughter, in +which he was joined by a group of his satellites." + +"I'll bet I can call the turn, eh, Jack?" Rebener glanced across the +table to Edestone, with a twinkle in his eye. "Didn't the chap also +tell you with great seriousness, 'Lord Denton,' that he had pulled off +more good deals in his 'little canoe' than in all the hotel corridors +put together?" + +"Well, I sincerely hope it's the same," said 'Lord Denton'. "You can't +have two such creatures in your country?" + +"Was that the chap, 'Denton,'" broke in "Karlbeck," "who said to you, +the day that he slapped you on the back, that he was not so strong for +making all this fuss over Princes and things, as in his opinion it +wasn't democratic?" + +"Yes, that was when I was on board his yacht, but he said I was all +right and he didn't mind spending money on me. 'This is my pleasure +today,' he said, 'although the Boss did say he wanted you treated +right, and his word goes both ways with me. See!'" + +"Tell them about your experience with the New York newspaper men," +suggested "Karlbeck." + +"Oh, that was very amusing! The whole committee would stand around and +laugh while the 'boys,' as they called them, had a chance, which +consisted in my being asked the most impertinent questions by a lot of +objectionable little bounders whom they constantly referred to as 'the +greatest institution of our glorious country,' at times allowing also +that the country was 'God's own.' + +"When I objected, some of your most powerful men would say: 'You had +better tell the reporters something or they'll get sore on you and +print a lot of lies about your women-folk.' + +"The particularly offensive gentleman of whom I have spoken, after +telling me what he thought of the British aristocracy, which was not +always flattering, though I seemed to be exempt, said as he bade me +good-bye: 'By the way, don't forget that my wife and two daughters +will be stopping in London next spring.'" + +"Well," inquired Edestone with a faint smile, "you did forget that his +wife and two daughters were stopping in London in the spring, I am +quite sure, and sure that he is convinced you got the best of it." + +"Oh, I say, Mr. Edestone, that was a nasty one! You really would not +have expected me to introduce that fellow at my clubs, would you?" +"No," said Edestone, toying with something on the table to hide the +smile that played across his lips. "No, no, not at all. The Lord Mayor +of London would have satisfied him." + +He would have dropped the subject there, but pressed by the other man +he continued rather seriously: "Since you ask me, 'Lord Denton,' I do +think that you should not have accepted that man's hospitality unless +you were prepared to return it to a certain extent." + +"Well, what would you have expected His Royal Highness to do--I mean +'Lord Denton?'" "Karlbeck" corrected himself hastily. Edestone set his +glass down, and looked at the man for a moment. When he finally spoke +it was with a touch of asperity. With a sarcastic smile he said: + +"The quiet way in which you Europeans accept everything from us and +return nothing, is being resented, not by the lower classes for they +read in our papers how the King shook hands with Jack Johnson; not by +the _nouveaux riches_, for they are perfectly satisfied with the +notoriety they get at the hands of your broken-down aristocracy who +spend their money,--no not by these classes, but by our ladies and +gentlemen." + +"Then why do you entertain our Princes so lavishly?" sneered +"Karlbeck." + +"It is our sense of humour, which allows us to be imposed upon. That +sense of humour is often mistaken for hysterical hospitality by the +distinguished stranger. We--and when I say we I mean people of +breeding which does not include the vulgarian who knows nothing and +may be the son of your father's ninth gardener--we know that the more +ridiculous we appear to you, the better you like it. Not to appear +ridiculous offends you, as it arouses a feeling of rivalry to which +you object, but with your lack of that same sense of humour, this you +deny." + +Again he would have willingly dropped the subject, but "Lord Denton" +once more insisted upon keeping up the discussion. + +"You must remember," said he, "Prince Henry's visit to America. You +don't mean to tell me the Americans were not complimented and pleased +at a visit from a Royal Prince?" + +Edestone laughed. "You mean when Prince Henry of Prussia came over to +bridge the chasm which had formed between the German and American +nations over the Manila episode, by the interchange of courtesies +between the two ruling families, the Hohenzollerns and the Roosevelts? + +"I was surprised that the Kaiser was so poorly informed as not to know +our attitude toward him and his Divine Right and mailed fist. Why, +everybody laughed except the Kaiser and the President--they were the +only ones who were fooled: the Kaiser, because he could not help +himself, it was in his blood; and Roosevelt, because he was at that +time in a most septic condition and was suffering from auto-intoxication +at the hands of that particular form of microbe." + +"Edestone entertained Prince Henry himself at his Little Place in the +Country," said Rebener, who saw that "Lord Denton" was losing his +temper. + +"Yes, I did," said Edestone. "Not that I thought he would enjoy it, +but somebody--and now when I come to think of it, you were the man, +Rebener--insisted that he would like to visit my machine shops. And he +did seem to enjoy seeing them very much, and Admiral Tirpitz and his +staff took all kinds of notes while asking all kinds of questions." +The reminiscence seemed to make the three other men a trifle +uncomfortable. + +"Oh! what difference does it make after all?" said Rebener. "Let's get +down to business. + +"Now, Edestone," he turned to the inventor, "you know me, and I'm not +much for beating about the bush. When I want something, my motto is, +'Go to it.' My object in inviting you here to meet these gentlemen +tonight was to see if we can't get together. As I understand the +situation, Jack, you have something that you think is pretty good. You +have lots of money, and you don't want to sell it. You don't have to, +but you want to get England to use it, and if she won't, you will try +Germany. Now is not that just about the size of it?" + +"To a certain extent, yes," replied Edestone. + +"Then why in the name of common sense don't you let 'Lord Denton' and +me have it and we will guarantee to have it used where it will do the +most good. He has more pull with the Government than any man in +England. I think you know pretty well now who he is," he added with a +wink. "If it is the war you want stopped, he is the best man outside +of the King or Kaiser." + +"Well, yes, Mr. Rebener," said Edestone, "I do know who 'Lord Denton' +is and had the pleasure of seeing him this afternoon at Buckingham +Palace, but I thought perhaps he would prefer that I should preserve +his incognito and, following the example of his most charming Duchess, +permitted myself to forget. I shall be most happy to----" + +He halted and turned as a waiter stepped up behind his chair to +interrupt him. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but the Marquis of Lindenberry wishes to speak to +you on the telephone. + +"I am sorry, sir, but you will have to go to the booth in the room +behind the stairs. Mr. Rebener's telephone is out of order." + +"What do you mean, 'my telephone is out of order'?" Rebener glanced up +sharply. "I used it not twenty minutes ago." And going into the +adjoining room he tried to speak to the floor switchboard. + +"The fellow's right," he admitted on returning to the table. "You'll +have to use the booth, Jack. Waiter, show Mr. Edestone where to go." + +"This way, sir," said the waiter, and he conducted Edestone down the +long corridor, passing one of Captain Bright's cavalrymen at almost +every turn. Just around the foot of the stairs the waiter showed him a +door. + +"There it is, sir," he pointed. + +Edestone went in and found himself in a room that was almost dark. It +was lighted only by a shaded electric bulb used by the man at the +switchboard, who sat facing the door but hidden from anyone entering +by the high instrument in front of him. Edestone walked over to him, +finding him almost obscured by the huge green shade pulled down over +his eyes, and seemingly very much occupied with both incoming and +outgoing calls. + +"Is there a call for Mr. Edestone?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir," said the man without looking up from his plugs. "The +second booth from this end, No. 2." + +Edestone, turning, saw in the dim light a row of booths against the +wall over beyond the door. It was quite dark in that corner, but he +could see that the door of the second booth was open. He went inside, +muttering as he did so, "I think they might give a fellow a little +more light." + +As he sat down and took up the receiver, he put out his hand to stop +the door from slowly closing, apparently by itself. It was one of +those double-walled, sound-proof, stuffy boxes, and he did not want +the door shut tight, so he put out his foot to hold it open. But he +was just a moment too late. The door shut with a little bang, and when +he tried to open it again, he found that it seemed to have jammed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + + +Edestone waited. He thought he heard, or rather he felt, a vibration +as if someone were moving in the next booth. He tried the door again, +but found that it held fast. + +He was about to signal the switchboard operator and tell him to come +and open up the booth, when an, "Are you there, Mr. Edestone?" came to +him from across the wire, and caused him for the moment to forget the +refractory door. + +"Hello!" he answered. "Yes; I am Mr. Edestone. Who is this?" + +The voice, instead of replying directly, spoke as if to another person +with an aside. "Mr. Edestone is on the wire." + +A moment, and then a second voice spoke. "Are you there, Mr. +Edestone?" + +It was not the voice of his friend, and he answered a trifle +impatiently: "Yes. Who are you? Are you speaking for the Marquis of +Lindenberry?" + +"No, I am not," came the reply. "And I must apologize for having used +his name." + +The voice bore the unmistakable intonation of an English gentleman. + +"I am the Count Kurtz von Hemelstein. I regret that circumstances +compel me to force myself upon you in this caddish manner. But my duty +as a soldier in the service of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, +demands it. I shall not delay you long, however, if you will only do +what I ask." + +There was a moment's pause. Involuntarily Edestone drew back slightly +from the instrument. + +"Count Kurtz von Hemelstein, did you say?" He spoke with a touch of +sternness. "I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of +meeting you, sir. I did meet a Count Heinrich von Hemelstein last +summer." + +"Yes; that was my brother. He has often spoken of you, Mr. Edestone. +If I am not mistaken, you were rivals for the attention of a pretty, +young matron with a good-natured husband?" + +"Not rivals, Count von Hemelstein." Edestone laughed, but under the +laugh he was doing some rapid thinking. "Your brother was the favoured +one, and when the war broke out, and he had to leave for the front, +the lady was almost inconsolable. + +"But, Count von Hemelstein," he continued, "what can I do for you? We +Americans, you know, do not always insist upon a formal introduction. +As we say, 'Any friend of a friend of mine.'" + +"Also, you are wrong on one point," said the Count, with a little +chuckle. "I have had the pleasure of meeting you. It was a trifle +informal, I must admit, but you were just as charming as you are now, +and I think I am indebted to you to the amount of several shillings. +In the end, you did leave me rather abruptly, and seemed offended at +something I had done; but I trust you have recovered from that by this +time." Edestone could hear him laughing heartily. + +"You have met me?" repeated Edestone, completely mystified. "When and +where?" + +"Today; in London. Indeed, I am in London now." + +"In London, Count von Hemelstein?" Involuntarily Edestone lowered his +voice. "But I say, isn't that taking a bit of a chance for a German +officer? Where are you speaking from now, may I ask?" + +The Count was laughing so, that just at first he could not answer; but +after a moment he managed to control his amusement. + +"I am in the next booth to you," he said. + +When he spoke again, his tone had lost all trace of levity and become +hard and direct like that of a man charged with a distasteful duty, +yet with which he was determined not to let his feelings interfere. + +"In regard to our meeting today," he said; "I was in disguise. In +short, I was the taxi-driver whom you gave the slip this afternoon by +the aid of that cur, Schmidt. And now, Mr. Edestone, you must realize +what it is I want." In a more conciliatory tone, he added: "I can see +no reason, however, why we should not settle this matter as between +gentlemen." + +"Please be more explicit," returned Edestone, quietly. + +"In brief, then, I am authorized by my Government to meet, and even +double or quadruple any offer for your invention made by the English +Government. I will take your word of honour. All that you have to do +is to say now, on your word as a gentleman, that you will sell it to +my Government, and you can return to your friends. My Government will +then communicate with you, and close with you at your own price." + +"And if I decline the proposition?" said Edestone. + +"Then I fear I shall be compelled to use force; and much as I may +regret to do so, I will tell you that I am prepared to stop at +nothing. + +"You are now," he went on, "locked in that solid oak booth, with its +strong double doors, perfectly sound-proof. The operator at the +switchboard is my man. He can by pulling a wire uncork a bottle which +is concealed in your booth and asphyxiate you in one half minute." + +But if he had expected the American to show any trepidation as a +result of his threats, he soon found out his mistake. Edestone's reply +was as insouciant as if he had been merely commenting on the weather. + +"Really, this is quite interesting, Count von Hemelstein," he said. "I +might almost call you a man after my own heart. That bottle trick is +so simple and yet effective that I, as an inventor, cannot help but +compliment you. I am wondering just what chemical you have employed. +There are of course a dozen or more that would answer your purpose; +but as their action varies greatly in the effect upon the victim, I am +naturally curious." + +"Does that mean that you are about to decline my offer?" demanded the +Count sharply. "Have a care, Mr. Edestone. I am not merely trying to +frighten you, as you may suppose. The facts are just as I have stated +them, and I shall not hesitate to----" + +"Assuredly, my dear Count," Edestone broke in. "I have never doubted +that for a moment. Nor am I going to refuse your proposition--that is, +not definitely. Instead, I have been so pleased by the charming manner +in which you have presented this little matter that I desire to submit +a counter-proposition. Only, I must beg you to urge your modest friend +with the weak eyes out there at the switchboard to be a little careful +with that wire. Judging from the atmosphere in this booth, his bottle +has been leaking for some time." + +"Come, come, Mr. Edestone." The Count's voice rose nervously, showing +the strain under which he was labouring. "I have already told you that +this is no joke. If it is your game to play for time, in the hope that +some one may come to release you, or that you may discover the manner +in which the bottle is secreted, you are going to be disappointed. I +must do my work quickly. If I do not have your answer at once, I will +give the signal and take your instrument away from you by force." + +"It is not time I want, but air." Edestone gave a little gasp. "You +yourself have spent more time than I, with your kind explanations as +to how I may avoid what would be to me a most distressing accident. +However, since celerity is what you want, I hasten to say that I have +not my instrument, nor indeed any instrument with me." + +"Not with you?" snapped the Prussian angrily. "Where is it, then?" + +"Ah! That is my counter-proposition. Count von Hemelstein, if I +promise to tell you, on my word of honour, where you may find this +instrument of mine that contains the entire secret of my +invention--and it is near at hand where, if you are a brave man, you +can easily get it,--if I do this, will you, on your side, give me your +word as a gentleman, that you will immediately open this booth? + +"I may add," he went on, as von Hemelstein seemed to hesitate, "that +this is my last and only proposition, and you can take that or +nothing. I will die here in this box before I will sell my invention +to any European Government; but you may have it as a free gift, Count, +if you have the nerve to go after it. There is a challenge to your +boasted Prussian valour! Are you a sport, Count von Hemelstein, or are +you not?" + +Von Hemelstein wavered no longer. From what Edestone told him, he +argued that the inventor must have left his instrument with some of +his subordinates, probably Black and Stanton, and relied upon them to +protect it; and it stung him to think that the American should believe +a German officer would falter at such odds--a couple of electricians, +mere Yankee artisans. + +"Yes," he growled hoarsely. "I accept your terms. It is a bargain." + +"On your honour?" + +"On my word of honour as a Prussian officer and a gentleman." + +"Well, then, hurry up and open this door. It is getting stifling in +here; and, besides, Rebener will be growing anxious about me." + +"But, first, your information. Where is the instrument?" + +"Oh, the instrument?" It was now Edestone's turn to laugh. "Why, that +is lying on the floor under the table in Mr. Rebener's dining-room. I +dropped it there, when I came out to answer your telephone call, and I +also gave instructions to the sentries on guard at the door of the +apartment to shoot any one who attempted to pass in or out during my +absence. You are doubtless a brave man, but I do not think you are +prepared to tackle a whole company of British cavalry. + +"And now," he concluded, "I have kept to my bargain. Will you kindly +open the door?" + +A muttered German imprecation, like a snarl of baffled chagrin, was +his only answer. But a moment later the door to his booth swung open, +and he was free. + +As he stepped out, he found the lights in the room turned on, and the +man at the switchboard gone. He also noticed that the door to the +adjoining booth was shaking, as if someone had just jerked it open and +had passed out hurriedly, and, as he came out into the corridor, he +thought he glimpsed the figure of a man hastily disappearing down the +staircase. So far as any other evidence went, except for his wilted +collar and heaving lungs, the whole experience might have been a +dream. + +He returned quietly to the dinner table, and stooping over, as if to +pick up his napkin, recovered the instrument and slipped it into his +trousers pocket. + +"Lord Denton" and "Karlbeck" kept staring at him with puzzled, almost +incredulous faces. + +"Did you find your friend on the wire?" finally ventured "Lord +Denton," leaning across the table toward him. + +"No; it was another gentleman speaking for him," smiled Edestone, "a +mere visitor to England like myself. I took the liberty of asking him +to join us, but he declined. He is, I fancy, leaving the country very +shortly--probably going to Berlin." + +A little gasp from behind him caused him to turn in his seat. It came +from the hotel proprietor who, entering the room by the rear door, +stood rooted in amazement at the sight of Edestone, his jaw dropping, +his eyes as big as saucers. + +Edestone regarded him a moment; then turned to his host. + +"What silly-looking waiters you have in this hotel, Rebener," he said. +"That fellow yonder doesn't appear to have brains enough to be even a +German spy." + +The real waiter, overhearing this compliment to his employer, clapped +his hand over his mouth and dived for the pantry, just managing to get +through the swinging door before he exploded. + +The self-satisfied Bombiadi also overheard, and although he +endeavoured to appear unconscious, a dull red flush crept up over his +cheeks, and after shifting for a moment from one foot to the other, he +left the room. + +"Lord Denton" and "Karlbeck" exchanged glances out of the corners of +their eyes; and Rebener, although he made out to grin at the speech, +shifted a little uneasily in his chair. + +But Edestone, who, under his quiet exterior, possessed a rather +mischievous spirit, was not yet through with them. + +"As I was saying when I was called to the telephone," he leaned across +the table toward the _incognito_ Royal Duke, "the desire of Your Royal +Highness--pardon me, I mean, of 'Lord Denton'--is of course to see +England victorious in this contest; but that may mean years of +fighting and an appalling loss of men and money. Such true patriots as +yourself and 'Mr. Karlbeck' must see that it would be far better to +end the war now, provided that a lasting peace can be ensured, and +that I think I can guarantee with my discovery. I should be delighted, +therefore, to co-operate with you gentlemen to that end, and if you +would advocate the proposition that England allow me to go to Berlin +with something to show that she is willing to enter into _pour +parlers_, I shall bring pressure to bear on Germany to make some +liberal answer." + +"Lord Denton," however, seemed no longer interested in the matter, and +was unable to concentrate his attention; while "Mr. Karlbeck" made no +attempt to hide the fact that he was disgusted gusted with the +evening, and wished to see it end as soon as possible. + +Rebener, seeing his dinner a failure, although not quite understanding +the cause, like many a nervous host compelled to face a tableful of +distinguished guests who do not hesitate to show that they are bored, +did the silliest thing possible under the circumstances, and drank +more than he should. + +Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fashion that "Mr. +Karlbeck" looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His +Royal Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone's +attention from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were +thrown out. + +They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown +open, and some one announced in a loud voice, "The King's Messenger!" + +"Karlbeck" and "Lord Denton" sprang to their feet, their faces ashy +pale, as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment +later, Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they +both crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the +starch-pot. + +The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown +gathering between his eyes. + +"Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was +dining with Mr. Edestone tonight," he drew himself up stiffly. And it +was in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had +inveighed against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and +had loudly urged that no attention be paid to him or his claims. + +Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been +in circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen +with the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them +here in the apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, +and in conference with the possessor of the secret which Germany was +seeking so eagerly to obtain? + +Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, +but turned to Edestone. + +"I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, +has ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, +and I should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your +time." + +Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener's permission, had +withdrawn with him into the salon, he explained that the King had +instructed Sir Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine +o'clock and to state the decision of the Government in answer to the +inventor's proposition. + +"Will that hour be convenient to you?" asked the Colonel. + +"Perfectly," Edestone assented. Then on an impulse, he added: "I do +not leave for the Continent until eleven." + +The Equerry extended his hand. "In that case, I shall probably not see +you again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant +journey and good luck when you reach Berlin." + +It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a +prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of +gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart's parting salute, and +returned to the dining-room. + +There he found the two discomfited members of the nobility just taking +their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was +playing the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and +over-loud manner urging them to stay and "have another." Wouldn't they +try one of his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous +brandy? + +But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and +turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although +"Mr. Karlbeck" did consent to gulp down a large glass of Rebener's +very fine brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal +associate. + +Edestone left almost immediately, and his "guard of honour," to which +he was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly +assembled, he was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + + +The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the +occurrences of the evening before at Rebener's dinner, and Edestone +was surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed +concerning all that had transpired. + +"His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole +distasteful episode," Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash +of contempt in his eye. "His Royal Highness has been relieved of his +commission and is in retirement, and the Duchess of Windthorst +together with Princess Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess +Adolph, in Berlin. By these means, and of course with your silence, +upon which he counts, His Majesty hopes to keep England in ignorance +of the fact that such rottenness exists in his immediate household." + +"And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the +_Ivernia_ is in the mire too," thought Edestone; for it seemed to +him that the King's order of exile against the Duchess and herself +could mean nothing else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and +aversion for the traitor did not extend to the feminine members of the +family. For them he had only sorrow and sympathy. + +Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a +subject, had taken up the direct purpose of his call. + +He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of +settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, +His Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the +United States, and after her spies had reported the nature of +Edestone's reception in London, and especially after the inventor +should have had an interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government +might suggest something which could serve as a basis upon which to +open negotiations. In such a case, His Majesty was of the opinion that +Edestone, if he were willing to undertake the delicate task, would be +the most suitable person to act as a go-between. + +The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing +at that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, +and that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any +proposition he might bring back. + +He brought letters to the President of France, General French, General +Joffre, and others, which would guarantee Edestone's safety up to the +German line; but suggested that it would be well not to show the +French too much, since they were such a volatile nation that they +might readily decide to retire from the field and allow the United +States and England to settle the matter. On account of the long and +sincere friendship which had existed between the French people and +those of the United States, France might feel that she could depend +upon the United States to recover her lost territory, together with +Alsace and Lorraine, and that was all she wanted. + +In leaving, Sir Egbert, upon behalf of the King, insisted on placing a +torpedo boat at Edestone's disposal. Then, with the assurance that +anything he might have to communicate to the British Government would +be given most careful consideration, the Foreign Minister bowed +himself out. + +Edestone could not but compare this interview with the one he had held +with Lord Rockstone--the opening gun of his campaign. Verily, +twenty-four hours had made a vast change in the attitude of the +British Cabinet. + +His journey to Paris was uneventful except for one incident. + +In the middle of the Channel, as he leaned against the rail, gazing +back toward the white cliffs of Dover, he drew the Deionizer from his +pocket and quietly dropped it overboard. With scarcely a splash the +little instrument, for which the warring nations were willing to +barter millions and commit almost any crime, disappeared beneath the +waves. + +He did not, however, intend giving any further demonstration until his +arrival in Berlin, and there he thought he might have a larger and +better one; while, in the meantime, and especially since his encounter +with Count von Hemelstein had shown him how far the Germans were +prepared to go, he did not feel like taking any unnecessary chances. + +At Calais, he was received by the representative of the President and +other high officials, and when they had seen some of his photographs, +and had heard an outline of his plans, they readily followed the lead +of England in accrediting him as a sort of unofficial peacemaker. +Indeed, the Frenchmen looked upon Edestone as someone almost +superhuman--a being who had come to establish on earth the dream of +their philosophers, "Libert, galit, Fraternit"--and they gloried +in the good fortune of their sister Republic in having produced and +sent to their rescue such a son. + +When he left for Berlin, he was conducted to the Swiss frontier like a +conquering hero, and, with prayers that he would be careful while in +the land of the Huns, was turned over to the Swiss Government. The +latter also accorded him every consideration and courtesy; but when he +finally left their outposts behind and arrived on German soil, he +found a different story. + +Here, he was immediately taken in charge by the frontier military +authorities, and practically held a prisoner for three days under the +excuse that instructions in regard to him had to be asked for from +Berlin. + +He was incensed at the petty annoyances to which he was subjected by +his jailer, a fat old German martinet. + +Under one pretext or another he and his men were constantly being +interrogated, and his baggage, which they insisted upon opening, was +thoroughly and repeatedly searched. + +When they discovered among other things something that suggested a +miniature wireless plant, they would not let him or any of his men out +of their sight. His letters were so strong, however, that they would +not dare to do anything with him without instructions. + +He let it be known that he had absolutely nothing hidden on his person +by taking off all of his clothes and going to bed, and would +apparently sleep while watching the spies go through them. They seemed +to enjoy this little game so much that he would sometimes play it once +or twice a day, varying it by taking a bath or having James give him +massage. + +They never seemed to suspect that he was playing with them, but would +stand around and pounce down on his clothes, each time searching them +thoroughly as if they had discovered something entirely new, when they +had just turned the same things inside out within an hour. + +While waiting here, too, he came to learn how intensely bitter was the +feeling against Americans among Germans of all classes. They regarded +themselves as superior beings, he found, and when they first noted his +splendid physique, would not believe but that he must have German +blood in his veins. When he convinced them, however, that he was of +pure Anglo-Saxon stock, Virginia bred--a thorough-paced "Yankee," as +they called it--even the peasants treated him as the dirt beneath +their feet. + +But at last word came from the German General Staff. He was "sealed, +stamped, and marked, 'not to be opened until after delivery in +Berlin.'" He was shown greater consideration now; but it was a +consideration which rather unpleasantly reminded him of that shown by +the keeper to a condemned prisoner in presenting him with his new +clothes in which to be executed. + +He and his men and all his belongings--the latter carefully listed in +triplicate--were put into a private car, and locked in, like a rich +American with the smallpox whom they were sending out of the country; +while, to add to his comfort, he was told that Count von Hemelstein +was to act as his escort. + +As they started on the journey, Edestone had an opportunity of seeing +in his true character for the first time the man whom he had so +cleverly outwitted in the telephone booth, and he found it hard work +to identify the smart cavalry officer as the grimy London taxi-driver +of a few days before. + +The Count was a big, splendid-looking fellow, who rather affected an +American manner in order to hide the fact that he had been educated +both at school and college in England. Without his uniform, he would +have been taken anywhere for an Englishman, blond, blue-eyed giant +that he was, with as beautiful a moustache and as winning a smile as +was ever given to the hero of a love story. He wore the uniform of a +Colonel of Uhlans, which well set off his handsome figure. In fact, he +was as noble-looking an Uhlan as ever, either before or after +marriage, broke the heart of a rich brewer's daughter. + +"Delighted to meet you again, Mr. Edestone," he grasped the American's +hand, with a hearty laugh. "Ever since our last encounter, I have been +wanting the opportunity of asking how you knew that I would keep my +word and release you, when you divulged to me the whereabouts of your +instrument there in the telephone booth? Didn't you realize that, by +'putting you out,' and then having the switchboard man raise an alarm, +I could in the resultant confusion, easily have secured the +instrument?" + +"But I also realized that I was dealing with a soldier, not a burglar; +and I took a chance," said Edestone with a smile. + +"Well," said the Colonel, "now that you are safe in Germany what +difference does it make? We mean to keep you here." + +"The United States might have something to say to that," suggested +Edestone. + +"The United States? Bah! One more country to fight; what difference +would it make to Germany, especially one that could make so little +showing? You have no army. Your navy could do no more than England is +already doing. We are at present cut off from your supplies as much as +if we were at war with you. Finally, the German-Americans would put +the brakes on you, now that another Presidential election is +approaching. + +"No, Mr. Edestone," he shook his head triumphantly; "you are making a +bad mistake, if you are relying on the protection of the United +States, now that you have stuck your head into the tiger's mouth." + +"Do I understand, Count von Hemelstein, that Germany proposes to hold +me a prisoner? Are you telling me that she would dare do such a +thing?" + +"Ah, do not put it so crudely." The Count raised his hand a trifle +mockingly. "Let us say, rather, that we expect you to become so +convinced of the righteousness of our cause that you will gladly turn +over your instrument and render us any other aid you can toward the +crushing of our enemies." + +The smile faded from his lips, and for a moment he, "showed his +teeth." + +"Take my advice, my friend," he said sharply. "Don't try to frighten +the Wilhelmstrasse with your moving pictures and your covert threats +of intervention by the United States as you did at Buckingham Palace. +We are made of sterner stuff here. We know the nature of your +invention, and just what you can accomplish with it; and our gifted +men of science are now hard at work in the effort to duplicate your +achievement. + +"My brother brought back word a year ago," he disclosed, "that you +were building a super-dreadnought 907 feet long, 90 feet beam, 35 feet +draught, 40,000 tons displacement. We also know that you are now +working full blast night and day at your 'Little Place in the +Country.' We know about the tricks you played with that flunkey in +your audience with the King. A hint to us Germans is all that is +needed. + +"We know further," he went on in a sterner voice, "the sentiments of +love and devotion toward England that you expressed to the English +King, and we know the tenor of the answer that was returned to your +proposition. + +"But do you imagine that you can come here, sir, and dictate terms to +our Emperor, or arrange a peace for us, which would mean anything less +than the absolute humbling of England? Do you think we would run the +slightest risk of letting this invention of yours fall into England's +hands? + +"Your question was expressed very undiplomatically, Mr. Edestone, for +one who is arrogating to himself the prerogatives of an envoy and +ambassador. Nations in speaking to one another use language that is +lighter than fairy's thought, and sweeter than a baby's dream, but +more deadly than a pestilence. But I will answer you on this occasion +just as bluntly and baldly. + +"We do propose to hold you virtually a prisoner on German soil until +such time as our men of science have completed their labours. If they +succeed in solving the secret of your discovery, we shall be ready to +try conclusions with the United States, and shall deal with you +personally as may seem most advisable, dragging you by force from the +very Embassy itself, if you attempt to take refuge there. If, on the +other hand, our men of science fail, your position will be in no way +preferable. We will simply compel you to disclose your secret to us, +and, as I told you once before, we stop at nothing to gain our ends. +Your best plan, therefore, and I believe I am your sincere friend when +I tell you this, is to sell to my Government at once." + +A slightly amused smile flitted over Edestone's lips from time to time +as he listened; but when he spoke it was quite seriously. + +"I have no doubt," he said, "that everything you tell me is absolutely +true. Germany is undoubtedly thorough, whether her thoroughness take +the form of the destruction of Louvain, or of sewing two buttons where +only one is needed on the trousers of her soldiers. But I pity her for +not finding a larger way to gain her ends in the first place, and for +her conceit in thinking that a lot of little thoughts and extra +buttons when added together make a great nation. Germany may know +exactly how many gold and how many amalgam fillings there are in the +teeth of the German army, but she does not know that thousands of men +leave Germany and come to the United States simply because they do not +want their teeth counted. Germany may know what I have done and am +doing at my place on the Hudson, but she does not know that she has so +incensed me by her methods of obtaining this information that it were +better for her if she had never known, or you so boastful as to have +told me of it. + +"Yes," and he spoke almost with the fervour of an inspired prophet; +"Germany may know her alphabet of war from end to end, forward and +backward, but she does not know that she and it are doomed to +destruction, because she thinks that she can drive the intelligent +modern world with a spear, as her forefathers did the wild beasts of +the Black Forest." + +Von Hemelstein started and laid his hand indignantly to the hilt of +his sword. His instructions to bring Edestone safely to Berlin alone +prevented him from punishing then and there such insult to his country +and his Emperor. + +"My orders prevent me from killing you!" he said hoarsely, as he +straightened up and, drawing his heels together with a click, turned +and stalked away. + +He took a seat at the other side of the car, and as if utterly +oblivious that such a creature as Edestone existed, produced and +deliberately adjusted the two parts of a very long and handsome +cigarette holder, and with much straining of his very tight uniform +restored the case to the place provided by law for its concealment on +his glittering person. He then took out his cigarette case, and after +selecting a cigarette, he gently tapped it on the gold cover, glaring +all the time quite through and beyond the unspeakable American. With +more absurd contortions the cigarette case was disposed of, and +matches produced. Then, stretching out his beautiful patent-leather +boots, he finally lighted his cigarette. + +He took a deep inhalation, and blew from the very bottom of his lungs +a thin cloud of smoke in Edestone's direction, while with much +rattling he unfolded a newspaper, and pretended to read it. + +Edestone, who was with difficulty keeping a straight face, sat all +this time solemnly watching him with the expression of a schoolgirl +looking at her matinee idol at about the juncture in the last act when +that hero puts on his kingly robes which have been hidden for a +hundred years in the moth closet of his twenty-story apartment house +on upper Riverside Drive. + +When the Count finally peeped cautiously over the top of his paper to +see what effect he was producing, he felt almost tempted to applaud +and blow him a kiss. + +"Count von Hemelstein," he said lazily, when finally the Prussian had +put down his paper, and was sitting glaring in front of him, "I was +just thinking what a stunning book-cover you would make for a cheap +novel, or how many thousands of bottles of beer your picture would +sell in Hoboken. Hoboken, you know, is the headquarters of the +German-American standing army, and your second largest naval base. Or +you might serve as----" + +He halted in some anxiety, for it seemed as if the Count were about to +choke to death. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + + +They sat this way for some time, Edestone looking thoughtfully out of +the car window and rather disgusted with himself for having lessened +his dignity in the eyes of the other man. + +He was broad enough to be able to put himself in von Hemelstein's +place. He knew that by birth, education, and example the man's attitude +to him, in fact to the rest of the world, was that of a superior being +looking down upon those immeasurably beneath him. For him, a Prussian +nobleman, to be spoken to in this way by one of a lower sphere was bad +enough, but when that one was of the very lowest of spheres, an +American, it was acute pain. He looked upon Edestone as a low comedian +rather than as a gentleman in the hands of a chivalrous enemy, which +the officer considered himself to be. + +Edestone himself felt no resentment but the sort of pity that he would +feel for one who was born with an hereditary weakness that he could no +more control than the colour of his eyes. He was as sorry as he would +have been, had he been guilty of laughing at the irregularity of +another man's teeth which were not so perfect as his own. + +He got up and walked slowly over toward his travelling companion. The +handsome warrior quickly let his hand fall to his loaded automatic as +if he expected to be attacked, but when he saw Edestone standing +quietly before him, and with a rather sad smile on his face, he turned +back to his reading and refused to look up, even after Edestone had +begun to speak. + +"I am sorry, Count von Hemelstein," said the inventor, "to have +offended you, and I beg that you will accept my most humble apology. We +Americans, I fear, are too much inclined to let our sense of humour run +away with us." + +The soldier raised his eyes with a threatening look, not knowing but +that Edestone was still poking fun at him, or else, fearing the +consequences of his rashness, was trying to ingratiate himself with his +jailer. But after that glance at Edestone's face he felt confident that +his apology was sincere. The Prussian's pride was too deeply wounded, +however, for him to give in at once. + +"I am glad, Mr. Edestone," he replied stiffly, "that you realize that +it is not customary to speak lightly of Germany in the presence of one +of her officers." + +"I know," exclaimed Edestone, "it was extremely bad taste for me to +criticize a civilization so much older than my own, but you will," he +smiled, "forgive the cowboy I am sure when he tells you he is sorry." +Then seeing by the expression of the officer's face that he had won the +day: "Come now, Count von Hemelstein, let's be friends. I would not +have liked you had you not resented my remarks, and I was a cad to take +advantage of your absolutely defenceless position." + +The Count broke out into a hearty laugh, and jumping up took Edestone's +extended hand. + +"You Americans," he vowed, all traces of his ill-feeling gone, "are the +most remarkable chaps. I never saw a cowboy, but if they are anything +like you they must be descended from some branch of the Hohenzollern +family." + +"No, I cannot claim that distinction," laughed Edestone; "but I think +perhaps there are many cowboys who if they knew and knowing cared to +could boast of as distinguished a lineage. Did you ever breed dogs, +Count? Well, if you have, you would know that the good points of the +champion do not always appear in the oldest son of the oldest son, but +spring up where we least expect to find them. And so it is I think with +men; the good points are in the blood and will appear long after the +man has lost his family tree. Sometimes they appear in individuals who +show so strongly the traits of the champion that they scorn the +existence of musty documents to tell them who they are." + +"Then, Mr. Edestone, you do not believe in our method of keeping our +best blood where it belongs--at the top?" + +"Yes, I do most thoroughly approve of some of your methods. They are +perhaps the best that have yet been devised, but you have not yet found +the true method of following the centre of the stream. You sometimes +dip from an eddy, simply because you believe that at some time it might +have been in the middle, and you allow the deep dark red torrent to +carry its saturated solution by you." + +"Well, Mr. Edestone," the Count smiled, "whether you are descended from +a cowboy king or a business baron, you are deuced good company. I am +glad that if I am to be cooped up here for two days it is with you +instead of some conceited English duke, whose English grandfather was a +fool and whose American grandfather was a knave--oh, I beg pardon. I am +like poor little Alice in Wonderland when she was talking with the +mouse. I seem always to insist upon talking about cats." + +Edestone laughed. + +"And now, Mr. Edestone, that you have been such a brick and apologized +to me, I shall have to admit that I was rather rude in what I said to +you. I think that the German Government has every intention of treating +you fairly, and if you will only listen to reason, you will find that +they are as anxious to bring this war to a close as is the United +States. I know, however, that Germany intends to have her fair share of +the earth; we are righting for our national existence, and we will not, +and in fact we cannot afford to, stop at anything. If you really do not +intend to sell your invention to any of the countries of Europe, you +can at least use your influence with the United States to keep out of +this muss, and let us settle our little difficulties in our own way." + +Edestone became serious. "My sole object, Count von Hemelstein," he +said, "is to stop this war and settle these 'little difficulties,' as +you call them, without further loss of life. If your Government will +allow me to take back to England some assurance that it is now willing +to discuss a settlement, I know that my Government will keep out of the +discussion." + +The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stopping of the +train at a station where the Count said he expected to take on the +lunch baskets. With a comfortable lunch between them, and a bottle of +wine to divide, they soon forgot their differences and laughed and +joked like old friends. + +"It is a great pity, Mr. Edestone," said the Uhlan, "that you are not a +German. I am sure the Kaiser would like you. He might even make you a +Count, and then you could marry some woman of rank and with all your +money you could be one of the greatest swells in Europe. He might make +you an officer, too, so that you could wear a uniform and carry the +decorations which he would confer upon you. Then when Americans came +over to Kiel in their big yachts, you could tell the Emperor which were +the real cowboy families and which were the Knickerbocker noblemen." + +"Well, that is exactly what I was thinking about you, Count von +Hemelstein," Edestone chuckled. "If you would only come over to America +I would get you a nice position in one of our large department stores, +where your knowledge of German would be of the greatest assistance to +you and soon put you at the top. Your German-Jew boss would invite you +to his palace at Long Branch to dinner some night before a holiday and +you would meet his beautiful daughter. She would take you into the big +parlour, which would be open that night, and say to all her friends: 'I +want you to shake hands with Count von Hemelstein, who is head salesman +in Pa's M. & D. Department.' And she would be corrected by Ma, who +would say: 'No, dearie, you mean the M. & W. Department.' + +"With your military training you would, by this time, have undoubtedly +become a second lieutenant in one of our exclusive National Guard +regiments, and after marrying 'Dearie,' you would come over to Germany +and visit me at one of my castles on the Rhine. I would now have +gambled away my entire fortune, and my son, the Baron von Edestone, +would marry 'Dearie's' daughter." + +So they passed the time with good-humoured chaffing, carefully avoiding +more serious subjects, and when they reached Berlin they had become +fast friends. + +But as the train pulled into the German capital the Count leaned forward +a trifle persuasively. "Now, Mr. Edestone," he said, "we have had a +deuced good time together, and to tell the truth I am sorry to turn you +over because I do not believe these old fellows on the General Staff will +understand you as I do, but don't be an ass, I beg of you, and stand up +against these wise old chaps. Do what they want you to do--they know +better than you how to handle this complicated European situation. You +will get no thanks for your trouble if you do not, and you may get your +fingers rapped or even pretty severely pinched. My orders are to see you +to some comfortable hotel, any that you may select. I would suggest the +Hotel Adlon as perhaps the most comfortable. + +"After that I am to take you to call on General von Lichtenstein, who +will hear what you have to say, and if in his judgment you should go +higher he will pass you on." + +"I am to see nothing more of you?" asked Edestone. + +"My duty finishes when General von Lichtenstein takes you up. You will, +of course, be watched and your every movement will be recorded, but +that will not be my duty, nor here in Berlin will you be at all annoyed +by it. Now that you are in Germany, you will be looked upon as a friend +and treated accordingly, unless you are found not to be. I have given +you my card, and I will take great pleasure in introducing you at the +clubs or helping you in any way so long as it is consistent with my +duty." + +"You are extremely kind, and I appreciate it very much, Count von +Hemelstein." + +"Now above all things," warned the Count, and his tone was very +impressive, "if by any chance you should be ordered to appear before +His Imperial Majesty, please be careful what you say. You have said +things to me in the last two days which, understanding you as I do, I +could overlook, but I would no more think of repeating them while you +are in Germany than I would think of flying. They were not of a nature +that would make it my duty to report them, but they might get you into +no end of trouble. For instance, you would not be so foolish as to +intimate that the Hohenzollern family is not in the middle of the 'big +stream.'" He smiled in spite of himself. + +Then as the train rolled into the station he took Edestone's hand and +said: "_Auf wiedersehen_, my friend. I must now assume my other role of +your escort of honour. Speak German," he suggested quickly as the +guards came into the car; "you will be less apt to be annoyed." + +Edestone was conducted hastily through the station, where automobiles +waited to whisk him and his entire party off to the hotel. At his +request, the trunks containing all his apparatus were sent to the +American Embassy. He was not as familiar with Berlin as he was with the +other capitals of Europe, but if he had not known that Germany was +engaged in a most desperate war, and millions of her sons were being +sacrificed, there was nothing that he saw as he rushed through the city +that would have suggested it. + +He was received at the hotel with extreme politeness, but it was the +politeness that was insulting. The proprietor, waiters, and even the +bell-boys treated him with poorly concealed contempt, and though he +spoke to them in perfect German, would always answer in English, as if +to show him that they knew he was of that despised race. + +Count von Hemelstein left him with the understanding that he would call +for him in the morning and conduct him to General von Lichtenstein. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + + +That afternoon, Edestone took occasion to call at the American Embassy, +where he found that Ambassador Gerard, broken down by the strain of the +first few months of the war, during which he had accomplished such +wonderful work, had been forced to go to Wiesbaden for a rest. + +The Ambassador had left in charge Mr. William Jones, First Secretary of +Legation, who with his wife was occupying the Embassy and representing +the United States. The doctors had warned the Secretary that the +Ambassador's condition was such that he must have absolute quiet, and +that he should under no circumstances be troubled or even communicated +with in regard to affairs of state. Jones was, therefore, to all +intents and purposes the Ambassador. + +This suited Edestone's plans perfectly, for Jones was only a few years +older than himself and he had known him intimately since boyhood. + +His friend received him with almost the delight of a man who has been +marooned on a desert island and was pining for the sight of a friendly +face. + +"Well, well, Jack," he said, "what foolish thing is this that you are +up to now? We have received the most extraordinary instructions from +the State Department--I gather that the Secretary of State has either +lost his mind or that you have got him under a spell, and then with +your hypnotic power have suggested that he order us to do things which +we could not do in peace times and which are simply out of the question +now. Don't you people over home understand that these Germans, from the +Kaiser to the lowest peasant, are all in such an exalted state of +Anglophobia that they regard everyone with distrust, and are especially +suspicious of us. My advice to you, as Lawrence would say,"--referring +to one of his under-secretaries, a college mate and intimate friend of +Edestone's,--"is to 'can that high-brow stuff' and come down to earth." + +"Now, speaking for myself as your friend, I advise you to go and see +General von Lichtenstein, whom you will find a delightful old gentleman +but as wise as Solomon's aunt. Talk to him like a sweet little boy, and +then come back to the Legation and stop with us while you see something +of the war. I can take you to within one hundred and fifty miles of the +firing line and show you the crack regiments of Germany looking as +happy and sleek as if they were merely out for one of the yearly +manoeuvres. I would have difficulty, though, in showing you any of the +wounded, as they are very careful to see that we are not offended by +any of the horrors that one reads of in the American papers." + +"Berlin is being forced to fiddle, eh, while Germany is burning?" + +"Yes, she suggests the hysterical condition of Paris just before the +Reign of Terror, while I, like Benjamin Franklin, in 'undertaker's +clothes' in the midst of barbaric splendour, wait for the inevitable." + +"Is your face, like his, 'as well known as that of the moon'?" asked +Edestone. + +"Yes, but a thing to be insulted, not like his to be painted on the +lids of snuff-boxes, as souvenirs for kings. + +"Or if that does not amuse you, Mrs. Jones can introduce you to some of +the prettiest girls you ever saw." + +"Big, strong, fat, and healthy, I suppose, with red faces looking as if +they had just been washed with soap and water." + +"Well, then we might have some golf, and if you will give me half a +stroke, I will play you $5 a hole and $50 on the game. Or if that is +too rich for your blood, I will play you dollar Nassau. In fact, Jack, +I will do anything to get this foolish idea out of your head. These +people can't see a joke at any time, but to try one now might put you +into a very serious if not dangerous position. Now you go along and see +Lawrence, as I have to look after some American refugees who are +waiting in the outer office. You will dine with us tonight, of course." + +Lawrence Stuyvesant, to whom the Secretary had referred, appeared at +the door at that moment and beckoned to Edestone. He was one of those +irrepressible Americans, born with an absolute lack of respect for +anything that suggested convention, at home in any company and showing +absolutely no preference. He would be found joking with the stokers in +the engine room when he might be walking with the Admiral on the +quarter-deck, flirting with a deaf old Duchess when he might be supping +with the leader of the ballet. With a sense of humour that would have +made his fortune on the stage, he spoke half-a-dozen languages and a +dozen dialects. He could imitate the Kaiser or give a Yiddish dialect +to a Chinaman. Light-hearted to a fault, he would make a joke at +anyone's expense, preferably his own. An entertaining chap, but a +rolling stone that could roll up hill or skip lightly over the surface +of a placid lake with equal facility. He had already run through two +considerable fortunes, and had been almost everything from a camel +driver to a yacht's captain. Now he imagined himself to be a diplomat. + +"Behold the dreamer cometh," he said in Yiddish dialect as Edestone +approached, and grasping the inventor by both hands, dragged him into +the other room, and began to ask questions so fast that a Chicago +reporter, had he heard, would have died of sheer mortification. + +After he had gotten all the information that he could pump, pull, and +squeeze out of Edestone, he shook his head discouragingly. + +"I am darn glad to see you, old chap," he said, "but I am sorry to hear +that you have come over to try and reason with this bunch of nuts. +Don't you know they are so damn conceited that if you were to tell them +that every time you look at a German you see two men, they would +believe you; and then as if they hated to lie to themselves, they would +say perhaps it was an optical illusion. Tell them that God did not +create anyone but the Germans and that he left the rest of the world to +the students in his office, and they will give you a smile of assent." +Edestone smiled indulgently. "Tell them that when the Kaiser frowns +every wheel in the United States stops and refuses to move until +reassured by the German papers that it is but the frown of an indulgent +father and not the thunder of their future War Lord, and they will give +a knowing look. Tell them that only German is taught in our public +schools, and that any child who does not double-cross himself at the +mention of the name of any of the North German Lloyd steamers is taken +out and shot, and they will say, 'Ach so?' + +"But just you pull something about what a hit Brother Henry made in the +United States, especially with the navy, and what a swell chance he +would have of being elected Admiral when Dewey resigns, then look out! +Get under your umbrella and sit perfectly still until the storm passes. +Keep well down in the trenches and don't expose anything that you do +not want sent to the cleaners. For when one of these Dutchmen begins to +splutter, there is nothing short of the U-29 that can stand the tidal +wave of beer and sauerkraut which has been lying in wait for some +unsuspecting neutral in their flabby jowls like nuts in a squirrel's +cheek. They back-fire, skip, short-circuit, and finally blow up, and if +you don't throw on a bucket or two of flattery quick, you've got a duel +on your hands, which for an American in this country means that you get +it going and coming." + +Edestone, knowing Lawrence well, took what he said largely as a joke; +but from his own observations and from what Jones had told him he felt +convinced that there did not exist the kindest feeling for Americans in +Berlin. Brushing all this aside, he turned to Lawrence with a +businesslike air: + +"Where are the trunks that I sent to the Embassy?" he asked. "Have they +got here yet?" + +"Down in the basement," Lawrence nodded. + +"I'd like to get something out of them." + +"Well, why look at me?" inquired Lawrence. "I'm no baggage smasher." + +"It's a pity you're not," rejoined Edestone. "You would be better at +that than you are at diplomacy. However, all I want is for you to have +someone show me where they are." + +"Fred, show the King of America where his royal impedimenta await his +royal pleasure," Lawrence directed a young man with the manners of a +Bowery boy, who appeared in answer to his summons. + +With him Edestone went down to the trunks and took from one of them a +small receiving instrument with a dial attachment similar to the one on +top of the Deionizer, which he had dropped into the Channel. Then after +a few words with his other friends in the Embassy, he went back to the +hotel. + +The next morning Count von Hemelstein called, and it was quite like +meeting an old friend. Edestone was really sorry when, the Count +leaving him at the door of General Headquarters said: "This is where I +turn you over to my superiors. These are times that try men's souls, +and you are now dealing with men who must win." + +They had arrived on the stroke of the hour, and Edestone was quickly +taken in charge and shown without a moment's delay into the presence of +General von Lichtenstein. The General was a man whose age was +impossible to tell. He was over sixty, but how much over one found it +hard to estimate. He was erect and rather thin, and he wore his uniform +with the care of a much younger man. The lines about his mouth and +chin, which are such a sure index, were hidden by a full beard, white +as snow and rather long. His high forehead was half covered by a huge +shock of hair, also perfectly white, which was parted neatly on the +side. His steel-blue eyes, looking out through a pair of gold-rimmed +spectacles, were bright, but were set so far back under his heavy brows +that they looked very old, very wise, and almost mysterious. + +When Edestone was brought into the room without any form of +introduction, the General rose and greeted him in the most kind and +fatherly manner. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Edestone," he said in English with a marked accent. +"I am very glad to see you," and, putting out his hand with an air of +simple kindness as if to lead him to a chair, he said: "Won't you sit +down, sir? + +"You must not mind if I treat you like a boy," he went on with a gentle +smile; "you are about the age of my own son who was killed at Ypres. I +am too old to fight any more, so they keep me here to entertain +distinguished strangers like yourself," and he laughed quietly to +himself, looking at Edestone as he might at a little boy whom he had +just told that he had on a very pretty suit of clothes. + +He picked up from his desk, a box of very large cigars, selected two, +and, after looking very carefully at one to see that it was absolutely +perfect, handed it without a word to Edestone. After he had watched +with great interest to see that Edestone had lighted his cigar +properly, he lighted his own. + +"I see by the way you smoke that you are a good judge of tobacco. I +have always understood that you Americans like very fresh cigars and +smoke them immediately after they are made. I like them old myself." + +"You are thinking of Cuba, perhaps," suggested Edestone. + +"Oh, that is true," admitted the old gentleman. "The Americans live in +the United States and you do not allow the other inhabitants of the +hemisphere to the north or to the south of you to use that name. You +are perfectly right; you are--what do you call it?--the boss," and +again he smiled his gentle smile. + +"I get all my cigars from England," he continued. "The English and I +have very similar tastes--in cigars. I have a very old friend, +Professor Weibezhal, who lives in England, and he sends them over to +me. I just received these a few days ago. He is not having a very good +time over there now, he writes me. He can't get what he wants to eat, +and he says he misses his German beer." + +Edestone could scarcely realize that he was sitting in General +Headquarters, the very heart of German militarism, talking to General +von Lichtenstein, the most powerful and astute man in all Europe. But +for the German accent and magnificent uniform it might have been in the +Union Club in New York, and he himself talking to a very nice, rather +simple-minded old gentleman, who was flattered by the attention of a +younger man. + +After the General had inquired about a friend of his who lived in +America--he said he did not know exactly where, not in New York, but +some town near there, Cincinnati or perhaps St. Louis. This struck +Edestone as strange when he thought of the springs on his father's old +place which were marked on a German map that he had seen, although he +himself did not know of their existence, and he had spent his entire +childhood roaming all over it. + +Finally, when he had told him one or two stories about an American +woman whom he had been quite fond of when he was a young man, the +General said in a most apologetic manner: + +"Now I must not keep you. I suppose you would like to go out with some +of the younger officers and see something of this war, now that you are +over here. Or, by the way, it was about some discovery or invention you +have made that you called to see me, was it not? What is this +invention, tell me, and exactly what is it that you want the German +Government to do? If you will explain to me and I can understand, I +will be glad to help you in any way I can. Of course you know that I am +a very small part of the German Empire. I am, however, in a position to +bring your wishes to those who are above me and are all-powerful." + +Then, while Edestone explained to him everything in regard to his +mission except the actual construction of the Deionizer, the old +General sat quietly smoking, smiling occasionally and listening with +the attention that a man might show who was being told of an +improvement in some machine in which he had no personal interest but +was glad to be enlightened, although up to that time the matter had +been something he had never thought much about. + +He would now and then say, "How very interesting!" "Can that be +possible?" "Is that so?" Not even when Edestone described the pictures +shown to the King of England did he manifest any feeling except that of +kindly interest in a most charming young man, who was taking a great +deal of trouble to explain his youthful hopes to a rather slow-thinking +old one. + +He allowed Edestone to talk on, not even interrupting him, to ask a +single question, and when the visitor had finished by expressing the +hope that he might be instrumental in bringing the war to a close, +General von Lichtenstein replied with apparent sincerity: + +"I really see no reason why you should not. You are a brilliant +inventor, apparently a hard worker, and above all you seem willing to +give your talents to the world for the benefit of your fellow-men. The +only thing that you lack is age and experience. I am not an inventor, I +cannot work hard any more, and I am not known as a philanthropist, but +I have age and I have experience, so I think that you and I might make +a good combination. Leave this to me, and I think I can show you how +all that you wish to accomplish can be accomplished, if not exactly in +your way, in a way which I think you will agree with me is a better +way. Whereas I should not dare to speak for His Imperial Majesty, the +Kaiser, I believe I am perfectly safe in saying that he will see you +and inspect your photographs, drawings, and anything else that you may +wish to show him. I will see him and let you know when and where." + +He laid his hand on Edestone's shoulder and walked with him as far as +the door. + +"You are a fine young fellow," he said with a hearty grasp of the hand +as he bade him goodbye, "and all you want is an old head on your broad +young shoulders. Let the old man help you, and everything will be all +right." + +When Edestone was on the outside and thought over all that the General +had said, he would have been delighted with the turn things had taken +had he not been warned by Jones and did he not recall what Count von +Hemelstein had said. + +Being so straightforward himself, he could not understand deceit in +others, and when he recalled the almost inspired expression on the kind +old gentleman's face when he spoke of his son so recently killed in +battle, he could not bring himself to believe that this was the trained +diplomat of iron who covered with that gentle exterior a determination +to crush and kill anything that came between him and the accomplishment +of the great purpose, the great cause to which he had gladly sacrificed +his first-born and the heir to his name and title. + +It was nearly noon, Greenwich time, now, so Edestone hurried back to +his hotel to receive from "Specs" the daily signal: "Awaiting orders. +All is well." + +With the forethought of a good general he wished to be prepared for any +emergency, and when the needle of the receiver, which he had taken from +the trunk at the Embassy, recorded the reassuring message, Edestone +thoroughly satisfied with the work of the morning returned to the +Embassy to keep his appointment with Lawrence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + + +Lawrence was on the lookout for him when he arrived at the Embassy, and +conducted him at once to his own private quarters, where they could be +absolutely alone. + +"Now, Lawrence," said Edestone, when they had made themselves +comfortable, "I want your assistance. Are you game?" + +"Well I ask you, you old simp! Did you not initiate me, in my freshman +year, in the Ki Ki Ki, and do you think that I have forgotten the oath +that I took while sitting with my naked back within a foot of a red-hot +stove, my fingers in a bucket of red ink, and you branding me with a +lump of ice?" He went through with some ridiculous gesticulations to +prove the honours that had been bestowed upon him. + +"I know, old man, but this is no college boy performance. Before you +commit yourself I want you to understand that you are running great +danger. Besides, I don't think that the Acting Ambassador would exactly +approve, as it might involve the United States. Desperate situations, +though, have to be met sometimes with desperate measures." + +"Yours is a noble heart, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and the child is +safe in the hands of Jack Hathaway, the Boy Scout. Go on, I listen. +Your story interests me strangely," said Lawrence. + +Edestone paid no attention to this, but went on in the same manner: "I +can assure you that, except as a last resort, you will not be called on +to do anything that will be an actual violation of our neutrality, and +not even then until I have obtained the permission of the Secretary of +the Embassy. But from now on, Lawrence, you will be looked upon with +great suspicion, and you may have trouble explaining yourself out of a +German prison, if not from in front of a firing squad." He eyed the +younger man keenly as if questioning whether or not he could rely upon +him, and upon seeing this, Lawrence altered his light tone and for once +spoke soberly. + +"Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, +while I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the +level, so what's the use of saying anything more. I'm with you. What is +it you want?" + +"Well, take me up on the roof," said Edestone. + +"Say, Bo, is that all?" + +"Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run +for your money, so for Heaven's sake do be serious." + +The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, +and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the +elevator shaft, was unencumbered. + +Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care. +He found as he expected a small free space over the machinery which was +entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of +the car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by +climbing over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly +dark inside and one could remain there for days without being +discovered. + +After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined +the tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were +waving from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the +edge of the roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at +the city below. He seemed to be establishing his bearings, but seeing +one of the soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Embassy, +he stepped back quickly. + +"Come below," he drew Lawrence back. "We must not be seen." + +Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be +some real excitement, led the way back to his apartments. + +"Little did I think," said Edestone with a smile when they were once +more settled, "when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on +board the _Storm Queen_, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of +the information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument +and one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am +calling on you now." + +"Good," cried Lawrence. "I am the best little sparker that ever sent an +S. O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on +my back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as +for a catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of +toast." + +"All right," said Edestone with a laugh; "as your references from your +last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my +trunks, did you not?" + +"Yes," replied Lawrence. + +"Well, in the one marked 'Black,' there is a small wireless instrument. +The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get +through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do +not know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be +both of but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they +are welcome. Still, on Jones's account, I want them not to know that I +am sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this +instrument is in the Embassy. I want you to install it in the penthouse +above the drum, and I will assure you that if I ask you to send out my +two messages, it will not be until after Jones has given his consent. +Do you think that you can do this?" + +Lawrence pondered for some moments. "Of course I can send the messages, +and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting +the Secretary know or keeping the damn German servants from catching on +I don't quite see." + +"I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any +person can run it by pushing the button. All you have to do then is to +unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have +adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of +the elevator car?" + +"Yes," Lawrence nodded. + +"Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians +in America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you +how. In the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine----" + +"Oh, I say, come now!" said Lawrence. "I suppose you are going to tell +me next that you've got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are +going to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that's no merry +jest; we haven't seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months." + +"No, Lawrence, I'm not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a +moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, +and I propose to give a show right here in the Embassy. I will ask the +Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I +can keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get +Black, who will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run +him up to the top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the +rest, and all you will have to do after that is to see that he gets +down before I turn up the lights, when your absence might be remarked. +Isn't that simple enough?" + +"But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time +comes?" asked Lawrence. + +"I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages +at all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps +it's just as well that you can't get up there without my assistance." + +Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his +strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful +machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said: + +"You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go 'round, +or else you'd be sending messages off to a lot of girls. + +"Now, make haste," he directed, "send for the trunk marked 'Black.'" + +With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and +Edestone having tested Lawrence's knowledge, and explained to him again +exactly what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for +him to know about the code that was to be used. + +A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Ambassador, he +wanted to know what they had been up to. "Has Lawrence been giving you +the telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides," he +asked, "or does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You +know, Jack, Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart +army set. It appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the +military governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he +is teaching the entire royal family the latest American dances." + +"Well, if you care to know what we have been up to," said Edestone, +"I don't mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little +moving-picture entertainment here at the Embassy. Have we your +permission to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for +the people here in the house." + +"Certainly," consented Jones. "Go as far as you like. I myself will be +glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name +of common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way +over from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I +suppose, of course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, +as long as it doesn't get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds +off this war, I haven't any objection. When do you propose to have your +show?" + +"I can't exactly say as to that," Edestone answered. "It all depends +upon Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date." +He looked at the other conspirator with a questioning glance. + +"We'll have it tonight then," said Lawrence. "I think I can get up my +part by that time." He made significant faces at Edestone behind the +Secretary's back. + +"Tonight's the night, eh?" said Jones with a smile. "Very well, we'll +all be on hand." + +Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days' +journey shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings +with his old friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some +of Mrs. Jones's young friends, who were delighted when they heard of +the moving-picture show. + +Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, +Lawrence having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture +machine, Jones turned to his guest. + +"I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon," he said. +"He seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young +man, and will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes +to present you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will +be in a few days. When I told him that you had not told me what your +invention was he merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems +to think that the United States has something to do with sending you +over here. He is a sly old fox and I tell you to look out for him." + +He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating +a barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the +performance. + +The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some +scenes from America which he had brought over to amuse the +distinguished audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures +showing him tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the +servants, but the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not +hesitate to say that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, +travelling all around the world with such silly things. + +But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to +him that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the +penthouse, and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour +longer the work would be finished. + +Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, +taking tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some +especially fine pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little +nervous though as he found his supply of films running short, but at +that moment he spied Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal +"All is well." + +The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him +something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head. + +"I am purposely keeping you out of this, William," he said, "for if I +get into trouble I don't want to drag you and the Missus in with me." + +Then with the promise that he would move around to the Embassy in the +morning, he left for his hotel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +KAFFEE KLATSCH + + +Edestone had now been at the Embassy for about a week and was wondering +what would be the next move on the part of the German General Staff. + +He knew that General von Lichtenstein was not waiting for the return of +the Emperor, for he was in Berlin. In fact he had seen him driving past +the Embassy in his big automobile with the General. Edestone was just +coming out, and although he was not certain, he thought that the +General had recognized him, for he leaned over and spoke to the +Emperor, who looked straight at the American. + +He had heard nothing, but from what the different officers at the clubs +had dropped, he was confident that he had not been forgotten. These had +all received him with great show of cordiality, and among Count von +Hemelstein's friends there had sprung up a certain friendliness, which +he knew was due to the Count's influence. The Count himself, on the +other hand, seemed now to be a little bit ill at ease when in his +presence. He said to Edestone one night after he had been drinking +quite heavily: + +"Mr. Edestone, it is a great pity that you have come over here and +mixed up in our troubles. It is too late now, however; you could not +get out if you tried," and then with a sneer, "not even if you called +to your assistance Princess Wilhelmina, who seems to take so much +interest in you." + +Edestone decided that the German General Staff were preparing their +answer to the new condition that had been brought about by his +invention, and that they were waiting for additional information before +delivering it. He knew that they must realize that some action must be +taken, but with the forethought for which they were so celebrated they +were preparing the way. When they had satisfied themselves that they +were in possession of all of the facts that could be gotten without his +assistance, and had looked at these from every possible standpoint, he +would be sent for, and not until then. + +Several days after his sight of the Emperor, Edestone, in passing +through the halls of the Embassy, was approached by one of the German +servants, who in a rather mysterious manner handed him a note, which +read as follows: + + "Dear Mr. Edestone: Please have Mr. Stuyvesant bring you to tea + on Tuesday afternoon. It is a matter of the greatest importance. + I must see you. + + "PRINCESS WILHELMINA." + +He knew that Princess Wilhelmina was in Berlin. Lawrence had seen her +at the house of Princess Adolph, and in his joking way had said that +she had inquired very particularly after the American inventor, and +that Count von Hemelstein, who thought he was the "candy kid," was very +jealous. + +But why had she sent for him? he thought. When he spoke to +Lawrence, he in his usual jocular manner exclaimed: "Ah, so now you are +to have Kaffee Klatsch with the Princess. I told you so. The lady is in +love with you, and the Emperor is going to offer you her hand in +marriage after he has bestowed on you an Iron Cross in return for one +of your quack medicines." + +Edestone, who declined to take any notice of this, thoughtfully said: +"Can it be possible that she also is a traitor? She cannot imagine for +one moment that she will be able to accomplish what her father was +unable to do, but God gives women confidence in themselves to +compensate them for the fact that nobody else has." With an impatient +gesture, "No, no, Lawrence, that is impossible! That sweet little +child!" + +"Ah!" said Lawrence, "so little Willie Westinghouse has fallen for the +baby stare?" + +"You are absurd, Lawrence," said Edestone with a rather embarrassed +expression. "It is perfectly clear. She feels deeply her father's +disgrace, and perhaps she thinks that I might do something to help her +to exonerate him." + +"Well," said Lawrence, "I don't think there is any satisfaction in +being a hero in Berlin while being locked up in the Tower in London +like her father, but you are the limit. You talk as quietly of using +your influence for a Prince of the Royal Blood with the King of England +as if she were asking you to get her brother a position on the New York +police force. God certainly gave you confidence in yourself." + +"There is nothing very strange about that," replied Edestone. "As I +understand it, the only thing that they have against the Duke of +Windthorst is that he was dining with Rebener and myself, and were I to +state that at no time during the dinner had he shown any disloyalty to +his King and country, it might do a little good. But whatever it is, we +will go and see this afternoon." + +About half-past five they were driven to the handsome residence +occupied by Princess Adolph when in Berlin. + +They were immediately shown into a large and beautiful room in the +style of Louis XVI., which had evidently been designed and executed by +a French artist. It was free from the brutal touch which the Germans +show in their attempt at the refinement of the French Renaissance of +that period. + +They were received by Princess Adolph, a very striking young woman, who +shocked all of Berlin by affecting French clothes, French language, and +a French mode of life. She was surrounded by some of the dashing young +officers of the very exclusive army set. These glared through their +monocles when the Americans were announced and did not try to hide +their annoyance. + +Lawrence, without taking the slightest notice of these "Knights of the +Butchered Face," as he called them, with his usual careless and +frivolous manner, went over to the Princess and immediately began to +shower upon her in the most effusive manner compliment after +compliment, which she received with laughter. She rather prided herself +on shocking Berlin by pretending to be tremendously interested in this +wild young American. + +The Princess turned to Edestone and extended her hand. He had +hesitated; he resented the manner of her young gallants, and feared +that they might, with their usual rudeness to Americans in the presence +of women, put him into an embarrassing position. Smiling she said: + +"I welcome you, Mr. Edestone, as the greatest lion of them all in this +den of lions," and with a reproving frown she waved her hand at the +officers who were so poorly hiding their annoyance. + +She then turned to Princess Wilhelmina, who was seated behind a large +table and was pouring out a cup of coffee, which she continued to do +when she saw Edestone until it was called to her attention that the cup +was full as well as the saucer. + +"Billy," she nodded, "you and Mr. Edestone are old friends. Give him a +cup of tea; I know he does not like _Kaffee und Schlagsahne_." + +The little Princess, who was very much embarrassed, extended her hand, +which Edestone took and seated himself beside her. + +This scene might have been enacted in an English country house if it +had not been so entirely different. The Germans, in their effort to +affect certain charming English customs and Germanize them, in the +process lose the charm. Tea time for the Englishman is the hour of +relaxation after a day in the open, when he can in his easy clothes +receive the homage of the ladies in their beautiful tea-gowns. Whereas +here, these men in their tight-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms, were +attitudinizing and indulging in that military form of gallantry, which +may be picturesque but certainly looks most uncomfortable. + +The entrance of the Americans had thrown a chill upon the entire +company. The officers simply refused to open their mouths, and sat +glaring at the two intruders. + +Edestone, after having made several attempts to relieve the situation, +relapsed into silence. The feeble efforts of the Princess Wilhelmina +but added to the atmosphere of restraint which she was unable to +dispel. + +Princess Adolph up to this time had been entirely monopolized by +Lawrence, but catching an appealing look from her English cousin, came +to the rescue at last. She was apparently in the secret, and in a most +natural manner called upon Princess Wilhelmina to show Mr. Edestone her +new French garden, which she said had been laid out by a young American +studying at the cole des Beaux Arts. + +Princess Billy, who by this time was in such a state of excitement that +she could scarcely get up from where she was sitting, and as if to +postpone as long as possible the meeting which she had brought upon +herself, managed to say: + +"I don't think that Mr. Edestone is interested in such simple things as +flowers," but catching the glance that was thrown at her by Princess +Adolph she continued with a nervous little laugh: "Come, Mr. Edestone, +I hope I shall be able to explain everything to you properly." + +When the timid little figure led the way and was followed by that of +the big man with his dignified bearing, one might almost imagine that +it was an indulgent father taking his very frightened little daughter +out to give her a lecture. + +When they were on the outside and alone, as she stopped and grasped the +balcony to support herself she said, looking up into his face with eyes +in which tears were gathering: + +"Oh, Mr. Edestone, I don't know what to say! I don't know what you will +think of me. I know you hate all of us and especially me." + +"Oh, don't say that, Princess!" interrupted Edestone, moved to pity for +the poor little child who seemed to him, as he looked down into her +sweet little face, almost young enough to have been his own daughter. + +"Oh yes you do; I know you do! But I am not what you think I am," and +in a very hurried manner, looking about her, she continued, lowering +her voice: "I am no traitor to my country, and I know that what my +father did he did because he believed it was his duty." + +"Oh, Princess Wilhelmina!" said Edestone, as if to stop her on this +most disagreeable subject. + +"Please do not call me Princess in that sarcastic manner. I hate being +a Princess! I know you hate all of our class, and believe that we are +all as heartless as we are sometimes forced to appear. But it is not of +that that I wish to speak. My sole object in sending for you is to tell +you that I know you are in great danger, and to beg--I mean advise--you +to leave Berlin at once. I know that you believe I am working for them, +and in fact I could not have arranged this interview unless I had left +them under the impression that I was, but I don't care. Please go +before it is too late." + +Edestone, who at first thought that she might have been playing a part, +was now convinced of her sincerity. "My dear little Princess Billy," he +said, leaning over and with great effort resisting his inclination to +take her hand, "is that why you sent for me?" + +"Yes," she blushed and smiled when he used the familiar form of +address, "I have heard that you were going to be killed, and I was +determined to warn you, so I pretended to be working for them. Now +please go before it is too late." + +"But, Princess, why did you take all of this risk for me?" + +"Oh, I don't know; but I must show you the garden. I hope that you +won't think I am very forward." + +She then hurriedly passed into the garden and gave him in a very rapid +and disconnected manner a description of the different plants, +fountains, statues, etc. She hurried back into the drawing-room, but +just before reaching the other group, she said in an undertone: + +"Now, won't you promise me that you will leave Berlin at once?" + +Before he had time to answer they were joined by Princess Adolph. + +The Americans remained for a few moments and then took their leave. The +little Princess, as she put her icy cold hand in his, gave him an +appealing look. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + + +The Secretary came in with a very grave face one morning after having +had a long talk with the German Chancellor. + +"Do you know, Jack," he said, "I think the German Government intends +to declare war on us, and I would not be a bit surprised if she +proposes to strike first and declare afterwards. Their newspapers, +and they are all inspired by the Government, you know, are working +up a strong anti-American feeling, and this I think is done in order +that when they do strike the Government may have the entire country +back of it. Have you noticed, too, that they are constantly increasing +the guard around the Embassy, which is either to save us or to catch +us? Is it possible that your nonsense has got anything to do with all +this? By Jove, Jack, I think it is about time that you told me what +you are up to." + +Edestone considered for a moment. "When you tell me that you are +absolutely certain that they are going to strike, I will tell you, +William, and not before. You know enough now, however, to realize that +those soldiers outside are to catch and not protect. It is me that they +want, though, and not you. Your position is perfectly safe and +unassailable so long as you do not know too much." + +That ended the discussion for the time, but Lawrence came in one night +in a state of great excitement. He had just seen some woman who, he +rather intimated, was a little bit fond of him, and who was also very +closely connected with certain high officials. She had told him, he +said, apparently joking although he knew she was in earnest, that she +hoped her pretty boy would not mix up with this man Edestone, or he +might get into trouble too. + +"'They are only allowing us to stay in Berlin,' she said, 'until they +get you, Jack,'" declared Lawrence, "and then we will have to go, the +whole lot of us." + +In the meantime things were going from bad to worse. The Secretary was +getting more and more anxious. Reports of all kinds kept coming in from +all sides. Americans were being insulted in the street. The officers at +the clubs were a little more arrogant in their studied politeness +toward Edestone and his associates, the younger officers even taunting +Lawrence with having to leave his girl in Berlin and go back to +cow-punching. + +Finally one of the papers reported that the entire American fleet was +collecting at Hampton Roads, that all the German boats in New York had +been dismantled by force, and broadly suggested that the Yankees were +about to strike first and apologize afterward. + +However, there came a slight rift in the clouds. Coming back one +morning after a conference with the Chancellor, Jones was all smiles. + +"Well, we are all right for a little while at least," he announced. +"The Chancellor has just informed me that the Emperor has decided to +see you, Edestone, and he wishes to inspect here, at the Embassy, +anything that you may like to show him. The Chancellor intimated that +it would depend entirely upon your attitude on this occasion whether or +not your mission to Europe was a failure or a brilliant success." + +"And when is he coming?" asked Edestone quickly. + +Jones grinned. "With his usual impetuosity, he has selected tonight, +and will pay the Embassy a formal call at nine o'clock, after the +celebration at the Palace in honour of the birthday of one of the Royal +princes." + +Edestone was delighted with the prospect of some action at last, but he +had long since lost all hope of an amicable settlement. They had waited +too long. He felt that they were preparing to strike, and should they +do so it made him sick to think of the awful consequences. He was +almost tempted to tell Jones of the wireless instrument in the +penthouse and his daily communications with "Specs," but he remembered +that he had no right to involve him as a representative of the United +States, and that, as the matter stood, he and Lawrence were the only +culprits. + +He did not care to destroy the roseate hopes of the Secretary after his +conference with the Chancellor, and contented himself with saying: +"William, I hope that you are right, but I have an impression that we +are in for it. I am prepared to meet any game that they may play, but I +do sincerely hope that I shall not be forced to it." + +By seven o'clock that evening the streets for blocks around the Embassy +were filled with soldiers, and Edestone smiled when looking from the +window he noticed that the Germans were bringing up anti-aircraft guns. + +"They are taking no chances," he thought to himself, his curiosity +aroused as he noticed several large mortars being brought up and +so placed that each battery of four could throw their shells in +parallel lines over the Embassy to the north, south, east, and west. +This struck him as very strange, but he became even more interested +when he perceived that besides the ordinary ammunition wagon each gun +was provided with a trailer that looked like a big wheel or drum on a +two-wheeled carriage, although it was so carefully covered over that +he could not make out exactly what it was. + +"I have got to find out what those things are," said Edestone to +himself, and taking his hat and cane, he left the Embassy as if for a +short stroll before dinner. + +The soldiers took no notice of him as he sauntered along, and allowed him +to inspect everything at his will until he approached the strange-looking +mortars. Then he was stopped by a young officer, who told him in a very +polite but firm tone that he would have to pass on and could not go by +that way, at the same time showing him where he could walk around the +block. + +"I would give a good deal to know what those things are," muttered +Edestone to himself. "In fact, I must know before the night is over." + +He went back into the house, after strolling about for a quarter of an +hour, and for the first time since he had left the Little Place in the +Country, he became really anxious. + +"These are wonderful people. They evidently are satisfied now that they +have the answer, and who knows but they may have. All may yet be lost." + +He sat down and drove his brain as he had never driven it before. He +wondered if he could get the Secretary to demand what all this +preparation meant, and what these new death-dealing instruments might +be that were threatening the Embassy of the United States; but that was +useless, he knew. They would reply that it was to protect the Emperor, +or would simply refuse to answer, or answering would lie. + +After waiting until it was time to dress for dinner, in a fit of +desperation he sent for Lawrence. + +"Lawrence," he said, "have you seen those mortars out there?" + +"Yes," replied Lawrence, "I did. They take no chances with the 'Big +Noise.'" + +"Don't joke, Lawrence. This is serious; very serious. Did you notice +those two-wheeled wagons that are so carefully covered with canvas just +behind each of the mortars?" + +"No, to tell you the truth, I did not. They have so many travelling +soup wagons and ice plants that I don't pay any attention to those +things any more." + +"Well, Lawrence, I've got to know what they are tonight in order that I +may be prepared; otherwise we may find ourselves in a very serious +situation, and what is much more important, my whole life's work may be +absolutely lost." + +"Now, since you put it that way," said Lawrence with a broad grin, "I +will step out and in my most polite Deutsch inquire." + +"They will not let you get within a block of them. Do you think it will +be possible to persuade one of the German servants to find out from the +soldiers? I would pay any price." + +"Well, I will dress myself like the cook and go out and flirt with one +of the soldiers for $2. I'm a little badly off for money myself just +about this time." + +"Lawrence, you must stop joking. I tell you, something must be done." + +"Leave me think, leave me think," said the irrepressible. +"_Donnerwetter_, I have it! What time does the Hohenzollern Glee Club +arrive?" + +"At nine o'clock." + +"And you come on immediately after the 'First Part,' succeeding which I +suppose Lohengrin will sing his Duck Ditty, while the Boy Scout, +dressed as Uncle Tom's Cabin, after biting the triggers off all the +guns, and pulling his wig well down over his eyes"--imitating the +action--"will sally forth into the limpid limelights, and after he has +been shot once in the face by a 16-inch howitzer and has been played +upon in the rear by a battery of machine guns, he will limp on with the +regular limp of the old Virginia servant and die at your feet, but not +until I have whispered their secret into the heel of your boot." + +Edestone had known Lawrence long enough to understand that all of this +nonsense meant that his really bright mind was working, and that he had +some definite plan in view. The best way to handle him, he had found +out, was to let his exuberance of spirit have free swing, so he replied +in the same melodramatic manner: "Good, my faithful District Messenger +Boy. Now in what way can I assist you in your wonderful scheme?" + +"Leave all to me, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and before the clock on +yon 'back drop' strikes eight bells, you will know what is hidden +beneath these veils of mystery." + +"I can depend upon you," Edestone eyed him searchingly, "and no +mistake?" + +"On the life of me mother who lies dead beneath the sacred soil of dear +old Idaho!" With a wave of an imaginary sword, and jumping astride an +imaginary stick horse, he saluted and galloped from the room, singing +"It's a Long Way to Tipperary." + +"I wonder what that dare-devil is up to," thought Edestone. +Nevertheless he believed that Lawrence would accomplish his purpose. + +Presently his attention was attracted by the beams of a searchlight +crossing the window, and looking out he saw those great white arms +stretching up from every part of the city. + +"They expect me to show my teeth tonight," he said. + +The distant tapping of drums showed that troops were moving in all +parts of Berlin, and they were beginning to form in the streets below. +It was easy to see by which route the Emperor was coming, or at least +by which route he wished the people to think he was going to arrive. + +Edestone dressed hurriedly, although James seemed to think that +something extra should be done. + +"Beg pardon, sir," he pleaded in an accent which would have meant +imprisonment for him if heard on the streets outside, "but these here +barbarians likes a bit of colour, sir. I understands as how the Emperor +calls the Ambassador the 'undertaker,' sir, and it's all on account, +sir, of his not a-having any lace on his coat, sir. Don't you think you +might wear some of your Colonial Society medals and decorations, sir?" +and he tried hard to hide his contempt for these American signs of +alleged aristocracy. "There is some as is bright in colour, sir, and he +wouldn't know, sir, but as how you is a duke in America, sir." + +"None of that nonsense, James, unless," he said with a quizzical look, +"you give me the copy of the Golden Fleece, which shows that I am a +member in good standing of the South Chicago Aero Club." + +"Not that one, sir," protested James, "if you will pardon me, sir, I +think it is a bit large, sir, for the waistcoat opening, sir. I think, +sir, that the Order of the Cincinnati is very neat, sir. It is very +much like one of the Greek Orders, I don't recall which, sir, but Lord +Knott wore it once, I recall, sir, when the King of Greece was in +London, sir." + +"No, James," Edestone shook his head. "My father was a blacksmith, and +I would not like to deceive the Emperor." + +"How you do like your little joke, sir," said James, putting his hand +to his mouth. "Won't you just use that button, sir, instead of a +buttonhole? It ain't so frivolous like, sir, begging your pardon, sir." + +"Oh well, yes; just to keep you quiet." + +"Thank you, sir." + +And Edestone left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DER KAISER + + +Downstairs, the household was in a state of suppressed excitement. The +German men servants, without the usual protection of a brilliant +uniform, looked as if they would like to drop everything and hide +themselves in the coal cellar. The maids were almost on the verge of +tears. Mrs. Jones, with all the jewelry on that she possessed, was +moving about with a flushed face seeing that everything was in order. + +"For Heaven's sake, hurry up, Jack," she said. "We must have a short +dinner and be ready when the Emperor arrives. As for myself, I never +can touch anything for hours before I meet him. He scares me almost out +of my wits." + +Her husband was walking up and down with the expression of a man who is +the speaker of the evening, watching the waiters serving coffee and +passing cigars. The only persons who seemed perfectly at their ease +were Lawrence and his Bowery boy valet, Fred, who were holding a very +serious conversation in the corner of the hall. + +Dinner, it must be confessed, was very like the gathering of the +distant relatives the night before the funeral of the rich old maid of +the family. Lawrence's jokes were either not heard or were received +with sad-eyed contortions of the face that were less like a smile than +the premonition of a sneeze. The strain was so great that as they were +having their coffee a sudden clatter in the street came as an immense +relief. + +The air was instantly filled with the subdued noise of the different +members of the household taking their various places. The Acting +Ambassador and Mrs. Jones went out of the dining-room and took a +position near the door of the large reception room, leaving Edestone +and Lawrence alone. They had previously explained to Edestone what he +must do when they notified him that it was time for him to come in and +be presented. + +"Lawrence," he said when the servants had all gone, "won't you tell me +what you have decided on? I am rather curious to know your plan." + +Lawrence, who had grown quite serious for him, came around from his +place and lighting a cigarette sat down close to him. + +"You know Prince Fritz Funk?" he leaned over to whisper. + +"Of course," said Edestone. + +"Well," continued Lawrence, "I'm supposed to look something like him. I +am just his height. He has, as you know, certain striking mannerisms, +which when he is drinking are accentuated. I have all last year been +amusing the officers at the clubs by giving imitations of him, and they +do say I am better than he is himself. + +"Now all the soldiers stationed in and about Berlin know Fritzie's +peculiarities, so I propose to impersonate him tonight while he is in +here drinking the Ambassador's champagne. My man is to get his helmet, +'_avec le grand panache_,' and his long gray-blue military cape, and +with my riding boots and spurs and a sword, I shall be able to fool +those boobs out there; that is, if they don't throw on me one of those +damned spot lights. If they do, G-o-o-d-n-i-g-h-t! Then I can only say +that I am doing it on a bet. But I hardly think that would save me in +these times. The least I could expect would be a term in prison for +insulting the uniform. I will go down in history as 'Little Boy Blue up +in the air.'" + +"It's a big risk you're taking," frowned Edestone, "and were there any +other way I would not allow you to do this. But if you do succeed, you +will go down in history in a way you could never dream. Lawrence, if +you get back safely with this information, I will make you a present of +$1,000,000." + +Lawrence looked at his friend as if he thought that he had lost his +mind, but when he saw the look of determination on Edestone's strong +face, which seemed to have aged within the hour, and when he felt the +grip of his powerful hand, he knew that he meant every word he said. + +"By God, old man," he said with a little break in his voice, "you +should be the Emperor instead of his nibs out there." + +"I may be yet," said Edestone smiling, and a look came on his face that +Lawrence had never seen there before. + +The servants were moving quietly about the room, but it was plain to +see that they felt the presence of the Lord's Anointed. Through the +house could be heard the clatter of many swords and the tramping of +booted heels along the marble hall. It sent a thrill through Edestone +that he would have had difficulty to explain. It was like the echo of +some far distant past seeming to recall to life a sleeping spirit, +which with great exultation was throwing off the fetters of its long +slumbers. He seemed to be impelled by an almost irresistible force to +rush into their midst and take his rightful position at their head. + +He was recalled to himself by the sudden silence that had fallen on the +entire house, as though some great army had been halted and was +standing at rigid attention. Then he heard the silvery tinkle and +metallic clink of sabre and spurs as of a single figure striding with +military precision over the softest of carpets, and he could picture +that majestic form advancing well in front of his glittering escort as +they stood in breathless silence while he made his dramatic entrance. + +Then the silence was broken by a voice which said slowly and +distinctly: "His Imperial Majesty." An almost simultaneous click +followed as if all had come to a salute and were waiting for the sign +to relax and from automatons become human beings again. + +Edestone was all alone in the dining-room. + +The servants had left the room after removing the table decorations, +covering it with a dark cloth and setting a large bowl of flowers in +the centre; and Lawrence had gone out quietly on hearing the noise in +the hall. + +And so he sat, this young man in a strange land, thousands of miles +away from his home, waiting to be called to a death struggle, without +help from anyone, with the most powerful, arrogant, and relentless man +on the face of the earth, an adversary surrounded by the most perfect +fighting machine yet devised by man, with all the confidence, that +tradition, success, and a brilliant mind could give. An Emperor with +the sublime dignity of his position which he sincerely believed he held +by Divine Right, and who had always lived surrounded by an atmosphere +of absolute submission to his will. + +Yet Edestone was not afraid. He was not even nervous. He was merely +anxious to be up and doing. This show of force, those mysterious +two-wheeled wagons, had roused his fighting blood. So assured was +he of his own sincerity in his efforts for the good of all that he +resented the attitude which they had taken. He knew they would try +to get his invention peaceably, if possible, but would stop at nothing +if they failed, and he expected some overt act of violence tonight that +would mean war with the United States. + +So when he was called by one of the under-secretaries of the Embassy he +went with little charity in his heart, but with head erect and +determination shown in his every movement, bearing on his face, which +seemed to have grown very hard, a look that left no doubt of the +fearlessness of the spirit that was behind it. + +He was taken in at one end of the large room that vibrated with light +and colour. Around three sides of it was banked the most brilliant +array of uniforms that he had ever seen. There were white-headed +generals ablaze with decorations and medals; there were young princes +with simple uniforms and with but one handsome decoration to show their +distinguished rank. There were Cuirassiers and Uhlans, and now and then +he could pick out the sombre black and silver uniforms of the +celebrated Death's-Head Hussars. + +But the one figure which dominated all and held his attention was that +of the Emperor. + +He stood in the centre of the room with the Secretary and General von +Lichtenstein, Mrs. Jones having retired as soon as she had received her +distinguished guest. + +He was a man of medium height but with a bearing which made him appear +larger than he really was. He was dressed in the wonderful white +uniform of the Garde du Corps, which carried with it the celebrated +silver eagle helmet. + +As this figure dominated and held the centre of this brilliant picture, +so his face drew the attention from his magnificent uniform and held it +as with a magnetic power. It was handsome, intelligent, strong, but +above all it was commanding. There was little kindness but there was a +merry twinkle in his sharp blue eyes which showed a human side and was +most attractive. + +These eyes could change, however, and when he saw Edestone and they +were met by his perfectly fearless but respectful glance, they seemed +to try by force to penetrate his very soul. + +Edestone advanced alone until he came to within a few paces of the +central group, and then stopped, standing with one knee slightly bent, +his right hand held lightly in front of his body, which was inclined in +a graceful and easy attitude of reverence, while his other hand hung +naturally at his side. + +After his first quick glance, Edestone dropped his eyes to about the +Emperor's knees and held them there until the Secretary, with a slight +gesture, called him to his side. The young man then straightened up and +went slowly to the Ambassador's left, and there stood perfectly erect +looking straight at the Emperor, while Jones with some show of +embarrassment was saying: + +"Your Majesty, may I present Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York." + +The Emperor, with the hearty and easy manner which he always assumes +with those he has been told are distinguished Americans and with that +quizzical expression in his sharp eyes which, though attractive, is +described as most disconcerting, replied. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, in a loud voice, "your fame has gone before +you, and we are always glad to welcome distinguished men of science in +Berlin, which we think is the centre of science and culture. Your name, +that of a great lighthouse and suggesting the greatest of your +inventions, electric lights, convinces me that you were born to blaze +the way for us," and he laughed, in which he was joined heartily by his +well-trained courtiers, who knew that nothing pleased him more than to +appreciate his little jokes of which he was so fond. + +With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn +by Edestone, and said: + +"I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a +greater claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor's rank?" + +"He was a general, Your Majesty," replied Edestone with a firmness that +seemed to attract and slightly offend him. + +He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him +that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. +"General von Lichtenstein tells me," his face brightening up again, +"that you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great +service to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had +expected this cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those +grasping English. He tells me that you have motion pictures of this +invention in actual war practice, which the representative of the +American Ambassador has so kindly invited me here to see." + +Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: "I thank +you, Mr. Secretary." Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather +a sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: "I will gladly see your +pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I +will, if I like it, buy your invention at a good price." + +And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to +applaud his every sentiment, he said: "Germany expects and is able to +pay large prices for American goods now." And then, as if to cut short +any possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his +back upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: "Where are these +pictures?" + +"In the next room," replied the Secretary, "and if you please, Mr. +Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone," he said, +"has everything been arranged?" + +"Yes," nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly +calm exterior. + +The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into +another room where Black had installed the apparatus. + +Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing +up the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his +place in front of the screen when his attention was called by General +von Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of +speaking to him apart from the others. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, drawing him aside, "one would think that you +had spent your entire life among us," and with a quizzical smile he +added: "I think you rather astonished the Kaiser by your _sang-froid_. +I have seen men of the highest rank stand speechless in his presence, +while you are as finished as a courtier of the Grand Monarque and as +cool as the Iron Chancellor. + +"I admit," he said in his fatherly manner, "I had no authority from you +to do so, but thought it best to leave upon the Emperor the impression +that you would sell your invention. Had I not done so he certainly +would have demanded the reasons for your presence in Berlin, and had I +dared to suggest that you had been sent by the United States to coerce +him he would have been thrown into such a rage that he might have +declared war on your country, which I understand is the last thing that +you want." + +"I regret that you did this, General von Lichtenstein, if I may be +pardoned for seeming to criticize a statesman of your experience and +distinction; for I do not intend to sell and my country has not sent me +to coerce. I have come instead to appeal to your reason, after showing +you the uselessness of continuing this loss of life in the face of the +great power in the hands of those who know the secret of my invention +and intend to put a stop to it." + +A cloud seemed to pass over the General's face, but he soon recovered +his bland, almost Oriental smile. + +"But, Mr. Edestone, you seem to forget that whereas others _may_ have +the secret, we know that you certainly have it, and you are still our +most honoured guest in Berlin." + +"Where I am also the guest of my own country, so long as the Acting +Ambassador is so kind as to allow me to remain under his roof and our +flag," replied Edestone pointedly, intending if possible to force the +General's hand. + +In this he failed as the old man only smiled through his glasses. + +"A great statesman was lost when you turned inventor, Mr. Edestone," he +said in a most complimentary tone. "But come, I fear His Majesty +waits." And then changing his manner, he said with a knowing wink: + +"Here is a note which Princess Wilhelmina asked me to deliver to you. +She seems to be very much interested. Can it be possible that you are +raising your eyes to a Princess of the Blood? + +"Still, stranger things than that have happened," he half mused, "and +His Imperial Majesty is always glad to recognize talent and reward it +in a befitting manner." + +They went into the other room where the Emperor sat waiting. Evidently +impatient that Edestone was not at his position of parlour entertainer +in front of the screen with his pointer in hand as soon as the Imperial +eye should deign to be cast in that direction, he rose with exaggerated +politeness when the American appeared and said in a most sarcastic +manner: "Must the whole world wait while inventors dream?" + +Then sitting down he added in a harsh and irritable tone: "With your +very kind assistance, Mr. Edestone, we will now inspect these much +talked of pictures." + +There was a silence in the room that was like a gasp of horror, and +the company all standing looked as if they expected to see Edestone +sink to the floor with mortification; that is, all except Jones, who +slow-moving had only gotten half-way to his feet when the Kaiser sat +down, and who now dropped back into his chair with a quizzical little +smile playing about the corners of his mouth. + +But Edestone, with the respectful manner of a grown man answering his +father, who still looked upon him as a boy, and who had reproved him +unjustly, said with an indulgent smile that bore no trace of +resentment: + +"I beg that Your Majesty will forgive me, but I was held prisoner by +General von Lichtenstein, and not until I waved the Stars and Stripes +would he let me go." + +The General hurried over to the Emperor. "Pardon me, Sire," he said, +for he saw that the Emperor would fly into one of his fits of rage and +might upset all of their well-laid plans if something was not quickly +done to quiet him. "Pardon me, Sire, it was my fault. I did not know +that I was keeping Your Majesty waiting." + +"Go on with the pictures," said the Emperor, with an impatient gesture +of his enormous right hand, and he sat glaring at the screen as the +lights went out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE MASQUERADER + + +Lawrence waited until the room was dark and then slipped out unnoticed. +He would have liked to remain and see the rest of Edestone's most +interesting pictures which had started off with those taken in +Newfoundland and included a series not shown at Buckingham Palace. But +he had an exciting task before him. The idea of posing as a Royal +Prince in the magnificent uniform of the Imperial Hussars with nodding +plumes and flowing military cape, his coat-of-arms emblazoned on his +left shoulder, appealed to his dramatic instincts, as did the danger to +his passion for adventure. + +He was brave, but unlike Edestone his was the bravery of an unthinking +recklessness rather than that of a perfectly balanced mind which, +contemptuous of the body that carries it, forces that body to do its +bidding. + +The fact that Edestone had offered him an unheard of reward had made +little impression, going in one ear and out of the other. He would +accept it as lightly as it had been offered because he himself would +have made exactly the same offer under the same circumstances. Whenever +he wanted anything he paid the price, even if it took his last cent. It +was no incentive to action now, as he would have gladly paid for the +privilege of playing this big part in this wonderful melodrama--a +melodrama which he was prepared at any time to see change into a +tragedy, with him the dead hero. + +He found that his Bowery boy Fred, under the pretext that it was +customary in the best New York "high society," had bullied the German +flunkeys into bringing all of the officers' helmets and cloaks upstairs +and laying them out on a bed in one of the chambers on the second +floor, from which place it was easy for him to smuggle all he wanted +into Lawrence's room. Lawrence found him there waiting to help him +"make up." + +Turning up the collar of his dress coat so as to hide his white shirt +front, the masquerader buckled on the sabre that Fred handed to him. +Without changing his trousers he put on his riding boots and spurs, +which with the busby and cloak, a pair of white kid gloves, and a small +blond moustache completed his disguise. Standing thus in the middle of +the room with the door open, he waited until Fred signalled that the +coast was clear. He then stepped quickly across the hall and into the +elevator, closely followed by Fred, who closed the door. When they were +perfectly safe from interruption, he adjusted his costume and his false +moustache to his entire satisfaction, pinning the cloak securely +together with large safety pins to prevent it from flying open. Then as +the elevator passed the main floor on its way to the basement, he made +a gesture of derision. + +Fred got out of the car and again carefully reconnoitred. Finding that +the passage leading to the garden was clear and that there was no one +in the billiard room, which was between the elevator and the outside +door, he signalled and Lawrence walked out into the garden at the side +of the Embassy. + +It was quite dark there, but not dark enough to prevent the soldiers, +who were stationed about to watch this door, from seeing him as he +stood perfectly still as if hesitating which way to turn. + +Observing that he was an officer, they saluted and stood at attention. +Then as he moved forward and they saw the insignia on his cloak they +signalled in some mysterious manner to the next post, who in turn +passed it down the line that Royalty was at large and that they must be +careful not to be caught napping. + +Accordingly, as Lawrence emerged from the semi-darkness and came around +to the front of the Embassy, every soldier was standing at attention +and the different officers, after looking searchingly but most +respectfully at him to satisfy themselves who he was, stepped back and +allowed him to pass, while they stood like pieces of stone. + +Lawrence did not deign even to notice them, but, reeling unsteadily in +his gait, passed them without even acknowledging their salute. + +His presence having been reported to the Captain who had charge of the +company that was stationed in the street immediately in front of the +Embassy, this officer hastened up to him. + +"Is there anything that you require, Your Royal Highness?" he saluted. +Lawrence, carrying out his pretence of intoxication, gave a perfect +imitation of the Prince when in that condition. + +"I am making a tour of inspection to see that everything is all right," +he said thickly. + +The Captain saw his condition and showed an inclination to follow him, +but Lawrence waved his hand with what was intended to be a regal +gesture, although in fact it seemed to throw him almost off his +balance. + +The Captain stepped back most respectfully and saluted, but smiled as +he followed with his eyes the young Prince. + +Lawrence strutted quickly but unsteadily until he came to within about +a hundred yards of the mortars, where a sentry challenged him. + +"Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but my orders are to permit no one to +pass. If you will allow me, I will call the Corporal of the Guard, who +will send for the Captain." + +Lawrence interrupted him by bellowing: + +"Get out of my way, you stupid blockhead, or I'll kick you out of my +way! I have not time to wait for the lot of fools that you all are." + +Then as the man did not move he gave him a tremendous upper-cut, +catching his chin with the base of his open hand and sending his head +back and lifting him off his feet. He fell sprawling about ten feet +away against an iron railing, where he lay perfectly still with a nasty +cut in the back of his head. + +The Captain, who had been slowly following to see that nothing happened +to his Royal charge, ran up quickly and, ordering another soldier to +take the place of the fallen sentry, had the wounded man hurried +quickly out of sight. + +In the meantime Lawrence was strolling along, without even looking back +at the poor fellow where he lay. + +"I caught him just right," he muttered with a touch of compunction. "I +hope I did not hurt him badly." + +When he finally came to the mortars with the mysterious two-wheeled +wagons attached to them, he walked around from one to the other, as if +he were making a careful inspection to see that everything was all +right. It was impossible for him even now to make out what was hidden +under the canvas covers. One thing he could see, however, and that was, +that from under each there ran a carefully insulated electric cable to +the nearest fire hydrant where it was carefully attached. + +After inspecting all four, Lawrence turned around and went back to the +second wagon, the cover of which he had noticed was not on exactly +straight. He hoped to be able to see what was underneath, but he found +that the cover was strapped down so tightly that he could get no +inkling. + +During all this time the officers and men were standing at attention in +their proper places, although they followed him with their eyes, an +amused expression on their faces. + +Finding that it was impossible for him to discover anything while the +covers remained on the wagons, he bellowed in a loud and commanding +voice, not forgetting to imitate Royalty in its cups: + +"Lieutenant!" + +And to the young officer who ran up to him he said: + +"Why is not that cover on straight? Did you not receive orders that +these--" and as Lawrence had not the slightest idea what "these" were, +he substituted a loud hiccough for the unknown name, and contented +himself with pointing with an unsteady hand. "Did you not understand +these had to be perfectly concealed? Now that one is not perfectly +concealed, for I can see perfectly what it is, so take that cover off +and put it on straight. And be quick about it or I will report you for +untidiness." + +The Lieutenant, who was one of the very young recruits now officering +the German Army, feeling overpowered by the presence of Royalty, had +given the order, and the men were unstrapping the cover when the +Captain came up. + +"What are you doing there?" he demanded. Then turning sharply to the +young Lieutenant he said in the most brutal manner: + +"Don't you know that the orders are not to take these covers off, not +until the very last minute, not until everything else has been tried +and has failed to bring her down." + +"But His Royal Highness," stammered the younger officer, "has ordered +this cover off because it is not on straight." + +"But, Your Royal Highness," expostulated the Captain, although in the +most deferential manner, "don't you think that this cover is on +straight enough?" + +"What! Do you mean to contradict me?" Lawrence almost screamed. "I say +that the cover is not on straight, and I have ordered this fool to take +it off and put it on straight, perfectly straight." + +"But that is impossible," said the Captain, warily keeping out of reach +of His Royal Highness's fists. "The orders are that these covers are +not to come off until the American flying machine makes its appearance, +and if it does not appear, the covers are not to come off at all. These +are the orders of the General Staff, and Your Royal Highness must +realize that they have to be obeyed." + +"Well," said Lawrence with the persistency of a drunken man, talking at +the top of his voice, "if you do not put that cover on straight I will +report you, and you will be court-martialled for insulting a Prince of +the Blood." + +All the while he kept swaying as if he were about to fall. + +Straightening himself up with much difficulty and assuming a drunken +dignity he started to go away; but as if he were unable to free his +intoxicated mind from the one idea that obsessed it, he turned and +changed his tone to a persuasive one. + +"I don't insist that you take the cover off," he laughed, "I only +insist that it be straightened, because you can see as well as I that +it is not on perfectly straight, and your orders were to put these +covers on straight, perfectly straight." + +The Captain, now thoroughly amused, and deciding that the best way was +to humour him, thought, since his orders were only not to remove, that +he would be able to satisfy the Prince without directly disobeying his +instructions. He therefore ordered the men to unstrap the cover and +pull it around. + +Lawrence seemed entirely satisfied with this, and took such interest in +seeing that the cover was adjusted to exactly the right position, that +he leaned over and took hold of it himself, as if to give his help. As +he did so he gave a lurch, and grabbing at the cover as if to save +himself, he went down in a heap with it on top of him. + +The men helped him quickly to his feet and as quickly readjusted the +cover, but not before he had seen that the drum-shaped objects were in +fact great wooden spools on which were wound thousands and thousands of +yards of large copper wire. + +Having seen all that he wanted, he now turned his attention towards +getting back to the Embassy, so taking the Captain's arm, and seeming +either to have lost all interest or to have been overcome by his fall, +made his way along. He swung and lurched so that it was with difficulty +the officer kept him on his feet. + +Then when they arrived at the front steps and the Captain was assisting +him up, Lawrence, as if suddenly awaking from sleep, stopped. + +"I am too dirty to go in by the front door," he protested, "I will go +in by the garden. I am much obliged to you, Captain; don't come any +farther." + +Then laughing and shaking his finger in the Captain's face, he said in +a tone of exultation: "I got that cover on straight, anyhow--perfectly +straight." + +Swaying as he rounded the corner of the house, he went in through the +side door, where he found Fred waiting for him, who pulled off his +boots and gave him his pumps. + +He took off his busby, and handed it to Fred, unpinned the long +military cloak, unbuckled his sword, turned down the collar of his +evening coat, and "Richard was himself again." + +Stepping into the elevator and letting himself off at the main floor, +he went hurriedly into the room where Edestone was still showing his +pictures, while Fred, after brushing and cleaning the royal +paraphernalia, put them back in their place. + +Lawrence moved quickly over to the cabinet where Mr. Black was working +the machine and stepped inside. "I must speak to Mr. Edestone," he +whispered. "Can't you stop the machine as if something had gone wrong? +Then Mr. Edestone will come back here and see what is the matter." + +"Not on your life!" Black shook his head violently. "The Emperor now is +in a perfect fury. He and Mr. Edestone have had one or two 'set-tos,' +and Mr. Edestone is beginning to put it back at him pretty strong, and +if anything should happen to the machine I think it would end in a +fight. I rather wish we were back in New York. If it is necessary for +you to speak to Mr. Edestone before the lights go up, this reel that I +am running off now will take just about eight minutes more, so if you +will slip quietly back of the screen you can whisper to him from there +without attracting much attention. I will make a little extra noise to +help you out." + +Lawrence worked his way unobtrusively through the room, and standing +just to the side of the screen in a dark corner, called in a low voice: + +"Jack, can I speak to you?" + +Edestone, who had been deeply concerned about him, felt that a load was +lifted from his mind when he heard the dare-devil's voice. He knew at +least that Lawrence was back safely, and he was confident that he would +not have come back without the information until he had made a good +fight for it. So as everything was quiet on the outside he was +reassured. + +Lawrence very quickly explained to him exactly what he had seen, and +Edestone, squeezing his arm, said quietly: + +"Ah! That is their little game!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TWO REMARKABLE MEN + + +When the lights finally went up and the entertainment ended, perhaps +the most surprised, almost dumbfounded, man in the room was Jones. He +now had his first insight into the stupendous amount of work that had +been done by his friend, and was completely overcome by the seriousness +of the situation. He understood at last many things which had been lost +on him before, as for instance the insinuating remarks of the +Chancellor at their various conferences and why he had suspected the +Secretary of lying to him. + +Jones wondered also if his own Government had purposely kept the +Embassy in the dark as to its relationship with Edestone. Not knowing +the whereabouts or even the ownership of this frightful instrument of +war, he was at a loss to know what he should say when certain pointed +questions which were inevitable were put to him. + +He realized now for the first time that the German General Staff was at +work and would stop at nothing either to obtain the use of this great +monster of the air or, by seizing Edestone himself, control its +movements; that is, if Edestone and not the United States were +operating it. + +He could not blind himself to the air of confidence that pervaded the +entire company, composed as it was of the highest men in the German +Government, and this led him to believe that they knew Edestone held +the key of the situation, and as long as they held him they occupied +the strongest position. + +But why, he could not help asking himself, had Edestone been such a +fool as to put himself so completely in their power. Still, being a +very astute man, and having the greatest confidence in his old friend, +who he knew would do the straight thing in a strong position and the +wise thing if he found himself in a weak one, he awaited developments. + +Edestone, who had walked over to the Secretary of Legation, leaned down +and said in a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear: + +"Will you please say to His Imperial Majesty that if there is any +question he would like to put to me, or if he would care to have me +repeat any of the pictures, I should appreciate the great honour." + +The Emperor, who was just waking up to the fact that he had in this +young American a very strong and clever man to deal with, was to a +certain extent at a loss to decide just how he would treat him. + +Without waiting to have the request conveyed to him in due form, and +speaking directly to Edestone he said in an affable voice: + +"I should like to see again the picture showing the working of the +bomb-dropping device, and I would like to have the film stopped exactly +at the moment that the projectile leaves the tube. I wish to examine +the action of the ejector." + +"I shall be most happy," replied Edestone, "to run that film again very +slowly and repeat it as often as Your Majesty may desire. I can also +run it backward very slowly, but I cannot stop the machine that I am +using tonight without ruining the film, and I am quite sure," he bowed +most respectfully, "that Your Majesty will not wish me to do that." + +"Stop that machine as I order you to do, and ruin the film if it is +necessary!" said the Emperor in his most commanding tone. + +At last Edestone had the chance he had been looking for. He knew that +he was perfectly in his rights, and if he refused and the Emperor still +insisted upon his most unjust demand, it would open the eyes of his +country's representative to the situation and the true attitude of the +German authorities. Besides, he was incensed at the wanton destruction +of other people's property to satisfy the whims of this absolute +monarch. + +"I am very sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot do that, and for state reasons +that it is impossible for me to explain." + +The Emperor turned perfectly livid. His face was painful to look at. He +tried vainly to speak, but could not. It was plain that he was +labouring under an emotion greater than his physical condition could +stand. His mouth worked and each hair of his moustache seemed to stand +on end, giving to his trembling lips an almost ghastly expression. He +was seized with a violent fit of coughing which on account of the weak +condition of his throat caused his doctor, without whom he rarely +moved, to step forward, as if alarmed, to his assistance. + +General von Lichtenstein leaned over as if to restrain him and +whispered something in his ear, but this seemed only to infuriate him +the more, and he waved his Councillor aside. + +The Acting Ambassador, a lawyer of ability, felt strongly the justice +of Edestone's position in defending his property rights, and had he +been sitting on the bench instead of on the edge of a raging volcano +would have ruled in his favour. As it was, he watched with intense +interest this contest between these two remarkable men. + +When the Emperor had recovered sufficiently to speak, in a way that +showed his uncontrollable rage was battling with an inherited physical +weakness, his voice, starting in a whisper, rose and broke, and, in his +violent efforts to control the convulsive spasms of his throat, turned +into a scream. + +"Show that film!" he shouted, "and stop it where I command or I will +confiscate everything you have and throw you into prison." + +At this Jones rose quickly to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes, +and he was about to speak, but General von Lichtenstein rushed over and +stopped him. + +"His Majesty is beside himself," he urged in a low voice. "He does not +mean what he says. When he is himself again he will regret the +indignity that he has offered your country and will make reparation." + +The Emperor had also arisen and was standing in the midst of as furious +and warlike a looking lot of men as had ever grouped themselves around +his wild barbaric ancestors, ready to pile their dead bodies about +their master and give the last drop of blood for his protection. + +They looked as if they approved and only waited for the word to rush in +and avenge the insult to their beloved lord, and while waiting for this +word they stood and glared at Edestone with a look of absolute contempt +and undying hatred. + +"Well, which shall it be?" said the Emperor, in a voice which was more +under control but none the less determined. "Will you stop your film?" + +Edestone, who all this time had stood perfectly still looking at the +Emperor with eyes out of which had gone every vestige of deference and +respect, showed in every feature a fixed and determined but absolutely +cool defiance. The only time that his face had changed or his position +altered since he last spoke was when the Emperor was apparently +suffering, and then it had taken on an expression of deep pity and +sincere sympathy and he too had made a step forward as if to render +assistance. + +This had quickly changed, however, when his glance caught the look of +hatred that was riveted upon him. Declining even to glance at the +Emperor, he addressed himself directly to the Secretary of Legation, +speaking in a perfectly clear voice, which was a relief after the +Emperor's painful and rasping efforts. + +"Mr. Secretary," he said slowly, "I resent the insult to you, and +through you to our country, which you represent, but if I thought that +by complying with the unjust demands which the Emperor of Germany has +seen fit to make I could prevent war between the United States and his +country, I naturally would comply. When I see, however, that the +Emperor of Germany refuses to respect the rights of an American citizen +in the house of his Ambassador, I realize that the destruction of my +film will not save the situation." He turned to the Emperor. "I regret +that I cannot comply with your commands. The matter is now between our +two Governments." + +The Emperor laid his hand upon his sword and made a movement as though +he intended to strike, at which every sword in the room flashed from +its scabbard, save only that of old von Lichtenstein, who pressing +forward laid a dissuasive hand on the Emperor's arm. + +"Don't let him draw you on," he whispered to his master; "this may be +some trick." Then to the rest he said in a contemptuous tone: "Don't +make fools of yourselves and make Germany ridiculous." + +The Emperor turned to the Secretary. "Sir," he said in a voice +trembling with agitation, "you have heard the insult that has +been offered to my Imperial person, and if you do not deliver +this man over to my police, I shall at twelve o'clock tomorrow +night declare war against the United States of America, and until +that time"--threateningly--"I shall hold you personally responsible +for him." + +Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly +twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock, a proceeding which almost +caused the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once +more held in check by General von Lichtenstein. + +"I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty," he declared. + +The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor's last attack. "I +shall report to my Government all that has passed," he replied, "and +exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I +receive an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty." He finished, and +stood waiting as if to force the Emperor's immediate departure. + +Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of +their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the +Emperor and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the +slightest further notice of Edestone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + + +The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and +Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the +return of General von Lichtenstein was announced. + +The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He +greeted the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone. + +"Young man," he said, "you needed my old head on your young shoulders +badly tonight. I have returned to have a talk with the Acting +Ambassador, and I think that if he can prevail upon you to be +reasonable I may be able to settle this little difficulty between you +and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. If you will only lead us into +some smaller room, Mr. Secretary, we can sit down and over our cigars +discuss this matter quietly." + +"I am sorry that my machine--" began Edestone, but he was quickly +interrupted by the General. + +"Tut, tut, that is nothing at all. That was simply two young men losing +their tempers, and ought to be soon settled. One being an Emperor makes +it a little more difficult, I will admit, but I have seen Emperors +angry before and they are just like any of us. They cool off when they +realize that they have," and he lowered his voice with a quizzical +look, "been a little bit foolish." + +When they were all comfortably seated around the table in the library +of the Embassy, and the General and Edestone had lighted cigars, while +Jones, who never smoked, looked on, the old General, statesman, +philosopher, and writer opened the conversation. + +"We have now come to the last hand in this game which we have been +playing," he said, "and I think it would be just as well for all cards +to be laid on the table." + +Edestone looked at him in surprise, for instead of the simple, smiling +old gentleman, with the soft gentle voice and fatherly manner, he saw a +crafty, dangerous, and determined man of steel. His voice was cold and +harsh, his winning smile had gone. He had come to fight and to fight +desperately to the finish. + +"In the first place," he continued, "we do not know exactly what is the +relationship between you," looking at Edestone, "and the United States +of America," with a wave of his hand toward Jones, "and as there can +now be no reason for further concealment, since we are virtually on the +verge of a declaration of war--a step which I am here to prevent if +possible--I will say that it makes no difference to His Imperial +Majesty's Government what that relationship may be, so long as Germany +gets the use of Mr. Edestone's invention. But we will declare war upon +the United States tomorrow night unless we get an assurance from you +that we shall have the exclusive right to the one and only flying +machine in which this invention has been installed." + +At this Jones looked over at Edestone with a glance of inquiry. + +"Yes," said Edestone in answer to this, "there is only one." + +"Germany understands, of course," proceeded the General, "that the +United States will construct others, but so will Germany. Germany is +willing and prepared to pay well for this, although she knows that by +holding Mr. Edestone she controls this machine and could have it +without paying for it. We admit that we do not know where it is, but we +are confident that Mr. Edestone does,"--he turned upon Edestone the +look of a wild beast who has his prey and loves to torture it,--"and we +intend that he shall communicate with the commander and see that this +ship is sent to some place where we can take possession of it." + +And then with a grim smile he leaned forward on the table, looking +first at the Secretary and then at Edestone. + +"You are both virtually prisoners in this Embassy," he said. "That is +my hand." + +"Then we are now at war," said the Secretary with a quiet smile. + +"No," replied the General, "it has not come to that yet. And it does +not necessarily have to come to that. We should be able to arrange this +matter here tonight. As I have said, Germany will pay well. She is +willing to start on even terms with the United States, who can build +just as fast as we can. Germany will bring this war to an end within a +week, and then she and the United States can come to an agreement as to +how they will divide up the rest of the earth." + +Edestone smiled and made no answer. + +The Secretary said: "I can do nothing until I have communicated with my +Government." + +"I am sorry," said the General impatiently, "but we cannot wait until +we get an answer from your very slow and inefficient State Department. +We must have a reply before tomorrow night at 12 o'clock. Have you +nothing to say, Mr. Edestone? You are perhaps personally the most +deeply interested, because I tell you," he grinned cruelly, "we will +get your secret if we have to put you on the rack and go back five +centuries in the eyes of the rest of the world, should it be necessary +to do that in order to give it the blessings that can only be gotten +under German rule. I ask you again, have you nothing to say?" + +"Nothing, General," replied Edestone. + +He was slowly blowing rings of smoke, seeming almost to fascinate the +General, who would often stop speaking to follow them with his eyes +until they broke or were lost in the darkness in the corners of the +room. This was an old trick of his to divert the attention of his +adversary, therein improving on Bismarck who always used his cigar to +gain time when driven to a corner. + +"That is your final answer?" said the General. + +"My final answer," Edestone bowed. + +"And you, Mr. Secretary?" + +"I am but the mouthpiece of my Government, and she has not spoken yet." + +"Well, gentlemen," said the General rising, "I think we understand each +other." + +"I think so," replied Edestone. "Good-night, sir." + +The Secretary accompanied the visitor out into the hall, leaving +Edestone, who as soon as he was alone rang for a servant and sent for +Lawrence. In the meantime he just had opportunity to glance at the note +which General von Lichtenstein had given him. It was a mere scrap of +writing asking him to come to the Princess Wilhelmina immediately after +the departure of His Imperial Majesty. + +When Lawrence came in he hastily slipped this into his pocket. + +"Lawrence," he said, "I want you to send a message for me as soon as +Jones has given his consent. I will ask him in regard to it as soon as +he returns, so you had better wait and hear what he has to say." + +A moment later the Secretary came into the room with a very worried +expression on his face. "Edestone," he said impressively, "this +undoubtedly means war." + +"And if so," rejoined Edestone, "we will win." + +He then explained to Jones how he was in daily communication with +"Specs" and was now only waiting for the Secretary's consent to send +for him and he could have him over Berlin in seven hours. He also +explained to him about the instrument that was in the penthouse on the +roof of the Embassy. + +"But what do you propose to do, Jack?" frowned the Secretary. "Do you +intend to fight these people single-handed and thereby drag your +country into a cruel and disastrous war? That seems to me to be +unnecessary." + +"No, I propose to save you and the members of the Embassy from a very +disagreeable experience and from what may develop into a very dangerous +situation; for I am convinced that these Germans will not hesitate to +fire upon the Embassy if you do not deliver me up to them. The only +hope of stopping war without loss of life is through me and my +invention. I therefore ask your permission to send the following +message," and he handed the Secretary a scrap of paper upon which he +had written: + +"Be exactly over American Embassy Berlin tomorrow night at nine +o'clock. Take station at 5000 feet and there await instructions. + +"E." + +The Secretary took the paper and read it through twice very slowly. + +"I fear," he said with a sigh, "that is the only way." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WHERE IS IT? + + +The Secretary left the room after practically turning the entire matter +over to Edestone. He feared that the time had come to show force. The +Germans, in what they felt might be a desperate strait, had thrown to +the wind caution, tradition, and the usages of civilized warfare. They +were preparing some desperate move which he felt that he was powerless +to stop. Diplomacy with them now was as useless as pure logic on a +charging elephant. + +How they expected to stand against Edestone and his diabolical mystery +of the air, he could not comprehend, but he had lived long enough with +this nation to know them. Simple, kind, and lovable in their ordinary +lives, they were nevertheless, on the subject of war, individually and +collectively mad and they were ready to die fighting. + +Whereas any sane man could see that their fight with Edestone was +hopeless, they with their absolute confidence and conceit were +preparing to pit themselves against him and some unknown secret of +nature. While he, with his discovery, was apparently in a position to +let loose upon their defenceless city an engine of destruction too +terrible to think of. Edestone, like the pilot who has come aboard the +ocean liner, had now taken entire charge. + +The first thing was to get off this message, so he sat down to work out +the cipher known only to himself and "Specs." He said to Lawrence: + +"My initials J. F. E. are the call which must be repeated three times, +then twice, and then finally once. This must all be repeated with one +minute intervals until answered by the single letter 'E,' which will be +repeated eight times, once for every letter in my name, and after an +interval of five minutes, once again only. + +"After you have satisfied yourself that you are in touch with Mr. Page, +my head man, 'Specs,' I call him, send him this." He handed Lawrence +one word of twenty-two letters, or rather twenty-two letters which he +had apparently taken indiscriminately from a small pocket dictionary. +"Have him repeat, and see that there is no mistake," and continuing, he +said: "We are certainly being watched by the German servants; the +condition of my trunks shows that, so the first thing to do is to get +them out of the way. Call them all down into the ballroom, and say that +I wish to speak to them. See that everyone is there, and if there is a +single one missing, search the house from garret to cellar until you +find them all. I will give them a little talk which will give you and +Black time to get off this message. I will, incidentally, show them +that I propose to put up with no nonsense whatever." + +As Lawrence was leaving the room he said to him with a jolly laugh: +"Oh, by the way, how does it feel to be rich again? I have been so +occupied with other things that I have not had time to thank and +congratulate you on your splendid work. What a fine story it will make +when we get back to New York, which will be very soon, I hope." + +When the servants came in he first gave them a little insight into the +real state of affairs from a standpoint that they had never known. He +then explained to them that the Embassy was practically in a state of +siege, and that he was in command, and that if he heard of any one of +them having any communication whatever with anyone on the outside, he +would treat them in the way that he had treated the people in the +pictures which he had shown them, only he would put them out of the +window and they would keep going up and up and never come down again. +So when Lawrence returned and signalled that he might let them go, a +more thoroughly scared set of domestics never waited on the word of +"Ivan the Terrible." + +"Well, Bo," said Lawrence as he threw himself into a comfortable chair, +after slopping whisky and water all over the tablecloth and dropping a +large piece of ice on the floor which he kicked violently at the +retreating servant at whom he had bellowed, giving a perfect imitation +of a Prussian officer in a public restaurant when American ladies are +present, "this has certainly been 'some day.' Will you please be so +kind as to put me wise on a few of your dates? + +"In the first place, who was the 'wise guy' who rushed out from nowhere +and swallowed up my J. F. E. like an old trout from under a bank who +had never seen a Silver Doctor before? Where is he? How is he to get +here, and what is he going to do when he does?" + +Edestone quietly finished the lighting of his cigar, and after he was +thoroughly satisfied that this was perfectly done and it was going to +draw to his entire satisfaction, he said: + +"Well, now that you are to be my fellow-partner in crime, and Jones is +our associate, I will tell you. Do you remember the summer way back in +the 90's that you and I spent in Switzerland mountain climbing?" + +"Yes, perfectly," said Lawrence, "but that was a long time ago. We were +nothing but kids then." + +"Do you remember that you, kid-like, insisted upon going over a very +flimsy-looking snow bridge, simply because the old guide told us that +he had never seen that crevasse bridged before, and that the tradition +down in Chamonix was that it had only been bridged once or twice in the +memory of man? + +"And do you remember," went on Edestone, "that at first he refused to +go, saying that if it broke after we got over, there was no possible +way of our getting back?" + +"Yes," acknowledged Lawrence, "the old 'chump,' and I remember that we +went over and got back all right, and those guides are talking about it +yet." + +"Well, do you remember," continued Edestone, "that when we scrambled +up over the next rock ridge we looked into a regular bowl-shaped +valley that had the appearance of a crater of an extinct volcano?" + +"Yes," said Lawrence. + +"Well, 'Specs' is there in that valley, where perhaps no human being +has ever been before. I sent him there for that reason. He has been +there for the last two months and a half, unknown to anyone on the face +of the earth and thoroughly protected from the storms that sweep over +that portion of the French Alps." + +"Well, I'll be damned," said Lawrence. "Is 'Specs' the skipper of that +pretty little toy you were showing on the screen?" + +"No, Captain Lee is the skipper," laughed Edestone. "Dear old 'Specs' +is my boss. He is the Admiral." + +"Well, for the love of Mike," exploded Lawrence. "What a swell chance +those mortars out there with their long distance telephone attachments +will have with that Queen of the Milky Way. You don't mean to say that +he is coming over here with his forty thousand tons and float around up +there five thousand feet above the Embassy?" he exclaimed as he looked +up at the ceiling with a look of alarm, as if he expected to see it +come crushing down on him at any moment. And jumping out of his chair +he ran about the room, making the most ridiculous gestures, crying: +"Air, I want air!" while Edestone laughed until the tears rolled down +his cheeks. + +"But say, Bo," said Lawrence, "there is nothing to it. What do you +suppose those crazy Dutchmen are thinking about? Why I thought that sky +pirate belonged to the United States, and was now probably tied to a +dock in some mud flat, with a crew of two brass polishers and a Sunday +School teacher, while the Virginia creeper and the North Carolina +milkweed twined about it to make nests for the Dove of Peace." + +"No," said Edestone, "it is what you have just called it, a Sky Pirate, +and I am the buccaneer." + +"Did the Emperor know that when he got so gay with you tonight?" asked +Lawrence. + +"No, he does not know that, but he knows everything else." + +"Well, what is his game?" + +"Well," said Edestone, after thinking for a while, "as far as I can +make it out it is this: They do not want to kill me; they are using me +to bait the trap with which they hope to catch the 'Queen of the Milky +Way,' as you call her. They will take her dead, now that they cannot +get her alive, and they hope to be able to put new life into her after +they have taken all life out with the 'long distance telephone +attachments,' as you call them." + +"Why is he so certain that you will not drop bombs on his city?" asked +Lawrence. + +"I do not know," replied Edestone, "unless he knows that I am more of a +gentleman than he is. Or perhaps he thinks that I will not allow any +damage to be done until I am safely on board, which may or may not be +perfectly true." + +"_Tu as raison, mon vieux_," shrugged Lawrence. + +"They will do nothing to me until they are certain that they are going +to lose me. They want me alive, but would rather have me dead than in +the hands of the other fellow. Now do you understand?" + +"Not exactly," replied Lawrence, pretending to look very wise. "What do +you mean about taking her dead if they can't get her alive, and what +have those wires got to do with it?" + +"I mean by taking her alive," said Edestone, "buying her from whoever +she belongs to, and keeping me here to show them how to run her. And +when I spoke of taking her dead, I had forgotten that you had not heard +what I said tonight while showing the pictures. I will explain this to +you sometime when we get on board and we have more time, but you will +understand enough when I tell you this." + +Lawrence listened attentively as Edestone continued. + +"They know that she floats by virtue of an instrument that I have; they +know that she will not float if brought in contact with the earth or if +connected with it by means of some electrical conductor. They propose +to establish an electrical connexion between her and the ground by +throwing those wires over her with mortars, just as the life-saving men +throw a life-line to a ship in distress." + +"Oh, that was why they were so carefully connected with the water +main," interrupted Lawrence. + +"Yes," replied Edestone, "and when they get her down they will expect +me with my instrument to float her off again." + +"Well, what do you think of their chances of pulling this off?" asked +Lawrence. + +"I think," said Edestone thoughtfully, "their chances are small, but +you can never tell what these very resourceful people may do. They are +buoyed up by a hopefulness that is almost uncanny and they can't all be +crazy!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + + +Edestone and Lawrence sat quietly for a few minutes, Lawrence watching +him with a merry twinkle in his eye while Edestone was unconsciously +fingering the note that General von Lichtenstein had given him. Finally +he said: + +"Well, I'm off for bed. I have a hard day before me tomorrow." + +"Yes, you are, you old fox!" said his companion. "I'm on to you. There +is something up, and you can't hide it from me. You have been sitting +there fingering that note from--well, I guess I can pretty well call +you, because your lady friends in Berlin are limited--with the silliest +expression I have ever seen on your face. Now, out with it! You had +better get it off your chest by telling your troubles to papa." + +Edestone put the note quickly into his pocket, and was about to force +through his bluff when Lawrence stopped him by saying: + +"You can trust me, old man; now out with it." + +"Well," said Edestone in an embarrassed tone, "General von Lichtenstein +did give me a note from Princess Wilhelmina," showing it to Lawrence. + +"My dear fellow," Lawrence said, "what do you propose to do? If you are +going to take a chance for the pleasure of seeing a beautiful woman, I +am with you heart and soul; but if you are taking a chance because you +believe she is sincerely in distress and calling on you, an American +here in Berlin, when she's got all of those becorseted Johnnies around +her, you had better allow me to advise you." + +"I am perfectly willing to take a chance," cried Edestone in an angry +tone, "if you choose to call it that, because I have absolute confidence +in her." + +"Say, Jack, I think you are beginning to get a little bit soft on the +Princess. You may be all right when it comes to straight electricity, +but I think you will admit that I have had more experience in this kind +of animal magnetism than you. She is certainly a snappy little +induction coil." + +"Lawrence, please don't," said Edestone. + +"Well, you don't know perfectly well, Jack, that General von +Lichtenstein would not have delivered that note from a Princess of the +house of Windthorst to you, a low-born American plebeian, unless it was +part of their scheme. Why it's as much as his life is worth, if it is as +you believe it to be," and he gave Edestone a knowing look. + +"Now, cut that out, Lawrence," said Edestone in a decided tone. "Do not +think for one moment that I have any illusions as far as that young lady +is concerned. She is evidently in trouble of some kind, and the fact +that she is so young offsets that of her being a Princess." + +Lawrence shrugged his shoulders, and occupied himself smoking while +Edestone continued: + +"I think that General von Lichtenstein thinks she is working for them, +but I am just fool enough to think that she is not. In fact, I know she +is not, but even if she were, I would like to show those people that I +will not allow them to sacrifice her dignity and compromise herself in +her own eyes even for them, so I am going, if for no other reason than +to keep her from doing something which she may some day deeply +regret. I'm off. If you want some excitement, why you might drop into +some of the clubs and feel out the officers." + +"Ah," said Lawrence, "that is a good idea. I will be just about as +popular as a baby rabbit in a litter of foxes." + +"And you can enjoy watching them as they sit around, licking their +chops," interjected Edestone, "as they think of the dainty morsel you +will make when they eat you alive tomorrow. Be careful. We want no +false steps, and there are some pretty skittish ponies in the Emperor's +stable. He can hold in check his plough horses, but these young +thoroughbreds are getting nervous at the post." + +"Well," said Lawrence, "I never was very strong for these Prussians, but +they made a hit with me tonight in the way in which they started for +you. They were a pretty fine looking lot of handsome young chaps," and +curling an imaginary moustache, he continued: "Almost as good as our +eleven of 1903," and they both stood and toasted grand old Harvard, and +he was leaving the room singing, "Here's to dear old Harvard, drink her +down!" when Edestone called him back and said: + +"Lawrence, get one of the Embassy automobiles and I will drop you on the +way." + +Edestone, whereas he knew that his movements were being watched and that +this meeting had been arranged, if not by the German General Staff, by +some of its female lieutenants, was determined to show them that he did +not intend to compromise this little Princess by calling upon her at +that hour of the night in a secretive manner. + +All was perfectly quiet in the streets, and the automobile was allowed +to pass without interruption. When he arrived at the Palace he imagined +that the coast had been cleared for him, for on entering he discovered +that there was some sort of an entertainment going on, which would have +necessitated the presence of waiting automobiles on the outside, which +were conspicuous by their absence. + +He was evidently expected, and was immediately conducted to a small +room. He could hear music and laughter in another part of the Palace, +but saw no one except the flunkeys in the hall. + +The room into which he was shown was evidently one of those used by the +family in their home life, as was shown by the papers, books, and fancy +work lying about. + +The situation would ordinarily have been most amusing to him, and had he +not been so occupied with such serious matters, and had there been less +of a difference in their ages and social positions, he would have +enjoyed the excitement of a mysterious rendezvous with this extremely +charming and attractive young woman. + +He was thoroughly conscious of her attractions, and though he might have +denied the necessity of this, in thinking of her he always kept before +his mind the fable of the fox and the sour grapes. + +He was kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, and he began to wonder if +the whole thing had not been arranged, and would not have been surprised +if when the door quietly opened he had seen von Lichtenstein or even the +Emperor himself instead of a very much frightened little woman. + +She was apparently supported by sheer will power and the pride of the +Princess, which she had inherited from her long line of ancestors, +extending back into the unwritten pages of history. + +She was dressed so simply that the lines of her most graceful little +figure were perfectly revealed, but with such modesty that though she +followed the dictates of the modern fashions, which leave little to the +imagination, the effect upon Edestone was that of reverence in the +presence of such youth and innocence. + +To him she seemed to be draped in some soft silky material, and though +her neck and arms were bare, they were enveloped in a shimmer of tulle, +which she held about her as if for protection. Her hair, parted in the +middle, was flatly dressed, and held close to her small head by a little +band of jewels which encircled it and crossed her low white brow. + +She was perfectly calm, dignified, and had herself well in hand. There +was an expression upon her face of resolution, and as if to help, she +assumed a more royal and dignified bearing than he had ever supposed she +was capable of. + +She had evidently been crying, but her voice was steady and rather +haughty in its tone as she said, giving him her hand: + +"I am glad that you have come." + +Edestone took it gently in his own, and bowing, scarcely touched it with +his lips, but when he felt its icy touch, and caught the faint perfume, +he felt a thrill, and for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence +of a Royal Princess, who looked upon him as something a little bit +better than a servant, and not as good as the most miserable Count that +ever wore a paper collar or passed a fraudulent check at the Newport +Reading Room. + +Recovering himself quickly, however, he dropped her hand and stood in an +attitude of deep respect, but not until she had caught the look that he +had given her. + +Not daring to look up at her for fear of her indignation at his +presumption, he busied himself arranging the cushions in a seat for her. + +Raising her hand to her throat, which had moved convulsively, she +watched him with a quiet little smile, as if waiting to finish the +deadly work which she, young as she was, knew that she had started. Like +a great ring general, she did not intend to allow her adversary time to +recover before she administered the _coup de grace_. + +When he recovered sufficiently to allow himself to look at her, although +he resolved to keep strictly to the object of their meeting, he was so +struck with her great charm that he could not resist saying: + +"I sincerely hope, Princess, that you will pardon me if I take the great +liberty of saying to you that you are looking extremely beautiful +tonight." + +She answered with a smile. + +And then in a light and frivolous tone, and looking at her in a manner +which she could not misunderstand, with the deepest respect he added: + +"If I were a Prince and a few years younger, I would humbly kneel and +worship at your shrine, Princess." + +A cloud passed over her face, but recovering, with a look which if +Edestone had been younger and less sensible would have finished him: + +"Well, Mr. Edestone," she smiled coquettishly, "I understand that you +were tonight a match for an Emperor; and I am feeling very old myself." + +With a smile acknowledging her condescension in allowing this slight +exchange of repartee, he assumed a fatherly air, and said, having +recovered himself entirely: + +"Now, my dear and very sweet little Princess, your very old and most +humble servant awaits your orders. The only reward that he expects is +that he be allowed to see you one or two times before he dies of old +age, or you are seated on a throne." + +With an impatient gesture, and an almost imperceptible stamp of her +little foot, she said: + +"Please don't talk that way. I hate being a Princess, and the way you +say it makes me hate myself," and with a quick glance and a tone of +great seriousness: "I don't think you are so old as all that. + +"I have sent for you," changing her voice, "to warn you again. It was +absolutely necessary in order to arrange this meeting to lead them to +believe that I was willing to do that which you must hate me for--use my +power as a woman to persuade you to give up the position which you have +taken, and though I hate them all for it, in order to save you from +certain death I have compromised myself in my own eyes, and have done +that which will cause you to hate me." + +"That I could never do," said Edestone, which brought a faint smile to +her lips. "Princess, I appreciate more deeply than I can say your great +kindness, and if there is anything that I can do which will save you +from these people when they find that you have failed in your +undertaking, you can command me. Your warning, however, comes as no +surprise to me; but I appreciate it none the less." + +"Could I not hold out to them," she anticipated, "that you had agreed to +reveal this secret to me, and in that way gain time, and you might be +able to get out of Berlin?" + +"But what would become of you when they discovered that you had played +them false?" asked Edestone. And then, as if hesitating to refer to the +delicacy of her position, an English Princess in Berlin, he added: "They +are relentless, and they might suspect you of playing into the hands of +England. No, Princess, there is but one thing for you to do, and that is +to say that I declined absolutely and entirely to consider any +proposition of any kind. + +"If you were in any way associated with me in what I have already done +and what I propose to do, I should not be willing to leave you in +Berlin, and though I know you are absolutely sincere in your intentions +to assist me in my work, there is no possible way for me to protect you +other than by taking you with me, which is absolutely out of the +question. You would not be safe even in the American Embassy." + +She thought for a while, and then, as if an idea had struck her, she +said blushingly: + +"My mother, like myself, is perfectly loyal to England, and if as I +understand it is the intention of the American Government to come out on +the side of the Allies, would there be any impropriety in my going with +her to the Embassy and taking my chances with the Secretary's family?" + +"That would be impossible," said Edestone. "They have taken you into +their confidence, and would not allow you to leave the country. I think +mine is the only plan. Say to them that I would listen to no +proposition, and allow me to go and take my chances." + +He could not trust himself, and he knew his only hope of keeping her +esteem was in getting out before she discovered his real secret, and +rising in a most dignified manner he kissed her hand, and then allowing +himself to press it gently to his cheek for a moment, left the room +abruptly, while she sank into a seat and covered her face with her +hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + + +The next morning everything was perfectly quiet on the outside of the +Embassy. The soldiers had apparently settled down for a siege. They +contented themselves with singing hymns and drinking songs, and with +mock reverence rendering the "Star Spangled Banner," closely followed by +the "Marseillaise," and "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." + +But there was mutiny within the walls. Mrs. Jones had flatly refused to +leave the Embassy. She said that she had not the slightest idea of +going up in Jack's foolish flying machine, to be shot at by the soldiers +or dropped into the middle of the ocean; that for her part she intended +to stay exactly where she was. The Secretary might go if he wished to +risk his life in a balloon or if it was his duty, but she thought she +was safer in the Embassy. She was perfectly sure that the Germans would +not dare to shoot at it while the United States flag was flying over it, +and there were women inside. + +The Secretary seemed to agree with her, and said: "It was only on your +account, my dear, that I was going. As long as the flag flies above this +roof, my duty is here, and I sincerely hope that you are right." + +"But we are now at war with these people," said Edestone, "and they may +take it into their heads to shoot that flag away, and they have plainly +shown that they will kill and burn women and children if in their +judgment one single point, however small, can be gained in their +national game of war. It is a ruling passion with them, and they think +that all of the nicer feelings of honour, humanity, and even religion +must be crushed, and that these sentiments are foolish and are for women +and weaklings only." + +At which Mrs. Jones seemed worried. She preferred, however, she said, to +stay and take a chance rather than go to certain death with Edestone. + +"I think," said he, "that if we were dealing with any of the other +civilized nations, the Embassy would be perfectly safe, even if war had +been declared or forced upon us without any formal declaration, but with +the Germans in their present state of nerves, it is quite +different. They have a strange method of retaliation, not for an injury +to themselves, but for the failure on their part to inflict one upon +others, which can only be accounted for by their savage passion for +revenge. The real danger, however, will be before this while they are +trying to prevent my escape." + +The Secretary was anxious to remain at his post as long as possible, so +he was glad to side with Mrs. Jones. Lawrence begged for and obtained +permission to go with Edestone. + +"You can take absolutely nothing in the way of luggage," said +Edestone. "I can fit you out when we get on board. I have just told +Black, Stanton, and James the same thing, and I suppose your boy would +like to go with you also." + +"Certainly," said Lawrence. + +With no preparations to make, there was nothing to do but wait. Lawrence +was the only one who was willing to go out on the streets and stand the +ugly looks that were given by all those who in some way or another knew +that they were Americans. + +On his return he reported that the papers were silent on the subject of +the Kaiser's call at the Embassy the night before. One of the afternoon +papers, he said, did report that a very large Zeppelin had been seen +flying over Berne at 9 o'clock in the morning, at about 5000 feet, +judging by her size. At first it was thought that she was on fire from +the clouds of smoke that she was emitting, but she continued on her way +in the direction of Berlin at about fifty miles an hour. She was up too +high, the papers stated, to be identified, but as the Swiss Government +knew that none of the Allies had Zeppelins, it was suggested that a +protest would soon come from Switzerland for a violation of her +neutrality. + +Lawrence said that evidently the German General Staff had received some +information, for he found no officers at the Club, and troops with +anti-aircraft guns and mortars with their two-wheeled trailers were +moving in all directions. + +The general public, however, as usual, seemed to have no information, +and were going about their duties in their usual stolid manner. + +The troops around the Embassy had been reinforced and were showing great +activity. He thought that the Kaiser was making a personal inspection +judging by the number of high officers he saw going and coming. + +The soldiers were most insulting in their manner and kept him moving, +and would not allow him to go anywhere near the mortars which were +stripped for action. The covers over the two-wheeled drums were +unstrapped so that they could be thrown off at a moment's notice. + +"You are right," said Edestone, as he and Lawrence stood looking out of +one of the windows of the Embassy at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. +"They have heard something. I am surprised that we have heard nothing +from them today. You can depend upon it, they will try to get me without +an actual fight. They know that they can bamboozle our Government, but +fear the temper of our people will not stand for any killing, which they +certainly intend to do if necessary. I do wish Mrs. Jones was not here. + +"If 'Specs' was over Berne at 9 o'clock," he went on, "and he wanted to, +he could have been here hours ago. He is evidently jogging along +slowly. He cannot now be more than fifty miles away; he is perhaps just +about at Leipsic. I think we had better speak to him and tell him to go +higher up and not to come over Berlin before dark. You know he does not +know what is going on here. I am afraid to warn him about the wires, +for if by chance they should intercept our message they would know that +they had struck a very good answer to my 'Little Peace Maker.'" + +"You don't mean to say," cried Lawrence, "that there is any chance of +their pulling you down with those wires?" + +"It all depends," replied Edestone. "It would take me some time to +calculate the amount of metal it would require to take the current that +would wreck us, but if they do get that amount in contact with us and +the earth at the same time we will come down." + +"My God!" said Lawrence. + +"Well, that is the reason that I do not want to take any chance by +mentioning wires at all. They don't know now that one wire will not do +the trick, and if they get the idea that it is a question of the largest +possible number, they will double up on us. As it is, they have sixteen, +and we have a fighting chance. At any rate, I will speak to 'Specs' and +tell him not to come over the Embassy until after dark." + +"Won't he have some difficulty in finding the Embassy?" asked Lawrence. + +Edestone laughed. "You do not know old 'Specs.' In the first place he +studied for six years in Berlin and knows it from end to end. Besides, +he has all of the cities of Europe plotted, and he can get his bearings +from a dozen different points. He will feel very badly unless Capt. Lee +puts him within a few inches of where his calculations tell him he +should be. Why, you should see him calculating! He used a 6 H pencil, +and he can cover a large sheet of paper with microscopic figures before +you have even sharpened yours! It will be just like 'Specs,' if it is a +still night, to drop a plumb line and check himself. When you see him +coming down slowly, you can be sure that he is going to drop his ladder +at exactly the right spot. + +"You see to it that the servants are all out of the way. If necessary, +lock them all down in the basement. I will work out the message." + +When Lawrence returned and stated that everything was clear, Edestone +said to him: "Send this. It says: + + "Stand by at 50, up 10,000. After dark follow orders. If called + come quickly.'" + +They then took the elevator and went together to the roof, where with +powerful glasses they searched the south-western sky. On all sides they +could see Taubes, which like great birds were circling in all +directions. + +Edestone was startled by seeing something that looked like the "Little +Peace Maker," but it turned out to be one of the largest German +Zeppelins. + +"Why, my boy," laughed Lawrence, "Captain Lee could make that fellow +look like an _ante bellum_ picnic in a thunderstorm, all hoop +skirts and bombazine, before Count Zeppelin could get it under the +shelter tent. + +"It is circling now," he exclaimed; "he must have his eye on a Belgium +baby, the old buzzard!" + +After Edestone had gotten Lawrence to his wireless instrument by first +running the car down until the top was at the level of the roof, and +after Lawrence had stepped on running it up to the top of the penthouse, +he then dropped the car down and came out on the roof again. + +He looked about with his glasses; and was not surprised to see soldiers +on the roofs of the other buildings where they had stationed powerful +anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. + +"I am rather glad Mrs. Jones is not coming with us," he thought. "It is +going to be pretty hot here for a little while. We shall be under fire +for about ten feet; Captain Lee will not dare come down any closer." + +When Lawrence came down, he said: "I got him and he answered me. I am +sure someone was trying to cut in. I could not tell whether he could get +us or not, but he was trying to mix us up." + +Edestone worked with his little book for a few minutes, and then read +aloud: + + "Passed over Leipsic up 5000. Have been seen. Will stand by at 30, + up 10,000." + +"That means that he is about over Dessau, and could get here in fifteen +minutes easily if called. So far so good. But those machine guns are +worrying me. I did not want to make any show of force, but self +protection may drive me to it. + +"Run the elevator down, Lawrence, and come back by the stairs. We can +walk down. I want to look over my ground and plan my campaign." + +"How foolish," he thought, "not to have remembered the machine guns on +the roofs. The only protection we have on the Embassy are the chimneys +and the penthouse, and they will protect only halfway up the landing +ladder. There is always that ten feet in which we will be exposed on all +sides to a fire under which nothing could live for half a minute." + +He then examined the door to the bulkhead at the head of the stairs. It +was strong, but there was no way to fasten it on the outside. There was +another door at the bottom of the stairs that could be locked, but it +was an ordinary door and could easily be broken down. He found only one +place on the entire roof where there was what might be called a zone of +safety, and that was by no means perfectly safe. + +He carefully worked out the plan of defence, giving to his enemy the +part to play which he thought they would naturally take. + +When Lawrence came up he explained his plan to him. He said: "When they +see that we are attempting to escape by the roof, they will rush us by +coming up those stairs. I do not intend to allow my men to fire unless +it is absolutely necessary." + +"Oh, just shoot me one little one," begged Lawrence. + +Edestone frowned disapprovingly. "When they have broken through the +lower door, we can stand here between the penthouse and the chimneys, +and by keeping down below the parapet be comparatively safe. I will then +tell them that I have a machine gun trained on the bulkhead door, and +that it will be certain death for them to attempt to come out that +way. If they fire on the Embassy, I will order my large guns to silence +every gun that bears on it." + +As they went downstairs the sun was just setting. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +"SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!" + + +As Edestone and Lawrence were coming down the stairs they were met by +one of the German servants, who told them in a rather excited manner +that the Secretary wished to see them both in his library. + +Hastening down they were surprised as they arrived in the main hall to +see through the iron and glass grille a squad of German soldiers +standing at the front door. + +"This is their last card," said Edestone in an undertone, "and if it +fails there is nothing left for them to do but kill me. They have +received word from Leipsic and they know that there is no time to lose, +so we can look out now for anything. You had better get our party +together, Lawrence, and see that every man has a pistol. There are two +automatics in my room. When you get back, if you find me standing, or if +I rise, or if I light a cigar, make some excuse and get up to the roof +as quickly as you can and send your S. O. S. call to 'Specs.' He can be +here in fifteen minutes after he receives it. Then, lock that grille and +station someone there you can trust." + +"I wonder what they'll charge me with?" he thought as alone he entered +the room where the Secretary was sitting calmly, although Edestone could +see that he was making a great effort not to show his indignation to the +German officer who was standing in front of him. + +Edestone knew him so well that when he saw his mouth fixed as though he +was whistling quietly to himself, the forefinger of his right hand at +his lips as if to assist him in his musical efforts,--he who could not +turn a tune,--he knew that Jones had himself well in hand. In his left +hand the Secretary held a formal-looking paper with which he was quietly +tapping the table in front of him as though keeping time to his +soundless and imaginary ditty. With his chin well down, he was looking +from under his heavy eyebrows with eyes that were dangerously cold. + +The officer who had delivered these papers was apparently waiting for +his answer and stood very erect, looking straight ahead of him. He did +not change his position or notice Edestone as he entered the room. + +"Good-morning, Count von Hemelstein," said Edestone on seeing who it +was, and the soldier then condescended to acknowledge the greeting with +a slight bow. + +The Secretary leaned forward, and putting both hands flat on the table +while looking straight at Count von Hemelstein, said in a rather +judicial tone, as though delivering an opinion from the bench: + +"Mr. Edestone, Count von Hemelstein has just delivered to me an order +for your arrest on the charge of giving assistance to the enemies of +Germany. He also charges Lawrence Stuyvesant with insulting the +Emperor's uniform and his dignity by impersonating a Prince of the Royal +Blood and rendering that Prince ridiculous. He states, however, in your +case that the Emperor will accept your explanation if you will accompany +Count von Hemelstein quietly and make it to His Imperial Majesty in +person. In the case of Lawrence Stuyvesant, he demands an apology and +has paroled him in my custody until this is received, and as in the +first case he makes a further condition, which is that the Emperor will +accept an apology made by Lawrence Stuyvesant to the Prince himself, +provided only that you agree to accompany Count von Hemelstein quietly +and at once." + +Then turning as if addressing a prisoner on trial before him he said, in +that soft and quiet voice always assumed by a judge in speaking to a +criminal, even though he knows that the culprit has just boiled his +mother: + +"In the case against you, Mr. Edestone, in your absence I have flatly +denied the charge. In the case against Lawrence Stuyvesant I deny all +knowledge of, and decline to express an opinion until I have had an +opportunity of looking into, the circumstances of the alleged offence." + +Edestone who had stood during this went over and took a seat at the +Secretary's side of the table. "It is just as you said it would be," he +observed to the Count with a mocking laugh as he passed him. "You +Germans are so thorough." + +The Count made no reply, only stiffening up, if it were possible to give +any more of that quality of German militarism to a ramrod in human form. + +He stood as if expecting the Secretary to continue, or to hear further +from Edestone, but both men sat perfectly still looking at him. The +Secretary, as if having delivered his ruling, he was waiting for the +case to go on, settled back into his chair, while Edestone, with the +look of a lawyer who is perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the +court, was grinning at his opponent, toying with both hands with a small +bronze paper-weight made in the shape of a ploughshare, recently +received from Washington with the compliments of the Secretary of State. + +As neither man seemed to have the slightest intention of breaking the +silence, after a moment which seemed an age, Count von Hemelstein +brought his hand with a snap to a salute. + +"My orders are to bring Mr. Edestone with me," he said, "and if you +decline to deliver him to me, Mr. Secretary, I must use force." + +"That I have no power to prevent you from doing," said Jones. "You are +now in the Embassy of a friendly nation, on soil dedicated by His +Imperial Majesty to the use of the representative of that nation, whose +safety and that of those he may see fit to protect are guaranteed by the +most solemn promise that it is possible for one nation to make to +another. If His Imperial Majesty intends to break his solemn word, I am +as powerless as the lowest peasant in his domain. As to my word of +honour as to the safe-keeping of Mr. Lawrence Stuyvesant, you have by +your act reduced me to the rank of a simple American citizen, and as +such, and not as representing the Ambassador at the Court of Berlin--for +after this there can be none--I tell you that I will not give my word to +those who do not keep theirs. As to Mr. Edestone, I can simply, for his +own sake, advise him to go with you, but not before I tell him that his +country will resist with all its power the indignity which His Majesty +has seen fit to offer it." + +Lawrence, who had come in during this speech, was standing looking in +amazement from one to the other. + +Then Edestone rose. "Mr. Secretary," he said, "I regret to have been the +cause of putting you in this most trying position, and before I decide +to accompany this officer or detective I must think, so with your +permission I will light a cigar." He walked over to a table and very +slowly selected one from a box that was there. + +Lawrence, as if he had forgotten something, left the room hurriedly. + +Edestone very deliberately took his cigar and very slowly lighted it. He +then as slowly walked back to his seat and sat blowing ring after ring, +holding all the time the box of matches in his right hand. + +In the meantime Lawrence had walked to the front door, as if looking out +to see why the soldiers were there, and turned the key of the grille so +noiselessly that it failed to attract any attention from the men on the +outside. Then turning to Fred, the Bowery boy, who was waiting for him, +he spoke in an undertone. + +"Don't let any of the servants open that door or even go near it," he +said, and, satisfied that his order would be obeyed, stepped inside the +elevator and closed the door with a bang. + +Edestone, who had meanwhile been doing anything simply to kill time, +heard this. He knew that Lawrence would work quickly, and had had ample +time to carry out the first part of his instructions. As if about to +drop into his pocket the box of matches he was holding, he drew with a +quick motion a .38 automatic, and leaning across the table covered the +Count with it. + +"Hold up your hands!" he said without raising his voice. "It is safer." + +There was on his face that unmistakable look of the man who intends to +kill. The other man saw it and understood, and reluctantly raised his +hands above his head after making a half-gesture as if to draw his own +pistol from his belt but thinking better of it. + +"This is very foolish, Mr. Edestone," he said with a disdainful +sneer. "Will you fight single-handed six million men?" + +Jones, who when a young man had spent a good many years in a frontier +town, was too accustomed to this method of punctuating one's remarks and +calling the undivided attention of one's listener to them, to be much +surprised. At any rate, he showed none, and besides he knew Edestone to +be a perfectly cool man whose trigger finger would not twitch from +nervousness. + +"Be careful, Jack," he contented himself with saying very quietly; "I +suppose you know what you are about." Then he settled back to wait for +Edestone to explain what he would do next. + +"Yes, William," said Edestone, "I know exactly what I am doing, and in +order to relieve you and your Government from any responsibility, I +here, in the presence of the Emperor's representative, renounce my +allegiance to the United States of America and to all other countries, +and I now become a law unto myself, accountable to no one but myself--in +other words, an outlaw, a pirate." He turned then to the emissary of +the Kaiser. + +"Count von Hemelstein, as I intend to keep you in that position for some +little time unless you will allow me to remove your arms--not your +sword," he explained quickly on seeing the look of horror that came over +the Prussian's face. "I will allow you to keep that barbaric relic of +the Middle Ages and modern Japan, to which you and the Knights k of the +Orient attach so much importance. But that very nice automatic I must +have. I beg that you will allow me to take it without any unnecessary +fuss." He walked around the table and, gently pulling the pistol out of +its holster, put it into his own pocket, keeping the Count carefully +covered all the while. + +"Now you can take down your hands. I know that you can hide nothing more +dangerous in that tight-fitting uniform of yours than a long cigarette +holder and a very pretty box. I am delighted that you have been so +quiet, as no one could come to your assistance. Your soldiers are locked +outside of the iron grille and would have some difficulty in breaking it +down, even if they could hear you; so sit down. I wish to explain a few +things to you. + +"It is now exactly a quarter before eight o'clock. By eight the Little +Peace Maker will be over the Embassy, and you with your boastful +knowledge of other people's business must realize what that means. You +have heard what I just said to the Secretary representing the United +States at the Court of Berlin, and my object in making that statement +before you was to relieve him and the United States of America of the +responsibility of any of my acts. The Little Peace Maker is my own +personal property, and before she fires a gun or drops a bomb I shall +haul down the flag of the United States and run up my own private +signal, which on my yacht, the _Storm Queen_, is well known in all +yachting circles. In short, from now on I declare myself an outlaw. + +"If your Emperor will allow me and my men to go abroad peaceably, I will +do so and all may be well, but at the very first act of violence I will +take the necessary steps to protect them. I intend to keep you here +until I am notified that the airship has arrived, and when I leave this +room, my advice to you is not to follow me, but go at once and notify +your superior officer and thereby save the great loss of life that will +otherwise ensue. + +"Now, Count, as we will have about ten minutes longer together, I am +quite sure that the Secretary will not object to your joining me with +one of the Ambassador's extremely good cigars," and he winked at his +friend Jones. + +He walked over to the table as if to get the box, but the moment his +back was turned the Count jumped and started for the door like a +flash. With a quick side step, however, Edestone threw himself between +him and the only exit from the room, and giving the fugitive a good poke +in the stomach with the muzzle of his gun, said: + +"I allowed you to do that to show you that you are absolutely in my +power. Sit down, Count von Hemelstein, and if you will give me your word +of honour that you will not move I shall not tie you. Do you accept +these terms?" + +The Count nodded his head and sat down, and the Secretary, who all this +time had been sitting perfectly quiet, said with a very little bit of a +smile on about one-half of his mouth: + +"Count von Hemelstein, if I were you I should sit still. You must see +that you are powerless to do anything, and whereas I know that +Mr. Edestone does not intend to kill you unless it is absolutely +necessary, I am equally certain that he intends to if it is. In fact, I +do not know that he might not kill me if I stood in his way. He has just +declared himself to be an outlaw, and it is my duty to turn him over to +the authorities, but I should hate to have to try to do it now that he +seems so bent on leaving us." + +Edestone, who quickly caught the idea that the Secretary was trying to +convey to him, turned on his friend. + +"If you, my friend, whom I have known for years, desert me now," he +declared in a loud and apparently much excited tone, "or attempt to +deliver me over to these wild people to kill, I will kill you, if it is +the last act of my life." He faced about so that one eye was hidden from +the flabbergasted German and gave another significant wink. Then +turning back to the Count he resumed: "I will kill any man who prevents +me from going on board the Little Peace Maker tonight. Now let us talk +about more pleasant things for the few remaining minutes that we are to +have in each other's company." + +But the Count was in no mood for conversation. He sat staring at the +floor, while Edestone with his watch in his hand waited for word from +Lawrence. It was now eight o'clock and still no response. Could there +be some mistake? Had the Germans been able to prevent his message from +going through? Or was Lawrence waiting to be sure that the airship was +coming before leaving the roof to notify him? + +On the outside all was quiet, and as long as the soldiers did not +suspect, everything would be all right. But suppose that the Emperor +should grow impatient and send another messenger? He was just +congratulating himself that the Count did not know what time it was or +that the Little Peace Maker was now overdue, when a clock somewhere +struck eight. + +The Count straightened up and his look of k interest changed to hope, +and finally a smile broke over his face as the minutes slipped by. + +"Well, Mr. Edestone, your little dream will soon be over," he taunted, +after sitting for about five minutes longer. + +Even the Secretary was growing fidgety. He knew that something would +have to happen soon or the German General Staff, with its usual +thoroughness, would ask the reason why, and this question would be put +in their usual forcible manner. + +It was now ten minutes after eight, and Edestone expected every minute +to hear a ring at the front door. Besides, the dusk was coming on and +the servants would soon be in to light the lights. He had decided that +if they did he would retreat to the roof, forcing the Count to accompany +him, and there make a last stand. He formed a mental resolution never to +leave that roof alive except on board of the Little Peace Maker. He had +always said that he had rather be dead than a failure. He did not want +to live to see his life's work, his beautiful ship, which must finally +come down, used for war, death, and destruction, his dream of universal +peace gone forever; or by his own discovery remove still farther from +the grasp of the long-suffering world that relief which it was vainly +reaching out for in its present desperate plight. + +Was this the end? If so, he would meet it calmly, but not until he had +made a fight. Then he would meet Fate with a smile, for she had been +good to him. Perhaps an all-wise Providence had decreed that man must +fight on to the bitter end, and to punish him for his presumption in +attempting to alter an unalterable law had led him on only to destroy +him just as he, with his petty little mind, thought he had reached the +goal. + +The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to +happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and +Jones was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth +in what he was saying. + +It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front +door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, "don't you think that it is just about time to +ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I +hate to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary." + +The ring was followed by another longer than the first. + +Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a +light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring. + +"I return the compliment," he said. + +There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell +was rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door +was followed by the breaking of the glass in the iron grille. Above this +din, which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought +nerves of the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last +forty minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which +at first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity +increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up +from the southern part of the city. + +Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have +been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window. + +The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces +within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made +a jump for the door. + +"Sit down, you dog!" cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and +he sent a bullet crashing through the door just above the Count's hand +where it rested on the knob. + +Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the +ball that he thought must certainly follow. + +"Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word +without help, I will help you next time." + +But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their +efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and +trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came +down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor +who announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the _Maine_, said: + +"Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been +sighted on our starboard bow." Then throwing off his assumed character +he added: "Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a +minute! + +"And what are you going to do with this?" he asked on seeing the +Count. "Don't you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka +bibble." + +"No." Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: +"Good-bye, William," he called over his shoulder. "I am sorry to have +given you so much trouble." + +When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started +for the roof. + +"Where are all of those who are going with us?" asked Edestone. + +"They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!" Lawrence interrupted himself, +"Fred is still down in the front hall." + +"We must go for him," said Edestone, halting the car and starting it +down. + +"Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him." + +"No, they won't stop at anything." Edestone shook his head. + +By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone +flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, +while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was +running up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to +the soldiers who had their guns through the grille: + +"Shoot that man!" + +There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the +Bowery boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell +dead. His body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +L. P. M. + + +Almost beside himself, Lawrence resisted all of Edestone's efforts to +get him back into the elevator. + +"You damn' dirty Dutchman, I'll pay you for this!" he yelled over his +shoulder, as he struggled to break loose from the firm grip which held +him, and get at the Count. + +It was not a time to permit of argument. Overpowering him with his great +strength, Edestone simply dragged him back, and flung him into a corner +of the car, where he sat crying like a baby with uncontrollable rage. + +After he had started the lift, however, Edestone went over and patted +him soothingly on the shoulder. + +"I am sorry, old man," he said regretfully, "awfully sorry! He thought +it was I, and I almost wish it had been." + +This brought Lawrence back to himself. He knew that Edestone meant every +word he said and, jumping to his feet, he threw his arms around his +friend's neck. + +"Bo!" he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-sobbing, "you are a king among +men!" little dreaming of the amount of truth there was in what he said. + +A moment later he dropped back into the vernacular, where he was more at +home. + +"You are the best sport I ever knew," he said, "and I am nothing but a +rotten squealer! Forgive me, and I will try to be good. But, Bo! that +did hurt!" The tears came to his eyes once more. "He was such a nervy +little chap!" + +By this time they had gotten to the roof, where they found Black, +Stanton, and James eagerly awaiting them. + +"Where is Fred?" asked Black, noting his absence as the other two +stepped out to join them. + +"Dead by God!" Lawrence started again to become hysterical. "That devil, +Count von Hemelstein, killed him!" + +"Shut up, Lawrence!" broke in Edestone sharply. "Cut out that swearing +and get to work. We have no time to lose." + +In the same quick, authoritative tone, he issued his orders to the +others, as they stood staring at the news, each in his different way +showing his breeding. Black was commencing to whine; Stanton with a +scowl of rage was in sympathy with Lawrence; while James, demonstrating +his years of training, stood statue-like with hand behind his back, +leaning forward as if to catch his master's next order, and carry it out +with perfect decorum. + +"Have you locked the door at the foot of the stairs? Ah! That is good!" +he exclaimed, as he saw that they had barricaded the door of the +bulkhead by putting a piece of timber between it and the coping around +one of the skylights. + +It had grown quite dark in the interval, but in the glare of the great +searchlights which were playing upon her he could plainly see above him +the Little Peace Maker which had swung into a position directly over the +Embassy, and was now slowly descending. + +She was not over a thousand feet above the roof as she hung there, three +of her great searchlights bearing steadily on three different points in +the city, and giving to her the aspect of an enormous spyglass standing +on its gigantic tripod, and by its own weight forcing the feet of the +tripod into the soft earth, as the ship slowly settled. + +Shrapnel shells were exploding all about her, and at times she was +almost entirely enveloped in smoke. Between the reports of the heavier +artillery could be heard the staccato spatter of bullets on her iron +sides as the machine-guns sprayed her from end to end. Now and then one +of the gunners would reach one of her searchlights, and as the ray was +extinguished, one almost expected to see her topple in the direction of +her broken support, but in each case it was quickly replaced by another, +and she continued to drop nearer and nearer to the earth. + +Excepting for the searchlights there was no sign of life on +board. Silently and without response of any kind, she came. But as she +approached nearer, and the angle of the German guns was still further +reduced, although they must already have been doing frightful damage in +all parts of the city, the shrapnel and small bullets could be heard +screaming over the heads of the little party on the roof. + +"It is getting pretty hot here, and we had better lie down," Edestone +said. But the words were hardly out of his mouth before Stanton fell +with a bullet in his head, and James sat down, probably more abruptly +than he had ever done anything before in all his life. + +"I beg pardon, sir," he observed with a little gasp, "but I think, sir, +as how they have got me in the leg, sir." + +They all dropped down. Stanton was dead, and James was bleeding badly +from the flesh-wound in his leg. + +"That was the fellow in that tower over there." Lawrence made a +reconnoissance. "He is now shooting straight at us." + +"This has got to stop." Edestone frowned. "Lawrence send this +message. No cipher; I would rather have them catch this. + +"Tell 'Specs' first to haul down the U. S. flag and run up my private +signal. Then he is to silence every gun he can find that is bearing on +us, and train a machine-gun on the door of the bulk-head, ready to fire +when I give the signal by throwing up my hat. + +"Take Lawrence up to the instrument, Mr. Black," he directed, turning +to Black who was giving "first aid" to the unfortunate valet. "I will do +what I can for James." + +When the elevator with Lawrence and the electrician had gone up above +the level of the roof, leaving the shaft open down into the house, he +could distinctly hear the soldiers running up the stairs. At any moment +now they might be hammering on the door at the foot of the stairway +leading to the roof. + +He hated the idea of killing those innocent Germans, mere machines, as +they were, in the hands of a Master, who with his entire entourage had +become sick with a mania which took the form of militarism, imperialism, +and pan-Germanism. But after the death of his two fellow-countrymen--for +at heart he was still true to the land of his birth, although to save her +he had just renounced the flag--he felt that he was justified in what he +was about to do. + +With a silent prayer for the peasant mothers who were soon to lose their +dear ones, he commended their souls to God, and not as these mothers, +poor benighted creatures, had done, to their Emperor. + +He was startled from these sorrowful reflections by the white glow of a +searchlight from the Little Peace Maker sweeping across the roof, and +playing hither and thither. Evidently, "Specs" had received his order, +and was now feeling about for the bulkhead door. + +A moment later he located it. Immediately the night was made hideous +with the roar of the guns from the airship, as they sowed bursting +shells in all directions, and carried death and destruction to the heart +of this great and wonderful city, built up stone by stone, and standing +as a living monument to one of the greatest people on the face of the +earth--a people that science teaches are the very last expression of +God's greatness shown in His wonderful evolution of matter into His own +image. And for what? That one family might maintain the position given +to one of their ancestors in the remote, dark, and grovelling ages of +the past for prowess of which a modern prizefighter might be proud, but +for acts to which he with a higher standard might not stoop. + +The telling response of the Little Peace Maker soon put an end to the +storm of shrapnel and bullets which had been singing, whistling, +buzzing, and screaming about them, and Edestone might have been able to +stand up, but for the pertinacity of the snipers, those serpents of +modern warfare, who were searching every dark corner of the roof. + +Matters were fast coming to a climax, however. By the time that +Lawrence and Black had returned from sending the wireless message, and +had crawled over to where Edestone lay, the soldiers had broken down the +lower door, and were pounding at the upper, which "Specs" was holding as +with a rapier point at the heart of a fallen foe, ready to strike at the +slightest movement. + +Crawling over to the elevator shaft, Edestone called down a warning in a +loud voice to those below: + +"I have a machine-gun trained on the top of the stairs! If you order +your men to break that door down, I will order my guns to fire, and will +kill them faster than you can drive them up!" + +For a moment the only response to his challenge was silence. Then a +voice rang out which he had heard before, arrogant and commanding: + +"As God has ordained that I and none other should rule the earth, with +Him alone, I shall. By my Imperial order, and with His assistance, +bring that man to me, dead or alive!" + +A brief pause ensued. Edestone could hear the officers urging on their +men. Suddenly pistol-shots rang out, and with a mad rush they came on. +The door swayed and shivered under the impact. It split and +shattered. Finally it fell. + +"May God have mercy on his soul!" murmured Edestone, and he tossed his +hat high in the air. + +"Specs" from his look-out caught the signal; and instantly the doorway +became a writhing, shrieking mass of wounded humanity. Like vaseline +squeezed out of a tube, it was forced out of the opening by the pressure +of those behind and spread in wider and wider circles across the roof, +until the aperture itself was choked and stopped with bodies. + +But Edestone and his companions were spared the full measure of this +sickening sight, as the rapid manoeuvres of the Little Peace Maker +compelled them to devote their attention to her. + +As the great ship descended to within about ten feet of the +chimney-tops, men appeared on her lower bridge and dropped over the +insulated ladder which extended almost to where the refugees lay. + +Picking James up and putting him on his back where he clung like a baby, +Edestone ran for the ladder, quickly followed by Lawrence and Black. He +reached the bridge just in time to turn James over to one of the crew, +and extend his assistance to Lawrence, who had received a shot in one +hand, and was rather dizzily holding on to the ladder with the +other. Eventually, though, they all gained the bridge, and with their +rescuers already there raced up the gangway under a perfect hail of +bullets for the open doorway at the top. But before the last man had +passed through, two of the sailors had been shot, and had fallen to +their death on the roof. + +As they entered the ship, they were met by "Specs," Captain Lee, +Dr. Brown, and other officers in uniforms which at the first glance +might have been taken for those of the New York Yacht Club, except for +the insignia on their caps which was a combination of Edestone's private +signal and the letters L. P. M. Edestone, however, interrupted their +attempt to salute him. + +"Please waive all ceremony," he said. "We have wounded men here that +must be attended to." + +At this, Dr. Brown immediately came forward, and after ordering Lawrence +and James to the hospital gave a start as his glance fell upon Edestone. + +"You did not tell me that you yourself were wounded, sir," he exclaimed; +and then for the first time Edestone discovered that his face, hands, +and clothing were covered with blood which was streaming from a wound +above his temple. + +He was about to permit himself also to be examined, when there was heard +from below the detonation of one of the Kaiser's big mortars; and +pulling away from the Doctor, he called an excited order to "Specs": + +"Throw on your full charge, and lift her as fast as you can!" + +He ran to the gangway in time to see the wire carried up to a great +height by the ball from the mortar settling down across the Little Peace +Maker about midships. It was falling now, and would soon come in contact +with the ship. + +When it did, there was a slight jar perceptible, but no such result as +the enemy had hoped. The wire was so quickly fused, accompanying an +explosion giving out an intense light, that it seemed to shoot to the +earth like a streak of lightning, setting fire to or knocking down +everything that lay in its path. + +Another and another mortar shot followed until the sky seemed to be +filled with falling wires which were swinging, twisting, and snapping +above him. The Little Peace Maker was the centre of an electrical +storm, and was sending back by every wire messages of death to those who +were striving to bring her down. + +The ship was rising very rapidly now, however, and almost before +Edestone had time to sing out, "Steady now, as you are," she was 3000 +feet above the German capital, and out of range of the wire-throwers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +YACHTING IN THE AIR + + +While Lawrence's hand was being dressed by one of the assistant +surgeons, he had an opportunity of observing how perfect were the +appointments of the operating room to which he had been taken. The +orderlies and nurses moving about were all dressed in spotless white +gowns and caps. The doctor and those assisting him in cleaning and +dressing the slight flesh-wound which had been inflicted looked at their +patient through holes in a cap that completely covered their heads and +faces. Every appliance was provided for perfect cleanliness and +sanitation, and the apparatus was on hand to permit of any operation of +modern surgery, no matter how complicated. + +From where he sat, he could see into another room exactly similar where +James was having the injury to his leg attended to with the same +scrupulous care; and he had passed, as he was brought in, a long room +which he was told was one of the surgical wards, and where he had seen +several men on hospital cots. The surgical wards, he was further +informed, were on the starboard side of the ship, and not connected in +any way with the sick bay which lay over on the port side. + +With his great love for ships and machinery, Lawrence was impatient to +get away and make a tour of inspection of this strange craft upon which +he had embarked; but while he was waiting he occupied himself in his +usual fashion by giving vent to his high spirits and making a joke out +of everything. + +"Well, Doc," he remarked to the surgeon, "you certainly have got one +nifty little butcher shop, but I want to tell you, before one of those +Ku-Klux throw me down and slap the gas bag in my face, that I have no +adenoids, and that my appendix was cut out by an Arabian doctor who +threw a handful of sand into me to stop the bleeding. If you would like +to study German sausages, though, there is a pile of it down there on +the roof." And even he shuddered as he recalled that awful carnage. + +A bright-looking chap, dressed in the smart uniform of a steward on a +gentleman's yacht, appeared at the door, but was not allowed to come in +by Lawrence's aseptic guardians. He had been sent down by Edestone to +inquire as to the condition of the wounded, and to announce to Lawrence +that if he felt well enough to join him, dinner would be ready as soon +as he was. He begged, the messenger said, that Mr. Stuyvesant would go +directly to his room and dress, and allow him to have the pleasure of +showing him over the ship after dinner. If he would let the +quarter-master's department have his measure, he would be fitted out. + +Wild horses could not have restrained Lawrence from such an invitation, +much less a little scratch on the hand; and his injury having been +dressed by this time, he was about to set out with the messenger, when +James appealed to him from the next room, begging to be allowed to look +after his master's clothes. + +"Beg pardon, sir," he urged, showing his embarrassment at not being able +to stand, "but I am the only one who knows how Mr. Edestone likes his +dinner clothes laid out, and his whole evening will be spoiled without +me, sir. I only ask to be allowed to break in the new man, sir, as +starting right in laying out a gentleman's clothes is half the battle, +sir." + +"Don't you think, you have had enough of a battle for one day, you dear +old fighting fossil?" asked Lawrence in a tone of real affection, for +there is nothing which draws men together, regardless of rank, more +quickly than to fight on the same side, and he could not help but admire +the cool manner in which the valet had borne himself under fire. + +"Thank you, sir, but mightn't I be allowed to see to his bath, sir? A +drop of hot water in it turns his stomach for a week. Just let me do +that, and I will come straight back to these very kind persons." He +glanced about at the men of science with the condescending manner of the +English upper servant in dealing with the shopkeeper class. + +But Lawrence shook his head. "I'm sorry, James, but--" he bowed low to +the grinning circle of doctors and nurses, and assumed his most +grandiloquent air--"you are now in the hands of the only acknowledged +ruling class of the twentieth century, who hold you with a grip of +steel, but whose touch is as gentle as a mother's kiss. So get out your +knitting, Old Socks; you are doomed." + +He turned with a laugh and a new impersonation to the surgeon as he left +the room. + +"Thank you, Doc. You've cert'nly been kind to me, a poor working +girl. Just send the bill to Mr. Edestone. He is my greatest gentleman +friend." + +In his room, which was reached by an elevator, he found the ship's +tailor waiting for him; but after this functionary had taken his measure +and gone, he had an opportunity to look around. + +He was in a room, he found, a parlour or sitting-room, about fifteen by +twenty, neatly but handsomely furnished, and suggesting to him in its +general appearance the owner's apartments on the largest and most +perfectly equipped yachts. There was this difference, however, that +nothing about it indicated that it was ever off an even keel. There +were no racks or other contrivances to suggest that it was prepared to +turn in any direction at an angle of forty-five degrees, and which to +the land-lubber causes qualms even while the ship is still tied to the +dock. + +It might indeed have been a handsome living-room in a bachelor's +apartment, but for the windows, which at the first glance seemed to be +of the ordinary French casement form, running down to the floor, and +looking as if they might open out onto a balcony; but to his surprise, +he found, when he pulled aside the heavy curtains, that they looked into +a perfectly blank white wall about two inches from the glass. + +Adjoining the living-room was a bedroom furnished in similar style with +the same sort of windows, and beyond, Lawrence found as attractive a +bath-room as ever welcomed an American millionaire after a hot day in +his office, or a game of polo. + +After a boiling tub and a freezing shower, in the pink of condition--and +nothing else--he went back into the bedroom. + +"Now what," he had wondered, "will the Fairy Godmother have for me in +the way of a union suit, and a pair of jumpers?" + +But he had not wondered very hard. He found, as he knew he would, for he +had yachted with Edestone before, a complete outfit, not forgetting the +cocktail, which was standing on the table as quietly and innocently as +if it had always been there, although in reality it had just been placed +there by a man who, with years of experience in listening to the sounds +that come from a gentleman's bathroom, had timed its arrival to the +second. + +Nor was it one of those cocktails that are poured from a bottle, and +served hot out of a silver-snouted shaker on a sloppy waiter, but a +masterpiece from the hands of an artist, who took pride in his +handiwork. + +With the modesty of a chorus girl with a good figure on a "first night," +he toasted the valet with much ceremony. + +Soon he was dressed in the mess jacket of a petty officer, and putting a +yachting cap jauntily on his head, he went out to seek his friend. The +valet told him he would find Mr. Edestone in the breakfast room, and he +was shown thither by an officer who was waiting for him. + +As he passed along, he could not divest himself of the idea that he was +on board Edestone's yacht, the _Storm Queen_ again, only that everything +here was on a larger scale. The breakfast room, he discovered, was on +the same deck but farther forward, and was reached by passing through a +large room furnished as a general living-room. + +Edestone came forward to greet him with a rather melancholy expression +on his face. He was dressed in a yachtsman's dinner jacket which fitted +him perfectly, and with his bandaged head, he looked more than ever the +sea lord. His rank of Captain was shown by the stripes on his arm. + +The room was, as one would expect Edestone to have in his New York or +country house, simple but handsome. + +He had just been giving some orders about the windows which were of the +same form and size as those Lawrence had remarked in his own room, and +like them opened against a wall; but at Lawrence's appearance, he +interrupted these instructions. + +"I am glad to see you aboard." He presented his hand, which Lawrence +took with his left. "I had looked forward to your first trip with me +with so much pleasure. But how different it is from the way I had +pictured it. I cannot get Fred, Stanton, or my two sailors out of my +mind." + +Lawrence's own face saddened, but for Edestone's sake he endeavoured to +speak philosophically. + +"The fortunes of war, old man. Why grieve? You certainly were not to +blame." + +For a moment there was silence between them; then Edestone, as if +attempting to shake off his gloomy reflections, struck a lighter note. + +"How do you like being a pirate, Lawrence?" he smiled. + +"Great! The dream of my life, with you for a captain!" + +So they sat down to dinner. The men attending to their wants moved about +unheard and almost unseen in the shadow outside the circle of soft light +which fell only on the table. The room was filled with an indescribable +aroma of comfort and good cheer. A newly-lighted fire crackled on the +hearth, for it had suddenly become quite cold. Indeed, it was with +difficulty Lawrence could realize that but a few hours before they had +been in the midst of battle and sudden death, and that, as they sat, +down there five times the height of the Eiffel Tower below them was the +Embassy from which they were still removing the dead, or aiding the +dying. + +As he looked at Edestone with his sad, brooding eyes, he felt all at +once as if his friend had been taken away from him, and had been lifted +to a place so exalted, that for the life of him, he could not have taken +the liberty of speaking until he was first addressed. + +The dinner went on, and though the food was delightful and the wines +perfect, both men merely toyed with what was on their plates, while +Lawrence gulped his champagne as if he were trying to get its effect +quickly in order to throw off this strange new diffidence and restraint +which he now felt in the presence of his oldest and dearest friend. + +He tried to imagine that they two were cruising alone on the _Storm +Queen_, as they had so often done, and that this was just one of many +evenings that they had spent in this way together; but + + Where was the lap of the water at her side, + Or the pounding of the launch as she rode at her boom? + The groan of the anchor as she swung with the tide, + Or the blowing off steam, which demanded more room? + +All was perfectly quiet. If there were storage batteries on board, they +had been charged. There was no shovelling of coal; no shrieking and +banging of doors in the boiler room, nor banking of fires. The only +thing that remained true to tradition was the ship's bell. It had just +sounded out five bells. + +The silence was at last broken by Edestone; but, although he spoke, it +was more as if he were merely letting his pensive thoughts run on. + +"How different this has been from the way I had planned it. How +different, too, has been your home-coming, old man--for the _Storm +Queen_ was like home to you in the old days." + +But Lawrence by this time was beginning to feel the effects of +champagne, and was certain that unless he very soon did something to +lift the pall that had fallen on them, he himself would be dissolved in +tears. + +"I don't know what your plan was," he said; "but don't you worry about +my home-coming. The thing that ought to worry you is my leave-taking. +The L. P. M. has got the _Storm Queen_ beat a mile, and I am booked for +life. And, by the way, what is my rank on this ship? My old position of +room clerk on the _Storm Queen_ won't go here, as I don't suppose you +intend to have any 'cuties' on board, not even for the New London week." + +"No." Edestone consented at last to smile. "I am afraid, Lawrence, +those days are all over for me. My little house of cards has fallen +about me, and I have serious work before me, if I wish to build it up +again. I have been thinking, and thinking very hard. From the moment +that I saw poor Fred roll down the stairs of the Embassy, I knew that my +first plan had failed. When Germany discovers that the United States is +not back of me, she will apologize, and you know how quickly our present +Administration will accept the apology, and how quickly they will +disclaim any responsibility for my acts, if it means a fight?" + +Lawrence nodded. + +"Germany," went on Edestone, "will then call on all the neutral nations +to join her in bringing me, an outlaw, to earth. This will give her a +common cause with them, and she will hope in that way to strengthen her +position relative to the Allies. She does not know my relationship with +England, but she will undoubtedly declare that I am one of the means +England is using to subjugate the world." + +"And is there nothing you can do?" asked Lawrence. + +"My last and only hope is that tomorrow, after they have realized the +uselessness of opposing me, they will listen to a proposition of +peace--without honour, from their old standard; but with great honour, +from the standard that I intend to establish. I propose to send what is +practically an ultimatum; and that is, that if they do not immediately +open negotiations looking toward peace, I will sink every German +battleship that floats, and destroy every factory in which guns, +explosives, or any of the munitions of war are manufactured." + +"Me for the junk business," exclaimed Lawrence with an inspiration. "Oh, +you Krupps!" + +But Edestone paid no heed to the frivolous interruption. "It is my +intention," he continued, "to give sufficient notice, so that if they +are willing to admit my supremacy, there need be no loss of life." + +He halted, as an officer had just come in, and was standing after +saluting, waiting for Edestone to stop speaking. + +"The look-outs report, sir, that there are several Taubes climbing up +toward us. What are your orders, sir?" + +"Close everything down, except one of these." Edestone pointed to a +window. "Expose no lights." + +After the man had retired, he said to one of the servants in the room: +"Put out the lights, and bring us two cloaks." + +When the lights had been put out, Lawrence saw for the first time that +during dinner the solid cubes of steel, the size of the windows, had +noiselessly rolled back, leaving a square aperture or passage-way +through the six-foot thickness of the armour-plate, and forming a sort +of _loggia_ into which they stepped. It was a beautiful night, and +through the clear, rarefied atmosphere the stars seemed to Lawrence +brighter than he had ever seen them before, while down below them he +could just see the lights of Berlin. + +The explosions of the motors of the Taubes could be plainly heard, but +as yet nothing could be seen of them. + +"What do you suppose those mosquitoes expect to do against us with their +pop-guns and tomato cans?" asked Lawrence. + +"I do not know." Edestone shook his head. "Perhaps they are just coming +up to look us over. They will keep out of sight, and as they may not +know that we are protected on top, will perhaps try to drop one of their +tomato cans on us. That is, if they can get close enough. I hardly think +that they will risk a miss, and drop bombs on their own capital, so long +as the Only One Who Seems To Count In Germany is in the midst of his +beloved people." + +The Taubes could be heard on all sides, as if they were climbing in +great circles around the Little Peace Maker. There seemed to be at least +a dozen of them, although owing to the confusion of sounds as they +crossed and re-crossed, it was impossible to count them. + +At last, though, when judging by the noise they were about on the same +level as the ship, Edestone turned to an officer who was standing by +him. + +"Tell Commander Anderson to load all of the big guns with a full charge +of black powder only, and fire them all off at the same time. + +"And, Lawrence," he advised his friend, "when you hear a bell ringing, +stand on your toes, open your mouth, stick your fingers in your ears, +and if you've never been in Hell before, prepare yourself for a shock." + +Hardly had he gotten the words out of his mouth, when bells began +ringing all over the ship. In just exactly one minute, Lawrence thought +he had been blown into bits, as he was lifted and thrown from side to +side against the steel walls of the passage. The noise was so great that +his ears seemed unable to record it, and it was made known to him by the +air pressure which seemed to be crushing him to death. The rush of air +down his throat was choking him, while his very insides seemed to be +turning over and over in their effort to escape. A dizziness and nausea +followed, and he had to lean against his friend, trying to catch his +breath in the thick, black smoke with which they were enveloped. + +"This is Hell all right," he managed to gasp. + +"That is the worst you will ever get," said Edestone. "It was noise that +I was after, and black powder makes it. Your experience would not have +been half so bad had the guns been loaded or had I used smokeless." + +The ship which had trembled from stem to stern under the tremendous +concussion was floating now as quietly as a toy balloon, while the wind +was rolling up and pushing before it a great cloud of smoke which +obscured the sky. On all sides there was perfect stillness, broken only +now and again by the last explosion of gas caught in the cylinders of +the Taubes by the sudden stoppage of the engines. The airmen were +volplaning to earth as fast and as silently as they could. + +"Well, that ought to hold them for a while," commented Lawrence in a +tone which showed that he was almost himself again. + +"And make them a little bit more amenable to reason in the morning," +added Edestone, and he laughed, for action with him always drove away +the blue devils. + +"With that settled, too, we will just have time before turning in, to +inspect my quarters," he continued. "Tomorrow I will introduce you to +'Specs' and Captain Lee, and you can go with them at eleven o'clock on +their tour of official inspection. They will show you the fire drill, +the life-balloon drill, the gun drill, the kitchen, and the cows. But +now I want you to see a different side of the ship. We will look at my +quarters, then at my guest rooms, and finally at my royal suite or state +apartments as I call them." + +He then took Lawrence through room after room, which were arranged in +the form of a horseshoe, starting on the port side with his breakfast +room, and working around to the starboard side with its opening toward +the stern of the ship. + +On the port side were Edestone's apartments--living-room, library, +or den, bedroom, dressing-room, bath-room, and gymnasium. On the +starboard were a number of guest rooms arranged in suites of parlour, +bedroom, and bath, while at the crown of the arch was a large dining-room +in which fifty persons could sit down to dinner comfortably. + +The centre of the horseshoe was the large room through which he had +passed, and like the general meeting room of a large country house was +filled with all known kinds of games--instruments and devices to amuse +that most unfortunate class of human beings who have no resources within +themselves, and must play some foolish game, or do some foolish puzzle +in order to get through the life which seems to hang so heavily on their +hands. + +From this they passed to a lower deck about amidships, to a room about +eighty feet by one hundred and twenty feet, which extended the full +width of the ship and up three decks. At one end of this large and +handsome room was a raised platform arranged like the Speaker's desk in +the House of Representatives at Washington with the desks at lower +levels for stenographers, clerks, and attendants, while around the room +in concentric circles were large comfortable seats and desks, also like +a Senate Chamber, only more luxurious in appointments, as though it were +to receive a more distinguished body of men than the Senate of the +United States, if that were possible. + +"This," said Edestone, "is where I intend to hold my Peace Conference, +and when you see the names of the distinguished men who are to sit here, +and the apartments that I have arranged for them and their suites, you +will perhaps be glad to take your old position of room clerk." + +Then after showing his companion through these magnificent "royal +suites," as he called them, all furnished and equipped in the most +sumptuous fashion, he suggested that they had better turn in. + +"We will hope and pray for the best in the morning," he said, as he bade +Lawrence good-night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE ULTIMATUM + + +The sun was streaming through the windows when Lawrence awoke the next +morning. The valet had come in shortly before to throw back the +curtains with a slam, and by moving about the room, slapping up shades +and dropping boots, make the usual noises of a well-trained valet at +that time of the morning. + +"Mr. Edestone is already up, sir," he said when he saw that he had +succeeded in waking Lawrence, "and is having his breakfast in his own +apartments. Will you have yours here or will you go to the breakfast +room?" + +"Breakfast room," elected Lawrence sleepily. "What time is it?" + +"Eight o'clock, sir. What will you have for breakfast, sir?" + +"Anything and eggs," said Lawrence, and was about to turn over and go to +sleep again when he realized where he was, and leaping out of bed to the +window in one bound stepped out into the _loggia_. + +The Little Peace Maker had dropped down and was now only about a +thousand feet up; and when he looked down from his balcony, he could see +that she had changed her position so as to float exactly over the +Palace. It almost seemed to him as if he could step off and onto the +roof of this great pile of masonry. The airship, too, must have just +moved into this position, as was shown by the excited way in which the +little people below him were running away in every direction. + +He had his bath, and hurriedly dressing went into the breakfast room, +where he found Edestone, who had finished his breakfast and was waiting +for him, while reading from a lot of slips of paper which he was turning +over in his hand. The master of the ship was dressed all in white and +looked refreshed after a good night's rest. + +"Good-morning, Lawrence," he greeted him. "Did you sleep well?" + +"Like a top." + +"And how is your hand?" + +"I had almost forgotten it, only I did get the dressings wet while +taking my bath, but that will give me an excuse for passing the time of +day with the doctors. How is your head?" + +"Oh, that does not amount to anything," said Edestone. "It will be well +in a week. Have you seen the morning papers?" With a smile he handed him +a sheet on which was printed all the news of the day which the wireless +man had picked up during the night. + +"The United States has not been heard from," he commented as he glanced +it over. "I wonder what the Southern Baptist Union School Children will +think of me now? You know the Secretary of State thought I was a +Baptist. And as for him, why he will leave the State Department and stay +away until it gets too hot in Florida, or the lecturing season is all +over, while the President will write a most scholarly note to all of the +Powers telling them how much he loves them, and what a glorious thing it +is to be an American. He will then give an unqualified invitation to all +of the dark-skinned downtrodden criminals of Europe to come over and be +sprinkled with the holy water of citizenship, after they have made their +mark to their naturalization papers which have been read to them by +their interpreter. + +"London reports that the news from Germany has filled the entire country +with new confidence," he went on, "and that the Londoners have given +themselves over to the most un-English and thoroughly Latin +demonstrations by parading the streets and singing songs and indulging +in another Mafeking. I see, too, that Lord Rockstone is reported to have +said that he thought now the war would not last as long as he had +expected. The King has called a special meeting of the Cabinet for today +at 4 o'clock. + +"Reports come from Rome that Italy will enter the war immediately, and +the papers point out the fact that now since her friend America has +joined the Allies it is high time that Italy should take her position. + +"Petrograd reports that they have lost 100,000 men but have captured +250,000 Austrians. + +"Constantinople," he went on reading, "declares that the Dardanelles are +impregnable and that the city is perfectly quiet, but the Sultan and +half of his harem have moved to his summer residence." + +He laid down the printed sheet. "I have had no communication yet from +down there," he said as he pointed down in the direction of the Palace. +"My international law department is drawing up a proclamation which I +will send as soon as it is finished. It will be along the lines that I +spoke of to you last night, but framed in more diplomatic +language. These are the latest bulletins I was just reading over when +you came in." + +Then while Lawrence sat eating his breakfast, Edestone continued to read +now and then bits of the different press notices. + +"Listen to this," he said with a laugh. "'The twenty Taubes sent up to +make a night attack on the American airship inflicted great +injury. After using up all their ammunition and bombs they were forced +to retire before the large guns of the enemy. They all reached the +ground in safety. The tremendous explosion that was heard in the city +is thought to have been caused by the exploding of one of the large +magazines.'" + +"What's that from?" Lawrence glanced up from his "anything and eggs." +"_Die Fliegende Blatter?_" + +But Edestone did not smile, he was glancing at another of the slips. + +"Ah," he said in a sad voice, "I seem to have killed about one thousand +people last night." + +"Still," argued Lawrence, "that was not as large a percentage of the +German Empire as they killed of your little kingdom." + +"No," granted Edestone; "and as long as they insist upon treating me as +an outlaw I will be one so far as they are concerned. I will now go and +see if my ultimatum is prepared. I am undecided as to whether I will +send it by wireless or by a messenger." + +Lawrence finished his breakfast and while he sat in the _loggia_ smoking +his cigar and looking down over the city, he decided to ask permission +to carry the message to the Emperor himself. The idea delighted him, +and he pictured exactly how he would walk and speak his lines like the +prince in the story book. He only regretted that he was not to be +dressed up in spangles, like the heralds of old, and have the triumphal +march from _Ada_ played by trumpeters from the Metropolitan Opera +House who would precede him in their brand-new Cammeyer sandals and +badly fitting tights but he decided that if said trumpeters were obliged +to read sheet music he would not allow them to wear glasses. He was just +making up his mind what he would say to the Emperor when Wilhelm fell on +his knees and begged him to intercede for him, as Edestone came in, and +blasted all these glowing dreams with a word. + +"Well, it is done," he said, "and I have given them until one o'clock to +answer." + +Lawrence was then formally introduced to "Specs" under his title of +Admiral Page, to Captain Lee, and the officers, and he spent one of the +most delightful days of his life, so much interested in what he saw that +he entirely forgot that he was a pirate, waiting to destroy a peaceable +city if it did not do his bidding. + +Edestone had settled himself down for a quiet day of waiting, and +Lawrence amused himself by inspecting every part of the ship and talking +with all on board from the oil men to the Admiral. + +"Admiral Page," he inquired, "where do you keep the Deionizer?" + +At which "Specs" peeped at him with a suspicious glance through his +thick glasses. "Has Mr. Edestone spoken to you of that?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Lawrence, "but he did not explain to me its working." + +"Specs" hesitated to take even Lawrence into the holy of holies until he +had obtained permission from Edestone to do so. Having by telephone +communicated with him, and receiving his permission, he conducted +Lawrence up into the bow of the ship. After passing through several +heavy doors, which "Specs" unlocked, saluting the sentries at each, they +came to a great iron grille and he motioned to Lawrence to look through, +saying, "This is as far as I can take you." + +Lawrence looked through, and he saw what appeared to be the door of an +enormous safe-deposit k vault. "That," nodded "Specs," "is the door to +the safe in which the Deionizer is kept. No one on earth excepting +Mr. Edestone knows the combination that will open those doors. That is +run by a one hundred H. P. motor in the engine room, and from it run the +deionizing cables which run down the port and starboard sides of the +vessel." + +"Do you mean to say," said Lawrence, "that I have no weight?" as he felt +his large biceps with an expression of pride. + +This caused "Specs" to laugh, and in response to the numberless +questions put to him by the young man, he explained the different +mechanisms by which the weight of the ship and its contents was kept at +the weight of the amount of air displaced by it. + +"So," said Lawrence, "we are floating not by virtue of gas bags filled +with gas lighter than air, but by the amount of air displaced by all +metallic substances on this vessel, which for all practical purposes are +rendered lighter than air?" + +"Yes," replied "Specs," with a look of pity for the other man's +ignorance, "I suppose that is the way you would express it. If you +really want to understand, and are willing to give the time to it, come +to my quarters, and I will give you the scientific explanation." + +"No, thank you," said Lawrence; "I'll take your word for it, but I am +glad to know that when I get back to earth I'm not liable at any time to +be blown away like a thistledown." + +At lunch Edestone appeared very thoughtful and seemed to feel great +anxiety about the outcome of his note. They had observed that soon after +the message had been sent automobiles were coming and going from the +Palace in great numbers, and gathered that the Emperor apparently was +holding a council of war. They had also seen with powerful glasses that, +in certain parts of the city there was great activity of some kind, but +they were unable to ascertain exactly what it was. + +"I cannot understand," frowned Edestone, "how they can possibly decline +a proposition _pour parler_. I asked them to agree to nothing. I +assured them that I would use my influence in favour of a just +settlement of all the claims arising out of the war and of the incidents +leading up to it. I appealed to their humanity, and guaranteed as far +as lay within my power to protect the lives and property of Germans all +over the world if they would only stop all actual fighting until I could +make an exactly similar appeal to the other Governments that are +involved." + +Just then an officer came in and handed Edestone a wireless message +which had just been received. + +Edestone read it hurriedly, but as he glanced up it was easy to see from +the expression on his face that he was pleased. + +"Well," he exclaimed elatedly, "these Germans are not so bad after all, +and if they will only give up the idea that they are the only people on +the face of the earth, the sooner will they get what they want. That is, +if they are telling the truth when they state they are fighting only to +bring religion, science, and culture to the entire world. They do +sincerely and honestly believe, I think, that this can be obtained only +under the German form of government, and many of the other nations would +be willing to admit this in part were they absolutely convinced of their +sincerity and did not suspect them of greed on the part of the merchant +class and ambition on the part of the war party. + +"They have apparently received my note in the spirit in which it was +sent," he explained, "and have agreed to consider carefully the +proposition which I have made. They only ask to be given until five +o'clock this afternoon to draw up in proper form their reply to me and +their message to the other countries. I am expecting every minute now to +see a white flag displayed somewhere on or around the Palace, which was +the signal agreed upon and is to be acknowledged by a similar flag +displayed by me. This is not to be considered as an indication of any +weakness on their part, or any surrendering of their rights or the +acknowledgment of my power, but as a truce which will last only until +five o'clock, or until such earlier time as I shall answer them. They +stipulate that I, as an indication of good faith, withdraw to some point +outside of the city, where it will be well out of range of my largest +guns, and in order to fix some location which will be perfectly +satisfactory they have suggested that I lie over the Gotzen See and have +established my exact position by the ruins of an old castle on its +north-eastern bank. There I am to remain until I receive their answer, +which if not satisfactory terminates the truce. They have indicated very +justly that they do not think they should be called upon to open +negotiations for an amicable settlement with me while the Little Peace +Maker is lying so close to the Emperor's Palace and threatening it with +instant destruction." + +As it was impossible for them from where they were to see the Palace, +Edestone suggested that they go up on the upper deck. + +"I hope that by the time we arrive on deck," Edestone said as they +hurried along, "the white flag will be flying, and I sincerely hope that +this will mark the beginning of the end of this cruel war and the +realization of my hopes, the accomplishment of my life's work. + +"Ah," he exclaimed as they arrived and looked down, "there she is! You +can see it on the large flagpole out in front of the Palace, while the +Imperial standard is still floating over His Majesty's residence." He +called an officer to him and gave him his orders: + +"Dip my colours and then run them up to the peak again. Display a white +flag. Tell Captain Lee to call all hands, and get under way at once. +Drop to within four hundred feet, man the rail, and circle the +Palace. Haul down my colours and run up the German Imperial Ensign and +fire a national salute of twenty-one guns, and then run at top speed and +take a position over the Gotzen See at a point which I shall indicate." + +The ceremony was executed faultlessly, as he directed, and when the +Little Peace Maker, just skirting the tops of the buildings, cast the +shadow of its nine hundred feet of steel as it came between the sun and +the Imperial city, its big guns booming the national salute, the people +of Berlin must have been impressed, for when she circled at about four +knots they cheered. But when she changed her speed, and at one hundred +and eighty knots disappeared from sight, they must have been relieved. + +At such speed it was only a few minutes before they were hovering +quietly over the old ruin on the banks of the lake, and they settled +down to spend the afternoon as they would have, had they been anchored +in Frenchman's Bay off of Bar Harbour in the month of August on board +the _Storm Queen_. + +It was a beautiful and quiet summer scene, and like a big trout in a +limpid pool the Little Peace Maker lay perfectly still basking in the +warm sunshine. Most of the ports were open and the men were lying around +enjoying the relaxation of the first dog-watch. + +Although it was with difficulty that Edestone could keep Lawrence still +long enough, he forced him to join in a game of chess, which was +Edestone's favourite form of relaxation. Lawrence, however, kept +continually breaking in with the suggestion that they go below and take +a walk among the ruins of the home of one of the ancient Barons of +Prussia. + +From time to time, while waiting for Lawrence to move, Edestone would +consult his watch, and as the fatal hour of five approached, although +perfectly calm he was anxious. + +With the finish of the game, Lawrence, who had chafed under the +confinement, insisted upon going on deck and talking with the officers +and men. + +When next he saw his friend, Edestone was walking up and down the +general living-room with an expression of great anxiety on his face. It +was half-past five o'clock, and although Lawrence had entirely forgotten +it, he suddenly thought of the ultimatum. + +"Well what did they answer?" he asked. + +"Nothing," said Edestone. + +"And what are you going to do?" + +"I am going to Kiel to sink one of their largest battleships, and see if +that will wake them up. We shall be under way in ten minutes and should +be there by eight-thirty o'clock. I have ordered 'Specs' to get under +way as soon as possible." + +Lawrence was delighted; this was the best yachting that he had ever had, +and he wanted to be in so many places at the same time that he ran about +like a boy on his first ocean trip. He was just going up the +companionway to the pilot house, where he knew he would find Edestone, +when he was almost knocked off his feet by the impact of something +against the side of the ship which felt as if it would tear out every +rivet and buckle every beam. At the same instant there was an explosion +which was worse than the black-powder explosion of the night before, and +he was just thinking how unkind it was of Edestone not to have warned +him before indulging in another one of his pyrotechnical demonstrations, +when it was followed by another and another. + +He had managed by this time to get into the pilot house, where he saw +Edestone with an expression of rage on his face giving sharp peremptory +orders while the life was being pounded out of the Little Peace +Maker. In response to these orders, the ship suddenly shot up with such +rapidity that it seemed to Lawrence as if his legs would be driven +through the floor. + +He was suffering great pain in his head and his nose was bleeding. He +could scarcely hear what Edestone was saying to him, but finally he +caught these words: + +"So that is their answer, the liars! They have taken advantage of my +willingness to remain here quietly, and with their thoroughness in all +matters and their usual method of working in the dark, they have placed +me where they have carefully worked out the range of their +forty-two-centimetre guns. They hoped to be able to capture us, but +seeing our smoke, and realizing that I was going to move, they took this +unspeakable method of putting an end to the Little Peace Maker." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + + +It seemed for a time as if Edestone had completely lost control of +himself. Lawrence, "Specs," and Captain Lee, who had all known him for +years, stood back staring at him in blank amazement. He was perfectly +livid. Out of his face had gone every semblance of the man that they had +known, loved, honoured, and respected for his kind, big, and forgiving +nature, willing to stand an insult rather than use his great power where +a smaller character would have demanded the last ounce of flesh. In its +place was an expression of rage which would have been frightful to see +on the face of a weaker man, but on his, with all the power and +determination of his strong character behind it, it was appalling. It +made them feel that they were held helpless by a powerful demon who +would destroy and kill any who might stand in his way. Pushing everyone +aside in a manner that was entirely foreign to him, he sprang to the +wheel and taking it rang for full speed ahead. He swung the ship around +so quickly that she banked and turned over at an angle of thirty +degrees. + +She was then at an altitude of from 7000 to 8000 feet and he put her +head down as if he intended to drive her steel-pointed bow into the very +heart of the city of Berlin. But when he had gotten her at about 400 +feet he straightened her out and sent her at 150 knots. Without taking +his eyes off his goal, which seemed to be the Palace of the Kaiser, he +said in a cold and emotionless voice: "See what damage has been done and +report to me quickly, and as there is a God in Heaven if a single one of +my men has been killed I will hang the Kaiser after I have destroyed his +city!" + +While the different officers were busily telephoning to every part of +the ship carrying out this order, Lawrence stood paralysed waiting for +the answers. He sincerely hoped that none of the men had been killed, +but as one officer after another reported all well in his department, +and as the number of departments yet to be heard from grew less and +less, he could not control a distinct feeling of disappointment, for he +had silently said "Amen!" to Edestone's last sentiment. When all had +been heard from, and it was found that none had been killed, and that +the injuries to the ship were, so slight that they could be repaired +within a week, Edestone said to the officer of the deck: + +"Take the wheel. When you are over the city and have made the Palace, +circle it at eight knots. I wish them all to see me. After you have +rounded the Palace, run at full speed for Kiel." + +And without a word to Lawrence he turned and left the bridge. On his +face was a look that showed that the demon within him was under perfect +control, but he had no desire to hide the fact that it was still with +him. Lawrence would no more have thought of following him than he would +have thought of following a wounded Manchurian tiger into its cave. + +"I would have hated to hear that any one of our fine fellows had been +killed," he said with a nervous laugh, "but my, what a swell little +afternoon hanging that would have been! Nathan Hale with the original +cast wouldn't have had a speculator in front of his doors. His front-row +seats would be selling at box-office prices, while we would have sold +out the house at ten thousand times the cost of the production before +the first-nighters had even seen a press notice. There would not have +been a piece of paper in the house except the Press and the Princes. By +the sacred substance of John D. Rockefeller's hair-tonic, I hate to +think of the money we would have made with the movies! The Crown Prince +giving the Papa Wilhelm kiss, while the trap man plays on the melodeon +'It's the Wrong Way to Tickle Mary,' and the Ghost of the Hohenzollern, +who ate up her two babies when she found they disturbed her gentleman +friend, hovering over the scene like Schumann-Heink in the +_Rheingold_,--I would not release that reel for less than a billion +dollars down! + +"But why talk about pleasant things when we have such serious matters on +our hands." + +"Mr. Edestone looked as if he meant serious business all right," said +one of the officers. "Listen! I hear the wireless sending a message +now." + +Lawrence listened, and repeated as he heard: "The Little Peace Maker is +now running for Kiel, where she will arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 I will +begin to drop tons of lyddite and dynamite on the decks of all German +ships of war, and in order that there may be no unnecessary loss of life +I give this notice." + +The instrument stopped, but Lawrence continued, as if still catching and +translating the message: + +"And realizing the extreme supersensitiveness of the German sailors, we +are sending ahead by Parcel Post baskets for the cats and cages for the +canaries. The women and babies, being contraband, must go down with the +ships." + +They were now slowly swinging around the Palace, and as the people of +Berlin knew nothing, they took the accepted German position, which was +that Edestone was afraid of the Kaiser's wrath, and they therefore came +flocking out into the streets to see him dip his flag to that of the +all-powerful German Empire. + +Lawrence noted that the Imperial standard was no longer flying over the +Palace. "It looks," said he, "as if we would have to put in an +under-study for the leading man." + +And then as if some sudden idea had struck him, he rushed from the +bridge, and while the Little Peace Maker was slowly passing over the +plaza in front of the Palace, the men on the bridge saw with a mingled +feeling of horror and delight a large black object, which resembled a +submarine mine, dropping from the port side of the ship, and they stood +in breathless expectation of seeing the hideous Renaissance monument, +erected by Schluter, blown to atoms. When the sinister-looking cylinder +struck the pavement it exploded, but instead of death and destruction +the flaggings were strewn with egg-shells, coffee-grounds, and garbage. + +"I always did like that French chef," said Lawrence when he returned to +the bridge, gasping for breath. + +"I am sorry," he added, "that we didn't have our little lynching bee +this afternoon, but the sinking of a billion dollars' worth of +battleships must be almost as much fun as hanging a 'kink.'" + +They were now going at top speed, and after waiting about for some time +and finding that Edestone did not return to the bridge, he went to his +room and dressed for dinner. + +At dinner Edestone appeared, but he was very quiet. + +"Lawrence," he said, "you must forgive me, but I really am not myself. I +cannot recall at any time in my entire life when I was ever so angry as +I was this afternoon. I think they call it 'seeing red.'" + +"You were 'seeing red' all right," said Lawrence, "and you certainly got +my goat." + +"If one of the men on this ship had been killed, after that pledge had +been given for their safety, I do not know what I would have done." + +"Exactly what do you propose to do?" + +"I intend to wreck and destroy everything in this country that will be +of the slightest use to them for military purposes. Today it is Kiel +with its ships, shipyards, and dry-docks; tomorrow, Krupps; and so on +until they will have to stop fighting for the lack of munitions of +war. I shall endeavour as far as possible to avoid loss of life, but," +with an ironical smile, "if these people wish to indulge in a fanatical +display of heroism and patriotism, I shall allow them the privilege of +sinking with their ships, or dying with their pet inventions." + +With everything closed down tight they were fast approaching Kiel, and +going up into the conning tower Edestone and Lawrence were able to see +the entire German fleet. His message had evidently been received, but +the commanders, instead of accepting his warning, had steam up, were +stripped for action, and with flags flying were making for the open sea. + +Edestone, as quietly as if he were standing on the bridge of the +_Storm Queen_ giving instructions for the next day's cruise, turned +to "Specs." + +"Go out and circle them," he said, "meet the leading ship, and then with +every gun, aerial torpedo, and bomb dropper destroy them." + +The air was soon filled with the most frightful conflict that had ever +taken place in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters +under the earth. Every ship in the fleet was, as far as possible, +training all of her guns on them, while they, moving at the rate of +thirty knots, were sailing around and around, dropping bombs on those +under them, bombarding with their great 16-inch guns the distant ships, +while the smaller guns rendered the middle distance untenable to any +ship yet built by man. + +In the course of an hour not one of the German ships could be seen above +the water, and Edestone, with none of his usual kindness of heart and +sympathy for others, leaving to their fate the dead and dying that +filled the sea beneath them, gave the orders to destroy the shipyards +and dry-docks before it was too dark. + +For a week this rain of destruction was continued day after day until +his prophecy had been fulfilled, and Germany, driven to her knees, was +suing for peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + +Edestone, in the meantime, through Sir Egbert Graves, had communicated +with the King of England, politely calling His Majesty's attention to +what he was doing, and begging that he would call upon his Allies to +stop all hostilities, and intimating that the same treatment would be +meted out to any who declined to comply with His Majesty's request. + +He also suggested that it was his sincere hope that His Majesty would +call to a conference the representatives of the nations of Europe to +discuss the settling of all questions that had caused the war, or had +grown out of it, as well as the possible methods of securing for the +world perpetual peace. + +He stated that he would put at His Majesty's disposal the Little Peace +Maker if it were necessary in order to accomplish this. + +He intimated that, if it were perpetual peace that was sought, much time +and many lives would be saved if all would, of their own accord, each +for himself, do what he was doing for Germany as fast as possible, +namely, destroy all ships and implements of war. + +This raised a storm of protest, and international notes burned the ether +of space as they flashed back and forth. Even the United States entered +the controversy, seeming to have at last found something sufficiently +threatening to her interests and insulting to her dignity to cause her +to take her place with the other nations of the world. + +Edestone was inundated with communications from the different nations, +drawn in the most bombastic manner; for although they must have by this +time realized that they were absolutely in his power, they were unable +to set aside the boastful method of addressing their fellow-men which +they had inherited from their savage ancestors, who, standing half-naked +around the council fire, tried by this method to throw terror into the +hearts of their listeners. + +To all this he made but one reply, which was that nations which came +together for the purpose of sincerely discussing universal peace must +come absolutely unarmed, and those who refused so to do should be +disarmed by force. When these protests finally took the form of an +approaching coalition of the nations of the earth for the purpose of his +destruction, his answer was to take possession quietly of two or three +of the largest plants in Europe, which he forced to run to replenish the +Little Peace Maker with munitions of war. + +After a diplomatic correspondence had gone on, extending over several +weeks, and Edestone had punctuated his demands with an occasional +sinking of a battleship or destruction of a powder plant belonging to +the nations who stood out against him, after he had visited all of the +principal capitals, and representatives of the Governments had come on +board to discuss with him, his terms were finally agreed upon, and the +date for this great meeting was fixed. He declined to negotiate with +any, other than the absolute heads of the respective Governments, and +after much discussion all precedent was set aside, and it was agreed +that the conference should be held on board of the Little Peace +Maker. Franz Josef I., Emperor of Austria; Wilhelm II., Emperor of +Germany; George V., King of England; Nicholas II., Czar of Russia; the +President of the French Republic; Mr. Cockadoo of the United States of +America, together with a company of lesser lights, all with suites in +keeping with their rank, were there received and entertained by him. + +Lawrence, accepting the position of Room Clerk, took great pride and +pleasure in seeing that everyone was properly installed. This was not, +however, his official position, as Edestone had turned over to him the +task of answering the great volume of communications that he had +received from amateurs, fanatics, ladies, and criminals, and it devolved +upon him to answer these and also to provide for the entertainment of +the representatives of the Anarchists, Socialists, Organized Labour, and +Suffragettes. + +To the Anarchists, in answer to their inquiries as to where they were +now to obtain their explosives with which to continue their campaigns in +the future, and without the use of which they could secure for their +arguments no attention, he made no reply. + +To the Socialists, he said that the best that he could do for them was +to provide an overflow meeting at the foot of the stairs; the Emperor of +Germany had refused to sit down with the traitors, as he called them, +and for once Edestone agreed with the Imperial contention. There, +Lawrence assured them, their point of view would be given serious +consideration; in fact, he himself expected to have the great honour +of addressing them and the Prohibitionists, the Anti-Vivisectionists, +the Cubists, the Futurists, the Post-Impressionists, and the Reds. + +To Organized Labour, Edestone wrote that he would represent their +cause. Descended as he was from a long line of honest labouring men, who +had succeeded without the assistance of an organization of lazy and +inefficient ones combined under dishonest leaders, he assured them that +he would insist upon their rights, and that under the new regime, +honesty, efficiency, and sense of responsibility to those who employed +them would be recognized and rewarded in a manner beyond their wildest +dreams. This could not, however, be accomplished, he said, except by +forcing the dishonest, lazy, and inefficient into their rightful +position, that of a worthless by-product in this great world of +recognition of true merit. + +To the Suffragettes, Lawrence extended a most cordial invitation, but +stipulated that no representative would be received who had not borne +and raised twelve children, or were willing to appear at the meeting +without their hats, with hair cropped close to the head. + +The date selected by Edestone was the Fourth day of July; the place, in +order to offend no one, was the beautiful valley of St. Nicholas in the +neutral country of the Swiss, and the Little Peace Maker, painted and +polished, was floating about twenty-five feet from the ground. About +one-quarter of her length from her stern, leading from an opening in her +bottom, ran a great flight of stairs which rested on a platform at their +foot. This was constructed in a manner similar to the cradle upon which +she was seen to rest by the King of England and his Cabinet. In this +manner she was connected with the earth but absolutely insulated. + +To reach this platform one had to walk up four or five steps, which were +made of hard rubber, over which was laid a thick red velvet carpet, +which continued across the platform and up this most impressive flight +of stairs and disappeared into the opening in the Little Peace Maker. +Bands were playing, children were laughing, but not one soldier was to +be seen. + +The Royalties, as they arrived, were received at the foot of the stairs +by Edestone and conducted to their apartments where, surrounded by their +secretaries and servants, they might live entirely alone, or could, if +they desired to do so, mingle with the rest of the distinguished +company. + +When the great day arrived, and these Royal Potentates were seated in +their places, which had been arranged with great consideration for their +extreme sensitiveness on the subject of precedent, an exact science, +Edestone, dressed in his simple yachting costume, walked slowly up +through the aisle, on either side of which were seated Royalties, each +in his favourite uniform of ceremony, soon to become as old-fashioned as +the tattooing on a savage's face. With perfect composure and +self-possession he took his place as Chairman of the Board and called +the meeting to order. + +Then in a perfectly businesslike manner he explained the object of the +meeting, which he did with the greatest consideration for his +distinguished listeners, but there was in his voice a ring of +confidence, which they all knew was due to the fact that the suggestions +that he made would certainly be put into effect, and whereas they came +to discuss, they remained to agree. + +He first briefly outlined the Utopian condition of the world as it would +be after his first suggestion had been carried into effect, and all +arms, ammunition, ships of war, and all destructive agencies had been +destroyed. + +He then laid down some new principles and relegated some of the old to +the scrap-heap. + +He scoffed at the theory of majority rule, equality of man, and +perpetual peace through brotherly love. + +Why should the majority rule, if the minority were more intelligent? + +Why should all men be considered equal in intelligence, if not in weight +and height? + +Why should dried-up old women be able to do something that young men, in +their full health and strength, had been unable to accomplish? + +He then established a very limited ruling class, which he called, for +the lack of a better name, the Aristocracy of Intelligence, over which +he placed a head with absolute power, backed with sufficient force to +see that its wishes were carried out. + +He then finally laid before them the plan of administration which he +proposed, which was that the entire world should be run by a Board of +Directors, of which, for the present, he sincerely hoped that they would +allow him to hold the humbler position of Chairman, while the President +and glorious head should be selected from some of the distinguished +monarchs within the sound of his voice. + +He then very diplomatically explained that the form of government would +be based upon the administration of the great corporations of America, +which was his extremely polite method of informing them that the +Chairman of the Board was the power, and the President was but the icing +on the cake. + +He stated that history taught them that all wars had come about on +account of three things: Race, Religion, and Riches. + +He suggested that the Race problem might be entirely solved by +segregating the races of the world, and giving over to them a portion of +the earth sufficiently large to support them in comfort in the climate +and surroundings to which they were accustomed, in which section they +should speak their own language, and were entitled to indulge in their +own forms of religion, customs, and superstitions, and there and there +alone they were supreme, and then only on matters of the administration +of their own allotment of the earth, but were subject absolutely and +entirely to the ruling of the Board of Directors as to their +international policies. + +The title of the portion of the world allotted to them was based not +upon the claims of any barbarian of antiquity, fanatic of the Middle +Ages, or the war lords of modern times, but upon the decision of the +Board of Directors, which would annul all previous titles and be final +and irrevocable. + +If at any time any one or group of these left the portion of the earth +to which they had been restricted, they lost all of their rights as +citizens of the world, and while visiting the other sections must bow +absolutely to the will of those whose hospitality they were accepting. + +In the case of those nations who had no home, and who had been parasites +on the nations of the earth for thousands of years, it was proposed that +they purchase from the country now holding the cradle of their birth a +home sufficiently large to accommodate their ever-increasing numbers +under the hygienic and healthful condition of the countries which they +swarmed. + +Religion, he said, which had for so many years been the cause of wars +and tumults, numbered by actual count up into the thousands, were in his +opinion sufficient in number to satisfy all who were not wishing for +personal aggrandizement or accumulation of wealth to create +others. Therefore, he stated, that all religions which had been +established up to the beginning of the nineteenth century might be +allowed to continue, but all others, being drawn on rather too +scientific and financial lines, were to be eliminated. + +Coming to the last, and, as he expressed it, the cause of the present +war, namely, Riches, he showed that in the new form of government +competition would be eliminated, the interest of the whole being +controlled by one head with power to police, and greater profits to all +would accrue by the elimination of waste of time and money and by the +efficiency of a single administration. + +He then suggested that a grand and international festival be held, at +which the combined fleets of the entire world be gathered together in +the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and there, as a bond of good faith of +all, in the midst of universal rejoicing, they should be consigned to +the bottomless depths of absolute and eternal darkness. + +In the meantime, Lawrence was addressing an assemblage of Reds, +I. W. W.'s, Prohibitionists, and other thoughtful members of society. To +these he was serving grape juice and patent medicines. The percentage +of alcohol in these beverages quieted the nerves of most, but rendered +the Prohibitionists quite hilarious. They listened with much attention +and applauded violently the scheme which he outlined before them. + +"You should be allowed," he said, "to settle in the middle of the Desert +of Sahara, where you could all live in beautiful glass houses, and where +the soil produces no stones of a throwable size. There will be no +saloons there, clubs or dinner parties, but drugstores with their +alluring lights will decorate every corner. There with your palates +parching with pain your motto should be 'Speak Easy' for the sake of the +Cause. The lives of the inhabitants will be regulated by priestesses and +preachers, and to them will be submitted the most intimate affairs of +the family. Yours will be a maternal government; to each member of every +family the Government will daily, after taking the temperature, issue +canton flannel underclothes of the proper weight to be worn during the +day. Alarm clocks set by the Government will be issued to all. Your +food, your cooking, and your babies--if you have any, and God grant that +you may not in such a dry place!--will all be according to the canons of +your religion. Should you at any time find that the inhabitants are +drying up and blowing away, you can recruit from the malcontents of +other portions of the globe." + +With the Anti-Vivisectionists he was most sympathetic. "Ladies and +cranks," he said. "I, too, am very fond of dogs, but as it is absolutely +necessary for the progress of science to make experiments upon living +subjects, I call upon you to volunteer for this work for all portions of +the body except the brain; for that portion I am creditably informed +that the doctors would prefer to use wood pulp." + +This was received with violent protestations of disapproval by the +Cubists, the Futurists, and the Post-Impressionists, who claimed that +this was entirely unnecessary, as they were able in their pictures to +reveal the most secret workings of the brain, and that upon their +canvases they laid bare for the study of the scientific world all that +it was necessary for it to know. + +To the representatives of the Allied A.M.L.Q. American Architects, he +expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind expression of their +approval and offer of assistance, and in recognition of their +co-operation, he gave them entire charge of the competition for the +laying out and decorating, with befitting whirlwind monuments, hot air +fountains, and castles in the air, the great Edestone aerial highway +which was to encircle the globe. + +Aloft Edestone, on the other hand, was having more trouble with his +audience, for his speech when finished was received with loud +protestations of disapproval, rendered in the most kingly and imperial +manner by this group of cousins, first cousins, double first cousins, +and half-brothers. Fortunately, however, for the welfare of the great +mass of the people of the world, they were well represented by the +strong, serious, and intelligent-looking men who sat at the elbow +of this consanguineous group, some of whom had by a process of +intermarrying degenerated into mere effigies of the strong men from +whom they were descended. These powers behind the tottering thrones +of Europe realized and bowed before the inevitable. + + +FINIS + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + +***** This file should be named 7826-8.txt or 7826-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/2/7826/ + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. 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P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: L. P. M. + The End of the Great War + +Author: J. Stewart Barney + + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7826] +This file was first posted on May 20, 2003 +Last Updated: October 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + + + + +Text file produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + L. P. M. + </h1> + <h2> + THE END OF THE GREAT WAR + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By J. Stewart Barney + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1915 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h5> + {Illustration: “COUNT VON HEMELSTEIN,” THE AMERICAN SAID LAZILY,<br /> “I + WAS JUST THINKING WHAT A STUNNING BOOK-COVER YOU WOULD<br /> MAKE FOR A + CHEAP NOVEL.” Drawn by Clarence F. Underwood.}<br /> (Illustration not + available in this edition) + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + <i>THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED</i><br /><br /> TO MY REAL FRIENDS, WHO MAY LOVE + IT.<br /> WHILE THE OTHERS IT MAY BORE;<br /> TO MY ENEMIES, GOD BLESS THEM,<br /> + THO’ THEY SPLUTTER, MORE AND MORE. + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>L. P. M.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — THE MAN AND THE HOUR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — THE ONE-MAN SECRET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — CROSSING WITH ROYALTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — THE FIRST REBUFF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — DIPLOMACY WINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI. + — </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — BUCKINGHAM PALACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — HE MEETS THE KING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — THE DEIONIZER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — FIRST SHOW OF FORCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. — “THE KING IS DEAD; LONG + LIVE THE KING!” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. — THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. — SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. — A DINNER AT THE BRITZ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. — THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. — IN THE HANDS OF THE + GERMANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. — THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. — GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. — HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. — KAFFEE KLATSCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. — THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. — DER KAISER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. — THE MASQUERADER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. — TWO REMARKABLE MEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. — ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. — WHERE IS IT? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. — THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR + STATIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. — THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. — “SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. — L. P. M. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. — YACHTING IN THE AIR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. — THE ULTIMATUM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. — A LYING KING MAKES A NATION + OF LIARS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. — THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + L. P. M. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE MAN AND THE HOUR + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary of State, although he sought to maintain an air of official + reserve, showed that he was deeply impressed by what he had just heard. + </p> + <p> + “Well, young man, you are certainly offering to undertake a pretty large + contract.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled, and continued in a slightly rhetorical vein—the Secretary + was above all things first, last, and always an orator. + </p> + <p> + “In my many years of public life,” he said, “I have often had occasion to + admire the dauntless spirit of our young men. But you have forced me to + the conclusion that even I, with all my confidence in their power, have + failed to realize how inevitably American initiative and independence will + demand recognition. It is a quality which our form of government seems + especially to foster and develop, and I glory in it as perhaps the chief + factor in our national greatness and pre-eminence. + </p> + <p> + “In what other country, I ask you,” he flung out an arm across the great, + flat-topped desk of state, “would a mere boy like yourself ever conceive + such a scheme, or have the incentive or opportunity to bring it to + perfection? And, having conceived and perfected it, in what other country + would he find the very heads of his Government so accessible and ready to + help him?” + </p> + <p> + The young man leaned forward. “Then am I to understand, Mr. Secretary, + that you are ready to help me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” He faced about and looked at his visitor in a glow of enthusiasm. + “Not only will I help you, but I will, so far as is practicable, put + behind you the power of this Administration. + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless the newspapers,” his tone took on a tinge of ironic resentment, + “when they learn the broad character of the credentials that I shall give + you in order that you may meet the crowned heads of Europe, will say that + I am again lowering the dignity of my office. But I consider, Mr. + Edestone, that I am, in reality, giving more dignity to my office by + bringing it closer to and by placing it at the services of, those from + whose hands it first received its dignity, the sovereign people. ‘The + master is greater than the servant’; and to my mind you as a citizen are + even more entitled to the aid and co-operation of this Department than are + its accredited envoys, our ministers and ambassadors, who, like myself, + are but your hired men.” + </p> + <p> + His face lighted up with the memory of the many stirring campaigns through + which he had passed and his wonderful voice rang out, responding to his + will like a perfect musical instrument under the touch of the artist. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, sir,” he declared, “I would rather be instrumental in + bringing to an end this cruel war which is now deluging the pages of + history with the heart’s blood of the people, whose voices may now be + drowned in the roar of the 42-centimeter guns, but whose spirits will + unite in the black stench clouds which rise from the festered fields of + Flanders to descend upon the heads of those who by Divine Right have + murdered them,—I would rather be instrumental in bringing about this + result, than be President of the United States!” + </p> + <p> + He had risen, as he spoke, and had stepped from behind his desk to give + freer play to this burst of eloquence, but he now paused at the entrance + of a secretary for whom he had sent, and changing to that quizzical drawl + with which he had so often disarmed a hostile audience, added, “And they + do say that I am not without ambition in that respect.” + </p> + <p> + He turned then to the waiting secretary, and letting his hand drop on + Edestone’s shoulder: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Williams,” he said, “this is Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York, + whose name is no doubt familiar to you. He is desirous of meeting and + discussing quite informally with the potentates of Europe, a little matter + which he thinks, and I more or less agree with him, will be of decided + interest to them.” + </p> + <p> + He chuckled softly; then continued in a more serious tone: “Mr. Edestone + hopes, in short, with our assistance, to bring about not only the end of + the European war, but to realize my dream—Universal Peace—and + his plan, as he has outlined it to me, meets with my hearty approval. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to furnish him with the credentials from this Department + necessary to give him <i>entrée</i> anywhere abroad and protect him at all + times and under all circumstances. + </p> + <p> + “And, Mr. Williams,” he halted the retiring subordinate, “when Mr. + Edestone’s papers have been drawn, will you kindly bring them to me? I + wish to present them in person, and I know of no more appropriate occasion + than this afternoon, when I am to receive a delegation of school children + from the Southern Baptist Union and the Boy Scouts of the Methodist + Temperance League. I will be glad to have these young Americans, as well + as any others who may be calling to pay their respects—not to me but + to my office—hear what I have to say on peace, patriotism, and + grapes.” + </p> + <p> + With the departure of the secretary he unbent slightly. “Well,” he smiled, + “you cannot say, as did Ericsson with his monitor and Holland with his + submarine and the Wrights with their aëroplane, that you could not get the + support of your Government until it was too late. In fact, my dear fellow, + when I think of the obstacles so many inventors have to contend with, it + strikes me that you have had pretty easy sailing.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” Edestone raised his eyebrows a trifle whimsically, “it has not + been so easy as you think, Mr. Secretary.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know, I know!” the other replied. “You still must admit that in + comparison with most men you have been singularly fortunate. You have had + great wealth, absolute freedom to develop your ideas as you saw fit, and + finally the influence to command an immediate hearing for your claims. Do + you know that perhaps you are the richest young man in the world today? It + is this which, I must confess, at first rather prejudiced me against you.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed good-naturedly. “It is lucky that my photographs were + able to speak for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” the Secretary assented. “As you probably have recognized, I am not + a scientist, and all your formulae and explanations were about as so much + Greek to me, but those photographs of yours were most convincing, and + prove to me how simple are the greatest of discoveries. I fancy,” he added + slyly, “that they will penetrate even the intelligence of a monarch.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” He rubbed his hands together. “I can imagine the chagrin and fury of + those war lords when they find themselves so unexpectedly called to time, + while your device is held over the nations like a policeman’s club, with + America as its custodian. What a thought! Universal dominion for our + country; Universal Peace!” + </p> + <p> + Some sense of opposition on the part of his companion aroused him, and he + levelled a quick and searching glance at the other. + </p> + <p> + “That is your intention, is it not, Mr. Edestone?” he demanded. “That, + upon the completion of your present mission, the Government shall take + over this discovery of yours?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone moved uneasily in his seat. He had naturally anticipated this + question, and yet he was unprepared to meet it. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary frowned and repeated his question. “That is your intention, + is it not?” + </p> + <p> + Hesitating no longer the inventor answered quietly: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Secretary, I yield to no man in my devotion to my country, but I am + one of those who believe that the highest form of patriotism is to seek + the best interest of mankind, and standing on that I tell you frankly that + I cannot at this time answer your question. Just now I look no farther + than the end of this brutal war. After that is accomplished it will be + time enough for me to decide the ultimate disposition of my invention. Its + secret is now known to no living soul but myself, and is so simple that it + requires no written record to preserve it, and would die with me. It is + the result, it is true, of many years of hard work, but the finished + product I can and often do carry in my waistcoat pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Do not misunderstand me,” he lifted his hand as the Secretary endeavoured + to break in. “I thoroughly realize the responsibility of my position and + that my great wealth is a sacred trust. Upon the answer to the question + you have just put to me depends the destiny of the world, whether it is + answered by myself at this time or by others in the future. Exactly what I + will do when the time comes I cannot say, but I will tell you this much, + that in reaching a decision I will call to my assistance men like yourself + and abide by whatever course the majority of them may dictate.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear young fellow, that will not do.” The Secretary shook his + head. “You are called upon to answer my question right here and now.” + </p> + <p> + He dropped his bland and diplomatic manner as he spoke, and with his jaw + thrust forward showed himself the unyielding autocrat, who, in the rough + and tumble of politics, had ruled his party with a rod of iron. This man + whose wonderful talents and personality had fitted him for his chosen + position of champion of the plain people, and whose great motive power, + against all odds, that had forced him into the first place in their + hearts, was his sincere and honest love of office. + </p> + <p> + He had now assumed a rather boisterous and bullying tone, showing that + perhaps his great love for the rougher elements of society was due to the + fact that in the process of evolution he himself was not far removed from + the very plain people. + </p> + <p> + “You have been talking pretty loud about using the ‘big stick’ over on the + other side,” he went on sternly, “but that big-stick business you will + find is a thing that works two ways. Suppose then I should tell you, ‘No + answer to my question, no credentials.’ What would you have to say?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say,” Edestone’s face was set, “simply this, Mr. Secretary, if I + must speak in the language of the people in order that you may understand + me: ‘I should like very much to have your backing in the game, but if you + are going to sit on the opposite side of the table, I hold three kings and + two emperors in my hand, and I challenge you to a show-down.’ I should + further say that, credentials or no credentials, I am leaving tomorrow on + the <i>Ivernia</i>, and that inasmuch as I have a taxi at the door, and a + special train held for me at the Union Station, I must bid you good-day, + and leave you to your watchful waiting, while I work alone.” + </p> + <p> + He rose from his seat, and with a bow started for the door. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on there, young fellow, keep your coat on!” the Secretary shouted, + throwing his head back and laughing loud enough to be heard over on the + Virginia shores. “You remind me of one of those gentle breezes out home, + which after it has dropped the cow-shed into the front parlour and changed + your Post-Office address, seems always to sort of clear up the atmosphere. + When one of them comes along we generally allow it to have its own way. It + doesn’t matter much whether we do or not, it will take it anyhow. I never + play cards, but what you say about having a few kings in your pants’ + pocket seems to be pretty nearly true. You are made of the real stuff, and + if you can do all the things that you say you can do, and I believe you + can, nothing will stop you.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said Edestone, resuming his seat, “I suppose I may as well + wait for my credentials.” + </p> + <p> + And in due time he got them, the presentation being made by the Secretary + to the edification of the Baptist School children and the Methodist + Soldiers of Temperance and a score of adoring admirers. Then with a hasty + farewell to the officials of the State Department, this emissary of peace + started on his hurried rush to New York. + </p> + <p> + His taxi, which he had held since seven o’clock that morning, broke all + speed regulations in getting to the station, and the man was well paid for + his pains. + </p> + <p> + Edestone found his Special coupled up and waiting for him. He always + travelled in specials, and they always waited for him. In fact, everything + waited for him, and he waited for no one. When he engaged a taxi he never + discharged it until he went to bed or left the town. It was related of him + that on one occasion he had directed the taxi to wait for him at Charing + Cross Station, and returning from Paris three days later had allowed his + old friend, the cabby, who knew him well, a shilling an hour as a <i>pourboire</i>. + He claimed that his mind worked smoothly as long as it could run ahead + without waits, but that as soon as it had to halt for anything—a + cab, a train, or a slower mind to catch up—it got from under his + control and it took hours to get it back again. + </p> + <p> + To him money was only to be spent. He would say: “I spend money because + that calls for no mental effort, and saving is not worth the trouble that + it requires.” + </p> + <p> + A big husky chap, thirty-four years old, with the constitution of an ox, + the mind of a superman, the simplicity of a child: that was John Fulton + Edestone. He insisted that his discovery was an accident that might have + befallen anyone, and counted as nothing the years of endless experiments + and the millions of dollars he had spent in bringing it to perfection. He + was a dreamer, and had used his colossal income and at times his principal + in putting his dreams into iron and steel. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving in New York he was met by his automobile and was rushed away + to what he was pleased to call his Little Place in the Country. It was one + of his father’s old plants which had contributed to the millions which he + was now spending. + </p> + <p> + It was nothing more nor less than a combination machine shop and shipyard, + situated on the east bank of the Hudson in the neighbourhood of Spuyten + Duyvil. + </p> + <p> + It was midnight when he arrived. The night force was just leaving as he + stepped from his automobile and the morning shift was taking its place. At + eight o’clock the next morning this latter would in turn be relieved by a + day shift; for night and day, Sundays and holidays, winter and summer, + without stopping, his work went on. It got on his nerves, he said, to see + anything stop. Speed and efficiency at any cost was his motto, and the + result was that he had gathered about him men who were willing to keep + running under forced draft, even if it did heat up the bearings. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Mr. Page to come to me at once,” he said, as he entered a little + two-story brick structure apart from the other buildings. This had + originally been used as an office, but he had changed it into a + comfortable home, his “Little Place in the Country.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — THE ONE-MAN SECRET + </h2> + <p> + With the giving of a few orders relative to his departure in the morning, + the brevity of which showed the character of service he demanded, Edestone + permitted himself to relax. He dropped into an arm-chair, after lighting a + long, black cigar, and pouring out for himself a comfortable drink of + Scotch whisky and soda. + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes he sat looking into the open fire, while blowing ring + after ring of smoke straight up into the air. The well-trained servant + moved so quietly about the room that his presence was only called to his + attention by the frantic efforts of the smoke rings to retain their + circular shape as they were caught in the current of air which he created + and were sent whirling and twisting to dissolution, although to the last + they clung to every object with which they came in contact in their futile + struggle to escape destruction. + </p> + <p> + Edestone loved to watch these little smoke phantoms, their first mad rush + to assume their beautiful form and the persistency with which they clung + to it until overtaken by another, were brushed aside, or else drifted on + in wavering elongated outlines and so gradually disappeared. + </p> + <p> + They suggested to his fancy the struggling nations of the world, battling + with the currents and cross-currents near the storm-scarred old earth, and + continually endeavouring to rise above their fellows to some calmer + strata, where serene in their original form they could look down with + condescension upon their harassed and broken companions below. + </p> + <p> + The little rings were, however, more interesting to him for another and + more practical reason. It was their toroidal movement around a circular + axis which moved independently in any direction that first suggested to + him the principles of his discovery. + </p> + <p> + Before him the fire upon the hearth sang and crackled as it tore asunder + the elements that had taken untold ages to assemble in their present form, + and with the prodigality of nature was joyfully rushing them up the + chimney to start them again upon their long and weary journey through the + ages. + </p> + <p> + The bubbles coming into existence in the bottom of his glass, rushing in + myriads through the pale yellow liquid to the top and obliteration, set + the thin glass to vibrating like the sound of distant bells. + </p> + <p> + From his workshop came the soft purr of rapidly moving machinery, + punctuated now and again by the roar of the heavy railroad trains that + thundered past his little flag station. + </p> + <p> + Had he seen then what the future had in store for him, had he realized + that he was in that well-beloved environment for the last time, he would + not have hesitated to have gone on along the road that he had marked out + for himself. It would simply have made the wrench at parting a little bit + more severe. + </p> + <p> + His musing was interrupted by his man, who had attracted his attention by + noiselessly rearranging on the table the objects that were already in + perfect order. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Page is outside, sir.” + </p> + <p> + It was a call to action. Edestone, without changing his position, said: + “Tell him to come in.” And then taking two or three deep puffs at his + cigar, he blew out into the clear space in front of him a large and + perfectly formed ring. Rising he followed it slowly as it drifted across + the room, twisting and circling upon itself. Then with a low laugh, which + was almost a sigh, after sticking his finger through its shadowy form, + with a sweep of his powerful hand he brushed it aside. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, little friend,” he said, “we have had many good times together, + and whatever you may have in store for me, I promise never to complain. + Let us hope that I shall use wisely and well the knowledge which you have + given me.” + </p> + <p> + Turning quickly at some slight sound, which told him that he was no longer + alone, he threw his shoulders back, and with his head high in the air + there came over his clean-shaven face a look of quiet determination, a + look before which those who were born to rule were so soon to quail. + </p> + <p> + Then, with a complete change of manner, upon seeing his old friend and + fellow-workman, his face lighted up, and he laughed: + </p> + <p> + “Well, old ‘Specs,’ I’m back, you see, and the ‘Dove of Peace’ is safely + caged. He came to hand with scarcely even a struggle.” Then as he looked + down into the other’s worn and haggard eyes which peered up at him through + their round, horn-rimmed spectacles, his voice softened and he spoke with + a touch of compunction. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, old chap, you look all in. I’ve been driving you boys a bit too + hard; but don’t you worry. I’m off in the morning, and then you’ll have a + chance to take it easier. Soon our beautiful <i>Little Peace Maker</i>,” + he winked, “will be tucked safely away in some quiet corner, and you + scientific fellows can devote all your attention to your beloved bridge, + while I bid up The Hague Conference for a no-trump hand. + </p> + <p> + “But to business now. How did the films for the moving pictures come out?” + </p> + <p> + “Splendidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. I’ll have you run them over for me presently. I don’t want to show + too much when I give my performances for Royalty, you understand; just + enough to scare them to death. And how about the wireless? Did you test + that out, and tune it to my instruments, as I asked you?” + </p> + <p> + With a satisfactory answer to this also, he ranged off rapidly into a + dozen other inquiries. + </p> + <p> + “Does Lee understand exactly where he is to go, and what he is to do, if + by any chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don’t think he + need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but we’ve got to be + prepared for every emergency. + </p> + <p> + “Now, ‘Specs,’ I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough men + about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your absence + may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as you are safely + out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary risks. As soon as you + are settled, communicate with me, once only every day at exactly twelve + o’clock Greenwich time, until I answer you. I shall then not communicate + with you again until this peace game is up and we are forced to show our + hands.” + </p> + <p> + He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing; then + resumed his instructions. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Lee’s men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for a + big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child’s play; but it + will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that no + rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I intend to + have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most extreme + measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man is faultlessly + perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be pronounced outlaws at any + time with a price upon our heads, and therefore, before leaving here, I + wish that none be allowed to join the enterprise except those who + willingly volunteer for the sake of the cause. The men who are unwilling + to volunteer, and yet know too much, must be taken and held <i>incommunicado</i> + in some perfectly safe place until such time as I notify you. + </p> + <p> + “I think that is all,” he reflected. Then, while the other man watched him + curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a small, + hardwood box about six inches square. + </p> + <p> + “I have never explained to you, Page,” he said, “the exact construction of + the instrument that is contained in this box. As you know, there is but + one other instrument like this in the world, and that you know is in a + safe place. My reason for not taking anybody into my confidence was not + from any lack of faith in you or my other trusted associates, but simply + in order to be absolutely sure at all times and under all circumstances + that I was the only one in possession of this secret.” + </p> + <p> + And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents directly + on to the burning logs. + </p> + <p> + Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and half + stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised an + interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical construction + of this instrument is so simple,” he said, “that I can at any time + construct one which will answer all purposes that I may require of it + until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the <i>Ivernia</i> during the + crossing constructing a new smaller and more compact instrument, combining + with it one of the receivers which you have attuned to your wireless. See + that these as well as the following,” handing “Specs” a list of electrical + supplies, “are put in Black’s steamer trunk. And now, let’s have a look at + those films.” + </p> + <p> + He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire establishment, + although the latter was largely perfunctory in character, since he knew + that for days everything had been in readiness for his orders, waiting + only for his return from Washington; then returning to his quarters, he + tumbled into bed to catch a few hours of sleep before again whirling off + at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait to board his steamer at the dock. + </p> + <p> + His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were fellows + of tested experience and education, many of them college graduates, while + his “commissioned officers,” as he called them, numbering sixty, were all + experts in their respective lines. They had been drawn from all ranks of + life, from the college laboratory, the automobile factory, and the war + college. There were among them bank clerks, former commanders of + battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, and sailors. In fact, his little + world was a perfectly equipped and smoothly running community with all the + departments of a miniature government, save only a diplomatic service, and + that he combined with his own prerogatives as Executive and + Commander-in-Chief. + </p> + <p> + One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,—and + that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he sifted them out, and applied to + each of them the acid test, that he was sure he could rely on them, as he + liked to say, “to the last ditch.” + </p> + <p> + For the rest, although he had taken only a few of them into his confidence + as to his real purposes and intentions, he had assured each recruit that + he would be required to do nothing that was contrary to his duty to his + fellow-man, his country, or his God. + </p> + <p> + And tomorrow the wheels would be set in motion. The undertaking to which + he had dedicated his life and colossal fortune would be launched. + </p> + <p> + It was characteristic of Edestone that no sooner had he laid his head upon + the pillow than his eyes closed, and he slept as peacefully as a tired + child. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + </h2> + <p> + After a perfectly uneventful voyage, the <i>Ivernia</i>, with Edestone and + his three men aboard, swung slowly to her dock. As the big vessel had + approached the coast the few cabin passengers were at first a little + nervous, but the contempt in which the officers held, or pretended to + hold, the submarine menace made itself soon felt throughout the ship, and + but for the thinness of their ranks all went as usual. It is true that the + little group of army contract-seekers and returning refugees seemed to + enjoy constituting themselves into special look-outs, and regarded it as + their particular duty, as long as it did not interfere with their game of + bridge, or might cause them to lose a particularly comfortable and + sheltered corner of the deck, to notify the stewards if they happened to + see anything which to them looked like a periscope or floating mine. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the voyage Edestone kept very much to himself and in his + quarters occupied himself constructing a new instrument, and to the + hard-rubber case that had been provided for it he attached a wireless + receiver. In some of this work he was assisted by Stanton and Black, two + electricians he had brought with him, who, with James, his valet, made up + his party. + </p> + <p> + He had little time and less inclination to observe his neighbours, who + occupied the corresponding suite just across the passageway; but his man + James, who had been formally introduced to their servants, insisted upon + telling him all about them. They were, James said, the Duchess of + Windthorst and her daughter, the Princess Wilhelmina, who were returning + from Canada, where they had been visiting the Duke of Connaught at + Toronto. + </p> + <p> + But, if Edestone was preoccupied, the Princess, on the contrary, being a + girl of nineteen, with absolutely nothing on her mind, had not failed to + note the handsome young man across the passage. Unconsciously answering to + the irresistible call of youth, which is as loud to the princess as to the + peasant, she had watched him with a great deal of interest, and had been + fascinated by his faultless boots and the fact that he failed to notice + her at all. + </p> + <p> + Yet Edestone, it may be remarked, was not the only person on board + favoured with the royal regard. The Duchess, with the propensity of her + kind on visiting the States, had selected for her rare promenades on deck + a Broadway sport of the most absurd and exaggerated type, known as + “Diamond King John” Bradley. + </p> + <p> + This vagary is explained by the fact that the social chasm separating them + from all Americans is, to their limited vision, so infinitely great that + it is impossible for them to see and to understand the niceties that the + Americans draw between the butcher of New York and the dry-goods merchant + of Denver; and since it is impossible to see nothing from infinity, they + content themselves by selecting those who are, in their opinion, typical, + in order that in the short time they can give to this study they may learn + all of the characteristics of this most extraordinary race, who on account + of the similarity of language have presumed to claim a relationship with + them. They will not accept as true what much of the world believes: that + Old England is in her decadence, and that her only hope is in those sons + who have left her and who, away from the debilitating influence of the + poisonous vapours arising from the ruins of her glory, are developing the + ancient spirit of their ancestors and are returning to her assistance in + her time of need. + </p> + <p> + As to the Princess, Edestone, although he noted that she was extremely + attractive in face and figure, did not give her a second thought. He was + amused at the attitude of the Duchess and her class, and was willing to + accept it, but it did not arouse any desire on his part to follow the lead + of the gentleman from Broadway and seek their acquaintance. As a matter of + fact, he had always found the young women of the upper classes of England + either extremely stupid or perfectly willing to appear so to an American + of his class. + </p> + <p> + Still, as it happened, he did meet the Princess. One night after dinner he + found her struggling with the door into the passage which led to their + adjoining apartments. She was, or pretended to be, helpless in the wind + that was blowing her down the deck as she clung to the rail, and, quietly + taking her by the arm, he pulled her back to the door, where he held her + until she was safely inside. This was all done in a perfectly + matter-of-fact manner, and she might as well have been a steamer rug that + was in danger of being blown overboard. Then before she had time to thank + him, the door was blown shut, and he had resumed his solitary walk along + the deck. + </p> + <p> + The next time that the Princess saw him, although she felt sure that he + must have known that she had looked in his direction, there was no + indication of any desire on his part to continue the acquaintance. He had + apparently entirely forgotten the episode or her existence, and the pride + of a beautiful young girl was hurt, and the dignity of royalty offended—but + the first was all that really mattered. + </p> + <p> + And so the voyage ended. The passengers all seemed perfectly willing to go + ashore, notwithstanding their assumption of indifference to the German + blockade. Edestone, as usual, was met by the fastest form of locomotion, + and before the trunks and bags had begun to toboggan down to the dock, he + was whirling up to London in the powerful motor car belonging to his + friend, the Marquis of Lindenberry. Edestone had notified him by wireless + to meet the steamer, and they were now being driven directly to the + Marquis’s house in Grosvenor Square. Stanton and Black were left behind + with James, who condescended with his superior knowledge to assist them in + getting the luggage through the custom-house. + </p> + <p> + “Well what in the name of common sense has brought you over to England at + such a time as this?” demanded Lindenberry, after the automobile had swept + clear of the town and with a gentle purr had settled down to its work. He + leaned over as he spoke, to satisfy himself that the chauffeur, having + finished adjusting his glasses with one hand while running at top speed, + finally had both hands on the wheel, and then turned expectantly to his + companion. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see,” Lindenberry nodded when he found that he got no satisfactory + answer to this or the other inquiries he put; “you evidently do not + propose to take me into your confidence. Still, I would not be so deucedly + mysterious, if I were you. I call it beastly rude, you know. Here I have + come all the way from Aldershot, and am using the greater part of my + valuable leave in response to your crazy wire. Tell me, is it a contract + to deliver a dozen dreadnoughts at the gates of the Tower of London before + Easter Sunday?” and his eyes twinkled, “or have some of your young + Americans enlisted and the fond parents sent you over to rescue them?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled. “Well, the first thing I want, Lindenberry, is a little + chat with Lord Rockstone.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is that all?” with a satiric inflection. “Well, why in the name of + common sense didn’t you say so at first? I do not know, however, that I + can positively get you an appointment today. You must not mind if His + Lordship keeps you waiting for a few minutes if he happens to be talking + with the Czar of Russia on the long-distance telephone. You know, we over + here are still great sticklers on form. We are trying hard to be + progressive, but we still consider it quite rude to tell a King to hold + the wire while we talk to someone else who has not taken the trouble that + he has to make an appointment. You must remember that he has perhaps + dropped several shillings into the slot, and would naturally be annoyed if + told by the girl that time was up and to drop another shilling. + </p> + <p> + “Or Lord Rockstone may perhaps be just in the midst of one of his usual + twenty-four-hour interviews with an American newspaper representative,” he + continued his chaffing. “Now if he does not invite Graves and Underhill + and Apsworth to have tea with you, you might drop in at Boodles’ on your + way back from the city, and we will just pop on to Buckingham Palace and + deliver to Queen Mary the ultimatum from the suffragette ladies of the + Sioux Indians.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed so heartily that the footman nearly turned to see if + something had happened. “And they say that you Englishmen have no sense of + humour. The trouble with you though, old top, is that your joke is so + deucedly good that you don’t see the point yourself.” + </p> + <p> + They were just passing through one of Rockstone’s military camps, where + England’s recruited millions were being trained, and cutting short his + badinage Edestone gazed at the scene with interest. + </p> + <p> + “It does seem a pity that all these fine young fellows should be + sacrificed in order to settle a question which I could settle in a very + short time,” he said, becoming more serious. + </p> + <p> + “Settle it in a very short time?” repeated Lindenberry. “I would like to + know how you propose to do it. I know you are full of splendid ideas, and + invent all kinds of electrical contrivances to do things that one can do + perfectly well with one’s own hands. I suppose you would take a large + magnet and with it pull all of the German warships out of the Kiel Canal, + and hold them while you went on board and explained to Bernhardi and von + Bülow the horrors of war, and if they did not listen to you, you would, + like the Pied Piper of Hamelin lead them off with all the other + disagreeable odds and ends, submarines and Zeppelins, to an island, way, + way out in the ocean, where they would have to stay until they promised to + be good little boys?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, wouldn’t that be better than killing a lot of these fine young + fellows you have here?” demanded Edestone, although he smiled at his + friend’s fantastic idea. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans are developing into a nation of foolish old women,” taunted + Lindenberry, “and the sooner that you get into a muss like this one we’re + in, the sooner you will get back that fighting spirit which has made you + what you are. You are fast losing the respect of the other nations by your + present methods, always looking after your own pocket-books while the rest + of the world is bleeding to death.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was thoughtful, and appeared to have no answer for this, and + Lindenberry reverted to his request. + </p> + <p> + “If you really want to have an interview with Lord Rockstone, Jack, I + think I can possibly arrange it. I will telephone to Colonel Wyatt, who is + on his staff, and find out what he can do for you.” + </p> + <p> + And so they chatted until coming to Grosvenor Square where they got out of + the automobile in front of an unpretentious red brick house with an + English basement entrance, trimmed with white marble and spotlessly clean. + </p> + <p> + Lindenberry at once telephoned to Colonel Wyatt, who said that Lord + Rockstone was in and that if Edestone would come around at once he would + see to it that his letters were presented. As to an appointment, he could + promise nothing, but he did say to Lindenberry, not to be repeated, that + the Department was not at that time very favourably disposed toward + Americans. + </p> + <p> + With his usual promptness, Edestone jumped into his automobile and started + for Downing Street, not stopping even to wash his face and hands nor to + brush the dust from his clothes. + </p> + <p> + At the door he was met by an officer in khaki, was told that Colonel Wyatt + was expecting him, and was asked if he would be so kind as to come up to + the Colonel’s office. There he was told that his credentials and letters + could be presented that afternoon, but there was practically no chance of + an interview, as Lord Rockstone was leaving the War Offices in a few + minutes. + </p> + <p> + Word was finally brought in that Lord Rockstone would see Mr. Edestone and + receive his letters, but regretted that he would be unable to give him an + appointment, as he was leaving for the Continent in a few days and affairs + of state required his entire time—which translated into plain + English meant: “Come in, but get out as soon as you can.” + </p> + <p> + Shown into a large room, he saw seated at a big desk the man who is said + to have said that he did not know when the war would end, but he did know + when it would begin, and fixed that date at about eight months after the + actual declaration—after millions of pounds had been expended and + hundreds of thousands of English dead. + </p> + <p> + Cold, powerful, relentless, and determined, Edestone knew that it was + useless to appeal to a sense of humanity in this man who, sitting at his + desk early and late, directed the great machine that slowly but surely was + drawing to itself the youth and vigour of all England, there to feed and + fatten, flatter and amuse these poor boys from the country, and with music + and noise destroy their sensibilities before sending them across the + Channel to live for their few remaining days in holes in the ground that + no self-respecting beast would with his own consent occupy. + </p> + <p> + To appeal to a sense of duty so strong in him as applied to England, was + one thing; but to convince him that Edestone as an American had a sense of + duty to the nations of Europe was something quite different. This man of + steel had no imagination, he was convinced, and to ask him to follow him + in his flights would be as useless as to request him to whistle Yankee + Doodle. + </p> + <p> + He had a chance to decide all this while Rockstone, who had risen and + received him with courtesy, was reading the letters he presented. The + great soldier’s face never changed once as he read them all with care. + </p> + <p> + “Your credentials are satisfactory,” he finally said, “but I do not quite + understand what it is you wish. Your letters say that you do not want to + sell anything, which is most extraordinary; I thought you Americans always + wanted to sell something.” And his face assumed the expression of a man + who, having no sense of humour, thought that he had perhaps made a joke. + </p> + <p> + “If you have drawings and photographs of a new instrument of war,” he + caught himself up abruptly, “I should greatly prefer that you submit these + to the Ordnance Department; but since your Secretary of State has been so + insistent, I will look at them tomorrow. I will give you an appointment + from 9 to 9:15.” + </p> + <p> + And he rose and bowed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — THE FIRST REBUFF + </h2> + <p> + At exactly a quarter past nine the following morning, Lord Rockstone with + military precision rose from his desk. + </p> + <p> + “I fear that my time is up, Mr. Edestone,” he said, glancing at his watch. + “I have enjoyed this opportunity of meeting you and listening to your + presentation of your theory. Your drawings are most interesting; your + photographs convincing, if—” he paused, his lip curling slightly + under his long tawny moustache,—“if one did not know of the + remarkable optical illusions capable of being produced in photography. Our + friends, the Germans, have become particularly expert in the art of double + exposure.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as if he thought he might have said too much, he added less crisply: + </p> + <p> + “Please do not understand that I doubt either your sincerity, or that of + the Government at Washington in this matter; you may have both perhaps + been deceived. I hope that your stay in England may be pleasant, and I + regret that this war will prevent you from receiving the attention to + which your letters and your accomplishments would entitle you.” + </p> + <p> + With an expression on his face that said plainer than words: “This is the + last minute of my most valuable time that I intend to give to this + nonsense,” he bowed formally, and reseating himself at his desk, took up + papers. + </p> + <p> + Then without looking up, “Good morning, Mr. Edestone.” + </p> + <p> + The American did not allow himself to show the slightest trace of + annoyance at the brusque dismissal. + </p> + <p> + “You will at least permit me to thank you for your kind intentions, sir,” + he said; and standing perfectly still until he had forced Lord Rockstone + to look up, he added with a smile, “We may meet again, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + There was something about his perfect ease of manner as he stood waiting + which showed that although he would not condescend to notice it, he was + both conscious of the War Minister’s unpardonable rudeness and intended to + make him acknowledge it. + </p> + <p> + Rockstone hesitated a moment; then with a belated show of courtesy came + from behind his desk, and stiffly extended his hand. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans are the most extraordinary people,” he said; “I must admit, + I never quite understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must grant us a slight advantage,” rejoined Edestone evenly; + “because we believe we do understand you Englishmen. If there had been the + same clear understanding on your side in the present instance it would + have been more to your interest, I am satisfied; for then instead of + merely disturbing you I should have aroused you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not a question of arousing me as you call it. You are dealing with + the Government of the Empire, and, as you know, England moves slowly. The + suggestion that I invite His Majesty to see a lot of moving pictures of an + impossible machine, if you will pardon me, is preposterous. If you really + wish to sell something to the War Department, although I understand you to + state that you do not, nothing is simpler. Ship one of your machines to + England, give a demonstration, and whereas I cannot speak with authority, + I am confident that England will pay all that any other Government will + pay. As to our friends, the enemy, our ships will attend to it that + nothing goes to them that can be used against us.” His jaws snapped, and + his cold greenish-grey eyes flashed, as he gave another curt bow of + dismissal. + </p> + <p> + Edestone had no alternative but to leave; but as he turned to rejoin + Colonel Wyatt, who had stood stiffly at attention throughout the entire + interview, he could not resist one parting shot. + </p> + <p> + “Do not forget, Lord Rockstone,” he said, “that England six months ago + spoke lightly of submarines.” + </p> + <p> + The War Minister pretended not to hear; but no sooner had the door closed + upon his offensive visitor than he caught up the telephone. “Get me the + Admiralty, and present my compliments to Mr. Underhill,” he directed + sharply. “Tell him I would like to speak to him at once.” + </p> + <p> + He turned back to a tray of letters left upon his desk to sign, but + halted, his pen held arrested in air. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose,” he muttered, “the fellow should actually have—? But, + pshaw! It’s simply a mammoth Yankee bluff. That Foreign Department at + Washington is just silly enough to believe that it can frighten us with + its manufactured photographs. They are so anxious over there to stop the + war, that they would resort to any expedient—anything but fight.” + </p> + <p> + The telephone tinkled. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Are you there Underhill? Yes, this is Rockstone. I called you up to + warn you against a madman who is now on his way to see you. You can’t well + refuse to give him an audience, for he has such strong letters from the + American Government that one might imagine he was a special envoy sent to + offer armed intervention and to end the war. But in my opinion he is + merely a crank or an impostor, who has succeeded in obtaining the support + and endorsement of their State Department. + </p> + <p> + “What is that? Oh yes; he’s an American. His name? How should I remember! + I wasn’t interested either in him, or what he had to say. He pretends to + have discovered some new agency or force, don’t you know, and tries to + prove by a lot of double-exposed photographs that he has broken down the + fundamental laws of physics, neutralizing the force of gravity, or + annihilating space by the polarization of light, or some such rot. + </p> + <p> + “Do not kick him out. He has letters not only from his Government, but + from some of its most prominent men whom it would be unwise to offend at + this time. Just listen to his twaddle about universal peace and that sort + of thing, and then pass him on to Graves with a quiet warning such as I + have given you.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Edestone, having taken leave of Colonel Wyatt, was making his + way out of the building, when he found himself accosted in the dimly + lighted corridor by a man in civilian clothes whom he recognized as a New + York acquaintance of several years’ standing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, look who’s here!” he greeted Edestone lustily as he extended his + hand. “What brings you into the very den of the lion? Is it that, like + myself, you are helping dear old England get arms and ammunition with + which to lick the barbarians on the Rhine?” + </p> + <p> + Glancing around cautiously he lowered his voice. “Make her pay well for + them, my boy; she would not hesitate to turn them on us, if we got in her + way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughingly disclaimed any interest in army contracts, but at the + same time avoided divulging the actual mission upon which he was engaged. + </p> + <p> + There was something in his companion’s manner that put him rather on his + guard; he remembered smoking after dinner not more than three or four + months before in the house of one of the most prominent German bankers in + New York, and listening to this man, who had expressed himself in a way + that might have suggested somewhat pro-German sympathies. Edestone had at + the time attributed this to a consideration for their host and to the fact + that the German Ambassador was present; but he recalled that, although the + speaker was most violent in his protestations of neutrality, someone had + suggested at the time that he was of a German family, his father having + been born in Hesse-Darmstadt. He was a man of wealth, with establishments + in New York and Newport, at both of which places Edestone had been + entertained. His loud and hearty manner stamped him as a typical American, + but his large frame, handsome face, and military bearing showed his + Teutonic origin. + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me Rebener.” Edestone’s eyes twinkled slightly at these + recollections. “I should have supposed, if you had anything of the kind to + sell, that it would be to your friend, Count Bernstoff. However,” he laid + his hand on the other’s arm, “it’s an agreeable surprise to run across a + fellow-countryman, no matter what the cause. Are you going my way?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Rebener told him, he had an appointment on hand with one of the + bureau chiefs in the Ordnance Department. + </p> + <p> + “Well then suppose you dine with me tonight,” suggested Edestone. “I am + stopping at Claridge’s and shall be awfully glad if you can come. I am + entirely alone in London, you see; my cronies, I find, are all dead or at + the front.” + </p> + <p> + “Delighted, my boy. But listen! Don’t have any of your English swells. + Let’s make this a quiet little American dinner just to ourselves, and + forget for once this ghastly war.” + </p> + <p> + “At eight o’clock, then,” Edestone nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And a strict neutrality dinner, remember. That is the only safe kind for + us Americans to eat in London.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Rebener, as neutral as you please. <i>A bientôt</i>.” And with + a wave of the hand he passed on down the corridor and out of the building. + His appointment with Underhill, Chief of the Admiralty, was not until + 11:30, so he put in the time by sauntering rather slowly along the Thames + Embankment. + </p> + <p> + He regretted now that, in talking with Lord Rockstone, he had not made a + little more show of force, for had he assumed a more dictatorial manner he + would have at least aroused the fighting spirit in his stern antagonist, + who might then have taken some interest in crushing him under his heel; + whereas now he saw plainly that Rockstone considered him beneath his + notice, and thereby much valuable time had been lost. Yet he did not wish + to make any show of force until he knew positively that his men were all + at their stations, and that the <i>Little Peace Maker</i> was near at + hand. He must be in a position to use force before playing his last card, + and he had not as yet heard from “Specs.” Although he knew that their + instruments were perfectly attuned, he had not, up to twelve o’clock of + the day before, received a single vibration. + </p> + <p> + At this point he was interrupted by encountering another American who also + insisted upon stopping and shaking hands. This was a young architect from + New York, who had from time to time done work for his father’s estate and + who had also made some alterations at the Little Place in the Country for + Edestone himself. He was a tall, lank young man of about twenty-seven, + with little rat-like eyes, placed so close to his hawk-like nose that one + felt Nature would have been kinder to him had she given him only one eye + and frankly placed it in the middle of his receding forehead. His small + blonde moustache did not cover his rabbit mouth, which was so filled with + teeth that he could with difficulty close his lips. + </p> + <p> + “What has brought you to London, Schmidt? Aren’t you afraid that these + Englishmen will capture you and shoot you as a spy?” + </p> + <p> + “Sh! Not quite so loud please, Mr. Edestone; these English are such fools. + They think that because a man has a German name he must be a fighting + German, when you know that I am a perfectly good naturalized American + citizen. My passport is made out in the name of Schmidt, and that’s my + name all right, but I call myself Smith over here to keep from rubbing + these fellows the wrong way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. ‘Smith,’ you have not told me what you are doing in London.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been sent over by a New York architectural paper to make a report + upon the condition of the cathedral at Rheims. I stopped over in London to + get my papers viséd by the Royal Institute of Architects.” Then, lowering + his voice, and keeping his eyes on a policeman who was apparently watching + them with interest: “I am sorry to see you here, Mr. Edestone. This is no + place for us Americans, and my advice to you is to get out of here as soon + as you can, and don’t come back again until the war is over.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone felt that he would have said more but they were interrupted by + the policeman who said: “Excuse me, gentlemen, but these be war times, and + me ordhers are to keep the Imbankment moving.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + </h2> + <p> + After leaving the War Offices, Rebener went directly to the nearest public + telephone. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Karlbeck,” he called, after satisfying himself by mumbling a + jumble of unintelligible words and numbers that he had the man he wanted + on the wire. “Is Smith there? What? Thames Embankment? What did you say is + the number of that officer? Oh, my old butler, Pat! That’s all right. Now + listen; if I should miss Smith and he comes in, tell him to call me at my + hotel at once. I have made an engagement for dinner with our man for eight + o’clock tonight, but you and H. R. H. need not be at my rooms until + half-past eight. You understand, eh? Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + He strolled out, following Edestone’s course with the air of a man wishing + to enjoy this beautiful spring morning, and approaching the officer who + had interrupted the interview between Edestone and Smith, he said, with a + little twinkle in his eye: “Will you tell me which of these bridges is + called the London Bridge?” + </p> + <p> + The blue-coated Pat, with Hibernian readiness, caught the humour of the + situation. “Shure, I would gladly, but ‘tis a strhanger I am here mesilf,” + he grinned as he smothered the entire lower part of his face with his huge + paw of a hand, and significantly closed one eye. + </p> + <p> + “Pat, your fondness for joking will get you into trouble yet. Did Smith + turn Edestone over to you?” + </p> + <p> + “He did, and I mesilf took him up to the Admiralty where he is now. 4782, + I think they called him, takes him up from there, and will keep him until + he hears from either you or Smith.” + </p> + <p> + “Where has Smith gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Shure he’s up at Claridge’s, bein’ shaved by Count von Hottenroth.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, now, Pat, if you don’t stop that joking of yours I’ll certainly + report you to the Wilhelmstrasse.” + </p> + <p> + “And they said I was to be the first King of dear old Ireland!” as with a + broad grin on his face he raised his hand as if drinking. “Der Tag!” he + cried, thereby causing several passers-by to laugh at the idea of a London + bobby giving the sacred German toast. + </p> + <p> + Rebener, leaving him, went directly to his rooms at The Britz where he was + received with the greatest consideration by everybody about the place. He + was shown to the royal suite by the proprietor himself, who after he had + carefully closed the door upon them stood as if waiting for orders. + </p> + <p> + “Call Claridge’s on the ‘phone, and tell Smith who is being shaved,” he + smiled at the recollection of Pat’s jest, “to meet me here at once. I do + not want him seen in the hotel, so tell him to come in by the servants’ + entrance, and you bring him up on the service elevator and in here through + my pantry and dining-room.” + </p> + <p> + The proprietor retired to attend to this, but was soon back, and Rebener + continued his instructions. + </p> + <p> + “Luckily Edestone invited me to dine with him tonight before I had a + chance to invite him,” he said, “but I will persuade him to come here and + dine with me.” + </p> + <p> + “So, Mr. Bombiadi,” he turned to the proprietor, “I shall want dinner here + for four at 8:30. See to it yourself, will you, that my guests are brought + through my private entrance, and one especially—you know who—who + will be incognito, must not be recognized. Not that there could be any + objection to these men dining with me here—a common rich American, + who loves to spend his money on princes and things—but by tonight + this man Edestone will be watched by at least twenty men from Scotland + Yard, and they suspect anyone of being a German spy, be he prince or + pauper.” + </p> + <p> + Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the arrival of Smith, + who came in very much excited. Sniffling and rubbing his nose with the + back of his forefinger, like a nervous cocaine fiend, he broke out + agitatedly: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Rebener, I’m getting sick of this job. When I undertook to find out + for you what was going on at the Little Place in the Country, I was + working for Germany as against the world, and anything that I can do for + her I am glad and proud to do, but that Hottenroth talks like a damn fool. + Excuse me, Mr. Rebener, but he don’t want to stop at anything. He says + that if he pulls off this thing the Emperor, when he gets to London, will + make him Duke of Westminster, or something, and six months from now he + will appoint me Governor-General of North America. I tell you, Mr. + Rebener, that fellow is plumb nutty.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” interposed the proprietor, “it is true that + Hottenroth is excitable, but he is faithful to the Fatherland and an + humble servant to His Imperial Majesty. He has been in charge of a fixed + post in London for fifteen years. He was one of the very first to be sent + here, and he was in Paris before that. He would die willingly for the + Fatherland, as would I, and if this Schmidt, I mean Smith, thinks there is + any sin too great to be committed for the Fatherland, he is not worthy of + a place among us, and the sooner we get rid of him the better.” And he + looked at the unfortunate Smith in a way that showed he was willing to do + this at any moment. + </p> + <p> + But Rebener, who had lived all his life in America, and like Smith did not + thoroughly agree with the philosophy of German militarism—before + which everything must bow—hurriedly raised his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, you are both getting unnecessarily excited. Don’t let us try + to cross our bridges until we get to them. What did von Hottenroth have to + report?” + </p> + <p> + “It was not very satisfactory, to tell you the truth, Mr. Rebener,” said + Smith; “they searched through all of his things and they found nothing but + a drawing of a Zeppelin of our 29-M type, with some slight changes, which + Hottenroth said don’t amount to anything, and some photographs of Mr. + Edestone himself, doing some juggling tricks with heavy dumb-bells and + weights, but we learned afterwards from the porter that an expressman had + left two large and heavy trunks marked, ‘A. M. Black and P. S. Stanton,’ + at No. 4141 Grosvenor Square East.” + </p> + <p> + “Well what is the report,” demanded Bombiadi, “on No. 4141 Grosvenor + Square?” + </p> + <p> + Smith read from a memorandum book: “Lord Lindenberry, who is a widower, + lives there with his mother, the Dowager. The old lady is now up at their + country place, in Yorkshire, and the Marquis went on to Aldershot last + night after having dined with Edestone at Brooks’s and dropping him at + Claridge’s at 12:15 A.M. The house is only partially opened; there are + only a few of the old servants there.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you think these trunks contain the instrument which you reported + to us from America was always kept in the safe at the Little Place in the + Country?” snapped the hotel proprietor. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” whined Smith. “Mr. Edestone probably has it with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we must get hold of it before he shows it to Underhill,” frowned + the proprietor, “that is, if it has not been shown already, and in that + case we must get hold of Edestone himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that is exactly what is troubling me,” Smith’s voice rose + hysterically. “I’m not going to stand for any of that rough stuff, Mr. + Rebener. Mr. Edestone and his father have both been mighty good to me, and + if anything happens to him I’ll blow on the whole lot of you.” + </p> + <p> + “So?” The proprietor’s pale fat face was convulsed with a look of hatred + and contempt. “Then we are to understand, Smith, that if we find it + necessary to do away with Edestone you wish to go first? You dirty little + half-breed,” he growled in an undertone. “Your mother must have been an + English woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, here, you two fools!” Rebener broke in with sharp authority, “there + is no question of ‘doing away’ with Edestone, as you call it. What we’re + after is the invention and not the man himself, and we’ll not get it by + ‘doing away’ with him. I am, like Smith here, opposed to murder, even for + the Fatherland.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is not murder, Mr. Rebener,” interrupted the proprietor, “if + thereby we are instrumental in saving thousands of the sons of the + Fatherland.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not only not save the sons of the Fatherland, but would put an + end to our usefulness, both here in London and in America, especially if + Edestone has already turned the whole thing over to England. The very + first thing for us to do is to find out how the matter stands. If the + Ministry knows nothing, we must work to get him to Berlin, and then even + you fire-eaters may safely trust it to the Wilhelmstrasse. If it should + happen, however, that the British Government has the invention, His Royal + Highness tonight will try to get enough out of Edestone to enlighten + Berlin, and in that way we shall at least get an even break. That is, + always provided that Edestone has not a lot of the completed articles, + whatever they may be, at the Little Place in the Country. That would put + us in bad again, and it will be up to Count Bernstoff to attend to it from + the New York end.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mr. Rebener,” said the proprietor, “we can do nothing until we + hear from His Royal Highness, but I am satisfied that he will say Edestone + must not be allowed to go to Downing Street tomorrow to continue his + negotiations, unless in some way we can get hold of this secret tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll be damned if I’ll—!” started Rebener angrily, when he + was interrupted by the proprietor, who holding his finger to his lip, + said: + </p> + <p> + “Please, Mr. Rebener, please! Always remember that the service on which we + are engaged has no soul and a very long arm.” Then dropping into the + persuasive and servile tone of the <i>maître d’hôtel</i>: “I propose, Mr. + Rebener, that you allow me to send you up a nice little lunch, some melon, + say, a <i>salmon mayonnaise</i> or a <i>filet du sole au vin blanc</i> and + a <i>noisette d’agneau</i> and a nice little sweet, and you must try a + bottle of our Steinberger Auslese ‘84. + </p> + <p> + “And Smith,” he turned to the humbler agent, “you had better get in touch + with 4782, who is reporting to His Royal Highness every hour. His last + message was that Edestone is still with Underhill, so you get down to the + Admiralty and report to me here as often as you can. Edestone will + probably lunch quietly alone somewhere, as I know that all of his friends + are at the front, but don’t lose him until you turn him over to Mr. + Rebener tonight at 8 o’clock.” His eyes narrowed as they followed the + skulking figure of the architect out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “That fellow needs watching,” he muttered to Rebener. “He has lost his + nerve. He is not a true German anyhow. But if he makes a false step, 4782 + knows what to do and you can depend upon him to do it. We do not know who + he is, but he is a gentleman, if not a nobleman, and he will kill or die + for his Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + Smith, in the meantime, had gone down the service stairs and out at the + rear of the hotel. He was thoughtful, and when he was settled in his taxi, + after having directed the chauffeur where to drive, he said to himself: + </p> + <p> + “They are going to kill him tonight unless they get that machine, or else + can fix it so that Rockstone doesn’t get it tomorrow, that is if Underhill + hasn’t got it already. I wish I’d never started this business; I never + thought it would go so far, and what do I get out of it? A German + decoration which I can’t wear in America, and God knows I don’t want to + live in Germany, and seventeen dollars a week. I’m not going to stand for + it, and that’s settled.” + </p> + <p> + Arriving in front of a little restaurant he entered and sat down at a + table near a window looking out on Whitehall Place. The proprietor, who + was another German, came over to him, and while ostensibly arranging the + cloth spoke to him in an undertone in his own language. + </p> + <p> + “Edestone is still with Underhill,” he said. “The taxi driver on the stand + opposite, the one who looks as if he were asleep, is 4782. In that way he + keeps the head of the line, you see, and when Edestone comes out, if he + doesn’t take that cab, 4782 can follow him until he alights again, and + then he is to telephone His Royal Highness. So you sit here and have + lunch, where you can see what is going on.” + </p> + <p> + Then, turning to a group of his regular customers at another table, the + jovial host in a loud voice and in perfect English took a violent pro-Ally + part in the war discussion that was going on. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + </h2> + <p> + Edestone had met the Honorable Herbert Underhill before, both in America + and in the country houses of England. The two were about the same age, and + as Underhill’s mother was an American, Edestone had hoped that he would + not have quite so much trouble in getting him to look at the matter from + an American point of view. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, however, was just on that account a little bit more formal with + the cousins from across the sea than were most of the men of high position + in Europe. He was undoubtedly taken aback and thrown off his guard when he + found that Edestone was the dangerous American lunatic of whom he had been + warned. In the first place, he knew that there was not the slightest + chance of his being an impostor, and he also knew exactly how much of a + lunatic he was. He knew, in fact, that he was a hard-riding, + clear-thinking, high-minded Anglo-Saxon of the very best type to be found + A Rusty Old Cannon-Ball anywhere, and he smiled as he thought of + Rockstone’s advice not to kick him out of the Admiralty. + </p> + <p> + With considerable show of cordiality, he invited his visitor into a small + room adjoining his large office, and sat him down at the opposite side of + a wide table. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Rockstone told me you were coming, but did not mention your name. He + is quite a chap, that Rockstone. Not what you Americans would call a very + chatty party, however. Now what can I do for you? Lord Rockstone tells me + that you have some new invention, or something of the sort, that will help + us to finish up this little scrimmage without the loss of a single Tommy. + Well, that is exactly what we are looking for, and you American chaps are + clever at thinking out new ideas. He tells me, however, that you do not + wish to sell it. Now I can understand better than he why that part would + be of no especial interest to you; but can’t we deal with a Syndicate, or + a Board of Underwriters, a Holding Company, or some of those wonderful + business combinations that you Americans devise in order to do business + without going to jail? Is the poor starving inventor some billionaire like + yourself, who works only for honour and glory? In that case we might get + an Iron Cross for him. In fact, we might get one blessed by the Emperor + himself, by Jove!” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “Well, Mr. Underhill, you cannot deny inheriting a + certain amount of American wit. I have so often heard the older members of + the Union Club tell stories of Billy Travers’s witty sayings. He must have + gone the pace that kills. One of the old servants used to tell that + whenever Travers and Larry Jerome and that set came in for supper, they + expected the waiters to drink every fifth bottle; it made things more + cheerful-like—but <i>revenons à nos moutons</i>. Lord Rockstone is + right, I do not want to sell my discovery, for mine it is. I am the + penniless inventor. I only want an opportunity of showing it to the heads + of the Powers that are now at war, and of demonstrating to them the + stupendous and overwhelming force that is now practically in the hands of + the greatest of the neutral governments, and thus try, if possible, to + convince them of the uselessness of continuing this loss of life and + treasure. + </p> + <p> + “If I could demonstrate to you, Mr. Underhill, that I could, sitting here + in your office, give an order that would set London on fire and send every + ship in the English navy to the bottom in the course of a few weeks, would + you not advocate opening negotiations for peace? And were I to show the + Emperor of Germany that his great army could be destroyed in even less + time, would he not be more receptive than we now understand him to be?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Mr. Edestone, I most certainly should,” the First Lord of the + Admiralty granted with a smile, “and I think that perhaps the German + Emperor would be amenable under the circumstances, but as they say in your + great country, ‘I am from Missouri, you must show me.’” + </p> + <p> + He changed his position and glanced at Edestone as if he were beginning to + think that possibly Rockstone might be right in his estimate after all. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Mr. Underhill; it is now five minutes to noon, and I think + that I will be able to show you in exactly five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + He took from his pocket a leather case, such as a woodsman might use to + carry a large pocket compass, and removing the cover set out upon the + table an instrument that was entirely enclosed in vulcanized rubber. On + the top, under glass, was a dial, with a little needle which vibrated + violently, but came to a standstill soon after being placed on the table. + Two small platinum wires, about twelve inches long and carefully + insulated, issued from opposite sides of the hard rubber casing. + </p> + <p> + Underhill’s face at first bore only an expression of mild amusement, but + as Edestone evidenced such a deadly earnestness, he showed more interest + and said with a rather nervous laugh: “Look here, old chap, don’t blow the + entire English navy out of the water while you’re closeted here with me. I + must have some witness to prove that I didn’t do it or I might have to + explain to the House of Commons.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, a hard and drawn look about his mouth, paid no heed, but taking + his watch out of his pocket fixed his eye on the little needle of the + instrument and waited as the last few seconds of the hour ticked off. As + the second hand made its last round, and the minute hand swung into + position exactly at twelve, he leaned over the table as if trying by + mental suggestion to make the instrument respond to his will. But it + remained perfectly quiescent, and with a half sigh and a tightening of the + lines about his mouth, he closed his watch. Could it be possible, he + thought, that “Specs” had forgotten his instructions always to use + Greenwich time? + </p> + <p> + He was about to replace the instrument in its case, when he was startled + by a clock on the mantel, which began to strike the hour of twelve. + Involuntarily he counted the strokes as they chimed slowly, and as the + vibrations of the last stroke faded away the little needle swung an entire + circuit of the dial, returning to its original position. This was repeated + three times. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, although still interested in what was going on, seemed a bit + relieved when nothing more startling happened. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, you know, you gave me quite a start,” he jested. “I thought + that you were going to set London on fire, and you simply seem to be + taking your blood-pressure.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone still paid not the slightest attention to him, but after glancing + about the room walked over to the mantelpiece where he picked up an old + twelve-inch cannon-ball, which with considerable difficulty he brought + back and placed on the table by the side of his instrument. His eyes once + more roved about the room as if he were seeking something, and stepping + deliberately to a passe-partout photograph of King George V., he ripped + off the binding with his pocket-knife and tore from it the glass. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, now, Mr. Edestone, those cow-boy methods don’t go here in + London, and if you cannot behave a bit more like a gentleman, I’ll have + you shown to the street.” + </p> + <p> + “We have more important matters on our hands just now, Mr. Underhill, than + whether or not I am a gentleman,” snapped the American, his face set and + serious as he with nervous fingers laid the glass on the table. + </p> + <p> + Rolling the cannon-ball to him, he lifted it very gently on to the glass + plate, and then taking a key from his pocket he appeared to wind up on the + inside of the instrument some mechanism which gave off a buzzing sound. + Next he drew on a pair of rubber gloves with vulcanized rubber finger + tips, and moistening with his lips the ends of the two platinum wires, + pressed them to either side of the ball, first the one and then the other. + A spark was given off when the second contact was made, and the room was + filled with a pungent odour as of overheated metal which caused both men + to cough violently. + </p> + <p> + Following this, with great care, and using only the tips of his fingers, + he lifted the glass plate with the ball on it. When he had raised it his + arm’s length above the table, like a plum pudding on a platter, he took + the glass away, leaving the ball hanging unsupported in the air. + </p> + <p> + He sat down and smiled across the table into the astonished, almost + incredulous, face of his companion. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Mr. Underhill, I hope you will pardon my rudeness,” he + apologized lightly; “but I get so interested in these little tricks of + mine that sometimes I forget myself. If you will permit me, I shall, when + I go to Paris, order from Cartiers’s a more befitting frame for His + Majesty, and shall beg you to accept it from me as a little souvenir of + our meeting today.” + </p> + <p> + Underhill made no reply. His whole attention was riveted on that amazing + ball, and Edestone, a trifle mischievously, added: “If you have a + perfectly good heart, and think you can stand a bit of a shock, touch that + ball lightly with your finger.” + </p> + <p> + “My heart’s all right, and I am prepared for anything,” Underhill + surrendered, as he reached up and touched the innocent looking rusty old + cannon-ball, whose only peculiarity seemed to be its willingness to remain + where it was without any visible means of support. + </p> + <p> + The room was suddenly filled with a greenish light, as if someone had just + taken a flash-light photograph. Underhill was thrown violently back into + his chair, and the ball crashed down on the table, splitting it from end + to end. + </p> + <p> + Without moving a muscle of his face, and taking no notice of the gestures + of pain made by Underhill as he sat rubbing his arm and shoulder, Edestone + resumed: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Underhill, I will not take any more of your valuable time to show you + my drawings and photographs, but I beg you to say to Sir Egbert Graves + that you do not think with Lord Rockstone that the American Secretary of + State has been deceived, and that you hope he will, when he sees me + tomorrow, try to forget for a while that he is an Englishman and be a + little bit human. You know, Underhill, confidence and pigheadedness are + not even connected by marriage; much less are they blood relations. By + Jove,” he grinned, “you can tell him I’ll stick him up against the ceiling + if he insists upon handling me with the ice tongs and leave him there + until you take him down; that is, if you care to take another little + shock.” + </p> + <p> + Underhill, although he might have thought at another time that it was his + duty to resent such light and frivolous reference to the heads of His + Majesty’s Government, was now, however, occupied with more serious + reflections, and overlooked the offence. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure,” he said, rousing himself, “that if Sir Egbert is convinced + that you are working for the sake of humanity he will be most happy to + make use of your talents.” + </p> + <p> + “That is exactly what I want him to do,” returned Edestone, “but not in + the way in which you mean. I wish to be given authority to open + negotiations for peace with the Emperor of Germany. Now, Mr. Underhill, do + we understand one another?” + </p> + <p> + He rose to leave with this, but Underhill, stepping quickly forward, laid + a hand upon his arm. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t suppose for a moment, Mr. Edestone, that we will allow you to + leave England and go to Germany to sell them your invention and have it + used against us?” + </p> + <p> + “You have my word, Mr. Underhill, and that of the American Secretary of + State, that it is not my intention to sell to any government. With that + assurance, unless your Ministry wishes to risk the chances of war with the + United States, I think it will allow me to leave England and go anywhere I + please. Good-morning, Mr. Underhill. I am sorry to have taken up so much + of your valuable time, even more sorry to have broken His Majesty’s + beautiful old oak table.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — DIPLOMACY WINS + </h2> + <p> + Underhill, left alone, sat for some moments looking from the broken table + to the cannonball and then back again. Finally he picked up a fragment of + glass, for the Royal face protector had likewise been broken, when the + good old English oak had met its defeat at the hands of this Hun of the + world of science, and with it, very gingerly, he tapped the iron ball—this + rusty old barbarian which had set at naught the force of gravity, had + violated all the established laws of nature, and had like the Germans in + Belgium smashed through. + </p> + <p> + Finding that nothing happened, he hesitated for a moment, and, then, + bracing himself against the shock, he touched his finger gently to this + rude old paradox. There was no shock, and, reassured, he leaned across the + table and tried with both hands to lift the cannon-ball. + </p> + <p> + “That part is genuine there is no doubt,” he granted. “That old + cannon-ball must have been here since—?” He gave a start as his eyes + caught the inscription pasted upon it, which was: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “A freak cannon-ball, made at the Forge + and Manor of Greenwood, Virginia, 1778. + Presented in 1889 to Lord Roberts by + General George Bolling Anderson, Governor + of the State of Virginia.” + </pre> + <p> + “How extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “These Americans are popping up at + every turn.” + </p> + <p> + He passed out into the large outer office, and, glancing at his watch, + summoned an undersecretary. + </p> + <p> + “It is now just a quarter after twelve,” he said, “and the Cabinet lunches + at Buckingham Palace at two. Present my compliments to Lord Rockstone and + Sir Egbert Graves, and say that I should like to see them both here for a + few minutes on a matter of the greatest importance, and that much as I + regret to trouble them it is absolutely necessary that this meeting be + held in my office and before they go on to the Palace.” + </p> + <p> + To another attendant who, moved by curiosity, was going in the direction + of the smaller room, he said: “Place a sentry at that door when I leave. + No one is to be allowed to enter that room until I give further orders.” + </p> + <p> + A telephone orderly came in a few minutes later to say that his message + had found Lord Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves together, and that they + both would be with him within the half-hour. + </p> + <p> + Underhill was now fully convinced that Edestone possessed some wonderful + invention or discovery which the United States intended to use as a final + argument for peace, and, with the aid of this discovery, render untenable + any position in opposition to its will taken by England or any of the + other Powers. Had he dreamed that the United States was as ignorant as to + the nature of this invention as he himself was, the history of the world + might have been changed. + </p> + <p> + When Graves and Rockstone arrived, he greeted them with serious face and + at once drew them into private conference. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am sorry to have to trouble you to come to me, + but I am confident that you will forgive me when you understand my reasons + for insisting upon a meeting here.” Keeping both men still standing he + continued: “I have a strange story to tell, so strange in fact, that you + gentlemen would be justified in doubting not only my word but my sanity, + had I nothing to show you in corroboration.” + </p> + <p> + Both men stood like graven images; one like a soldier at attention; the + other, his hat and cane in his right hand and the tips of his two first + fingers resting lightly on the table behind which Underhill was standing, + his thin, clean-shaven, mask-like face as expressionless as if it belonged + to a head that had been stuck on the end of a pike and shoved out across + the table for Underhill to look at, instead of to one well placed on his + broad athletic shoulders. They both knew that Underhill was young and had + inherited from his beautiful American mother a nervous and temperamental + disposition. They also knew that this was tempered by the crafty + cleverness of the blood of the hero of Blenheim. They had come prepared + for one of his excitable outbursts, although they knew he would not have + been so insistent had there not been good cause. + </p> + <p> + “Will you be so kind as to walk into this room with me?” He pointed toward + the door of the small room. + </p> + <p> + Still with that show of utter imperturbability the two complied, + continuing to gaze stolidly as their associate, closing the door behind + them, called their attention to the cannon-ball and broken table. + </p> + <p> + “Exhibits A and B”; he waved his hand toward the two objects. “I wanted + you to see these in order to convince you that I have neither been + dreaming, nor am I the victim of an aberration.” + </p> + <p> + Then with great care and endeavouring to maintain a semblance of + self-possession, he described his recent experience, omitting no single + detail that he could recall. He showed them exactly where and how he had + been sitting, and followed every movement made by Edestone, even to the + ripping of the glass from the portrait of the King, until finally, as if + overcome by the strain that he had put upon himself to appear perfectly + calm, he ended with a nervous little laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Will you look at the inscription on that blooming old cannon-ball? It + really seems quite spooky.” + </p> + <p> + Graves moved forward and thoughtfully examined the split table and the + rusty old relic of Valley Forge, but Rockstone did not offer to stir. With + what was almost a sneer on his face he met the challenging glance of his + younger confrère. + </p> + <p> + “I would not have believed, Underhill,” he said impatiently, “that you + with your experience with the fakirs of India could have been taken in by + so old a trick.” He half-closed his eyes as if to indicate that for him at + least the incident was closed. + </p> + <p> + Underhill frowned. “You are wrong, Rockstone,” he exclaimed impulsively. + “This man is no faker, nor am I so easily imposed upon as you seem to + think. I tell you that we are called upon to deal with a new agency that + can neither be disputed nor sneered away, and unless we can contrive some + way to oppose it, the United States will step in and force a peace upon us—a + peace that will leave Europe exactly where it was before the war—and + keep it so, while she herself can go ahead unchecked and take possession + of the whole Western Hemisphere. Don’t you see the scheme?” + </p> + <p> + “Where is this extraordinary individual?” inquired the Foreign Minister, + completing his inspection of the table. “What has become of him?” His thin + voice was as evenly modulated as if he were asking where he had put his + other glove. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, probably at Boodle’s or Brookes’s lunching with some of his friends,” + Underhill answered indifferently. “He left here only a short time ago. And + you need not be afraid, Sir Egbert,” with a significant glance. “A very + careful eye is being kept upon his movements. We can get him at any moment + if we want him.” + </p> + <p> + Graves nodded, and then went on meditatively. + </p> + <p> + “It is of course entirely irregular,” he said, “but from what both of you + gentlemen tell me as to the nature of his credentials, there can be little + doubt that the man is here with the approval of his Government, if not as + an authorized representative. The sole question, therefore, is whether or + not he does possess such an invention or discovery as he claims——” + </p> + <p> + “But can you doubt that?” demanded Underhill hotly. + </p> + <p> + “And whether,” proceeded Sir Egbert without change of tone, “granting that + the contrivance is of value, the United States will permit its purchase + for use in the present war. + </p> + <p> + “On the first proposition, I can only say that if he has this invention, + as my young friend of the Navy stands so firmly convinced, it is + tantamount to admitting that the United States has a new and terrible + instrument of war, in which case it would be most unwise to offend her. If + he has not, there certainly can be no objection to allowing him the + opportunity of offering to our enemies something that is of no value. + Therefore, that seems to settle the question as to the advisability of + detaining him, as has been suggested. I should strongly favour letting him + go when and where he pleases. + </p> + <p> + “Assuming that he has in his possession facts or mechanisms that would + give to one nation such stupendous advantages over the others as he + claims, we must not forget that the United States has had these facts and + mechanisms for some time. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to detain him + forcibly, for the United States’ answer to this would be a declaration of + war in which the superiority of her position would be overwhelming. + </p> + <p> + “I’m inclined to believe that the reason he does not wish to sell his + discovery is because he has not obtained permission from his Government to + do so. They intend to dispose of it to the country with whom they can make + the most favourable bargain. I think indeed that under all circumstances + the best policy for this Government is to treat this man with the greatest + possible consideration. If he has the power to do us harm, we must put him + in such a position that he will not wish to do it; and if he has not, our + treatment of him will have a tendency to draw the United States nearer to + us than she is at present. We must, at least, pretend to take the American + Secretary of State at his word. Whereas I do not think that there is any + doubt that America is influenced entirely by selfish motives, she is now + our friend, and as long as this war goes on it is to the interest of Great + Britain to keep her so.” + </p> + <p> + “A very good idea, Sir Egbert,” agreed Underhill. “That is absolutely the + only way to deal with this man. He says that he is almost a pure + Anglo-Saxon, you know, and he is as proud of it as if he were an + Englishman. He is the ninth in direct line from the original old chap, or + rather young chap, who went from England to Virginia in 1642. Think of it! + Say what you may, blood is thicker than water. That fellow is at heart an + Englishman; he has been away from home nearly three hundred years.” + </p> + <p> + Graves gave a little bow of comprehension. “When Mr. Edestone calls on me + tomorrow,” he said, “I shall not even touch on the question of the + purchasing of this alleged invention, but shall offer to facilitate in + every way his mission as peacemaker. I shall take him at his word that he + does not intend to sell to any one, and try to persuade him that, if he is + bent on coercing any people, the English are not the ones that require + this, as they are in perfect accord with him, and that he would accomplish + his purpose much more quickly if he would bring force to bear upon the + German Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Sir Egbert,” broke in Underhill excitedly, “he says that he wants us + to authorize him to open peace negotiations with the Kaiser, and I think + he rather intimated that if we should refuse he would use force, which of + course means the United States.” + </p> + <p> + “Well upon my word!” Rockstone’s eyes flashed, and an indignant expression + took the place of the rather bored look with which he had been listening. + “That is pretty strong language to use to His Imperial Majesty’s + Government, and for my part I think that this young gentleman and his + little trick box should be shipped back home with a very polite but + emphatic note to the effect that when England wishes the good offices of + the United States in bringing this war to a close, she will call for them. + As to the young man himself, I should say to him that if he were caught + trying to get into Germany he would be looked upon as a spy endeavouring + to render assistance to the enemy, and would be treated accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “But wait a moment, Rockstone,” said Sir Egbert. “You are forgetting that + this Mr. Edestone is in some measure at least the representative of his + country. We cannot afford to offend the United States of America, even + though his manners are bad.” + </p> + <p> + “To the contrary,” muttered Underhill, “his manners are surprisingly + good.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Egbert slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment of the correction. + “There is the point too,” he went on, “as to whether or not he is an + impostor. If he is, why should we allow the American comic papers to put + us in the same category with their own Secretary of State, at whom they + have been poking fun for years, when they discover that this exceedingly + clever young man has taken us in also? + </p> + <p> + “No, no, to me the matter seems very simple. Uncle Sam has got something + he wants to sell. Good or bad it makes no difference; he wants to sell, + and sell it he will to the highest bidder. Why refuse to consider his + offer on the one hand, or why appear to be too anxious to close with him + on the other? Let him offer it to the enemy; he will certainly come back + for our bid before closing with them.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Sir Egbert,” Lord Rockstone somewhat reluctantly allowed + himself to be won over, “since you put it that way I think that perhaps + you are right. Diplomacy is probably the strongest weapon with which to + deal with this young man. He did not impress me as one to be easily + bluffed by show of force.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor should I be bluffed, even by you, Rockstone,” said Underhill somewhat + ruefully, rubbing his arm, “if I had the power that this chap has locked + up in that little rubber box and stored away in that long head of his.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, let us make a decision: does His Majesty go to Washington or shall + the Chautauqua lecturer extend his professional tours to include London?” + Graves gave his sly secretive laugh. Then as if ashamed of his momentary + levity, and changing his entire manner, he said: “Well, gentlemen, what do + you propose?” + </p> + <p> + “I rather think we are unanimous,” said Underhill, “in considering that + Mr. Edestone should be given a fair hearing. The final answer to his + proposition can be given, of course, only after it has been discussed in + full cabinet.” + </p> + <p> + “That would perhaps be the best way to leave the matter,” approved + Rockstone. + </p> + <p> + “We are agreed then, it seems,” said Graves, and they left together for + Buckingham Palace. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI. — + </h2> + <p> + On coming out of the Admiralty, Edestone, a trifle preoccupied, was about + to take the taxi with the rather sleepy driver which stood at the head of + the line. But the thought came to him, where shall I go? As he had told + Rebener, none of his pals were in town and he had absolutely nothing to do + until dinner at eight o’clock. Why not take lunch at some quiet little + place in the neighbourhood? + </p> + <p> + “I say, cabby, is there any sort of a decent restaurant around here where + one can get a very nice little lunch?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, thank you, sir”; the chauffeur rather abruptly came into full + possession of his faculties. “There is a very neat little place right + across the road, sir, thank you, sir,” and he pointed in the direction of + the window at which Schmidt was sitting. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, thank you, cabby,” said Edestone in his usual kind manner with people + of that class. He was rather struck by the handsome face of the man, + although it was covered over with grease and grime. “Here is a shilling. + Don’t you think I might be able to walk that far this beautiful day?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, thank you, sir.” The man showed no appreciation of the humour. + “Would you be wanting a cab later on, sir? If so I’ll just hang about, + sir. Times is hard in these war times, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, wait by all means,” said Edestone with a jolly laugh. “Set + your clock. Now open your door and drive me to that restaurant over there, + and then wait for me till I have had my lunch. By the time that I get + through with you I think you will find that you have done a good day’s + work.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it, sir.” The chauffeur hid a surreptitious chuckle with his + very dirty hand. + </p> + <p> + On entering the restaurant the first person Edestone saw was Schmidt, and + he gave a little nod of recognition. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Schmidt, we seem to be meeting quite often this morning. I hope + that I am to infer from your presence that I will be able to get some of + your delightfully greasy German dishes.” + </p> + <p> + But at this point he was interrupted by the proprietor, who came bustling + up, trying to force him to take a seat at a table in another part of the + room. + </p> + <p> + “German dishes?” stammered the restaurant keeper. “Not at all. That was + when the place was run by Munchinger, but he went back to Germany last + July, and this place is run by me, and I am a Swiss. Still, sir, if you + are fond of the German dishes I think I might be able to accommodate you, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, suppose I leave that entirely to you. I can’t by any chance get a + large stein of Münchener beer?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I am sorry. I can get you some French beer though, which we + think is much better. You know that Admiral Fisher has got those Dutchmen + bottled up so tight that they tell me the beer won’t froth any more in + Germany.” And he burst into a roar of laughter in which he was joined by a + chorus of adoring customers sitting about at the different tables. + </p> + <p> + Edestone sat down while the proprietor in person took his order to the + kitchen. In a very short time, the man returned and put down before him a + <i>gemüse suppe</i>, following this with <i>schweine fleisch, sauerkraut</i>, + and <i>gherkins</i>—a luncheon which might have been cooked in a + German’s own kitchen—and set before him a glass of beer which + Edestone would have sworn had not been brewed outside of the city of + Munich. + </p> + <p> + The proprietor bustled about, laughing and cracking clumsy jokes with + everyone who would listen to him, and his jokes seemed to Edestone to be + almost as German as his beer. In this way he finally worked over to where + Smith was sitting, and as he pretended to arrange something on the table + whispered sharply: “Go to the lavatory.” + </p> + <p> + Smith, unable to eat, sat toying with his food. He gulped his beer as if + it choked him. He turned around several times to look at Edestone, but the + latter after his perfunctory greeting took no further notice of him. At + last, paying his check, the man walked to the rear of the restaurant and + into a small, dark, badly ventilated room under the stairs. The place was + so dimly lighted that he could scarcely see in front of him a wash basin, + but as he was wondering what he was expected to do next he heard a voice + that seemed to come from a little partially opened window that looked out + into a dark ventilating shaft to the left of the basin. “Pretend to wash + your hands,” the voice whispered cautiously. Smith did as he was directed + and found that he thus brought his left ear close to the window opening. + </p> + <p> + “Now listen,” said the voice, speaking rapidly in German. “God is with the + Fatherland today! 4782 has been engaged to wait. Hottenroth has telephoned + that our man undoubtedly has his instrument with him. The order is for you + and 4782 to get it from him this afternoon at any cost. 4782 knows what he + is to do.” And the window closed softly. + </p> + <p> + Smith broke out into a cold perspiration. He knew that he was looking + death straight in the face, and in a twinkling his mind carried him back + over his entire life. He clutched at his throat as he realized his + horrible situation. His present position in the grip of this relentless + but invisible master had come about so gradually that he had not realized + how firmly he was caught until now it was too late. Not being borne up by + the hysterical exaltation of the true-born Prussian, he resented that he + should be the one selected to do this ghastly thing. + </p> + <p> + He staggered back into the restaurant where the proprietor, laying a hand + upon his arm, and laughing loudly and winking as if he were telling a + risqué story, muttered some further directions into his ear. + </p> + <p> + “He is preparing to go now. Join him and don’t leave him until—” he + broke off and rushed over to Edestone who had risen from the table and was + taking his hat and cane from the waiter. + </p> + <p> + “I hope, sir, you found everything perfectly satisfactory?” he bowed. + </p> + <p> + “Very nice indeed,” said Edestone, handing him a half-crown. “I am glad to + have discovered your place and I shall come again.” + </p> + <p> + At the door he encountered Smith, who was lingering about as if waiting + for him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Edestone,” he forced himself to say, swallowing and fumbling with + his mouth. “I remember when I was fixing up your Little Place in the + Country for you that you took a great deal of interest in old English + prints. Well, I have just found an old print shop over in the Whitechapel + district with some of the most wonderful old prints, and if you have the + time to spare I would like to take you over and have the old man show them + to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to very much,” said Edestone. “I have just been wondering + what I should do with myself this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “The Kaiser and God will bless you for this,” the restaurant keeper + whispered into Smith’s ear, after he had bowed Edestone out to the + sidewalk. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Smith, will you please give the address to the driver,” said Edestone + as he stepped into the taxi. Smith leaned over and gave some mumbled + instructions to the chauffeur, who had remained upon his box; then he took + his place at the side of his friend and patron. + </p> + <p> + But no sooner had the motor started than he turned to Edestone. “Mr. + Edestone,”—his voice trembled so violently that he could scarcely + speak,—“please do not move or seem surprised at what I am going to + say.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone drew back slightly and looked at him. He thought at first that + the man had suddenly lost his reason. Smith was perfectly livid and his + little eyes were starting from his head. His mouth was open and he seemed + to be vainly trying to draw his blue lips over his great dry yellow teeth + on which they seemed to catch, giving him the appearance of a snarling dog + as he cringed in the corner of the cab. One hand was pulling at his collar + while with the other he clutched at the seat in a vain effort to restrain + the tremors which were shaking him from head to foot. “Don’t speak. I must + talk and talk fast,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Edestone leaned forward as if to halt the car, but the fellow caught him + by the knee in a grip almost of desperation. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake don’t do that!” he pleaded. “He will kill both of us. Oh, + don’t you understand? He is a German spy. I am German, Rebener is German, + we are all Germans—all spies. We have been watching you for the past + six months. This man is now driving you to a place where they will + certainly kill you unless you turn over that instrument which you have in + your pocket.” + </p> + <p> + At this Edestone started. Although he could scarcely control himself and + felt like strangling the chicken-hearted wretch, he recovered himself in + time to say with a look of disgust, “You poor miserable creature.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Mr. Edestone, but please keep quiet. I may save you if you will + do as I say. I don’t know about myself. I am a dead man for certain, + though, if you let him once suspect,” and he motioned in the direction of + the chauffeur. Then continuing he gasped out: “Stop the taxi anywhere + along here: get out and go into some shop. When you come out again say to + me that you have decided you will look at the prints some other day, and + that you will walk to the hotel. Discharge and pay him. I will re-engage + him and as soon as we get out of sight you take another taxi and drive + straight to your hotel. But you must be careful; he knows that you have + the instrument with you. They are desperate enough to do anything. Your + life is in danger.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the situation, had + absolutely no fear either for himself or for the instrument, since as a + matter of fact he knew that he could destroy that at any moment. He felt + sorry for Smith, however. He pitied him for his weakness but realized that + he was risking his life to save him, so he did as he was urged. + </p> + <p> + While he was in the shop 4782 got off the box, and, looking into the cab, + said sternly to Smith in German: “If you are playing me any of your + American tricks, you half-breed, you will never see the sun set again.” + </p> + <p> + Also, when Edestone returned and discharged him with a very handsome tip, + he did not seem especially gratified, and when poor Smith in a trembling + voice re-engaged the taxi, the driver almost lost control of himself. Had + he done so, Edestone, who was watching him closely, would have been + delighted, since he would have liked nothing better than to have forced + the fellow to show his hand then and there. He was again struck with the + chauffeur’s appearance as he stood talking to Smith for he had the air of + a gentleman and even through his dirt looked above his position. Leaving + them there, the American strolled along, and, after a block or two, hailed + another cab and ordered it to drive to Claridge’s. He really did not think + to look about him, but had he done so he might have discovered that he was + being followed by the first taxi with its woebegone passenger and its + handsome chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + Arriving at the hotel he was interested to see standing in front of the + door a carriage with men in the royal livery, and he was met at the + entrance by the proprietor himself in a frightful state of excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, one of the King’s equerries is waiting in the reception + room to see you. I have been calling you up at every club and hotel in + London.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone went into the reception room where he was met by an officer in + the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards, who after going through the + formality of introducing himself delivered his message: + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty, the King, instructs me to say that he will receive you and + inspect your drawings, photographs, etc., at Buckingham Palace this + afternoon at half-past four o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — BUCKINGHAM PALACE + </h2> + <p> + To nearly every man, especially if he happened to be an Englishman, the + fact that he had received a Royal Command would have been sufficient to + make him, if not nervous, at least thoughtful. Edestone was, however, so + incensed at Rebener and so disgusted with Schmidt and so angry with the + entire German Secret Service, that it came to him as a relief, like an + invitation, from a gentleman older and more distinguished than himself, to + dine, or to see some recently acquired painting or bit of porcelain, after + he had been all day at a Board meeting of avaricious business men. It was + no affectation with him that he felt he was going into an atmosphere in + which he belonged. “I always assume that Royalties are gentlemen,” he + would say, “until I find that they are not; and as long as they conduct + themselves as such I am perfectly at ease, but as soon as they begin to + behave like bounders I am uncomfortable.” + </p> + <p> + He was not one of those Americans who insist at all times and under all + circumstances that he is as good as any man, simply because in his heart + of hearts he knows that he is not, but hopes by this bluster to deceive + the world. On the contrary, he was a firm advocate of an aristocratic form + of government, and did not hesitate to say that he considered the + Declaration of Independence, wherein it refers to the absolute equality of + man, as a joke. + </p> + <p> + He was a most thorough believer in class and class distinction and said + that he hoped to see the day when the world would be ruled by an upper + class who would see that the lower classes had all that was good for them, + but would not be allowed to turn the world upside down with their clumsy + illogical reforms and new religions, Saint-Simonianism, humanitarianism, + or as a matter of fact with any of the old established <i>isms</i>. They + already have several hundred forms to choose from, he would say; they + should not be allowed to make any more new ones until one single one of + these has been universally accepted. The glamour of royalty had no effect + upon him. Its solidity, dignity, and gentility did. + </p> + <p> + When he saw the royal livery standing before the hotel, he had rather + surmised that it was being used by some Indianapolis heiress who had + married a title which carried the privilege of using it and was getting + her money’s worth. He therefore took no interest in looking into the + carriage, but he would have been glad to have gone up to the men and said: + “A nice pair of horses you have there. How well they are turned out, and + how very smartly you wear your livery.” + </p> + <p> + The equerry, Colonel Stewart, was very simple and direct. He treated + Edestone with consideration, but did not forget to let him understand that + the King was showing great condescension in inviting him so informally. + </p> + <p> + “A carriage will be sent for you at four o’clock, and if there is any + apparatus and you have men to install it they will be looked after by an + officer of the Royal Household who will call in about an hour.” + </p> + <p> + He said that the King wished to have it understood that he was not + receiving Edestone in any way as representing the United States of + America, since no credentials of any kind had been presented, but simply + as a gentleman of science whose achievements warranted the honour. + </p> + <p> + In the course of their conversation, Edestone referred to his recent + unpleasant experience in the spy-driven taxi, and he was assured by + Colonel Stewart that he need entertain no further apprehensions on that + score as thorough protection would be given him and every single one of + these men would be and already were under espionage. Bowing then, the + equerry left as quietly as he had come. + </p> + <p> + Edestone went up to his apartment and issued his instructions to James, + his valet. + </p> + <p> + “Send Mr. Black and Mr. Stanton to me at once. Then fix my bath, send for + the barber, and lay out my clothes. I am going out to tea”—he paused—“with + His Majesty, King George V. of England,” while he enjoyed the effect on + his snobbish English servant. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Black,” he said when his electrician and operating man came in, “will + you and Mr. Stanton go to Grosvenor Square and bring over the boxes with + the apparatus and films. They will have to be back here by 3:15, as there + will be an officer of the Royal Household here at that time. Go with him + to Buckingham Palace and install the instrument and screen where he + directs you; then wait there until you hear from me.” + </p> + <p> + While he was dressing and being shaved he ran over in his mind what he + should say to the King. He knew that either Rockstone or Underhill had + engineered this audience, and he wondered whether it foreboded good or + evil. At any rate it was progress, and that was all-important. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart had certainly been most cordial, and the fact that he was + to meet the King without the delay of presenting credentials through the + American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the necessity for prompt + action. + </p> + <p> + The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact + than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr. Black + and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the apparatus and + films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say through the + lather: “Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and shall want + everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest,” the man gave such a start + that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it down with a bang on the + marble washbasin. + </p> + <p> + “I go,” he said. “My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber.” And he + rushed out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, James?” exclaimed Edestone indignantly. “Why didn’t + you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that fool? Come + finish this thing up yourself, I can’t wait.” Recovering his equanimity he + added: “Time flies and the King waits.” + </p> + <p> + James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished shaving + him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English valet can, + glanced with satisfaction at his work. “I think, sir, when His Majesty + sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor, sir. A buttonhole, + sir?” + </p> + <p> + And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down, when + word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the Colonel, “I am glad to tell you that your + apparatus has arrived safely and has been installed in the Green Drawing + Room. The King is deeply interested, and judging from a mysterious pair of + curtains in the gallery I think that other members of the Royal Family + intend to see this wonderful American with his wonderful invention. As to + your friends, the German spies, I made due report of the matter and shall + probably have something to tell you later.” + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful spring day and as Edestone was driven through Berkeley + Square, up Piccadilly, and down Grosvenor Place he saw London at its best. + Then, as he crossed the park with its beautiful old trees and lake and + flower-beds, approaching Buckingham Palace from an entirely different + angle than he had ever seen it before, he realized for the first time that + it was in the midst of a beautiful sylvan setting. The Buckingham Palace + that he knew had always suggested to him one of the Department Buildings + in Washington in their efforts to look as much like a royal palace as + possible. + </p> + <p> + When he stopped under a porte-cochère simple little entrance, he felt that + he might be making a call at some rich American’s country home rather than + on the King of England in the middle of London. There were no soldiers and + no extraordinary number of servants. He had seen as many and more at some + of the houses at Newport. He was shown into a long, low, and rather dark + room on the ground floor, where a lot of young officers were lounging + about. Colonel Stewart introduced him to several of them and a smarter lot + of young fellows Edestone had seldom seen. + </p> + <p> + He had not been waiting more than fifteen or twenty minutes when he heard + Colonel Stewart’s name called. His pulse quickened for he knew that this + was a signal for him. Colonel Stewart, bowing to the other officers, said + to him: “Will you please come with me, Mr. Edestone?” + </p> + <p> + Passing out of the room and up a short flight of stairs they came to a + broad corridor about twenty feet wide which ran around three sides of a + court, opening out upon the gardens to the west. They were conducted + around two sides of the square and taken into a large reception room in + the opposite corner where there were perhaps a dozen officers of high + rank, ministers and statesmen, standing about in groups. They spoke in + voices scarcely above a whisper and when the door on the left, which + evidently led into a still larger room, was opened there was absolute + silence. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart, who up to this time had been quite affable, now seemed + suddenly to be caught by the solemnity of the place, and stood like a man + at the funeral of his friend. + </p> + <p> + In one of the groups, Edestone saw Colonel Wyatt, who gave him a little + nod of recognition. In a few minutes the door to the larger room opened + and Lord Rockstone coming out walked straight up to where he and Colonel + Stewart stood. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty wishes to waive all form and ceremony, and has ordered me to + present you to him at once,” he said. But when he saw the cool and + matter-of-fact way in which Edestone received this extraordinary + announcement his expression said as plainly as words: “These Americans are + certainly a remarkable people.” He merely bowed to Colonel Stewart, + however, and continued: “Will you please come with me,” and leading the + way to the door, spoke to an attendant who went inside. In about five + minutes the man returned, and announced to Lord Rockstone: “His Majesty + will receive you.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — HE MEETS THE KING + </h2> + <p> + The room into which they were shown was large and well-proportioned, but + was furnished and decorated in the style of the middle of the nineteenth + century—that atrocious period often referred to as the Early + Victorian, a term which always calls forth a smile at any assembly of true + lovers of art and carries with it the idea of all that is heavy and + vulgarly inartistic. But on the whole the room had an air of comfort, + flooded as it was with warm sunlight that streamed through the four great + windows on the right and those on each side of the fireplace at the + opposite end. + </p> + <p> + Around the large table, sat a gathering of the most distinguished men of + the Empire drawn from the Privy Council. They had evidently finished the + work of the day, as was shown by the absence of all papers on the table + and the precise manner in which the different cabinet ministers had their + portfolios neatly closed in front of them. One would say that they had + settled down to be amused or bored as the case might be. They looked like + a company of well-bred people whose host has just announced that + “Professor Bug” will relate some of his experiences among the poisonous + orchids of South America, or like a lot of polite though perfectly deaf + persons waiting for the music to begin. Some were talking quietly, while + others sat perfectly still. The servants were removing writing materials, + maps, etc., and a cloud of clerks and undersecretaries were being + swallowed up by a door in a corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the table opposite the door through which Edestone had + entered, sat the King. He looked very small as he sat perfectly still, his + hands resting listlessly on the arms of his great carved chair of black + walnut picked out with gold. His face with its reddish beard, now growing + grey, bore an expression of deep sadness, almost of melancholia. His + expression became more animated, however, when Edestone entered, and he + sat up and looked straight at the American as he stood at the other end of + the table. + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty,” Lord Rockstone bowed, “I beg to be allowed to present to + you Mr. John Fulton Edestone of New York of the United States of America.” + </p> + <p> + The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the + nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him. + Extending his hand he said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It has + been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to visit + your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay of + several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming Americans + whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of York,” he sighed. + </p> + <p> + His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, + assuming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown + toward one of his own subjects of the middle class—the one great + class to which the nobility, gentry, and servants of England assign all + Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this while the + last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it. + </p> + <p> + “I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of your + wonderful achievements in science,” the King went on, adding with rather a + sad smile: “It seems a pity to take you from some charming English girl + with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring afternoon and + bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of death and + destruction.” And his face seemed very old. + </p> + <p> + After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce + Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered the + rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who had been + taken back to the other end of the table where he stood perfectly still. + Not once had the American spoken since coming into the room. He had + acknowledged the King’s great kindness with a bow which showed plainer + than words in what deep respect he held the head of the great + English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good impression on some + of the older men, who up to this time had not deigned to look in his + direction. One of the younger men murmured in an undertone: “Young-looking + chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, isn’t he? He has deuced good manners + for an American.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of the + company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining that Mr. + Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His Majesty and + explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made. + </p> + <p> + The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible for + the American, chose to supplement this formality. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said with a smile, “since this meeting is to be, as you + say in America, ‘just a gentlemen’s meeting,’ you may sit down while you + tell us about your wonderful discovery.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined. “Your + Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand,” and, then, + without the slightest sign of embarrassment, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can + explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful + discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to you + my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty’s subjects. Should I + in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established rules of court + etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my ignorance and not + to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that affection which I and all + true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as representing the head of that + great people and the King of ‘Old England.’” + </p> + <p> + A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One old + gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of Edestone, + turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large eyeglasses, + said: “Hear! Hear!” + </p> + <p> + The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. “I am an American and I + am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my country, + nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the nations of + the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, and the bag of + the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will amalgamate into a <i>cafe + au lait</i> conglomerate, but because I am proud of that small group of + Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of the free air of our great + country, have developed such strength that they have up to this time put + the stamp of England upon all who have come in contact with them. And + while it is not my intention to sell my invention to England, I will give + you my word that it shall never be used except for the benefit of the + English-speaking people.” + </p> + <p> + He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: “In + your presence and that of Almighty God, I dedicate my life to my people, + the Anglo-Saxons!” + </p> + <p> + This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there were a + few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses who seemed + uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of unemotional men and + against their will had swept them along with him, and it was only with an + effort that some of the younger men could refrain from giving him three + cheers. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, + applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his pleasure. + There was something about this man that left in no one’s mind any doubt of + his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that he was not the kind of + a man who would so solemnly and in the presence of the King and all of the + greatest men of England dedicate his life to a purpose if he did not know + that therein lay a real gift to mankind. His sublime confidence was as + convincing as his simplicity was reassuring. + </p> + <p> + Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business of + the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. President,” he commenced, “now that I have shown you how I stand on + international politics, I shall proceed——” + </p> + <p> + He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while the + rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily. + </p> + <p> + The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was blankly + searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and not + altogether lightly said: + </p> + <p> + “The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon people!” + </p> + <p> + “I beg Your Majesty’s pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so soon: + what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, physics, + and mechanics to explain to you my invention?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the King, “we understand perfectly. Go on.” + </p> + <p> + Recovering himself quickly and assuming a thoroughly businesslike air, + snapping out his facts with precision, speaking rapidly without notes or + memoranda, he said: + </p> + <p> + “The physical properties of electrons form the basis of my invention, and + it cannot be understood except by those who have studied the electron + theory of matter, according to which theory the electron or corpuscle is + the smallest particle of matter that had, up to my discovery, been + isolated. They are present in a free condition in metallic conductors. + Each electron carries an electric charge of electrostatic units and + produces a magnetic field in a plane perpendicular to the direction of its + motion. This brings us to the atom, which may be described as a number of + electrons positive and negative in stable equilibrium, this condition + being brought about by the mutual repulsion of the like and attraction for + the opposite electrification so arranged as to nullify each other. Having + thus established the law of the equilibrium of electrons, corpuscles, + atoms, and molecules, I found that the same law applies to the equilibrium + of our solar system, and, in fact, of the universe, and, by the + elimination of either the positive or the negative electron, this + equilibrium is altered or destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “I then sought to nullify the attraction of gravity by changing the + electrical condition of the electrons of an object, which until that time + was attracted by the earth, as is shown by the formula, <i>V equals the + square root of (s times 2g)</i> for falling bodies, and by using the + formula <i>Y equals the square root of mx divided by (pi times g)</i> I + found——” + </p> + <p> + But at this point he was interrupted by the King, who said, with a gesture + of supplication: “Please! Please! Mr. Edestone do not go so deeply into + science, for, for my part, I regret to say that it would be entirely lost + on me. Save that for my men of science,” and he waved his hand in the + direction of his rough and rugged old Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Wm. Brown. + “Just tell us what you have accomplished and then show us some of these + marvellous things that Mr. Underhill has told us you can do. Besides, I + understand that you are to show us moving pictures of the actual working + of your machine, boat, or whatever it is.” + </p> + <p> + The inventor was disappointed; for he had wished to set all minds at rest + and to establish the fact that he was no trickster but a scientist. With a + deprecating smile he said: “As Your Majesty pleases.” + </p> + <p> + Then, without the slightest sign of condescension, and selecting with the + greatest care only words that the man in the street could understand, he + proceeded with his exposition. + </p> + <p> + “I have discovered that gravitation is due to the attraction that two + bodies in different electrical condition have for each other, and that by + changing the condition of one of these bodies so that they are both in the + same electrical condition this attraction no longer exists. I have also + discovered that the earth is, so to speak, as far as the laws of gravity + are concerned, in a state of what we might call for lack of a better name, + ‘positive electrical condition,’ and that all objects on the earth, as + long as they are not in contact with it, are in what we may call ‘negative + electrical condition.’ These remain in this condition so long as they are + not in actual electrical contact with the earth and are separated from it + by a non-conducting medium such as the atmosphere, glass, hard rubber, + etc., and are attracted by it, as is shown by the formulae which I will + gladly explain to your gentlemen of science.” And he turned with a bow to + Admiral Sir William Brown, who was leaning across the table frowning at + him and who with his scrubbing-brush hair, long upper lip, and heavy brows + looked more like a Rocky Mountain goat than ever. + </p> + <p> + “I have invented an instrument,” continued Edestone, “which I call a <i>Deionizer.</i> + With this, so far as regards any phenomena of which we are conscious, I am + able to change the electrical condition of an object, provided this object + is insulated from electrical contact with the earth. That is, I can change + it from the so-called minus condition, which is attracted by the earth, to + the plus condition, which being the same condition as the earth, is + therefore not attracted by it. The object in that state can be said to + have no weight, although frankly for some reason which I have not yet + discovered it does not lose its inertia against motion in any direction + relative to the earth.” + </p> + <p> + He then took from his pocket the leather case which Underhill readily + recognized, and, turning to Lord Rockstone, he said with a slightly + quizzical expression: + </p> + <p> + “If your Lordship will be so kind as to stand on a glass plate or block of + hard rubber I can with this little instrument which I have in my hand + alter your electrical condition from its present minus to that of plus. I + can then place you anywhere in this room and keep you there as long as you + do not come in contact with any object that, electrically speaking, is in + contact with the earth.” + </p> + <p> + This caused Lord Rockstone to give a grim but thoroughly good-natured + smile, and Edestone, feeling as if he had somewhat settled scores with the + “Hero of the Nile,” continued: “As a less valuable object than one of the + most brilliant stars in Great Britain’s crown will answer my purpose just + as well, may I ask that one of the servants fetch the glass plate that was + brought to the Palace this afternoon with my apparatus.” + </p> + <p> + The glass plate having been brought in by a flunkey, he repeated the + experiment with which he had so astonished Underhill at the Admiralty, + using the flunkey however in place of the cannon ball, and leaving the + poor unfortunate creature suspended in mid-air while he himself replied to + the many questions that were put to him. + </p> + <p> + Finally he touched the man’s hand, and taking the shock through his own + body let him drop to the floor. The fellow remained there in an almost + fainting condition, but, recovering and finding that he had sustained no + injuries except to his dignity, which in his state of great excitement had + fallen away from him, he rushed out of the room without asking for or + receiving permission to do so. His panic-stricken exit would at any other + time have been most amusing, but the audience just then was in no humour + for levity. + </p> + <p> + Edestone next repeated the same experiment, utilizing different small + objects that were handed to him by the gentlemen about the table, and soon + had suspended above the glass plate an assortment of pocket-knives, + watches, and a glass of water, while he chatted with those who were + nearest to him, and handed to the scientific members of the council + diagrams and mathematical formulae which he hastily scribbled on bits of + paper. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — THE DEIONIZER + </h2> + <p> + After the different objects had been returned to their respective owners, + the King by a slight gesture called the meeting to order, for all had left + their seats and were crowding around Edestone in what, for Englishmen, was + a state of violent excitement. Even the more self-contained were unable to + conceal the fact that they were impressed by these experiments as well as + by the quiet dignity of this young man. They seemed to realize that he had + them figuratively if not literally in the palm of his hand. The dullest + and least imaginative saw the endless possibilities in the application of + his discovery to the arts and sciences. During all of this time the young + American had kept himself under perfect control and had answered all + questions in the most deferential and respectful manner; and now, having + received from the King permission to continue, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “The secret of my discovery lies in this little instrument, the + construction of which is known only to myself. The application of this + newly-discovered principle can be best understood by viewing my moving + pictures, which show it in actual operation. Now, with your most kind + permission I should like to inspect my apparatus to see that everything is + all right.” + </p> + <p> + And then, as if some sudden impulse which pleased him had flashed across + his mind, like the big healthy-minded boy that he was, and with an + irresistible smile on his face, he dropped into a more familiar tone than + he had allowed himself up to this time. + </p> + <p> + “And to show you what I think of Englishmen,” he said, “I will leave this + Deionizer in your keeping until I return. A gentle tap or two on that + hard-rubber shell and you will know its secret.” He laid the instrument + with its little case beside it on the table in front of the King and left + the room escorted by a member of the Royal Family, young Prince George of + Windthorst, who insisted upon acting as his guide to the Green Drawing + Room. + </p> + <p> + As the door closed upon them, the King rose, saying as he did so, “Please + remain seated.” He walked into one of the windows and stood for some + minutes looking out over the park. Whatever it was that was passing + through his mind, it was not a pleasant thought, as was shown by his + hands, which were clasped behind his back so tightly that the fingers were + perfectly white; and the veins of his neck swelled, while the muscles of + his jaws were firmly set. No one dared to move. The silence in the room + was so intense that the men about the table, as if caught by a spell, sat + with unfinished gestures, like the figures in a moving picture when the + film catches. The clock on the mantel seemed suddenly to have waked up and + to be trying by its loud ticking to fool itself into thinking that it had + been ticking all the time. When the time came for it to strike five + o’clock, it went at it with such resounding vim that Admiral Sir William + Brown, who had served his apprenticeship in the turrets, seemed to think + that he had better open his mouth to save his ear-drums. + </p> + <p> + “War is war! All is fair! War is war! All is fair!” it seemed to say. + </p> + <p> + The King finally turned, and walking back to the table picked up the + innocent-looking instrument. He turned it over and over in his hand and + then slowly and carefully wound the platinum wires about it as a boy winds + a top and placed it back into its leather case. As he put it down on the + table, he said, almost as if to himself: + </p> + <p> + “We have come today to one of the turning points in the history of the + world. This is a remarkable man.” + </p> + <p> + After a moment, he turned to Underhill: “I think you have done your + country a great service today in averting what might have been an + appalling catastrophe. Do you not agree with me, Sir Egbert?” he glanced + toward the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + </p> + <p> + “I do, Sire,” the minister acquiesced thoughtfully. “If this man + represents the United States of America, it will not be long before she + will insist that this war be brought to an end upon her own terms, and it + would have been almost suicidal on our part to antagonize him. She + doubtless controls this instrument whose practical application will + probably be shown us by his pictures.” + </p> + <p> + “But what this man has just said to you, Sire,” suggested Underhill, “does + not seem to bear out the idea that he is acting under instructions from + the present State Department at Washington.” + </p> + <p> + “If it please Your Majesty,” interposed one of the statesmen of the old + school, “should we not make some formal representation to the United + States of America before this man be allowed to go to Berlin?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not approve of that,” dissented the King. “In the first place, + as far as we know, Mr. Edestone may have already communicated with Berlin, + Paris, and Petrograd. I do not think he would put himself so completely in + our power if he thought he was risking the destruction of his entire + scheme.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe, Your Majesty,” said another sneeringly, “that this + melodramatic exit is just another Yankee bluff. You will probably find in + looking into it that the fellow has palmed the real instrument and has + forced this one on us by clever sleight of hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I disagree with you entirely,” said the King, frowning and bringing his + hand down on the table as if to put an end to the discussion. “I believe + this man to be a gentleman and a thoroughly good sportsman.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + </h2> + <p> + On entering the room, when he returned, Edestone, although he was aware + that the King had been notified and the attendants been given orders to + admit him, did not advance, but took his stand near the door, looking + neither to the right nor to the left. He permitted the young Prince, his + escort, who had discovered that they had many friends in common, and whose + sister it was that had been his fellow-passenger on the <i>Ivernia</i>, to + inform His Majesty that everything was in readiness for the exhibition of + the moving pictures. + </p> + <p> + The King immediately beckoned the inventor forward and, picking up the + little instrument from the table, thrust it into Edestone’s hands, almost + with an air of relief. + </p> + <p> + “We appreciate the compliment you have paid us in believing that we still + play fair.” There was in both his tone and action a touch of the bluff + heartiness of the naval officer, which was natural to him, and showed that + he had thrown off all restraint. “But do not, I beg of you, do this again, + even in England. These are desperate times; and nations, like men, when + fighting for their very existence, are quite apt to forget their finer + scruples. + </p> + <p> + “My cousin in Berlin, I am convinced,” and there was perhaps a hint of + warning in his smile, “would give the souls of half his people to know + what that little box contains; and, in his realm, it is the religion of + some of his benighted subjects to give him what he wants.” + </p> + <p> + Bowing slightly, Edestone took the little case, and, without even looking + at it, slipped it carelessly into the inside pocket of his coat. + </p> + <p> + “I knew that Your Majesty would understand me,” he said in a tone intended + for the Royal ear alone, and with more emotion than he had yet displayed. + As he spoke, too, he lifted his hand in obedience to an involuntary and + apparently irresistible impulse. + </p> + <p> + The King met him more than half-way. Reaching out, he grasped the extended + hand in his own, and standing thus the two men looked straight into each + other’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + The suppressed excitement which the scene created was so intense that some + of the spectators seemed to be suffering actual pain; and when, after a + fraction of a moment which seemed an age, the King released the American’s + hand and spoke, there was an audible sigh of relief that pervaded the + entire room. + </p> + <p> + “We will now look at the pictures,” said His Majesty simply, and, leading + the way, he set out in the direction of the Green Drawing Room. + </p> + <p> + Edestone fell back and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment of the + pleasant glances which were thrown in his direction, as the Lords, + Generals, Admirals, and Ministers of State took their places in line, + clinging with an almost frantic tenacity, in response to the teachings of + the Catechism of the English Church, to their position “in that state of + life unto which it had pleased God to call” them. + </p> + <p> + Thoroughly amused at the situation which compelled him to bring up the + rear of the procession like the piano-tuner or the gas-man, Edestone + marched along at the side of an attendant in livery, who evidently looked + upon him as a clever vaudeville artist that had been brought in to + entertain the company. He told the visitor, with a broad grin, that he had + frightened the other flunkey almost out of his wits with his magic tricks. + Edestone, his sense of humour aroused, thereupon gravely offered to give a + show in the servants’ hall at two shillings a head, half the receipts to + be donated to the Red Cross, provided he was given a guarantee of ten + pounds; and when the fellow promised to consider the proposal, pretended + carefully to take down his name. + </p> + <p> + The King, who, in the meantime, seemed to be in a sort of brown-study, + passed down the corridor with the long file of dignitaries following him + in order of precedence. But when His Majesty reached the Green Drawing + Room and, looking around, saw nothing of the American, he gave a slight + frown of annoyance. Immediately he directed that Edestone be brought up + and placed in a chair near himself, while the attendants drew the curtains + and extinguished the lights. + </p> + <p> + After the room had been made perfectly dark, and the buzzing of the + cinematograph in its temporary cabinet indicated that everything was in + readiness, Edestone’s operator, in response to a word from his employer, + threw upon the screen two or three portraits of the King and various + members of the Royal Family. This was not only by way of compliment, but + also to give assurance that the machine was in proper working order. + Edestone proposed to run no chances of a bungling or incomplete + presentation of his pictures. + </p> + <p> + Satisfied at length, he rose and faced about toward his audience. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, after addressing the King,—for from + the gallery had come sounds which showed that, as Colonel Stewart had + suggested, some of the ladies of the Court were taking an interest in the + exhibition,—“I shall not trouble you to listen to a long, scientific + discourse on the theory of my discovery, nor how I have made practical + application of it. I shall simply throw the pictures on the screen, + letting them speak for themselves; and then, with His Majesty’s kind + permission, shall be glad to answer any questions that may be put to me. + The first picture I shall show you is one of my workshop in New York.” + </p> + <p> + There appeared on the screen a dark, somewhat indistinct interior, which + seemed to have been photographed from high up and looking down through a + long, shed-like building lighted from the roof. The immense height of this + roof was not at first apparent until it was compared with the pigmy-like + figures of the workmen who were busily engaged about a great, black, + cigar-shaped object, which had the general appearance of a Zeppelin. In + the dim light, there was nothing about its aspect to distinguish it from + the latest models of the German air-ship, save that it seemed to be of + heavier construction, as shown by the great difficulty with which the men + were moving it toward the farther end of the shed, which was entirely + open. + </p> + <p> + “I would especially call your attention to the track upon which moves the + cradle that carries the large black object in the centre of the picture,” + said Edestone. “The tires are made of hard rubber, and the rails which are + of steel rest on glass plates attached to each of the tires. Thus, any + object placed in the cradle becomes absolutely insulated, and has no + electrical connection with the earth, which, as I have explained, are the + requisite conditions to permit of ‘Deionizing’ by the use of an instrument + similar to the one I have in my pocket. Of course, though in actual + operation we use a much larger ‘Deionizer’ than the little model I have + shown you, and run it with a hundred horse-power motor, instead of with a + small spring and watchworks. This track and cradle at which you are + looking, although they weigh many tons, can be easily taken apart and + transported in sections, as I stand ready to demonstrate.” + </p> + <p> + The film ended as he finished, and for a moment the screen was blank; then + with a little splutter from the cabinet, another picture appeared. + </p> + <p> + This was of a great open space, the most desolate and lonely stretch of + country that could well be imagined, a broad, open plain that stretched on + for miles and miles, perfectly flat, treeless and uninhabited. The wind + apparently was blowing violently, judging from the way it tossed + Edestone’s hair about as, hatless, he walked back and forth in the near + foreground, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand while he looked + into the lens and called his directions to the man who was working the + camera. + </p> + <p> + “That disreputable-looking individual is myself,” he confessed. “My hat + had blown away, a circumstance quite inconvenient at the time, but not + without a certain element of present interest, as showing that a high wind + was blowing at that time.” + </p> + <p> + Behind him in the middle distance was a track and cradle similar to the + one shown in the first picture. The machine in the cabinet buzzed, and + clicked, and made a noise like that of a small boy rattling a stick along + a picket fence. A draught from some open window blowing against the linen + screen caused the flat, deserted plain to undulate like the waves of the + sea. The horizon bobbed up and down, showing first a great expanse of sky, + and then the foreground ran up to infinity. The cradle was seen first at + the right, and then at the left of the picture. The clouds in the sky kept + jumping about, as if the operator was trying to follow some object aloft, + but was unable to get it into the field of his camera. + </p> + <p> + The audience began to grow impatient. Had the apparatus got out of order, + they wondered, and were they to be cheated of the promised sensation? But + just then the screen steadied, and there appeared in the upper left-hand + corner of the picture a faint, far-away dot which gradually assumed the + form of a dirigible. Across the desolate landscape it sailed, growing more + and more distinct as it drew nearer. It circled, turning first to the + right and then to the left, rising and descending, as if responding + willingly to the touch of its unseen pilot, until with a majestic swoop it + hovered like a great bird exactly over the cradle, and came to a + standstill. + </p> + <p> + To those among the spectators who had witnessed the evolutions of the + great battleships of the air over Lake Constance, there was nothing + notable about either the vessel or its performance, except that it seemed + larger, more solid, and had four great smoke stacks. In the gale which was + blowing, the volumes of inky smoke which poured from the four great + funnels were tossed about and flung away like long, streaming ribbons; yet + the ship itself was as steady as a great ocean liner on a summer sea. + </p> + <p> + On closer inspection, too, it was seen that on the upper side of the craft + there was a platform or deck running its full length, where men were + working away like sailors on a man-of-war, and from portholes and turrets + protruded great black things which looked like the muzzles of guns. + </p> + <p> + All at once, as if acting under an order from within, these were trained + on the spectators and simultaneously discharged, belching out great rings + of smoke. There was a stifled scream from the gallery at this, but + immediately the room grew quiet again, and the audience sat as if + spellbound awaiting further developments. A small door in the starboard + side now opened, and the figure of a man came running down a gangway to a + platform suspended under the ship, where, silhouetted against the sky, he + occupied himself in signalling to some one on the ground. He was joined + from time to time by others of the crew as the vessel settled slowly + toward the earth. + </p> + <p> + When it was about one hundred and fifty feet above the cradle, Edestone + was seen to walk out with a megaphone in his hand, and through it + communicate instructions to the man on the bridge, in evident obedience to + which the airship settled still lower, until it was not more than twenty + feet above the top of the cradle. + </p> + <p> + A ladder having then been lowered to Edestone, he climbed up it, ascended + the gangway, and disappeared into the interior of the great cigar-shaped + object, it all the time remaining absolutely stationary. But he was not + long lost to view. In a few minutes he re-appeared on the top deck and a + man by his side energetically waved a large flag. + </p> + <p> + And as the two stood there, the airship began to move. + </p> + <p> + Slowly at first, but gradually gaining momentum, it soared away across the + wastes, and soon was lost to sight. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment after that when the room was dark, while horizontal + streaks of light chased each other from bottom to top across the screen, + and disappeared into the darkness from which they had come. + </p> + <p> + Another picture followed, taken from the same viewpoint as the last. + </p> + <p> + “Here she comes!” cried Edestone, seeming to forget for the moment where + he was, as a small speck which represented the approaching airship + disclosed itself. “This time in the upper right-hand corner of the + picture. See! I am on board, and I am driving her at one hundred and ten + miles.” And he followed with his pointer the swift course of the vessel, + as it shot down the screen like a great comet, leaving a long tail of + smoke behind it. To the overwrought nerves of the audience, the buzz and + splutter of the moving-picture machine seemed to increase in volume, and + thus lend a semblance of reality to the monster as it swept nearer and + nearer. + </p> + <p> + Straight for the camera it was headed, grim, threatening, irresistible, as + if it were preparing to rush out of the screen and destroy Buckingham + Palace. The spectators with difficulty kept their seats, and when the + formidable thing dashed by and disappeared at the side of the picture, + they settled back in their chairs with an unmistakable sigh of relief. + </p> + <p> + It appeared again, after making a great circle, returning slowly now, and + dropping lightly as a feather to the cradle, where it remained perfectly + still, while the black smoke enveloped it in a veil of mystery. + </p> + <p> + The machine in the cabinet stopped, and some one was heard to say in a + loud whisper, “Lights!” Admiral Brown was the first of the assembly to + recover. He sprang to his feet and like a wounded old lion at bay stood + glaring at Edestone. His rugged weather-beaten face convulsed with + suppressed rage, which but for the presence of the King would have + exploded upon Edestone after the manner of the old-fashioned sea-dog that + he was, but holding himself in check he said loudly and challengingly: + </p> + <p> + “If there is no objection I will ask the young man to repeat the last + picture, and I would also like to inquire with what material the framework + of this ship is covered, and what is the calibre of those large guns—if + they are guns?” + </p> + <p> + “Will you please be so kind as to answer the Admiral’s questions, Mr. + Edestone?” said the King. + </p> + <p> + “The material which I used through her entire length of 907 feet, both top + and bottom, is Harveyized steel, six feet thick; and the largest gun is + sixteen inches,” replied Edestone slowly, enjoying the look of blank + amazement which spread over the Admiral’s face as he dropped back into his + chair gasping and mopping his brow. + </p> + <p> + “This is the end of everything. I wish I had never lived to see the day!” + The old sailor sat like a man who had seen a vision so appalling that it + robbed him of his reason. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — “THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!” + </h2> + <p> + The King, of all the company, seemed to be the only one who had remained + perfectly cool. He was like a man who realizing the gravity of the + situation yet had nerved himself to meet it. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, as if speaking to one of his own naval officers, + “you will please show the last two pictures again, and for the benefit of + Admiral Brown you might give us some further details in regard to the + ship’s equipment and armament. May I also ask you where these pictures + were taken?” + </p> + <p> + “On the flat plains in the centre of the island of Newfoundland,” Edestone + informed him, “between the White Bear River and the east branch of the + Salmon, and from fifty to seventy-five miles from the seacoast on the + south. If Your Majesty will look into the middle distance when the second + picture is again thrown on the screen you will see some small, dark + objects; these are one of those immense herds of caribou, which happen to + be moving south over this vast barren at the time of year that these + pictures were taken—that is, in October.” + </p> + <p> + He observed that the face of the King took on an expression blended partly + of astonishment and partly of resentment when he mentioned the name of one + of the Colonial possessions of the Empire, and hastened to add: + </p> + <p> + “You will find, Sire, if you inquire of the Governor of that Province that + I was there with the full knowledge and consent of Your Majesty’s + Government to carry on certain scientific experiments. I selected this + deserted spot, so far removed from all human habitation, because there I + should not be disturbed. Until I showed these pictures here today no one + outside of my own men knew the nature of these experiments. The guns were + loaded with nothing more harmful than several hundred pounds of black + powder to produce the display of force which you have just seen. I will + admit,” he granted with a smile, “that if the newspapers had got word of + what was going on there they might have made some excitement; I can assure + you, however, that no act of mine could be construed even by our most + susceptible and timid State Department as a violation of neutrality.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is your ship now?” asked the King, while the rest of the + company held their breath, awaiting the answer. + </p> + <p> + “That, Your Majesty, for reasons of state, I regret I cannot at this time + tell you, but you have my word and that of our Secretary that wherever she + may be, her mission is one of peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace!” snorted Admiral Brown. “With a six-foot armour-belt and + sixteen-inch guns! It is a ship of war, Your Majesty. We have the right to + demand whether or not it is now on or over British soil, and if it is, to + make such representations to the United States Government as will cause + her to withdraw it at once and apologize for having violated the dignity + of Great Britain.” + </p> + <p> + “And if they should refuse, Sir William,” asked the King, with a weary + smile, “would you undertake to drive it off? + </p> + <p> + “No, Admiral,” he continued, “up to this time we have no official + knowledge of this airship’s existence. Until we have, we will take Mr. + Edestone’s assurance that his own and his country’s intentions to us are + friendly.” + </p> + <p> + A wave of hot indignation had swept over the entire assembly, and it was + with some difficulty that the King was able to restore order. + </p> + <p> + “Please continue with your pictures, Mr. Edestone,” he said in a tone of + authority. + </p> + <p> + The lights again went out, the machine in the cabinet began to turn, and + as the dramatic scene was re-enacted before them his audience sat in + perfect silence while Edestone, as though he were recounting the simplest + and most ordinary facts, gave out the following information: + </p> + <p> + “This ship has a length over all of 907 feet. Its beam is 90 feet. Its + greatest circular dimension is described with a radius of 48 feet. She + would weigh, loaded with ammunition, fuel, provisions, and crew, if + brought in contact with the earth, 40,000 tons. Her weight as she travels, + after making allowance for the air displacement is generally kept at about + 3000 tons, which automatically adjusts itself to the density of the + surrounding atmosphere, but can be reduced to nothing at pleasure. Its + full speed has never been reached. This is simply a matter of oil + consumption; I have had her up to 180 miles. Her steaming radius is about + 50,000 miles, depending upon the speed. She carries twelve 16-inch guns, + twenty-two 6-inch guns, sixteen 4-inch anti-aircraft guns, eight + 3-pounders, four rapid-fire guns, six aerial torpedo tubes, and six bomb + droppers, which can simultaneously discharge tons of explosives. She has a + complement of 1400 officers and men. She required three years and eight + months to build at a cost of $10,000,000. In action her entire ship’s + company is protected by at least six feet of steel, and there is no gun + known that can pierce her protection around the vital parts. As you have + seen, she can approach to within a few feet of the surface and remain + perfectly stationary in that position as long as she is not brought in + electrical contact with the earth.” + </p> + <p> + The machine in the cabinet had stopped. As the lights were again turned + on, Edestone, glancing in the direction of the gallery and seeing that + there was no one there, bowed merely to the company before him. “I thank + Your Majesty, Lords, and Gentlemen for your very kind attention,” he said. + He then stood quietly, waiting respectfully for the King to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the King as he rose, “you have certainly given us a + most instructive afternoon, and you must be exhausted after your efforts.” + He turned to Colonel Stewart, “Please insist upon Mr. Edestone taking some + refreshments before he leaves Buckingham Palace.” + </p> + <p> + He grasped the inventor firmly by the hand. “Good-bye, Mr. Edestone. I + shall probably not see you again,” and bowing to the rest of the company + he left the room deep in conversation with Sir Egbert Graves. + </p> + <p> + Edestone immediately became the centre of attraction. + </p> + <p> + “The King is dead; long live the King!” expresses the eagerness with which + man adapts himself to a new order of things. The older men were stunned + and seemed unable to throw off the gloom that had settled upon them. They + bowed to the inevitable fall of the old and its replacement by the new. + They were not buoyed up by the elasticity and confidence of youth; they + seemed to realize that their race was run and that it were better that + they step aside and give to younger men the task of solving a new problem + in a new way. They sat perfectly still with dejected faces that seemed to + see only dissolution. + </p> + <p> + The younger men were quicker to recover, and as they felt the old + foundations crumbling under their feet, saw visions of a new and greater + edifice. They gloried in the development of the age as they did in their + own strength to keep abreast of it, and rushed to meet progress, to join + it, and to become one with it. They did not stop to think what the future + might have in store for them, but seemed to be intoxicated by its + possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Crowding around Edestone they probed him with questions which he answered + with the greatest patience and in the most modest, quiet, and dignified + manner. When asked a question almost childish in its simplicity, he + appeared to acknowledge the compliment in the assumption that he knew the + answer, and gave it with the same precision as one which called for the + most complicated mathematical calculation and reference to the most + intricate formulae of the laws of mechanics and physics. He was rescued + and borne away by Colonel Stewart who announced that, acting under His + Majesty’s order, he was obliged to give him some refreshments, whether he + wanted them or not, and if he did not come at once to his quarters and + have a drink he would be forced to order out the Guards. Drawing him aside + the Colonel whispered, “I must see you alone before you leave the Palace.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone turned and slowly left the room, bowing to each of the separate + groups. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Colonel Stewart, “come to my quarters first, as I have + something rather confidential to tell you. You can come back and join the + others afterward, if you care to.” + </p> + <p> + When they were comfortably seated in the Colonel’s private apartments, and + had provided themselves with drinks and cigars, the equerry leaned toward + his charge a trifle impressively. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, “you do not look like a chap who would lose his + nerve if he suddenly found himself in a position that was more or less + dangerous. Indeed I rather gather that you are like one of your + distinguished Admirals—ready at all times for a fight or a frolic.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled. + </p> + <p> + “The facts are, Mr. Edestone, that you are in a pretty ticklish position, + and had not Mr. Underhill notified Scotland Yard when he did, I do not + know what might have happened. These German spies who have been following + you all day are well known to them, and when our men picked you up, which + was when you left the Admiralty and were talking to the taxi-chauffeur, + they were convinced that you were in real danger. Then when you were + directed to the German restaurant and afterward left it in the taxicab + with this man Smith they had your cab followed, at the same time notifying + Mr. Underhill, and covering your hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “This is most interesting,” said Edestone; “but if the business of these + men is known why are they not arrested?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said Colonel Stewart, “we Englishmen are not credited with + any sense by our friends the enemy, and relying upon our supposed + stupidity their work, which they take so much pride in, is by no means as + secret as they suppose it to be. There have been in London thousands of + what the Germans term ‘fixed posts.’ These are men who have established + places of business and have lived in the community from ten to fifteen + years. They receive a salary from the German Government running from two + pounds to four pounds a month and all incurred expenses. The ‘fixed post’ + men report to men higher up, who, in turn, report to the Diplomatic + Service. Under them, too, are all of the patriotic emigrants from Germany, + who act as spies without being conscious of the fact that they are doing + so. These receive no pay for bringing in the bits of scandal or other + information which is all carefully noted and kept on file in Berlin under + a system of card indexes. + </p> + <p> + “That man Munchinger who keeps the restaurant where you lunched, and the + barber Hottenroth at your hotel, are both of them ‘fixed post’ men. This + American architect was new and had not been quite placed as yet. The + chauffeur also seems to be one of them, although he is entirely unknown to + Scotland Yard. + </p> + <p> + “When you discharged your first taxi and took another, Smith and the + chauffeur spy followed you until they were frightened off by seeing my + carriage with the royal livery in front of your hotel. They drove off then + with such a rush that the chauffeur must have lost control of his car, for + it plunged into the Thames with Smith inside it, and before he could be + reached and rescued he was drowned. The chauffeur was either drowned or + ran away, as nothing has been seen of him since.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone rose, his face stern as he learned the news of Smith’s fate. + “Colonel Stewart,” he declared sharply, “that poor devil was murdered.” + And to support his accusation he told briefly of Smith’s confession and + behaviour in the cab. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel bowed. “I shall see that these facts are turned over to the + authorities,” he said, “but at present I am more concerned in regard to + you. These men are fanatics, you must understand, whose faith teaches them + to do anything that is for the benefit of the Fatherland. We know most of + them. We do not arrest them because they are more useful to us as they + are. As soon as one is arrested he is immediately replaced by another, and + it takes some little time before we can pick up the new one. We have + received reports to the effect that a small army of them have been around + Buckingham Palace all afternoon, as well as at your hotel; so it is + evident that Smith’s story was no fancy and that these men are after you + in desperate earnest. Would you mind telling me, Mr. Edestone, what are + your plans for the future?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. My movements are extremely simple. I shall return to my + hotel, where I expect to remain until I retire. A friend of mine, an + American, Mr. Rebener, whom I have known for a great many years, will dine + with me there this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “An old friend of yours you say?” The Colonel’s eyes narrowed slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Edestone. “I have known him for fifteen years.” For reasons + of his own he had made it a point not to include Rebener’s name among + those mentioned by Smith in his confession, nor did he refer to it now. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart hesitated a moment. “Of course, Mr. Edestone,” he said + finally, “you Americans are neutrals and are at liberty to select your + friends where you please, but my advice to you would be not to take London + as the place to entertain people with German names. You will probably + understand that we cannot take any chances.” + </p> + <p> + “I have known Mr. Rebener,” repeated Edestone, “for years. He is one of + our most prominent men, and I am confident that he would not lend himself + to any of these Middle-Age methods.” + </p> + <p> + “You can never tell,” said Colonel Stewart darkly. “Germany holds out to + the faithful the promise of great rewards at the end of this war, which + she has convinced them cannot fail to end successfully for her.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” the American insisted stubbornly. “Mr. Rebener might readily sell to + Germany a few million dollars’ worth of munitions of war, and likewise + tell his friend, Count Bernstoff, anything that he might hear. I will even + go so far as to say that he might make an especial effort to pick up bits + of gossip here in London; and he will almost certainly endeavour to use + his influence with me in favour of Germany. But that he would take part in + a plot to kill, kidnap, or rob me is incredible.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you are determined to have your own way, Mr. Edestone,” the Colonel + smiled, “so I come now to the most difficult part of my mission. What do + you propose to do with that instrument which you now carry so carelessly + in your coat pocket? You can readily understand that it is not safe in + your hotel, or, in fact, at hardly any other place in London outside of + the vaults of the Bank of England. We are put in the delicate position of + having to protect it without having the privilege of asking that it be put + in our charge.” + </p> + <p> + “I appreciate all that you say and have considered destroying it, but have + now come to the conclusion to keep it always with me, for, after all that + you tell me, I think that I am in pretty safe hands in London.” + </p> + <p> + “But think, my dear fellow,” cried the Colonel jumping up, “what might + happen if this thing falls into the hands of the Germans! To prevent that + it would be my duty to shoot you on the spot.” + </p> + <p> + “Good work! Right-o!” laughed Edestone. “You have my permission to shoot + whenever it goes to the Germans. Don’t worry. They’ll not murder and rob + me in the middle of dear old London with all your fellows about, and I do + not expect to leave the hotel tonight.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone and Colonel Stewart were leaving the Palace, they were met by + the young Prince of the Blood, who seemed bent upon renewing his + acquaintance with his American friend. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Edestone,” he greeted him, “you really must not leave before + giving me an opportunity of presenting you to some of the ladies of the + Court. You are the lion of the day and they are anxious to meet you. My + sister, Princess Billy, is almost in tears and hysterical. She insisted + upon seeing your pictures because she said that you were an old friend of + hers she had met on the steamer coming over from America.” + </p> + <p> + Accepting, Edestone smiled as he thought of the undignified manner of + their meeting, and was taken in charge by the young man. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart made his excuses when the invitation was extended to him, + saying: “Mr. Edestone, I shall wait for you in the Guards’ Room,” and, + turning to the young man, he added: “I deliver him into your hands, and I + hold you responsible for his valuable person which must be delivered to me + there.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was then taken in charge by the young Prince, who proudly bore + him off to deliver him into the hands of the ladies. He was rather bored + with the idea, and would have preferred to have gone directly to his + hotel, as he had had an eventful day and he did not feel in the humour for + the small talk of the tea-table. + </p> + <p> + He was taken into one of the smaller rooms where several ladies and young + officers in khaki were just finishing their tea. The atmosphere of the + room was offensively heavy with the strong odour of iodoform. His pity was + aroused when he suddenly realized that almost every man in the room bore + the unmistakable mark of service in the trenches. It was the first time + that he had been brought violently into contact with the far-reaching and + horrible devastation of this cruel war. One pitiful figure, a young man of + about twenty-two who sat apart from the rest, so affected him that he + scarcely recovered himself in time to acknowledge the great kindness of + the Duchess of Windthorst, who was receiving him in the most gracious + manner. This boy was totally blind. Edestone was filled with admiration + for these descendants of the Norman conquerors, who in their gallantry and + patriotism responded so quickly to the call of their country, while the + miserable swine whose homes and families were being protected by these + noble men were instigating strikes and riots under the leadership of a + band of traitors who hid their cowardice behind labour organizations, or + attempted to mislead the disgusted world by windy speeches on the subject + of humanitarism into which position they were not followed by the very + women that they were giving as their excuse for their treasonable acts. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess presented him to Princess Wilhelmina and the others. In the + soft and rich voice of the Englishwoman of culture and refinement, which + always charmed him, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, my daughter tells me that you came over on the <i>Ivernia</i> + with us.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, mamma!” interrupted the Princess, with a frown and nervous little + laugh. “I said that Mrs. Brown said that she thought that Mr. Edestone was + on board.” + </p> + <p> + The Duchess acknowledged this correction, and with the cool effrontery + that only a woman can carry off to her entire satisfaction, she then + pretended that this was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on him, + when as a matter of fact she and the Princess had discussed this + remarkable, independent individual, who had so quietly and alone occupied + the large suite adjoining theirs. + </p> + <p> + “Do sit down, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled, “and tell us about your wonderful + electrical gun or ship. I really know so little about electricity that I + could not understand what my daughter has just been telling me.” And then, + as if to save him from the great embarrassment of speaking, which she felt + that he must have in her presence, she hastened to continue: “I am really + so sorry that I did not know you were a fellow-passenger or I should most + certainly have had you presented. I am very fond of you Americans, I find + them most charming and so original, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone bowed. + </p> + <p> + “I really became quite attached to your Mr. Bradley, who was on board. I + think you call him ‘Diamond King John.’ He was most attractive,” and, with + a charming smile, “he showed me his diamond suspender buttons; and he + dances beautifully, my daughter tells me. I understand that Mr. Bradley is + one of your oldest Arizona families—or was it Virginia?—I am + so stupid about the names of your different counties. But I agree with him + that family is not everything, and that clothes make the gentleman. He + tells me that he gets all of his clothes from the same tailor as the Duke. + Do you get your clothes in London, Mr. Edestone?” And then, seeing an + expression on Edestone’s face which indicated to her that he was going to + be bold enough to attempt to enter into the conversation, hastily added: + “No, of course not, you would naturally get yours in New York, where Mr. + Bradley tells me that the finish of the buttonholes is much better on + account of the enormous salaries that you very rich Americans are able to + pay your tailors. No tea, Mr. Edestone? How foolish of me to ask! You + would like to have one of those American drinks; what is it you call them? + Cockplumes? My son could make one for you. Madame La Princesse de Blanc + taught him how to make one.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smilingly declined. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess, who by this time was beginning to feel that perhaps Mr. + Edestone would not insist upon taking off his coat or squatting Indian + fashion on the floor, continued: + </p> + <p> + “My son tells me that it was at her house in Paris that he had the + pleasure of making your acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Duchess,” nodded Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “She is a most delightful little American,” continued the Duchess. “So + bright, natural, unconventional, and original. And she chews tobacco in + the most fascinating manner.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone all this time had been debating in his mind whether this silly + prattle was the result of real ignorance, snobbishness, or kindness of + heart. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, however, and, wishing to show + her that she might put her mind at rest as to his ability to overcome any + embarrassment that he might have had, said with a perfectly solemn face: + </p> + <p> + “You should have asked your friend, Mr. Bradley, to show you his + suspenders themselves, Duchess. They are, I am told, set with rubies, + sapphires, and diamonds, and cost, I understand, $10,000.” + </p> + <p> + “How very odd,” said the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + “And I am sure,” he continued, “that he feels as proud of having danced + with the Princess as she could have been at having been the recipient of + so much attention at the hands of ‘King John,’ who apparently is also a + Prince Charming.” + </p> + <p> + And then ignoring their pretence of having just seen him for the first + time, in a most natural manner Edestone referred to the episodes of the + crossing. + </p> + <p> + Turning to the Princess, who all this time had vainly endeavoured to check + her mother, and changing his manner out of deference for her youth and + inexperience, and assuming a more humble demeanour, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “I sincerely hope, Princess, that I did not hurt you when I was forced to + handle you so roughly, but it was blowing almost a hurricane.” + </p> + <p> + “I forgive you, Mr. Edestone,” she said with a charming smile, “for + hurting my arm; but,” with a little pout, “I don’t think I can forgive you + for hurting my feelings. Why did you not ask Mr. Bradley to present you? + He said that he knew you very well.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was rather afraid,” laughed Edestone, “to suggest this to him. You + know we do not move in exactly the same set, and I did not wish to give + him an opportunity to snub me. Now that he does speak so familiarly of his + royal friends, I thought that he might consider me a bit presumptuous.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say,” snorted the Duchess, “that that creature would + dare to speak of me as a friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone, “I shall do him the justice of saying that I am + quite certain he would not if he did not believe that you were, and did + not think that it was perfectly natural that you should be.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess, who was looking at Edestone with an intense look, of which + however she was absolutely unconscious, broke in impatiently: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mamma, do stop talking about that dreadful man and ask Mr. Edestone + to tell us something about his wonderful work.” A light came into her eyes + which would have alarmed an American mother had she seen it in the eyes of + her daughter at a mixed summer resort. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was anxious to get away as he took absolutely no interest in this + particular phase of life; yet he did not wish to appear unappreciative of + the great honour that had been conferred upon him by these ladies of such + high rank. However, an opportunity soon presented itself which permitted + him to retire, and he bowed himself out of the room, but not, it must be + admitted, until he had answered a number of questions which the Princess + insisted on putting to him. He did this with perfect deference, yet in + such a businesslike way that she was convinced, should a year elapse + before he next saw her, he would probably not recognize her. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone left the Palace in company with Colonel Stewart, and the two + took their seats in the waiting carriage, he was amused to see a troop of + cavalry, which had been drawn up before the entrance, fall in about them + as an escort. The men were all dressed in khaki, and, judging from their + equipment, they were fixed for business more than a mere guard of honour. + A smart, young officer rode up and, saluting the Colonel, asked: “Where + to, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “To Claridge’s.” The Colonel saluted in return. + </p> + <p> + The carriage started, and the troopers, clattering out of the courtyard, + closed up about it in a fashion which showed that they were going to take + no chances with their valuable charge. + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed at himself with his high hat and frock-coat as a centre + for all this military panoply. It recalled to him an old-fashioned print + he had seen when a boy, representing Abraham Lincoln at the front. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to tell me that you really consider this necessary?” he + chaffed his companion. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart nodded gravely. “They will make no attempt on your life, + Mr. Edestone,” he added reassuringly, “except as a last resort; but they + are determined to have your secret. They prefer to get it with your + co-operation and assent. If not, they want it anyhow. Finally, they stand + ready to accomplish its destruction and your own rather than permit + England to obtain it.” + </p> + <p> + Arriving at the hotel, the soldiers were drawn up in line while he entered + the door. To his surprise, moreover, the Colonel and two of the + cavalry-men accompanied him to the door of his apartment. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the Royal Equerry, “I am sorry, but my orders are to + place a sentry at your door. You are not of course to consider yourself in + any sense a prisoner, but an honoured guest whose safety is of paramount + importance. Should you at any time wish to leave your apartment, notify + Captain Bright by telephone at the hotel office where he will be + stationed, and he will act as your escort. My advice, however, is that you + remain in the hotel.” Giving a military salute, he retired, leaving the + two soldiers posted in the corridor. + </p> + <p> + A moment later, Edestone was summoned to the door to find that the + sentries had halted Black and Stanton whom he had directed to report to + him immediately on his return to the hotel. + </p> + <p> + A word from him proved sufficient to secure the admission of his + moving-picture experts; nevertheless, the three gazed at one another + uneasily as they stood within the room. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Mr. Edestone?” Black’s eyes rounded up. “They haven’t placed + you under arrest, have they?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone shook his head. “Apparently not. At least they tell me I am under + no restraint, and, as they might say to a little boy about to be spanked, + that this is all for my own good. Whether or not this is merely a polite + subterfuge, and they intend to postpone my departure from London from time + to time in a way that can give no offence to our Government, yet would + spoil all my plans, I am still uncertain.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, it might be worth while trying to find out,” flared up Stanton, + bristling at the very suggestion of an indignity to his adored chief. “If + they’ve got anything of that kind up their sleeves, we could soon show + them that——” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone spoke up a trifle sharply. “I have decided to let the + situation develop itself.” + </p> + <p> + His manner indicated that he wished the subject dropped; but, after he had + given the two men the orders for which he had summoned them, and dismissed + them, he fell into a rather perturbed reverie. + </p> + <p> + After all, might it not be well, as Stanton had urged, to assure himself + in regard to John Bull’s honourable intentions? His mind reverted to an + expedient which he had already considered and cast aside. It was to + communicate with the American Ambassador, get his passports, and start for + Paris at once. Then, if he were halted, the purpose of the British + Government would be made plain and its hypocrisy exposed. + </p> + <p> + But, to tell the truth, he rather shrank from such a revelation. Suppose + he forced their hand in this way, and they should retaliate, either by + attempting to detain him in England, or insisting upon his return to his + own country? Was he prepared to——? + </p> + <p> + As Underhill had said, blood is thicker than water; and there were in his + nature many ties that bound him to the mother-country. + </p> + <p> + No, he concluded; if there was cause to worry, he would meet the emergency + when it arose. Anyhow, he was not of the worrying kind. He threw himself + down upon the sofa, since even for him it had been a rather strenuous day, + and soon was fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + He was awakened by James. “It is 7:30, sir, and you are dining at 8 + o’clock.” Then with a perfectly stolid face: “I beg pardon, sir, what + clothes will you take to the Tower, sir? The hall porter says, sir, that + with all these soldiers around, they are certainly going to stand you up + before a firing squad. And Hottenroth, the barber, says as how every + American that comes to London is more or less a German spy. But he is a + kind of a foreigner himself, sir. A Welshman, he says he is, and he talks + in a very funny way.” + </p> + <p> + “No, they are not going to stand me up before a firing squad,” Edestone + halted this flood of intelligence, as he sprang up from the sofa; “but I + shall turn myself into one, and fire the whole lot of you, if you don’t + stop talking so much. Now hurry up, and get me dressed. I don’t want to + keep Mr. Rebener waiting.” + </p> + <p> + Yet even with James’s adept assistance, he found the time scant for the + careful toilet upon which he always insisted; and it was almost on the + stroke of the hour when at last he was ready. + </p> + <p> + Snatching his hat and cane from James, he started hurriedly out of the + door, but found himself abruptly challenged by the sentry just outside + whose presence he had for the moment completely forgotten. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, sir,” the soldier saluted, “but my orders are to notify + Captain Bright, if you wish to leave your rooms.” + </p> + <p> + He blew a whistle, summoning a comrade who suddenly appeared from nowhere. + </p> + <p> + “Notify Captain Bright,” he directed; then, in response to Edestone’s + good-humoured but slightly sarcastic protests: “I’m sorry, sir, but those + are my orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Has England declared war on the United States?” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, sir,” the sentry grinned. “We seem to be taking on all + comers.” Then standing at attention, he waited until the soldier, who had + returned from telephoning, came forward to announce that the Captain + presented his apologies and would be right up. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Captain Bright himself came panting down the corridor. He + expressed profound regret that any inconvenience should have been caused, + but explained, as Colonel Stewart had already done, that he was held + personally responsible for Edestone’s safety, and had instructions to + accompany him wherever he might go. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Captain; I bow to the inevitable. May I trouble you to conduct + me to the dining-room?” And he strolled toward the lift at the side of the + tall cavalryman. + </p> + <p> + But in the office they encountered Rebener himself writing a note on the + back of his card. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there you are, Jack?” he hailed Edestone. “I was just sending you a + note asking you if you wouldn’t come and dine with me at the Britz instead + of here. It is too damn stupid here. Not that it’s very bright anywhere in + London at present, but at least there’s a little bit more life at the + Britz.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is stopping here anyhow? Royalty?” he interrupted himself. “There are + soldiers all over the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I am the recipient of that little attention,” laughed the young + American. “Let me introduce Captain Bright here, who is acting as my + especial chaperon.” + </p> + <p> + “What? You surely haven’t run afoul of the War Department?” Rebener rolled + his eyes. “That sounds more like our friends, the barbarians, than + Englishmen. But, say, you are joking of course; you’re not really in + trouble? Seriously is there anything you want me to do for you? I have + quite a little pull over at the War Offices, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you; I am leaving for Paris tomorrow.” He looked straight into + Rebener’s eyes, without giving the slightest hint in his expression of the + disclosure which had been made to him by the unfortunate Smith. “It is + simply that Captain Bright thinks there are some people who might do + something to me. I don’t know exactly what it is, but he insists on + preventing them anyhow; so there you are. How about it, Captain? Am I + permitted to dine with Mr. Rebener at the Britz? I think the Britz is a + perfectly safe place for two American business men.” + </p> + <p> + “As you please, Mr. Edestone.” The Captain drew himself up. “My orders are + to escort you, though, wherever you go.” He raised his hand toward a + sergeant who was standing just inside the door. + </p> + <p> + “What! You are not going to take all the ‘Tommies’ along too?” + expostulated Rebener. “Oh, I say; you come along yourself, Captain, and + dine with us, but leave the men behind. I will see that Edestone doesn’t + come to any grief.” + </p> + <p> + “Sorry.” The officer’s tone ended any further argument. “I shall keep my + men as much out of sight as possible; but it will be necessary for them to + accompany us.” + </p> + <p> + “You see.” Edestone smiled somewhat ruefully. “I can’t even go out to buy + a paper, without turning it into a sort of Fourth of July parade.” + </p> + <p> + On going to the door they found that one of the royal carriages was + waiting for them, and after the two men were seated, and the Captain had + given the directions to the coachman, they dashed off in the midst of a + cavalcade. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” Rebener vouchsafed as they drove along, “I have taken the + liberty of inviting Lord Denton and Mr. Karlbeck, two friends of mine, to + dine with us tonight, and as Lord Denton is in mourning, he has asked that + I have dinner in my apartment. I hope that is all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” assented Edestone. “Lord Denton, you say? I don’t think I + have ever met him, have I? And isn’t he just a little supersensitive to + raise a scruple of that sort? It seems to me that practically everybody + over here is in mourning. Fact is, I don’t feel like going to a ball + myself.” His face saddened, as he thought of the many good fellows he had + met on former visits to London who now lay underneath the sod of Northern + France and Belgium. + </p> + <p> + But by this time they were at the Britz and the proprietor was bowing them + inside, apparently so accustomed to receiving men of distinction with + military escort that he did not even notice the lines of trim cavalrymen + which drew themselves up on either side of his entrance. + </p> + <p> + “Will you gentlemen dine in the public restaurant?” asked Captain Bright, + stepping up to Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “No,” Rebener took it upon himself to answer. “We are going to have a + little <i>partie carrée</i> in my apartment.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said the Captain, “I regret that I shall have to station + men on that floor.” + </p> + <p> + Rebener frowned as if he were about to voice a protest, but at that moment + the proprietor called him over to consult with him in regard to the menu. + </p> + <p> + For a moment or two they discussed it calmly enough; then as the + proprietor began to gesticulate and wax vehement, Rebener spoke over his + shoulder to his guest. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Jack,” he said, “but M. Bombiadi insists that I hold a council + of war with him over the selection of the wines. He declines to accept the + responsibility with such a distinguished personage as you seem to have + become.” Then lowering his voice, he added with a wink: “He is evidently + impressed with that military escort of yours, for all that he pretended + not to notice it. I won’t be away a minute.” + </p> + <p> + He was hurried by the proprietor through the office and into one of the + small duplex apartments on the main floor. Passing through the pantry and + dining-room of the apartment out into the little private hall with its + street door on Piccadilly, and up a short flight of marble steps with an + iron railing, he was ushered into a handsomely furnished little parlour. + </p> + <p> + There, standing in front of the mantelpiece was a man who did not look + like an Englishman, but more like a German Jew. He was perfectly bald and + had a black beard which was rather long and trimmed to a point. His nose + was unmistakable, and taken with his thick, red lips showed pretty well + what he was and whence he came. Talking to him very earnestly was another + man, who was much smaller, and who was also German to the finger-tips. + </p> + <p> + Pausing on the threshold, M. Bombiadi with the servile and cringing tone + always assumed by those frock-coated criminals, European hotel + proprietors, asked humbly: “May we come in, Your Royal Highness?” + </p> + <p> + But Rebener, with the air of a man who was not accustomed to, or else + declined to consider, such formalities, unhesitatingly brushed the + proprietor aside, and walked up to the two men. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to be late,” he said in a thoroughly businesslike manner, “but + Bombiadi here has doubtless explained the reason for it.” Then, as if he + purposely refused to acknowledge the high rank of either of the two men by + waiting for them to speak, he said brusquely, even with a slight touch of + contempt: “Bombiadi tells me that you want to speak with me, before we + meet at the table.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Rebener,” said the smaller man, bowing with exaggerated + ceremony. “If it is not asking too much of you, I am sure that His Royal + Highness will appreciate your kindness.” + </p> + <p> + The silky smoothness of his manner seemed to disgust Rebener. + </p> + <p> + “Now, look here, Karlbeck, don’t try to get friendly with me,” he drew + back as the other attempted to lay a hand upon his arm. “I am not in love + with this business, anyhow. I am German, and I am proud of the Fatherland, + as she stands with her back against the wall, fighting the entire + civilized world—and some of the barbaric;—but you two fellows + are Englishmen, and——” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” the man with the beard broke in angrily. “You + seem to forget to whom you are speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is just the trouble,” cried Rebener with a loud laugh. “I can’t + seem to forget it. And if Your Royal Highness insists upon keeping on your + crown, you had better let Mr. Edestone and myself dine alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Please, Mr. Rebener. Please not so loud,” cautioned the proprietor, pale + with terror. “One never knows who may be listening.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a word for you too.” Rebener turned, and shook a threatening + finger in his face. “If I find that you cut-throats have murdered Schmidt, + I will turn you over to the London police, and let you be hanged as common + murderers without having any of the glory of dying for your country. I + distinctly told you, that I would not stand for that sort of thing. He was + a miserable creature, but he was an American, and we Americans, even if we + have got German blood, are not traitors to the country of our adoption.” + And he looked with a sneer at the two Englishmen. “Now, if any of you are + planning to indulge in any of your pretty little tricks with Mr. Edestone + tonight, I give you fair warning. I will call Captain Bright in, and turn + the whole lot of you over to him. I think he would be rather surprised to + find His Royal Highness in such company.” + </p> + <p> + The man with the beard was literally white with rage. The thick veins + swelled along his neck, and his lower lip was trembling. But he controlled + himself with an effort, and endeavoured to speak calmly. + </p> + <p> + “Now, now, Mr. Rebener,” he said, “you are unnecessarily excited, and I + therefore overlook your disrespect toward me. There is no intention + whatever of doing any violence to Mr. Edestone. We hope merely to prevail + on him to talk.” + </p> + <p> + “What good will his talking do?” cried the smaller man before his + associate could silence him. “We know all that he said today at Buckingham + Palace. What we want is his instrument, and if we’re not going after that, + what use is this dinner, I would like to know?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t tell you,” rejoined Rebener, “unless His Royal Highness would be + willing to show his hand, and try to persuade Edestone to take our view of + the matter.” + </p> + <p> + A sharp retort trembled on the lips of the Jewish-looking man, but just + then he caught sight of Bombiadi out of the corner of his eyes + gesticulating and making signs to him from behind Rebener’s back. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that is the only chance left us,” he pretended to consider. “We + can try it at any rate. I suppose, too, we had better come to your + apartment immediately. Remember, though, we are to remain incognito until + I give the word. In the meantime, we are simply ‘Lord Denton’ and ‘Mr. + Karlbeck.’” + </p> + <p> + On that agreement, Rebener left; but the proprietor, after following him + far enough to make sure that he was out of earshot, returned to the little + parlour where the other men waited. + </p> + <p> + “We will have to leave him out of our calculations,” he shook his head. + “He is not heart and soul in the cause as is your Royal Highness. However, + it can be managed without Rebener. + </p> + <p> + “Hottenroth has telephoned me that he thinks Edestone has the instrument + on his person, but cannot make sure, as his rooms at Claridge’s are too + closely guarded to permit of a search. We must go upon the assumption that + he has it with him, however, and get it away from him. That plan of Your + Royal Highness’s will work perfectly, I am sure. I will call Edestone to + the telephone while you are at dinner, and since the rest of you will all + remain at the table, how can Rebener suspect either of you gentlemen any + more than he would suspect himself. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I will return in a few minutes, and take you up to Mr. Rebener’s + apartment. No one knows of your presence in the house so far, I can assure + you, and the servants on that floor may be thoroughly depended upon.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + </h2> + <p> + When Rebener got back to the entrance hall he found Edestone standing + talking with an American newspaper correspondent, and as he came up heard + the inventor say: “Well you can say that if I sell my discovery to anyone + it will be to the United States, and that rather than sell to any other + nation I would hand it over to my own country as a free gift.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, here,” Rebener joined in laughingly as he came up, “don’t you offer + to give away anything. Just because your father left you comfortably well + off is no reason that you shouldn’t sell things if people want to buy. + Sell and sell while you’ve got the market, and sell to the highest bidder. + Look at me, I am selling to both sides; that is my way of stopping this + war.” He turned to the young newspaper man. “Is there anything new, + Ralph?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, Mr. Rebener, except that there is a story out in New York that + Mr. Edestone here has been sent over to act as a sort of unofficial + go-between to bring England and Germany to terms; but he denies this. Then + there is another story that he is trying to sell this new invention of his + to England and that the German agents are trying to get it away from him + before he does. You’ve just heard what he has to say on that subject, so I + seem to have landed on a ‘Flivver’ all around. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Mr. Edestone, you’ll give me the dope on this lay-out won’t you, + before the other boys get to it?” he wheedled. “We all know that something + is going on, and she’s going to be a big story when she breaks, and it + would be the making of me with the ‘old man’ if I could put it over first. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you, sir, this afternoon coming home from the Palace,” he chuckled, + “and the President, going out to the first ball game of the season, + surrounded by the Washington Blues, to toss the pill into the diamond, + certainly had nothing on you.” + </p> + <p> + “You’ve struck it,” said Edestone, with a good-humoured laugh at himself. + “I have been trying all day to think what I looked like, and that’s it.” + </p> + <p> + Rebener laid his hand upon his arm. “Well, Jack,” he said, “hadn’t we + better be getting up to my place? I don’t want to keep the other gentlemen + waiting, and these Europeans have an awful habit of coming at the hour + they are invited, and do not, as we do in America, in imitation of the + ‘Snark,’ ‘dine on the following day.’ + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, Ralph,” he waved his hand to the correspondent. “Drop around + tomorrow; I may have something for you.” + </p> + <p> + Then as they were going up in the elevator he confided to Edestone: “I am + not so crazy about these two chaps that are coming to dinner tonight, but + you know most of the good sort are at the front, or, if they happen to be + in London, are too busy to waste their time on us Americans. Do you know, + Jack, there is at this time quite a bit of feeling against us in England? + Exactly what it is they resent it is hard to say. I certainly do not + understand how they can expect us to take any part in this war with our + population composed of people from every one of the countries that are + engaged.” + </p> + <p> + They had scarcely had time to take off their coats when Lord Denton and + Mr. Karlbeck came in through the private entrance. Edestone was + introduced, and after the two Americans had had their cocktails, both + Englishmen having declined to indulge in this distinctly American custom, + the four sat down to dinner. Rebener put “Lord Denton” on his right, + Edestone on his left, while “Mr. Karlbeck” took the only remaining seat. + The conversation was general, and Edestone found that both the Englishmen + were evidently making an effort to be agreeable. + </p> + <p> + “You are quite like an Englishman,” said “Lord Denton” addressing him. “I + have known so few really nice Americans that I must say it is a most + delightful surprise. When I was told that you were a great American + inventor, I was prepared to see a fellow with the back of his neck shaved, + who, while chewing gum, would seize my lapel and hold on to it while he + insisted on explaining how I could save time and money by using his + electrical self-starting dishwasher or some such beastly machine. When I + visited New York two years ago, a committee had me in charge for three + days. Their one idea seemed to be to force large cigars and mixed drinks + on me at all hours of the day and night. One of these charming gentlemen, + a particularly objectionable fellow, although he seemed to be very rich, + was covered with diamonds and wore the most ridiculous evening clothes + topped off with a yachting cap fronted with the insignia of some rowing + club of which he had been admiral. He always referred to his + one-thousand-ton yacht as his ‘little canoe,’ and took delight in telling + exactly what it cost him by the hour to run, invariably adding that this + amount did not include his own food, wines, liquors, and cigars. ‘We + always charge that up to profit-and-loss account,’ he would say with a + roar of laughter, in which he was joined by a group of his satellites.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll bet I can call the turn, eh, Jack?” Rebener glanced across the table + to Edestone, with a twinkle in his eye. “Didn’t the chap also tell you + with great seriousness, ‘Lord Denton,’ that he had pulled off more good + deals in his ‘little canoe’ than in all the hotel corridors put together?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I sincerely hope it’s the same,” said ‘Lord Denton’. “You can’t + have two such creatures in your country?” + </p> + <p> + “Was that the chap, ‘Denton,’” broke in “Karlbeck,” “who said to you, the + day that he slapped you on the back, that he was not so strong for making + all this fuss over Princes and things, as in his opinion it wasn’t + democratic?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was when I was on board his yacht, but he said I was all right + and he didn’t mind spending money on me. ‘This is my pleasure today,’ he + said, ‘although the Boss did say he wanted you treated right, and his word + goes both ways with me. See!’” + </p> + <p> + “Tell them about your experience with the New York newspaper men,” + suggested “Karlbeck.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was very amusing! The whole committee would stand around and + laugh while the ‘boys,’ as they called them, had a chance, which consisted + in my being asked the most impertinent questions by a lot of objectionable + little bounders whom they constantly referred to as ‘the greatest + institution of our glorious country,’ at times allowing also that the + country was ‘God’s own.’ + </p> + <p> + “When I objected, some of your most powerful men would say: ‘You had + better tell the reporters something or they’ll get sore on you and print a + lot of lies about your women-folk.’ + </p> + <p> + “The particularly offensive gentleman of whom I have spoken, after telling + me what he thought of the British aristocracy, which was not always + flattering, though I seemed to be exempt, said as he bade me good-bye: ‘By + the way, don’t forget that my wife and two daughters will be stopping in + London next spring.’” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” inquired Edestone with a faint smile, “you did forget that his + wife and two daughters were stopping in London in the spring, I am quite + sure, and sure that he is convinced you got the best of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, Mr. Edestone, that was a nasty one! You really would not have + expected me to introduce that fellow at my clubs, would you?” “No,” said + Edestone, toying with something on the table to hide the smile that played + across his lips. “No, no, not at all. The Lord Mayor of London would have + satisfied him.” + </p> + <p> + He would have dropped the subject there, but pressed by the other man he + continued rather seriously: “Since you ask me, ‘Lord Denton,’ I do think + that you should not have accepted that man’s hospitality unless you were + prepared to return it to a certain extent.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what would you have expected His Royal Highness to do—I mean + ‘Lord Denton?’” “Karlbeck” corrected himself hastily. Edestone set his + glass down, and looked at the man for a moment. When he finally spoke it + was with a touch of asperity. With a sarcastic smile he said: + </p> + <p> + “The quiet way in which you Europeans accept everything from us and return + nothing, is being resented, not by the lower classes for they read in our + papers how the King shook hands with Jack Johnson; not by the <i>nouveaux + riches</i>, for they are perfectly satisfied with the notoriety they get + at the hands of your broken-down aristocracy who spend their money,—no + not by these classes, but by our ladies and gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do you entertain our Princes so lavishly?” sneered “Karlbeck.” + </p> + <p> + “It is our sense of humour, which allows us to be imposed upon. That sense + of humour is often mistaken for hysterical hospitality by the + distinguished stranger. We—and when I say we I mean people of + breeding which does not include the vulgarian who knows nothing and may be + the son of your father’s ninth gardener—we know that the more + ridiculous we appear to you, the better you like it. Not to appear + ridiculous offends you, as it arouses a feeling of rivalry to which you + object, but with your lack of that same sense of humour, this you deny.” + </p> + <p> + Again he would have willingly dropped the subject, but “Lord Denton” once + more insisted upon keeping up the discussion. + </p> + <p> + “You must remember,” said he, “Prince Henry’s visit to America. You don’t + mean to tell me the Americans were not complimented and pleased at a visit + from a Royal Prince?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “You mean when Prince Henry of Prussia came over to + bridge the chasm which had formed between the German and American nations + over the Manila episode, by the interchange of courtesies between the two + ruling families, the Hohenzollerns and the Roosevelts? + </p> + <p> + “I was surprised that the Kaiser was so poorly informed as not to know our + attitude toward him and his Divine Right and mailed fist. Why, everybody + laughed except the Kaiser and the President—they were the only ones + who were fooled: the Kaiser, because he could not help himself, it was in + his blood; and Roosevelt, because he was at that time in a most septic + condition and was suffering from auto-intoxication at the hands of that + particular form of microbe.” + </p> + <p> + “Edestone entertained Prince Henry himself at his Little Place in the + Country,” said Rebener, who saw that “Lord Denton” was losing his temper. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I did,” said Edestone. “Not that I thought he would enjoy it, but + somebody—and now when I come to think of it, you were the man, + Rebener—insisted that he would like to visit my machine shops. And + he did seem to enjoy seeing them very much, and Admiral Tirpitz and his + staff took all kinds of notes while asking all kinds of questions.” The + reminiscence seemed to make the three other men a trifle uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! what difference does it make after all?” said Rebener. “Let’s get + down to business. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Edestone,” he turned to the inventor, “you know me, and I’m not much + for beating about the bush. When I want something, my motto is, ‘Go to + it.’ My object in inviting you here to meet these gentlemen tonight was to + see if we can’t get together. As I understand the situation, Jack, you + have something that you think is pretty good. You have lots of money, and + you don’t want to sell it. You don’t have to, but you want to get England + to use it, and if she won’t, you will try Germany. Now is not that just + about the size of it?” + </p> + <p> + “To a certain extent, yes,” replied Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Then why in the name of common sense don’t you let ‘Lord Denton’ and me + have it and we will guarantee to have it used where it will do the most + good. He has more pull with the Government than any man in England. I + think you know pretty well now who he is,” he added with a wink. “If it is + the war you want stopped, he is the best man outside of the King or + Kaiser.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, Mr. Rebener,” said Edestone, “I do know who ‘Lord Denton’ is + and had the pleasure of seeing him this afternoon at Buckingham Palace, + but I thought perhaps he would prefer that I should preserve his incognito + and, following the example of his most charming Duchess, permitted myself + to forget. I shall be most happy to——” + </p> + <p> + He halted and turned as a waiter stepped up behind his chair to interrupt + him. + </p> + <p> + “I beg pardon, sir, but the Marquis of Lindenberry wishes to speak to you + on the telephone. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, sir, but you will have to go to the booth in the room behind + the stairs. Mr. Rebener’s telephone is out of order.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, ‘my telephone is out of order’?” Rebener glanced up + sharply. “I used it not twenty minutes ago.” And going into the adjoining + room he tried to speak to the floor switchboard. + </p> + <p> + “The fellow’s right,” he admitted on returning to the table. “You’ll have + to use the booth, Jack. Waiter, show Mr. Edestone where to go.” + </p> + <p> + “This way, sir,” said the waiter, and he conducted Edestone down the long + corridor, passing one of Captain Bright’s cavalrymen at almost every turn. + Just around the foot of the stairs the waiter showed him a door. + </p> + <p> + “There it is, sir,” he pointed. + </p> + <p> + Edestone went in and found himself in a room that was almost dark. It was + lighted only by a shaded electric bulb used by the man at the switchboard, + who sat facing the door but hidden from anyone entering by the high + instrument in front of him. Edestone walked over to him, finding him + almost obscured by the huge green shade pulled down over his eyes, and + seemingly very much occupied with both incoming and outgoing calls. + </p> + <p> + “Is there a call for Mr. Edestone?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said the man without looking up from his plugs. “The second + booth from this end, No. 2.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, turning, saw in the dim light a row of booths against the wall + over beyond the door. It was quite dark in that corner, but he could see + that the door of the second booth was open. He went inside, muttering as + he did so, “I think they might give a fellow a little more light.” + </p> + <p> + As he sat down and took up the receiver, he put out his hand to stop the + door from slowly closing, apparently by itself. It was one of those + double-walled, sound-proof, stuffy boxes, and he did not want the door + shut tight, so he put out his foot to hold it open. But he was just a + moment too late. The door shut with a little bang, and when he tried to + open it again, he found that it seemed to have jammed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + </h2> + <p> + Edestone waited. He thought he heard, or rather he felt, a vibration as if + someone were moving in the next booth. He tried the door again, but found + that it held fast. + </p> + <p> + He was about to signal the switchboard operator and tell him to come and + open up the booth, when an, “Are you there, Mr. Edestone?” came to him + from across the wire, and caused him for the moment to forget the + refractory door. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” he answered. “Yes; I am Mr. Edestone. Who is this?” + </p> + <p> + The voice, instead of replying directly, spoke as if to another person + with an aside. “Mr. Edestone is on the wire.” + </p> + <p> + A moment, and then a second voice spoke. “Are you there, Mr. Edestone?” + </p> + <p> + It was not the voice of his friend, and he answered a trifle impatiently: + “Yes. Who are you? Are you speaking for the Marquis of Lindenberry?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not,” came the reply. “And I must apologize for having used his + name.” + </p> + <p> + The voice bore the unmistakable intonation of an English gentleman. + </p> + <p> + “I am the Count Kurtz von Hemelstein. I regret that circumstances compel + me to force myself upon you in this caddish manner. But my duty as a + soldier in the service of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, demands it. + I shall not delay you long, however, if you will only do what I ask.” + </p> + <p> + There was a moment’s pause. Involuntarily Edestone drew back slightly from + the instrument. + </p> + <p> + “Count Kurtz von Hemelstein, did you say?” He spoke with a touch of + sternness. “I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting + you, sir. I did meet a Count Heinrich von Hemelstein last summer.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; that was my brother. He has often spoken of you, Mr. Edestone. If I + am not mistaken, you were rivals for the attention of a pretty, young + matron with a good-natured husband?” + </p> + <p> + “Not rivals, Count von Hemelstein.” Edestone laughed, but under the laugh + he was doing some rapid thinking. “Your brother was the favoured one, and + when the war broke out, and he had to leave for the front, the lady was + almost inconsolable. + </p> + <p> + “But, Count von Hemelstein,” he continued, “what can I do for you? We + Americans, you know, do not always insist upon a formal introduction. As + we say, ‘Any friend of a friend of mine.’” + </p> + <p> + “Also, you are wrong on one point,” said the Count, with a little chuckle. + “I have had the pleasure of meeting you. It was a trifle informal, I must + admit, but you were just as charming as you are now, and I think I am + indebted to you to the amount of several shillings. In the end, you did + leave me rather abruptly, and seemed offended at something I had done; but + I trust you have recovered from that by this time.” Edestone could hear + him laughing heartily. + </p> + <p> + “You have met me?” repeated Edestone, completely mystified. “When and + where?” + </p> + <p> + “Today; in London. Indeed, I am in London now.” + </p> + <p> + “In London, Count von Hemelstein?” Involuntarily Edestone lowered his + voice. “But I say, isn’t that taking a bit of a chance for a German + officer? Where are you speaking from now, may I ask?” + </p> + <p> + The Count was laughing so, that just at first he could not answer; but + after a moment he managed to control his amusement. + </p> + <p> + “I am in the next booth to you,” he said. + </p> + <p> + When he spoke again, his tone had lost all trace of levity and become hard + and direct like that of a man charged with a distasteful duty, yet with + which he was determined not to let his feelings interfere. + </p> + <p> + “In regard to our meeting today,” he said; “I was in disguise. In short, I + was the taxi-driver whom you gave the slip this afternoon by the aid of + that cur, Schmidt. And now, Mr. Edestone, you must realize what it is I + want.” In a more conciliatory tone, he added: “I can see no reason, + however, why we should not settle this matter as between gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Please be more explicit,” returned Edestone, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “In brief, then, I am authorized by my Government to meet, and even double + or quadruple any offer for your invention made by the English Government. + I will take your word of honour. All that you have to do is to say now, on + your word as a gentleman, that you will sell it to my Government, and you + can return to your friends. My Government will then communicate with you, + and close with you at your own price.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I decline the proposition?” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Then I fear I shall be compelled to use force; and much as I may regret + to do so, I will tell you that I am prepared to stop at nothing. + </p> + <p> + “You are now,” he went on, “locked in that solid oak booth, with its + strong double doors, perfectly sound-proof. The operator at the + switchboard is my man. He can by pulling a wire uncork a bottle which is + concealed in your booth and asphyxiate you in one half minute.” + </p> + <p> + But if he had expected the American to show any trepidation as a result of + his threats, he soon found out his mistake. Edestone’s reply was as + insouciant as if he had been merely commenting on the weather. + </p> + <p> + “Really, this is quite interesting, Count von Hemelstein,” he said. “I + might almost call you a man after my own heart. That bottle trick is so + simple and yet effective that I, as an inventor, cannot help but + compliment you. I am wondering just what chemical you have employed. There + are of course a dozen or more that would answer your purpose; but as their + action varies greatly in the effect upon the victim, I am naturally + curious.” + </p> + <p> + “Does that mean that you are about to decline my offer?” demanded the + Count sharply. “Have a care, Mr. Edestone. I am not merely trying to + frighten you, as you may suppose. The facts are just as I have stated + them, and I shall not hesitate to——” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly, my dear Count,” Edestone broke in. “I have never doubted that + for a moment. Nor am I going to refuse your proposition—that is, not + definitely. Instead, I have been so pleased by the charming manner in + which you have presented this little matter that I desire to submit a + counter-proposition. Only, I must beg you to urge your modest friend with + the weak eyes out there at the switchboard to be a little careful with + that wire. Judging from the atmosphere in this booth, his bottle has been + leaking for some time.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, Mr. Edestone.” The Count’s voice rose nervously, showing the + strain under which he was labouring. “I have already told you that this is + no joke. If it is your game to play for time, in the hope that some one + may come to release you, or that you may discover the manner in which the + bottle is secreted, you are going to be disappointed. I must do my work + quickly. If I do not have your answer at once, I will give the signal and + take your instrument away from you by force.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not time I want, but air.” Edestone gave a little gasp. “You + yourself have spent more time than I, with your kind explanations as to + how I may avoid what would be to me a most distressing accident. However, + since celerity is what you want, I hasten to say that I have not my + instrument, nor indeed any instrument with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not with you?” snapped the Prussian angrily. “Where is it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! That is my counter-proposition. Count von Hemelstein, if I promise to + tell you, on my word of honour, where you may find this instrument of mine + that contains the entire secret of my invention—and it is near at + hand where, if you are a brave man, you can easily get it,—if I do + this, will you, on your side, give me your word as a gentleman, that you + will immediately open this booth? + </p> + <p> + “I may add,” he went on, as von Hemelstein seemed to hesitate, “that this + is my last and only proposition, and you can take that or nothing. I will + die here in this box before I will sell my invention to any European + Government; but you may have it as a free gift, Count, if you have the + nerve to go after it. There is a challenge to your boasted Prussian + valour! Are you a sport, Count von Hemelstein, or are you not?” + </p> + <p> + Von Hemelstein wavered no longer. From what Edestone told him, he argued + that the inventor must have left his instrument with some of his + subordinates, probably Black and Stanton, and relied upon them to protect + it; and it stung him to think that the American should believe a German + officer would falter at such odds—a couple of electricians, mere + Yankee artisans. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he growled hoarsely. “I accept your terms. It is a bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “On your honour?” + </p> + <p> + “On my word of honour as a Prussian officer and a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, hurry up and open this door. It is getting stifling in here; + and, besides, Rebener will be growing anxious about me.” + </p> + <p> + “But, first, your information. Where is the instrument?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the instrument?” It was now Edestone’s turn to laugh. “Why, that is + lying on the floor under the table in Mr. Rebener’s dining-room. I dropped + it there, when I came out to answer your telephone call, and I also gave + instructions to the sentries on guard at the door of the apartment to + shoot any one who attempted to pass in or out during my absence. You are + doubtless a brave man, but I do not think you are prepared to tackle a + whole company of British cavalry. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” he concluded, “I have kept to my bargain. Will you kindly open + the door?” + </p> + <p> + A muttered German imprecation, like a snarl of baffled chagrin, was his + only answer. But a moment later the door to his booth swung open, and he + was free. + </p> + <p> + As he stepped out, he found the lights in the room turned on, and the man + at the switchboard gone. He also noticed that the door to the adjoining + booth was shaking, as if someone had just jerked it open and had passed + out hurriedly, and, as he came out into the corridor, he thought he + glimpsed the figure of a man hastily disappearing down the staircase. So + far as any other evidence went, except for his wilted collar and heaving + lungs, the whole experience might have been a dream. + </p> + <p> + He returned quietly to the dinner table, and stooping over, as if to pick + up his napkin, recovered the instrument and slipped it into his trousers + pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” kept staring at him with puzzled, almost + incredulous faces. + </p> + <p> + “Did you find your friend on the wire?” finally ventured “Lord Denton,” + leaning across the table toward him. + </p> + <p> + “No; it was another gentleman speaking for him,” smiled Edestone, “a mere + visitor to England like myself. I took the liberty of asking him to join + us, but he declined. He is, I fancy, leaving the country very shortly—probably + going to Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + A little gasp from behind him caused him to turn in his seat. It came from + the hotel proprietor who, entering the room by the rear door, stood rooted + in amazement at the sight of Edestone, his jaw dropping, his eyes as big + as saucers. + </p> + <p> + Edestone regarded him a moment; then turned to his host. + </p> + <p> + “What silly-looking waiters you have in this hotel, Rebener,” he said. + “That fellow yonder doesn’t appear to have brains enough to be even a + German spy.” + </p> + <p> + The real waiter, overhearing this compliment to his employer, clapped his + hand over his mouth and dived for the pantry, just managing to get through + the swinging door before he exploded. + </p> + <p> + The self-satisfied Bombiadi also overheard, and although he endeavoured to + appear unconscious, a dull red flush crept up over his cheeks, and after + shifting for a moment from one foot to the other, he left the room. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” exchanged glances out of the corners of their + eyes; and Rebener, although he made out to grin at the speech, shifted a + little uneasily in his chair. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone, who, under his quiet exterior, possessed a rather + mischievous spirit, was not yet through with them. + </p> + <p> + “As I was saying when I was called to the telephone,” he leaned across the + table toward the <i>incognito</i> Royal Duke, “the desire of Your Royal + Highness—pardon me, I mean, of ‘Lord Denton’—is of course to + see England victorious in this contest; but that may mean years of + fighting and an appalling loss of men and money. Such true patriots as + yourself and ‘Mr. Karlbeck’ must see that it would be far better to end + the war now, provided that a lasting peace can be ensured, and that I + think I can guarantee with my discovery. I should be delighted, therefore, + to co-operate with you gentlemen to that end, and if you would advocate + the proposition that England allow me to go to Berlin with something to + show that she is willing to enter into <i>pour parlers</i>, I shall bring + pressure to bear on Germany to make some liberal answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton,” however, seemed no longer interested in the matter, and was + unable to concentrate his attention; while “Mr. Karlbeck” made no attempt + to hide the fact that he was disgusted gusted with the evening, and wished + to see it end as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + Rebener, seeing his dinner a failure, although not quite understanding the + cause, like many a nervous host compelled to face a tableful of + distinguished guests who do not hesitate to show that they are bored, did + the silliest thing possible under the circumstances, and drank more than + he should. + </p> + <p> + Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fashion that “Mr. + Karlbeck” looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His Royal + Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone’s attention + from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were thrown out. + </p> + <p> + They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown open, + and some one announced in a loud voice, “The King’s Messenger!” + </p> + <p> + “Karlbeck” and “Lord Denton” sprang to their feet, their faces ashy pale, + as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment later, + Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they both + crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the + starch-pot. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown gathering + between his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was + dining with Mr. Edestone tonight,” he drew himself up stiffly. And it was + in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had inveighed + against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and had loudly urged + that no attention be paid to him or his claims. + </p> + <p> + Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been in + circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen with + the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them here in the + apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, and in conference + with the possessor of the secret which Germany was seeking so eagerly to + obtain? + </p> + <p> + Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, but + turned to Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, has + ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, and I + should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your time.” + </p> + <p> + Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener’s permission, had withdrawn + with him into the salon, he explained that the King had instructed Sir + Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine o’clock and to state + the decision of the Government in answer to the inventor’s proposition. + </p> + <p> + “Will that hour be convenient to you?” asked the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly,” Edestone assented. Then on an impulse, he added: “I do not + leave for the Continent until eleven.” + </p> + <p> + The Equerry extended his hand. “In that case, I shall probably not see you + again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant journey + and good luck when you reach Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a + prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of + gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart’s parting salute, and + returned to the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + There he found the two discomfited members of the nobility just taking + their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was playing + the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and over-loud + manner urging them to stay and “have another.” Wouldn’t they try one of + his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous brandy? + </p> + <p> + But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and + turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although “Mr. + Karlbeck” did consent to gulp down a large glass of Rebener’s very fine + brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal associate. + </p> + <p> + Edestone left almost immediately, and his “guard of honour,” to which he + was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly assembled, he + was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + </h2> + <p> + The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the + occurrences of the evening before at Rebener’s dinner, and Edestone was + surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed concerning all + that had transpired. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole distasteful + episode,” Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash of contempt in + his eye. “His Royal Highness has been relieved of his commission and is in + retirement, and the Duchess of Windthorst together with Princess + Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess Adolph, in Berlin. By these + means, and of course with your silence, upon which he counts, His Majesty + hopes to keep England in ignorance of the fact that such rottenness exists + in his immediate household.” + </p> + <p> + “And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the <i>Ivernia</i> + is in the mire too,” thought Edestone; for it seemed to him that the + King’s order of exile against the Duchess and herself could mean nothing + else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and aversion for the traitor did + not extend to the feminine members of the family. For them he had only + sorrow and sympathy. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a subject, + had taken up the direct purpose of his call. + </p> + <p> + He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of + settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, His + Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the United + States, and after her spies had reported the nature of Edestone’s + reception in London, and especially after the inventor should have had an + interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government might suggest something + which could serve as a basis upon which to open negotiations. In such a + case, His Majesty was of the opinion that Edestone, if he were willing to + undertake the delicate task, would be the most suitable person to act as a + go-between. + </p> + <p> + The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing at + that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, and + that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any proposition + he might bring back. + </p> + <p> + He brought letters to the President of France, General French, General + Joffre, and others, which would guarantee Edestone’s safety up to the + German line; but suggested that it would be well not to show the French + too much, since they were such a volatile nation that they might readily + decide to retire from the field and allow the United States and England to + settle the matter. On account of the long and sincere friendship which had + existed between the French people and those of the United States, France + might feel that she could depend upon the United States to recover her + lost territory, together with Alsace and Lorraine, and that was all she + wanted. + </p> + <p> + In leaving, Sir Egbert, upon behalf of the King, insisted on placing a + torpedo boat at Edestone’s disposal. Then, with the assurance that + anything he might have to communicate to the British Government would be + given most careful consideration, the Foreign Minister bowed himself out. + </p> + <p> + Edestone could not but compare this interview with the one he had held + with Lord Rockstone—the opening gun of his campaign. Verily, + twenty-four hours had made a vast change in the attitude of the British + Cabinet. + </p> + <p> + His journey to Paris was uneventful except for one incident. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the Channel, as he leaned against the rail, gazing back + toward the white cliffs of Dover, he drew the Deionizer from his pocket + and quietly dropped it overboard. With scarcely a splash the little + instrument, for which the warring nations were willing to barter millions + and commit almost any crime, disappeared beneath the waves. + </p> + <p> + He did not, however, intend giving any further demonstration until his + arrival in Berlin, and there he thought he might have a larger and better + one; while, in the meantime, and especially since his encounter with Count + von Hemelstein had shown him how far the Germans were prepared to go, he + did not feel like taking any unnecessary chances. + </p> + <p> + At Calais, he was received by the representative of the President and + other high officials, and when they had seen some of his photographs, and + had heard an outline of his plans, they readily followed the lead of + England in accrediting him as a sort of unofficial peacemaker. Indeed, the + Frenchmen looked upon Edestone as someone almost superhuman—a being + who had come to establish on earth the dream of their philosophers, + “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”—and they gloried in the good fortune + of their sister Republic in having produced and sent to their rescue such + a son. + </p> + <p> + When he left for Berlin, he was conducted to the Swiss frontier like a + conquering hero, and, with prayers that he would be careful while in the + land of the Huns, was turned over to the Swiss Government. The latter also + accorded him every consideration and courtesy; but when he finally left + their outposts behind and arrived on German soil, he found a different + story. + </p> + <p> + Here, he was immediately taken in charge by the frontier military + authorities, and practically held a prisoner for three days under the + excuse that instructions in regard to him had to be asked for from Berlin. + </p> + <p> + He was incensed at the petty annoyances to which he was subjected by his + jailer, a fat old German martinet. + </p> + <p> + Under one pretext or another he and his men were constantly being + interrogated, and his baggage, which they insisted upon opening, was + thoroughly and repeatedly searched. + </p> + <p> + When they discovered among other things something that suggested a + miniature wireless plant, they would not let him or any of his men out of + their sight. His letters were so strong, however, that they would not dare + to do anything with him without instructions. + </p> + <p> + He let it be known that he had absolutely nothing hidden on his person by + taking off all of his clothes and going to bed, and would apparently sleep + while watching the spies go through them. They seemed to enjoy this little + game so much that he would sometimes play it once or twice a day, varying + it by taking a bath or having James give him massage. + </p> + <p> + They never seemed to suspect that he was playing with them, but would + stand around and pounce down on his clothes, each time searching them + thoroughly as if they had discovered something entirely new, when they had + just turned the same things inside out within an hour. + </p> + <p> + While waiting here, too, he came to learn how intensely bitter was the + feeling against Americans among Germans of all classes. They regarded + themselves as superior beings, he found, and when they first noted his + splendid physique, would not believe but that he must have German blood in + his veins. When he convinced them, however, that he was of pure + Anglo-Saxon stock, Virginia bred—a thorough-paced “Yankee,” as they + called it—even the peasants treated him as the dirt beneath their + feet. + </p> + <p> + But at last word came from the German General Staff. He was “sealed, + stamped, and marked, ‘not to be opened until after delivery in Berlin.’” + He was shown greater consideration now; but it was a consideration which + rather unpleasantly reminded him of that shown by the keeper to a + condemned prisoner in presenting him with his new clothes in which to be + executed. + </p> + <p> + He and his men and all his belongings—the latter carefully listed in + triplicate—were put into a private car, and locked in, like a rich + American with the smallpox whom they were sending out of the country; + while, to add to his comfort, he was told that Count von Hemelstein was to + act as his escort. + </p> + <p> + As they started on the journey, Edestone had an opportunity of seeing in + his true character for the first time the man whom he had so cleverly + outwitted in the telephone booth, and he found it hard work to identify + the smart cavalry officer as the grimy London taxi-driver of a few days + before. + </p> + <p> + The Count was a big, splendid-looking fellow, who rather affected an + American manner in order to hide the fact that he had been educated both + at school and college in England. Without his uniform, he would have been + taken anywhere for an Englishman, blond, blue-eyed giant that he was, with + as beautiful a moustache and as winning a smile as was ever given to the + hero of a love story. He wore the uniform of a Colonel of Uhlans, which + well set off his handsome figure. In fact, he was as noble-looking an + Uhlan as ever, either before or after marriage, broke the heart of a rich + brewer’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Delighted to meet you again, Mr. Edestone,” he grasped the American’s + hand, with a hearty laugh. “Ever since our last encounter, I have been + wanting the opportunity of asking how you knew that I would keep my word + and release you, when you divulged to me the whereabouts of your + instrument there in the telephone booth? Didn’t you realize that, by + ‘putting you out,’ and then having the switchboard man raise an alarm, I + could in the resultant confusion, easily have secured the instrument?” + </p> + <p> + “But I also realized that I was dealing with a soldier, not a burglar; and + I took a chance,” said Edestone with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the Colonel, “now that you are safe in Germany what + difference does it make? We mean to keep you here.” + </p> + <p> + “The United States might have something to say to that,” suggested + Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “The United States? Bah! One more country to fight; what difference would + it make to Germany, especially one that could make so little showing? You + have no army. Your navy could do no more than England is already doing. We + are at present cut off from your supplies as much as if we were at war + with you. Finally, the German-Americans would put the brakes on you, now + that another Presidential election is approaching. + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Edestone,” he shook his head triumphantly; “you are making a bad + mistake, if you are relying on the protection of the United States, now + that you have stuck your head into the tiger’s mouth.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I understand, Count von Hemelstein, that Germany proposes to hold me a + prisoner? Are you telling me that she would dare do such a thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, do not put it so crudely.” The Count raised his hand a trifle + mockingly. “Let us say, rather, that we expect you to become so convinced + of the righteousness of our cause that you will gladly turn over your + instrument and render us any other aid you can toward the crushing of our + enemies.” + </p> + <p> + The smile faded from his lips, and for a moment he, “showed his teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “Take my advice, my friend,” he said sharply. “Don’t try to frighten the + Wilhelmstrasse with your moving pictures and your covert threats of + intervention by the United States as you did at Buckingham Palace. We are + made of sterner stuff here. We know the nature of your invention, and just + what you can accomplish with it; and our gifted men of science are now + hard at work in the effort to duplicate your achievement. + </p> + <p> + “My brother brought back word a year ago,” he disclosed, “that you were + building a super-dreadnought 907 feet long, 90 feet beam, 35 feet draught, + 40,000 tons displacement. We also know that you are now working full blast + night and day at your ‘Little Place in the Country.’ We know about the + tricks you played with that flunkey in your audience with the King. A hint + to us Germans is all that is needed. + </p> + <p> + “We know further,” he went on in a sterner voice, “the sentiments of love + and devotion toward England that you expressed to the English King, and we + know the tenor of the answer that was returned to your proposition. + </p> + <p> + “But do you imagine that you can come here, sir, and dictate terms to our + Emperor, or arrange a peace for us, which would mean anything less than + the absolute humbling of England? Do you think we would run the slightest + risk of letting this invention of yours fall into England’s hands? + </p> + <p> + “Your question was expressed very undiplomatically, Mr. Edestone, for one + who is arrogating to himself the prerogatives of an envoy and ambassador. + Nations in speaking to one another use language that is lighter than + fairy’s thought, and sweeter than a baby’s dream, but more deadly than a + pestilence. But I will answer you on this occasion just as bluntly and + baldly. + </p> + <p> + “We do propose to hold you virtually a prisoner on German soil until such + time as our men of science have completed their labours. If they succeed + in solving the secret of your discovery, we shall be ready to try + conclusions with the United States, and shall deal with you personally as + may seem most advisable, dragging you by force from the very Embassy + itself, if you attempt to take refuge there. If, on the other hand, our + men of science fail, your position will be in no way preferable. We will + simply compel you to disclose your secret to us, and, as I told you once + before, we stop at nothing to gain our ends. Your best plan, therefore, + and I believe I am your sincere friend when I tell you this, is to sell to + my Government at once.” + </p> + <p> + A slightly amused smile flitted over Edestone’s lips from time to time as + he listened; but when he spoke it was quite seriously. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt,” he said, “that everything you tell me is absolutely + true. Germany is undoubtedly thorough, whether her thoroughness take the + form of the destruction of Louvain, or of sewing two buttons where only + one is needed on the trousers of her soldiers. But I pity her for not + finding a larger way to gain her ends in the first place, and for her + conceit in thinking that a lot of little thoughts and extra buttons when + added together make a great nation. Germany may know exactly how many gold + and how many amalgam fillings there are in the teeth of the German army, + but she does not know that thousands of men leave Germany and come to the + United States simply because they do not want their teeth counted. Germany + may know what I have done and am doing at my place on the Hudson, but she + does not know that she has so incensed me by her methods of obtaining this + information that it were better for her if she had never known, or you so + boastful as to have told me of it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” and he spoke almost with the fervour of an inspired prophet; + “Germany may know her alphabet of war from end to end, forward and + backward, but she does not know that she and it are doomed to destruction, + because she thinks that she can drive the intelligent modern world with a + spear, as her forefathers did the wild beasts of the Black Forest.” + </p> + <p> + Von Hemelstein started and laid his hand indignantly to the hilt of his + sword. His instructions to bring Edestone safely to Berlin alone prevented + him from punishing then and there such insult to his country and his + Emperor. + </p> + <p> + “My orders prevent me from killing you!” he said hoarsely, as he + straightened up and, drawing his heels together with a click, turned and + stalked away. + </p> + <p> + He took a seat at the other side of the car, and as if utterly oblivious + that such a creature as Edestone existed, produced and deliberately + adjusted the two parts of a very long and handsome cigarette holder, and + with much straining of his very tight uniform restored the case to the + place provided by law for its concealment on his glittering person. He + then took out his cigarette case, and after selecting a cigarette, he + gently tapped it on the gold cover, glaring all the time quite through and + beyond the unspeakable American. With more absurd contortions the + cigarette case was disposed of, and matches produced. Then, stretching out + his beautiful patent-leather boots, he finally lighted his cigarette. + </p> + <p> + He took a deep inhalation, and blew from the very bottom of his lungs a + thin cloud of smoke in Edestone’s direction, while with much rattling he + unfolded a newspaper, and pretended to read it. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who was with difficulty keeping a straight face, sat all this + time solemnly watching him with the expression of a schoolgirl looking at + her matinee idol at about the juncture in the last act when that hero puts + on his kingly robes which have been hidden for a hundred years in the moth + closet of his twenty-story apartment house on upper Riverside Drive. + </p> + <p> + When the Count finally peeped cautiously over the top of his paper to see + what effect he was producing, he felt almost tempted to applaud and blow + him a kiss. + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein,” he said lazily, when finally the Prussian had put + down his paper, and was sitting glaring in front of him, “I was just + thinking what a stunning book-cover you would make for a cheap novel, or + how many thousands of bottles of beer your picture would sell in Hoboken. + Hoboken, you know, is the headquarters of the German-American standing + army, and your second largest naval base. Or you might serve as——” + </p> + <p> + He halted in some anxiety, for it seemed as if the Count were about to + choke to death. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + </h2> + <p> + They sat this way for some time, Edestone looking thoughtfully out of the + car window and rather disgusted with himself for having lessened his + dignity in the eyes of the other man. + </p> + <p> + He was broad enough to be able to put himself in von Hemelstein’s place. + He knew that by birth, education, and example the man’s attitude to him, + in fact to the rest of the world, was that of a superior being looking + down upon those immeasurably beneath him. For him, a Prussian nobleman, to + be spoken to in this way by one of a lower sphere was bad enough, but when + that one was of the very lowest of spheres, an American, it was acute + pain. He looked upon Edestone as a low comedian rather than as a gentleman + in the hands of a chivalrous enemy, which the officer considered himself + to be. + </p> + <p> + Edestone himself felt no resentment but the sort of pity that he would + feel for one who was born with an hereditary weakness that he could no + more control than the colour of his eyes. He was as sorry as he would have + been, had he been guilty of laughing at the irregularity of another man’s + teeth which were not so perfect as his own. + </p> + <p> + He got up and walked slowly over toward his travelling companion. The + handsome warrior quickly let his hand fall to his loaded automatic as if + he expected to be attacked, but when he saw Edestone standing quietly + before him, and with a rather sad smile on his face, he turned back to his + reading and refused to look up, even after Edestone had begun to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, Count von Hemelstein,” said the inventor, “to have offended + you, and I beg that you will accept my most humble apology. We Americans, + I fear, are too much inclined to let our sense of humour run away with + us.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier raised his eyes with a threatening look, not knowing but that + Edestone was still poking fun at him, or else, fearing the consequences of + his rashness, was trying to ingratiate himself with his jailer. But after + that glance at Edestone’s face he felt confident that his apology was + sincere. The Prussian’s pride was too deeply wounded, however, for him to + give in at once. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad, Mr. Edestone,” he replied stiffly, “that you realize that it + is not customary to speak lightly of Germany in the presence of one of her + officers.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” exclaimed Edestone, “it was extremely bad taste for me to + criticize a civilization so much older than my own, but you will,” he + smiled, “forgive the cowboy I am sure when he tells you he is sorry.” Then + seeing by the expression of the officer’s face that he had won the day: + “Come now, Count von Hemelstein, let’s be friends. I would not have liked + you had you not resented my remarks, and I was a cad to take advantage of + your absolutely defenceless position.” + </p> + <p> + The Count broke out into a hearty laugh, and jumping up took Edestone’s + extended hand. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans,” he vowed, all traces of his ill-feeling gone, “are the + most remarkable chaps. I never saw a cowboy, but if they are anything like + you they must be descended from some branch of the Hohenzollern family.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I cannot claim that distinction,” laughed Edestone; “but I think + perhaps there are many cowboys who if they knew and knowing cared to could + boast of as distinguished a lineage. Did you ever breed dogs, Count? Well, + if you have, you would know that the good points of the champion do not + always appear in the oldest son of the oldest son, but spring up where we + least expect to find them. And so it is I think with men; the good points + are in the blood and will appear long after the man has lost his family + tree. Sometimes they appear in individuals who show so strongly the traits + of the champion that they scorn the existence of musty documents to tell + them who they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Mr. Edestone, you do not believe in our method of keeping our best + blood where it belongs—at the top?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do most thoroughly approve of some of your methods. They are + perhaps the best that have yet been devised, but you have not yet found + the true method of following the centre of the stream. You sometimes dip + from an eddy, simply because you believe that at some time it might have + been in the middle, and you allow the deep dark red torrent to carry its + saturated solution by you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone,” the Count smiled, “whether you are descended from a + cowboy king or a business baron, you are deuced good company. I am glad + that if I am to be cooped up here for two days it is with you instead of + some conceited English duke, whose English grandfather was a fool and + whose American grandfather was a knave—oh, I beg pardon. I am like + poor little Alice in Wonderland when she was talking with the mouse. I + seem always to insist upon talking about cats.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Mr. Edestone, that you have been such a brick and apologized to + me, I shall have to admit that I was rather rude in what I said to you. I + think that the German Government has every intention of treating you + fairly, and if you will only listen to reason, you will find that they are + as anxious to bring this war to a close as is the United States. I know, + however, that Germany intends to have her fair share of the earth; we are + righting for our national existence, and we will not, and in fact we + cannot afford to, stop at anything. If you really do not intend to sell + your invention to any of the countries of Europe, you can at least use + your influence with the United States to keep out of this muss, and let us + settle our little difficulties in our own way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone became serious. “My sole object, Count von Hemelstein,” he said, + “is to stop this war and settle these ‘little difficulties,’ as you call + them, without further loss of life. If your Government will allow me to + take back to England some assurance that it is now willing to discuss a + settlement, I know that my Government will keep out of the discussion.” + </p> + <p> + The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stopping of the + train at a station where the Count said he expected to take on the lunch + baskets. With a comfortable lunch between them, and a bottle of wine to + divide, they soon forgot their differences and laughed and joked like old + friends. + </p> + <p> + “It is a great pity, Mr. Edestone,” said the Uhlan, “that you are not a + German. I am sure the Kaiser would like you. He might even make you a + Count, and then you could marry some woman of rank and with all your money + you could be one of the greatest swells in Europe. He might make you an + officer, too, so that you could wear a uniform and carry the decorations + which he would confer upon you. Then when Americans came over to Kiel in + their big yachts, you could tell the Emperor which were the real cowboy + families and which were the Knickerbocker noblemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is exactly what I was thinking about you, Count von + Hemelstein,” Edestone chuckled. “If you would only come over to America I + would get you a nice position in one of our large department stores, where + your knowledge of German would be of the greatest assistance to you and + soon put you at the top. Your German-Jew boss would invite you to his + palace at Long Branch to dinner some night before a holiday and you would + meet his beautiful daughter. She would take you into the big parlour, + which would be open that night, and say to all her friends: ‘I want you to + shake hands with Count von Hemelstein, who is head salesman in Pa’s M. + & D. Department.’ And she would be corrected by Ma, who would say: + ‘No, dearie, you mean the M. & W. Department.’ + </p> + <p> + “With your military training you would, by this time, have undoubtedly + become a second lieutenant in one of our exclusive National Guard + regiments, and after marrying ‘Dearie,’ you would come over to Germany and + visit me at one of my castles on the Rhine. I would now have gambled away + my entire fortune, and my son, the Baron von Edestone, would marry + ‘Dearie’s’ daughter.” + </p> + <p> + So they passed the time with good-humoured chaffing, carefully avoiding + more serious subjects, and when they reached Berlin they had become fast + friends. + </p> + <p> + But as the train pulled into the German capital the Count leaned forward a + trifle persuasively. “Now, Mr. Edestone,” he said, “we have had a deuced + good time together, and to tell the truth I am sorry to turn you over + because I do not believe these old fellows on the General Staff will + understand you as I do, but don’t be an ass, I beg of you, and stand up + against these wise old chaps. Do what they want you to do—they know + better than you how to handle this complicated European situation. You + will get no thanks for your trouble if you do not, and you may get your + fingers rapped or even pretty severely pinched. My orders are to see you + to some comfortable hotel, any that you may select. I would suggest the + Hotel Adlon as perhaps the most comfortable. + </p> + <p> + “After that I am to take you to call on General von Lichtenstein, who will + hear what you have to say, and if in his judgment you should go higher he + will pass you on.” + </p> + <p> + “I am to see nothing more of you?” asked Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “My duty finishes when General von Lichtenstein takes you up. You will, of + course, be watched and your every movement will be recorded, but that will + not be my duty, nor here in Berlin will you be at all annoyed by it. Now + that you are in Germany, you will be looked upon as a friend and treated + accordingly, unless you are found not to be. I have given you my card, and + I will take great pleasure in introducing you at the clubs or helping you + in any way so long as it is consistent with my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “You are extremely kind, and I appreciate it very much, Count von + Hemelstein.” + </p> + <p> + “Now above all things,” warned the Count, and his tone was very + impressive, “if by any chance you should be ordered to appear before His + Imperial Majesty, please be careful what you say. You have said things to + me in the last two days which, understanding you as I do, I could + overlook, but I would no more think of repeating them while you are in + Germany than I would think of flying. They were not of a nature that would + make it my duty to report them, but they might get you into no end of + trouble. For instance, you would not be so foolish as to intimate that the + Hohenzollern family is not in the middle of the ‘big stream.’” He smiled + in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + Then as the train rolled into the station he took Edestone’s hand and + said: “<i>Auf wiedersehen</i>, my friend. I must now assume my other role + of your escort of honour. Speak German,” he suggested quickly as the + guards came into the car; “you will be less apt to be annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was conducted hastily through the station, where automobiles + waited to whisk him and his entire party off to the hotel. At his request, + the trunks containing all his apparatus were sent to the American Embassy. + He was not as familiar with Berlin as he was with the other capitals of + Europe, but if he had not known that Germany was engaged in a most + desperate war, and millions of her sons were being sacrificed, there was + nothing that he saw as he rushed through the city that would have + suggested it. + </p> + <p> + He was received at the hotel with extreme politeness, but it was the + politeness that was insulting. The proprietor, waiters, and even the + bell-boys treated him with poorly concealed contempt, and though he spoke + to them in perfect German, would always answer in English, as if to show + him that they knew he was of that despised race. + </p> + <p> + Count von Hemelstein left him with the understanding that he would call + for him in the morning and conduct him to General von Lichtenstein. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + </h2> + <p> + That afternoon, Edestone took occasion to call at the American Embassy, + where he found that Ambassador Gerard, broken down by the strain of the + first few months of the war, during which he had accomplished such + wonderful work, had been forced to go to Wiesbaden for a rest. + </p> + <p> + The Ambassador had left in charge Mr. William Jones, First Secretary of + Legation, who with his wife was occupying the Embassy and representing the + United States. The doctors had warned the Secretary that the Ambassador’s + condition was such that he must have absolute quiet, and that he should + under no circumstances be troubled or even communicated with in regard to + affairs of state. Jones was, therefore, to all intents and purposes the + Ambassador. + </p> + <p> + This suited Edestone’s plans perfectly, for Jones was only a few years + older than himself and he had known him intimately since boyhood. + </p> + <p> + His friend received him with almost the delight of a man who has been + marooned on a desert island and was pining for the sight of a friendly + face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, Jack,” he said, “what foolish thing is this that you are up + to now? We have received the most extraordinary instructions from the + State Department—I gather that the Secretary of State has either + lost his mind or that you have got him under a spell, and then with your + hypnotic power have suggested that he order us to do things which we could + not do in peace times and which are simply out of the question now. Don’t + you people over home understand that these Germans, from the Kaiser to the + lowest peasant, are all in such an exalted state of Anglophobia that they + regard everyone with distrust, and are especially suspicious of us. My + advice to you, as Lawrence would say,”—referring to one of his + under-secretaries, a college mate and intimate friend of Edestone’s,—“is + to ‘can that high-brow stuff’ and come down to earth.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, speaking for myself as your friend, I advise you to go and see + General von Lichtenstein, whom you will find a delightful old gentleman + but as wise as Solomon’s aunt. Talk to him like a sweet little boy, and + then come back to the Legation and stop with us while you see something of + the war. I can take you to within one hundred and fifty miles of the + firing line and show you the crack regiments of Germany looking as happy + and sleek as if they were merely out for one of the yearly manoeuvres. I + would have difficulty, though, in showing you any of the wounded, as they + are very careful to see that we are not offended by any of the horrors + that one reads of in the American papers.” + </p> + <p> + “Berlin is being forced to fiddle, eh, while Germany is burning?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she suggests the hysterical condition of Paris just before the Reign + of Terror, while I, like Benjamin Franklin, in ‘undertaker’s clothes’ in + the midst of barbaric splendour, wait for the inevitable.” + </p> + <p> + “Is your face, like his, ‘as well known as that of the moon’?” asked + Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but a thing to be insulted, not like his to be painted on the lids + of snuff-boxes, as souvenirs for kings. + </p> + <p> + “Or if that does not amuse you, Mrs. Jones can introduce you to some of + the prettiest girls you ever saw.” + </p> + <p> + “Big, strong, fat, and healthy, I suppose, with red faces looking as if + they had just been washed with soap and water.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then we might have some golf, and if you will give me half a + stroke, I will play you $5 a hole and $50 on the game. Or if that is too + rich for your blood, I will play you dollar Nassau. In fact, Jack, I will + do anything to get this foolish idea out of your head. These people can’t + see a joke at any time, but to try one now might put you into a very + serious if not dangerous position. Now you go along and see Lawrence, as I + have to look after some American refugees who are waiting in the outer + office. You will dine with us tonight, of course.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence Stuyvesant, to whom the Secretary had referred, appeared at the + door at that moment and beckoned to Edestone. He was one of those + irrepressible Americans, born with an absolute lack of respect for + anything that suggested convention, at home in any company and showing + absolutely no preference. He would be found joking with the stokers in the + engine room when he might be walking with the Admiral on the quarter-deck, + flirting with a deaf old Duchess when he might be supping with the leader + of the ballet. With a sense of humour that would have made his fortune on + the stage, he spoke half-a-dozen languages and a dozen dialects. He could + imitate the Kaiser or give a Yiddish dialect to a Chinaman. Light-hearted + to a fault, he would make a joke at anyone’s expense, preferably his own. + An entertaining chap, but a rolling stone that could roll up hill or skip + lightly over the surface of a placid lake with equal facility. He had + already run through two considerable fortunes, and had been almost + everything from a camel driver to a yacht’s captain. Now he imagined + himself to be a diplomat. + </p> + <p> + “Behold the dreamer cometh,” he said in Yiddish dialect as Edestone + approached, and grasping the inventor by both hands, dragged him into the + other room, and began to ask questions so fast that a Chicago reporter, + had he heard, would have died of sheer mortification. + </p> + <p> + After he had gotten all the information that he could pump, pull, and + squeeze out of Edestone, he shook his head discouragingly. + </p> + <p> + “I am darn glad to see you, old chap,” he said, “but I am sorry to hear + that you have come over to try and reason with this bunch of nuts. Don’t + you know they are so damn conceited that if you were to tell them that + every time you look at a German you see two men, they would believe you; + and then as if they hated to lie to themselves, they would say perhaps it + was an optical illusion. Tell them that God did not create anyone but the + Germans and that he left the rest of the world to the students in his + office, and they will give you a smile of assent.” Edestone smiled + indulgently. “Tell them that when the Kaiser frowns every wheel in the + United States stops and refuses to move until reassured by the German + papers that it is but the frown of an indulgent father and not the thunder + of their future War Lord, and they will give a knowing look. Tell them + that only German is taught in our public schools, and that any child who + does not double-cross himself at the mention of the name of any of the + North German Lloyd steamers is taken out and shot, and they will say, ‘Ach + so?’ + </p> + <p> + “But just you pull something about what a hit Brother Henry made in the + United States, especially with the navy, and what a swell chance he would + have of being elected Admiral when Dewey resigns, then look out! Get under + your umbrella and sit perfectly still until the storm passes. Keep well + down in the trenches and don’t expose anything that you do not want sent + to the cleaners. For when one of these Dutchmen begins to splutter, there + is nothing short of the U-29 that can stand the tidal wave of beer and + sauerkraut which has been lying in wait for some unsuspecting neutral in + their flabby jowls like nuts in a squirrel’s cheek. They back-fire, skip, + short-circuit, and finally blow up, and if you don’t throw on a bucket or + two of flattery quick, you’ve got a duel on your hands, which for an + American in this country means that you get it going and coming.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, knowing Lawrence well, took what he said largely as a joke; but + from his own observations and from what Jones had told him he felt + convinced that there did not exist the kindest feeling for Americans in + Berlin. Brushing all this aside, he turned to Lawrence with a businesslike + air: + </p> + <p> + “Where are the trunks that I sent to the Embassy?” he asked. “Have they + got here yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Down in the basement,” Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I’d like to get something out of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why look at me?” inquired Lawrence. “I’m no baggage smasher.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a pity you’re not,” rejoined Edestone. “You would be better at that + than you are at diplomacy. However, all I want is for you to have someone + show me where they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Fred, show the King of America where his royal impedimenta await his + royal pleasure,” Lawrence directed a young man with the manners of a + Bowery boy, who appeared in answer to his summons. + </p> + <p> + With him Edestone went down to the trunks and took from one of them a + small receiving instrument with a dial attachment similar to the one on + top of the Deionizer, which he had dropped into the Channel. Then after a + few words with his other friends in the Embassy, he went back to the + hotel. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Count von Hemelstein called, and it was quite like + meeting an old friend. Edestone was really sorry when, the Count leaving + him at the door of General Headquarters said: “This is where I turn you + over to my superiors. These are times that try men’s souls, and you are + now dealing with men who must win.” + </p> + <p> + They had arrived on the stroke of the hour, and Edestone was quickly taken + in charge and shown without a moment’s delay into the presence of General + von Lichtenstein. The General was a man whose age was impossible to tell. + He was over sixty, but how much over one found it hard to estimate. He was + erect and rather thin, and he wore his uniform with the care of a much + younger man. The lines about his mouth and chin, which are such a sure + index, were hidden by a full beard, white as snow and rather long. His + high forehead was half covered by a huge shock of hair, also perfectly + white, which was parted neatly on the side. His steel-blue eyes, looking + out through a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, were bright, but were set so + far back under his heavy brows that they looked very old, very wise, and + almost mysterious. + </p> + <p> + When Edestone was brought into the room without any form of introduction, + the General rose and greeted him in the most kind and fatherly manner. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Mr. Edestone,” he said in English with a marked accent. “I + am very glad to see you,” and, putting out his hand with an air of simple + kindness as if to lead him to a chair, he said: “Won’t you sit down, sir? + </p> + <p> + “You must not mind if I treat you like a boy,” he went on with a gentle + smile; “you are about the age of my own son who was killed at Ypres. I am + too old to fight any more, so they keep me here to entertain distinguished + strangers like yourself,” and he laughed quietly to himself, looking at + Edestone as he might at a little boy whom he had just told that he had on + a very pretty suit of clothes. + </p> + <p> + He picked up from his desk, a box of very large cigars, selected two, and, + after looking very carefully at one to see that it was absolutely perfect, + handed it without a word to Edestone. After he had watched with great + interest to see that Edestone had lighted his cigar properly, he lighted + his own. + </p> + <p> + “I see by the way you smoke that you are a good judge of tobacco. I have + always understood that you Americans like very fresh cigars and smoke them + immediately after they are made. I like them old myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You are thinking of Cuba, perhaps,” suggested Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is true,” admitted the old gentleman. “The Americans live in the + United States and you do not allow the other inhabitants of the hemisphere + to the north or to the south of you to use that name. You are perfectly + right; you are—what do you call it?—the boss,” and again he + smiled his gentle smile. + </p> + <p> + “I get all my cigars from England,” he continued. “The English and I have + very similar tastes—in cigars. I have a very old friend, Professor + Weibezhal, who lives in England, and he sends them over to me. I just + received these a few days ago. He is not having a very good time over + there now, he writes me. He can’t get what he wants to eat, and he says he + misses his German beer.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone could scarcely realize that he was sitting in General + Headquarters, the very heart of German militarism, talking to General von + Lichtenstein, the most powerful and astute man in all Europe. But for the + German accent and magnificent uniform it might have been in the Union Club + in New York, and he himself talking to a very nice, rather simple-minded + old gentleman, who was flattered by the attention of a younger man. + </p> + <p> + After the General had inquired about a friend of his who lived in America—he + said he did not know exactly where, not in New York, but some town near + there, Cincinnati or perhaps St. Louis. This struck Edestone as strange + when he thought of the springs on his father’s old place which were marked + on a German map that he had seen, although he himself did not know of + their existence, and he had spent his entire childhood roaming all over + it. + </p> + <p> + Finally, when he had told him one or two stories about an American woman + whom he had been quite fond of when he was a young man, the General said + in a most apologetic manner: + </p> + <p> + “Now I must not keep you. I suppose you would like to go out with some of + the younger officers and see something of this war, now that you are over + here. Or, by the way, it was about some discovery or invention you have + made that you called to see me, was it not? What is this invention, tell + me, and exactly what is it that you want the German Government to do? If + you will explain to me and I can understand, I will be glad to help you in + any way I can. Of course you know that I am a very small part of the + German Empire. I am, however, in a position to bring your wishes to those + who are above me and are all-powerful.” + </p> + <p> + Then, while Edestone explained to him everything in regard to his mission + except the actual construction of the Deionizer, the old General sat + quietly smoking, smiling occasionally and listening with the attention + that a man might show who was being told of an improvement in some machine + in which he had no personal interest but was glad to be enlightened, + although up to that time the matter had been something he had never + thought much about. + </p> + <p> + He would now and then say, “How very interesting!” “Can that be possible?” + “Is that so?” Not even when Edestone described the pictures shown to the + King of England did he manifest any feeling except that of kindly interest + in a most charming young man, who was taking a great deal of trouble to + explain his youthful hopes to a rather slow-thinking old one. + </p> + <p> + He allowed Edestone to talk on, not even interrupting him, to ask a single + question, and when the visitor had finished by expressing the hope that he + might be instrumental in bringing the war to a close, General von + Lichtenstein replied with apparent sincerity: + </p> + <p> + “I really see no reason why you should not. You are a brilliant inventor, + apparently a hard worker, and above all you seem willing to give your + talents to the world for the benefit of your fellow-men. The only thing + that you lack is age and experience. I am not an inventor, I cannot work + hard any more, and I am not known as a philanthropist, but I have age and + I have experience, so I think that you and I might make a good + combination. Leave this to me, and I think I can show you how all that you + wish to accomplish can be accomplished, if not exactly in your way, in a + way which I think you will agree with me is a better way. Whereas I should + not dare to speak for His Imperial Majesty, the Kaiser, I believe I am + perfectly safe in saying that he will see you and inspect your + photographs, drawings, and anything else that you may wish to show him. I + will see him and let you know when and where.” + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand on Edestone’s shoulder and walked with him as far as the + door. + </p> + <p> + “You are a fine young fellow,” he said with a hearty grasp of the hand as + he bade him goodbye, “and all you want is an old head on your broad young + shoulders. Let the old man help you, and everything will be all right.” + </p> + <p> + When Edestone was on the outside and thought over all that the General had + said, he would have been delighted with the turn things had taken had he + not been warned by Jones and did he not recall what Count von Hemelstein + had said. + </p> + <p> + Being so straightforward himself, he could not understand deceit in + others, and when he recalled the almost inspired expression on the kind + old gentleman’s face when he spoke of his son so recently killed in + battle, he could not bring himself to believe that this was the trained + diplomat of iron who covered with that gentle exterior a determination to + crush and kill anything that came between him and the accomplishment of + the great purpose, the great cause to which he had gladly sacrificed his + first-born and the heir to his name and title. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly noon, Greenwich time, now, so Edestone hurried back to his + hotel to receive from “Specs” the daily signal: “Awaiting orders. All is + well.” + </p> + <p> + With the forethought of a good general he wished to be prepared for any + emergency, and when the needle of the receiver, which he had taken from + the trunk at the Embassy, recorded the reassuring message, Edestone + thoroughly satisfied with the work of the morning returned to the Embassy + to keep his appointment with Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + </h2> + <p> + Lawrence was on the lookout for him when he arrived at the Embassy, and + conducted him at once to his own private quarters, where they could be + absolutely alone. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Lawrence,” said Edestone, when they had made themselves comfortable, + “I want your assistance. Are you game?” + </p> + <p> + “Well I ask you, you old simp! Did you not initiate me, in my freshman + year, in the Ki Ki Ki, and do you think that I have forgotten the oath + that I took while sitting with my naked back within a foot of a red-hot + stove, my fingers in a bucket of red ink, and you branding me with a lump + of ice?” He went through with some ridiculous gesticulations to prove the + honours that had been bestowed upon him. + </p> + <p> + “I know, old man, but this is no college boy performance. Before you + commit yourself I want you to understand that you are running great + danger. Besides, I don’t think that the Acting Ambassador would exactly + approve, as it might involve the United States. Desperate situations, + though, have to be met sometimes with desperate measures.” + </p> + <p> + “Yours is a noble heart, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and the child is safe + in the hands of Jack Hathaway, the Boy Scout. Go on, I listen. Your story + interests me strangely,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone paid no attention to this, but went on in the same manner: “I can + assure you that, except as a last resort, you will not be called on to do + anything that will be an actual violation of our neutrality, and not even + then until I have obtained the permission of the Secretary of the Embassy. + But from now on, Lawrence, you will be looked upon with great suspicion, + and you may have trouble explaining yourself out of a German prison, if + not from in front of a firing squad.” He eyed the younger man keenly as if + questioning whether or not he could rely upon him, and upon seeing this, + Lawrence altered his light tone and for once spoke soberly. + </p> + <p> + “Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, while + I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the level, so + what’s the use of saying anything more. I’m with you. What is it you + want?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, take me up on the roof,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Bo, is that all?” + </p> + <p> + “Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run for + your money, so for Heaven’s sake do be serious.” + </p> + <p> + The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, + and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the + elevator shaft, was unencumbered. + </p> + <p> + Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care. He + found as he expected a small free space over the machinery which was + entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of the + car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by climbing + over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly dark inside + and one could remain there for days without being discovered. + </p> + <p> + After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined the + tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were waving + from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the edge of the + roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at the city + below. He seemed to be establishing his bearings, but seeing one of the + soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Embassy, he stepped back + quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Come below,” he drew Lawrence back. “We must not be seen.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be some + real excitement, led the way back to his apartments. + </p> + <p> + “Little did I think,” said Edestone with a smile when they were once more + settled, “when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on board the + <i>Storm Queen</i>, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of the + information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument and + one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am calling + on you now.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” cried Lawrence. “I am the best little sparker that ever sent an S. + O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on my + back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as for a + catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of toast.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Edestone with a laugh; “as your references from your + last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my + trunks, did you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the one marked ‘Black,’ there is a small wireless instrument. + The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get + through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do not + know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be both of + but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they are + welcome. Still, on Jones’s account, I want them not to know that I am + sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this instrument + is in the Embassy. I want you to install it in the penthouse above the + drum, and I will assure you that if I ask you to send out my two messages, + it will not be until after Jones has given his consent. Do you think that + you can do this?” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence pondered for some moments. “Of course I can send the messages, + and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting the + Secretary know or keeping the damn German servants from catching on I + don’t quite see.” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any + person can run it by pushing the button. All you have to do then is to + unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have + adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of the + elevator car?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians in + America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you how. In + the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine——” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, come now!” said Lawrence. “I suppose you are going to tell me + next that you’ve got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are going + to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that’s no merry jest; we + haven’t seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Lawrence, I’m not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a + moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, + and I propose to give a show right here in the Embassy. I will ask the + Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I can + keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get Black, who + will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run him up to the + top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the rest, and all you + will have to do after that is to see that he gets down before I turn up + the lights, when your absence might be remarked. Isn’t that simple + enough?” + </p> + <p> + “But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time comes?” + asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages at + all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps it’s + just as well that you can’t get up there without my assistance.” + </p> + <p> + Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his + strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful + machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said: + </p> + <p> + “You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go ‘round, or + else you’d be sending messages off to a lot of girls. + </p> + <p> + “Now, make haste,” he directed, “send for the trunk marked ‘Black.’” + </p> + <p> + With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and Edestone + having tested Lawrence’s knowledge, and explained to him again exactly + what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for him to know + about the code that was to be used. + </p> + <p> + A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Ambassador, he wanted + to know what they had been up to. “Has Lawrence been giving you the + telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides,” he asked, “or + does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You know, Jack, + Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart army set. It + appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the military + governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he is teaching + the entire royal family the latest American dances.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you care to know what we have been up to,” said Edestone, “I + don’t mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little + moving-picture entertainment here at the Embassy. Have we your permission + to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for the people here in the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” consented Jones. “Go as far as you like. I myself will be + glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name of + common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way over + from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I suppose, of + course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, as long as it + doesn’t get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds off this war, I + haven’t any objection. When do you propose to have your show?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t exactly say as to that,” Edestone answered. “It all depends upon + Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date.” He looked + at the other conspirator with a questioning glance. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll have it tonight then,” said Lawrence. “I think I can get up my part + by that time.” He made significant faces at Edestone behind the + Secretary’s back. + </p> + <p> + “Tonight’s the night, eh?” said Jones with a smile. “Very well, we’ll all + be on hand.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days’ journey + shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings with his old + friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some of Mrs. Jones’s + young friends, who were delighted when they heard of the moving-picture + show. + </p> + <p> + Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, Lawrence + having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture machine, + Jones turned to his guest. + </p> + <p> + “I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon,” he said. “He + seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young man, and + will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes to present + you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will be in a few + days. When I told him that you had not told me what your invention was he + merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems to think that the + United States has something to do with sending you over here. He is a sly + old fox and I tell you to look out for him.” + </p> + <p> + He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating a + barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the + performance. + </p> + <p> + The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some scenes + from America which he had brought over to amuse the distinguished + audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures showing him + tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the servants, but + the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not hesitate to say + that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, travelling all around + the world with such silly things. + </p> + <p> + But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to him + that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the penthouse, + and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour longer the work + would be finished. + </p> + <p> + Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, taking + tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some especially fine + pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little nervous though as + he found his supply of films running short, but at that moment he spied + Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal “All is well.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him + something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I am purposely keeping you out of this, William,” he said, “for if I get + into trouble I don’t want to drag you and the Missus in with me.” + </p> + <p> + Then with the promise that he would move around to the Embassy in the + morning, he left for his hotel. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. — KAFFEE KLATSCH + </h2> + <p> + Edestone had now been at the Embassy for about a week and was wondering + what would be the next move on the part of the German General Staff. + </p> + <p> + He knew that General von Lichtenstein was not waiting for the return of + the Emperor, for he was in Berlin. In fact he had seen him driving past + the Embassy in his big automobile with the General. Edestone was just + coming out, and although he was not certain, he thought that the General + had recognized him, for he leaned over and spoke to the Emperor, who + looked straight at the American. + </p> + <p> + He had heard nothing, but from what the different officers at the clubs + had dropped, he was confident that he had not been forgotten. These had + all received him with great show of cordiality, and among Count von + Hemelstein’s friends there had sprung up a certain friendliness, which he + knew was due to the Count’s influence. The Count himself, on the other + hand, seemed now to be a little bit ill at ease when in his presence. He + said to Edestone one night after he had been drinking quite heavily: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, it is a great pity that you have come over here and mixed + up in our troubles. It is too late now, however; you could not get out if + you tried,” and then with a sneer, “not even if you called to your + assistance Princess Wilhelmina, who seems to take so much interest in + you.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone decided that the German General Staff were preparing their answer + to the new condition that had been brought about by his invention, and + that they were waiting for additional information before delivering it. He + knew that they must realize that some action must be taken, but with the + forethought for which they were so celebrated they were preparing the way. + When they had satisfied themselves that they were in possession of all of + the facts that could be gotten without his assistance, and had looked at + these from every possible standpoint, he would be sent for, and not until + then. + </p> + <p> + Several days after his sight of the Emperor, Edestone, in passing through + the halls of the Embassy, was approached by one of the German servants, + who in a rather mysterious manner handed him a note, which read as + follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Dear Mr. Edestone: Please have Mr. Stuyvesant bring you to tea + on Tuesday afternoon. It is a matter of the greatest importance. + I must see you. + + “PRINCESS WILHELMINA.” + </pre> + <p> + He knew that Princess Wilhelmina was in Berlin. Lawrence had seen her at + the house of Princess Adolph, and in his joking way had said that she had + inquired very particularly after the American inventor, and that Count von + Hemelstein, who thought he was the “candy kid,” was very jealous. + </p> + <p> + But why had she sent for him? he thought. When he spoke to Lawrence, he in + his usual jocular manner exclaimed: “Ah, so now you are to have Kaffee + Klatsch with the Princess. I told you so. The lady is in love with you, + and the Emperor is going to offer you her hand in marriage after he has + bestowed on you an Iron Cross in return for one of your quack medicines.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who declined to take any notice of this, thoughtfully said: “Can + it be possible that she also is a traitor? She cannot imagine for one + moment that she will be able to accomplish what her father was unable to + do, but God gives women confidence in themselves to compensate them for + the fact that nobody else has.” With an impatient gesture, “No, no, + Lawrence, that is impossible! That sweet little child!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Lawrence, “so little Willie Westinghouse has fallen for the + baby stare?” + </p> + <p> + “You are absurd, Lawrence,” said Edestone with a rather embarrassed + expression. “It is perfectly clear. She feels deeply her father’s + disgrace, and perhaps she thinks that I might do something to help her to + exonerate him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence, “I don’t think there is any satisfaction in being a + hero in Berlin while being locked up in the Tower in London like her + father, but you are the limit. You talk as quietly of using your influence + for a Prince of the Royal Blood with the King of England as if she were + asking you to get her brother a position on the New York police force. God + certainly gave you confidence in yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing very strange about that,” replied Edestone. “As I + understand it, the only thing that they have against the Duke of + Windthorst is that he was dining with Rebener and myself, and were I to + state that at no time during the dinner had he shown any disloyalty to his + King and country, it might do a little good. But whatever it is, we will + go and see this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + About half-past five they were driven to the handsome residence occupied + by Princess Adolph when in Berlin. + </p> + <p> + They were immediately shown into a large and beautiful room in the style + of Louis XVI., which had evidently been designed and executed by a French + artist. It was free from the brutal touch which the Germans show in their + attempt at the refinement of the French Renaissance of that period. + </p> + <p> + They were received by Princess Adolph, a very striking young woman, who + shocked all of Berlin by affecting French clothes, French language, and a + French mode of life. She was surrounded by some of the dashing young + officers of the very exclusive army set. These glared through their + monocles when the Americans were announced and did not try to hide their + annoyance. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, without taking the slightest notice of these “Knights of the + Butchered Face,” as he called them, with his usual careless and frivolous + manner, went over to the Princess and immediately began to shower upon her + in the most effusive manner compliment after compliment, which she + received with laughter. She rather prided herself on shocking Berlin by + pretending to be tremendously interested in this wild young American. + </p> + <p> + The Princess turned to Edestone and extended her hand. He had hesitated; + he resented the manner of her young gallants, and feared that they might, + with their usual rudeness to Americans in the presence of women, put him + into an embarrassing position. Smiling she said: + </p> + <p> + “I welcome you, Mr. Edestone, as the greatest lion of them all in this den + of lions,” and with a reproving frown she waved her hand at the officers + who were so poorly hiding their annoyance. + </p> + <p> + She then turned to Princess Wilhelmina, who was seated behind a large + table and was pouring out a cup of coffee, which she continued to do when + she saw Edestone until it was called to her attention that the cup was + full as well as the saucer. + </p> + <p> + “Billy,” she nodded, “you and Mr. Edestone are old friends. Give him a cup + of tea; I know he does not like <i>Kaffee und Schlagsahne</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The little Princess, who was very much embarrassed, extended her hand, + which Edestone took and seated himself beside her. + </p> + <p> + This scene might have been enacted in an English country house if it had + not been so entirely different. The Germans, in their effort to affect + certain charming English customs and Germanize them, in the process lose + the charm. Tea time for the Englishman is the hour of relaxation after a + day in the open, when he can in his easy clothes receive the homage of the + ladies in their beautiful tea-gowns. Whereas here, these men in their + tight-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms, were attitudinizing and + indulging in that military form of gallantry, which may be picturesque but + certainly looks most uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + The entrance of the Americans had thrown a chill upon the entire company. + The officers simply refused to open their mouths, and sat glaring at the + two intruders. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, after having made several attempts to relieve the situation, + relapsed into silence. The feeble efforts of the Princess Wilhelmina but + added to the atmosphere of restraint which she was unable to dispel. + </p> + <p> + Princess Adolph up to this time had been entirely monopolized by Lawrence, + but catching an appealing look from her English cousin, came to the rescue + at last. She was apparently in the secret, and in a most natural manner + called upon Princess Wilhelmina to show Mr. Edestone her new French + garden, which she said had been laid out by a young American studying at + the École des Beaux Arts. + </p> + <p> + Princess Billy, who by this time was in such a state of excitement that + she could scarcely get up from where she was sitting, and as if to + postpone as long as possible the meeting which she had brought upon + herself, managed to say: + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think that Mr. Edestone is interested in such simple things as + flowers,” but catching the glance that was thrown at her by Princess + Adolph she continued with a nervous little laugh: “Come, Mr. Edestone, I + hope I shall be able to explain everything to you properly.” + </p> + <p> + When the timid little figure led the way and was followed by that of the + big man with his dignified bearing, one might almost imagine that it was + an indulgent father taking his very frightened little daughter out to give + her a lecture. + </p> + <p> + When they were on the outside and alone, as she stopped and grasped the + balcony to support herself she said, looking up into his face with eyes in + which tears were gathering: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Edestone, I don’t know what to say! I don’t know what you will + think of me. I know you hate all of us and especially me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don’t say that, Princess!” interrupted Edestone, moved to pity for + the poor little child who seemed to him, as he looked down into her sweet + little face, almost young enough to have been his own daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes you do; I know you do! But I am not what you think I am,” and in a + very hurried manner, looking about her, she continued, lowering her voice: + “I am no traitor to my country, and I know that what my father did he did + because he believed it was his duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Princess Wilhelmina!” said Edestone, as if to stop her on this most + disagreeable subject. + </p> + <p> + “Please do not call me Princess in that sarcastic manner. I hate being a + Princess! I know you hate all of our class, and believe that we are all as + heartless as we are sometimes forced to appear. But it is not of that that + I wish to speak. My sole object in sending for you is to tell you that I + know you are in great danger, and to beg—I mean advise—you to + leave Berlin at once. I know that you believe I am working for them, and + in fact I could not have arranged this interview unless I had left them + under the impression that I was, but I don’t care. Please go before it is + too late.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who at first thought that she might have been playing a part, + was now convinced of her sincerity. “My dear little Princess Billy,” he + said, leaning over and with great effort resisting his inclination to take + her hand, “is that why you sent for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she blushed and smiled when he used the familiar form of address, + “I have heard that you were going to be killed, and I was determined to + warn you, so I pretended to be working for them. Now please go before it + is too late.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Princess, why did you take all of this risk for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know; but I must show you the garden. I hope that you won’t + think I am very forward.” + </p> + <p> + She then hurriedly passed into the garden and gave him in a very rapid and + disconnected manner a description of the different plants, fountains, + statues, etc. She hurried back into the drawing-room, but just before + reaching the other group, she said in an undertone: + </p> + <p> + “Now, won’t you promise me that you will leave Berlin at once?” + </p> + <p> + Before he had time to answer they were joined by Princess Adolph. + </p> + <p> + The Americans remained for a few moments and then took their leave. The + little Princess, as she put her icy cold hand in his, gave him an + appealing look. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. — THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary came in with a very grave face one morning after having had + a long talk with the German Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Jack,” he said, “I think the German Government intends to + declare war on us, and I would not be a bit surprised if she proposes to + strike first and declare afterwards. Their newspapers, and they are all + inspired by the Government, you know, are working up a strong + anti-American feeling, and this I think is done in order that when they do + strike the Government may have the entire country back of it. Have you + noticed, too, that they are constantly increasing the guard around the + Embassy, which is either to save us or to catch us? Is it possible that + your nonsense has got anything to do with all this? By Jove, Jack, I think + it is about time that you told me what you are up to.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone considered for a moment. “When you tell me that you are + absolutely certain that they are going to strike, I will tell you, + William, and not before. You know enough now, however, to realize that + those soldiers outside are to catch and not protect. It is me that they + want, though, and not you. Your position is perfectly safe and + unassailable so long as you do not know too much.” + </p> + <p> + That ended the discussion for the time, but Lawrence came in one night in + a state of great excitement. He had just seen some woman who, he rather + intimated, was a little bit fond of him, and who was also very closely + connected with certain high officials. She had told him, he said, + apparently joking although he knew she was in earnest, that she hoped her + pretty boy would not mix up with this man Edestone, or he might get into + trouble too. + </p> + <p> + “‘They are only allowing us to stay in Berlin,’ she said, ‘until they get + you, Jack,’” declared Lawrence, “and then we will have to go, the whole + lot of us.” + </p> + <p> + In the meantime things were going from bad to worse. The Secretary was + getting more and more anxious. Reports of all kinds kept coming in from + all sides. Americans were being insulted in the street. The officers at + the clubs were a little more arrogant in their studied politeness toward + Edestone and his associates, the younger officers even taunting Lawrence + with having to leave his girl in Berlin and go back to cow-punching. + </p> + <p> + Finally one of the papers reported that the entire American fleet was + collecting at Hampton Roads, that all the German boats in New York had + been dismantled by force, and broadly suggested that the Yankees were + about to strike first and apologize afterward. + </p> + <p> + However, there came a slight rift in the clouds. Coming back one morning + after a conference with the Chancellor, Jones was all smiles. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we are all right for a little while at least,” he announced. “The + Chancellor has just informed me that the Emperor has decided to see you, + Edestone, and he wishes to inspect here, at the Embassy, anything that you + may like to show him. The Chancellor intimated that it would depend + entirely upon your attitude on this occasion whether or not your mission + to Europe was a failure or a brilliant success.” + </p> + <p> + “And when is he coming?” asked Edestone quickly. + </p> + <p> + Jones grinned. “With his usual impetuosity, he has selected tonight, and + will pay the Embassy a formal call at nine o’clock, after the celebration + at the Palace in honour of the birthday of one of the Royal princes.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was delighted with the prospect of some action at last, but he + had long since lost all hope of an amicable settlement. They had waited + too long. He felt that they were preparing to strike, and should they do + so it made him sick to think of the awful consequences. He was almost + tempted to tell Jones of the wireless instrument in the penthouse and his + daily communications with “Specs,” but he remembered that he had no right + to involve him as a representative of the United States, and that, as the + matter stood, he and Lawrence were the only culprits. + </p> + <p> + He did not care to destroy the roseate hopes of the Secretary after his + conference with the Chancellor, and contented himself with saying: + “William, I hope that you are right, but I have an impression that we are + in for it. I am prepared to meet any game that they may play, but I do + sincerely hope that I shall not be forced to it.” + </p> + <p> + By seven o’clock that evening the streets for blocks around the Embassy + were filled with soldiers, and Edestone smiled when looking from the + window he noticed that the Germans were bringing up anti-aircraft guns. + </p> + <p> + “They are taking no chances,” he thought to himself, his curiosity aroused + as he noticed several large mortars being brought up and so placed that + each battery of four could throw their shells in parallel lines over the + Embassy to the north, south, east, and west. This struck him as very + strange, but he became even more interested when he perceived that besides + the ordinary ammunition wagon each gun was provided with a trailer that + looked like a big wheel or drum on a two-wheeled carriage, although it was + so carefully covered over that he could not make out exactly what it was. + </p> + <p> + “I have got to find out what those things are,” said Edestone to himself, + and taking his hat and cane, he left the Embassy as if for a short stroll + before dinner. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers took no notice of him as he sauntered along, and allowed him + to inspect everything at his will until he approached the strange-looking + mortars. Then he was stopped by a young officer, who told him in a very + polite but firm tone that he would have to pass on and could not go by + that way, at the same time showing him where he could walk around the + block. + </p> + <p> + “I would give a good deal to know what those things are,” muttered + Edestone to himself. “In fact, I must know before the night is over.” + </p> + <p> + He went back into the house, after strolling about for a quarter of an + hour, and for the first time since he had left the Little Place in the + Country, he became really anxious. + </p> + <p> + “These are wonderful people. They evidently are satisfied now that they + have the answer, and who knows but they may have. All may yet be lost.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down and drove his brain as he had never driven it before. He + wondered if he could get the Secretary to demand what all this preparation + meant, and what these new death-dealing instruments might be that were + threatening the Embassy of the United States; but that was useless, he + knew. They would reply that it was to protect the Emperor, or would simply + refuse to answer, or answering would lie. + </p> + <p> + After waiting until it was time to dress for dinner, in a fit of + desperation he sent for Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “have you seen those mortars out there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence, “I did. They take no chances with the ‘Big + Noise.’” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t joke, Lawrence. This is serious; very serious. Did you notice those + two-wheeled wagons that are so carefully covered with canvas just behind + each of the mortars?” + </p> + <p> + “No, to tell you the truth, I did not. They have so many travelling soup + wagons and ice plants that I don’t pay any attention to those things any + more.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Lawrence, I’ve got to know what they are tonight in order that I + may be prepared; otherwise we may find ourselves in a very serious + situation, and what is much more important, my whole life’s work may be + absolutely lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, since you put it that way,” said Lawrence with a broad grin, “I will + step out and in my most polite Deutsch inquire.” + </p> + <p> + “They will not let you get within a block of them. Do you think it will be + possible to persuade one of the German servants to find out from the + soldiers? I would pay any price.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will dress myself like the cook and go out and flirt with one of + the soldiers for $2. I’m a little badly off for money myself just about + this time.” + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, you must stop joking. I tell you, something must be done.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave me think, leave me think,” said the irrepressible. “<i>Donnerwetter</i>, + I have it! What time does the Hohenzollern Glee Club arrive?” + </p> + <p> + “At nine o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + “And you come on immediately after the ‘First Part,’ succeeding which I + suppose Lohengrin will sing his Duck Ditty, while the Boy Scout, dressed + as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, after biting the triggers off all the guns, and + pulling his wig well down over his eyes”—imitating the action—“will + sally forth into the limpid limelights, and after he has been shot once in + the face by a 16-inch howitzer and has been played upon in the rear by a + battery of machine guns, he will limp on with the regular limp of the old + Virginia servant and die at your feet, but not until I have whispered + their secret into the heel of your boot.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone had known Lawrence long enough to understand that all of this + nonsense meant that his really bright mind was working, and that he had + some definite plan in view. The best way to handle him, he had found out, + was to let his exuberance of spirit have free swing, so he replied in the + same melodramatic manner: “Good, my faithful District Messenger Boy. Now + in what way can I assist you in your wonderful scheme?” + </p> + <p> + “Leave all to me, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and before the clock on yon + ‘back drop’ strikes eight bells, you will know what is hidden beneath + these veils of mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “I can depend upon you,” Edestone eyed him searchingly, “and no mistake?” + </p> + <p> + “On the life of me mother who lies dead beneath the sacred soil of dear + old Idaho!” With a wave of an imaginary sword, and jumping astride an + imaginary stick horse, he saluted and galloped from the room, singing + “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what that dare-devil is up to,” thought Edestone. Nevertheless + he believed that Lawrence would accomplish his purpose. + </p> + <p> + Presently his attention was attracted by the beams of a searchlight + crossing the window, and looking out he saw those great white arms + stretching up from every part of the city. + </p> + <p> + “They expect me to show my teeth tonight,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The distant tapping of drums showed that troops were moving in all parts + of Berlin, and they were beginning to form in the streets below. It was + easy to see by which route the Emperor was coming, or at least by which + route he wished the people to think he was going to arrive. + </p> + <p> + Edestone dressed hurriedly, although James seemed to think that something + extra should be done. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, sir,” he pleaded in an accent which would have meant + imprisonment for him if heard on the streets outside, “but these here + barbarians likes a bit of colour, sir. I understands as how the Emperor + calls the Ambassador the ‘undertaker,’ sir, and it’s all on account, sir, + of his not a-having any lace on his coat, sir. Don’t you think you might + wear some of your Colonial Society medals and decorations, sir?” and he + tried hard to hide his contempt for these American signs of alleged + aristocracy. “There is some as is bright in colour, sir, and he wouldn’t + know, sir, but as how you is a duke in America, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “None of that nonsense, James, unless,” he said with a quizzical look, + “you give me the copy of the Golden Fleece, which shows that I am a member + in good standing of the South Chicago Aero Club.” + </p> + <p> + “Not that one, sir,” protested James, “if you will pardon me, sir, I think + it is a bit large, sir, for the waistcoat opening, sir. I think, sir, that + the Order of the Cincinnati is very neat, sir. It is very much like one of + the Greek Orders, I don’t recall which, sir, but Lord Knott wore it once, + I recall, sir, when the King of Greece was in London, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “No, James,” Edestone shook his head. “My father was a blacksmith, and I + would not like to deceive the Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + “How you do like your little joke, sir,” said James, putting his hand to + his mouth. “Won’t you just use that button, sir, instead of a buttonhole? + It ain’t so frivolous like, sir, begging your pardon, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh well, yes; just to keep you quiet.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + And Edestone left the room. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. — DER KAISER + </h2> + <p> + Downstairs, the household was in a state of suppressed excitement. The + German men servants, without the usual protection of a brilliant uniform, + looked as if they would like to drop everything and hide themselves in the + coal cellar. The maids were almost on the verge of tears. Mrs. Jones, with + all the jewelry on that she possessed, was moving about with a flushed + face seeing that everything was in order. + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven’s sake, hurry up, Jack,” she said. “We must have a short + dinner and be ready when the Emperor arrives. As for myself, I never can + touch anything for hours before I meet him. He scares me almost out of my + wits.” + </p> + <p> + Her husband was walking up and down with the expression of a man who is + the speaker of the evening, watching the waiters serving coffee and + passing cigars. The only persons who seemed perfectly at their ease were + Lawrence and his Bowery boy valet, Fred, who were holding a very serious + conversation in the corner of the hall. + </p> + <p> + Dinner, it must be confessed, was very like the gathering of the distant + relatives the night before the funeral of the rich old maid of the family. + Lawrence’s jokes were either not heard or were received with sad-eyed + contortions of the face that were less like a smile than the premonition + of a sneeze. The strain was so great that as they were having their coffee + a sudden clatter in the street came as an immense relief. + </p> + <p> + The air was instantly filled with the subdued noise of the different + members of the household taking their various places. The Acting + Ambassador and Mrs. Jones went out of the dining-room and took a position + near the door of the large reception room, leaving Edestone and Lawrence + alone. They had previously explained to Edestone what he must do when they + notified him that it was time for him to come in and be presented. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said when the servants had all gone, “won’t you tell me + what you have decided on? I am rather curious to know your plan.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who had grown quite serious for him, came around from his place + and lighting a cigarette sat down close to him. + </p> + <p> + “You know Prince Fritz Funk?” he leaned over to whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” continued Lawrence, “I’m supposed to look something like him. I am + just his height. He has, as you know, certain striking mannerisms, which + when he is drinking are accentuated. I have all last year been amusing the + officers at the clubs by giving imitations of him, and they do say I am + better than he is himself. + </p> + <p> + “Now all the soldiers stationed in and about Berlin know Fritzie’s + peculiarities, so I propose to impersonate him tonight while he is in here + drinking the Ambassador’s champagne. My man is to get his helmet, ‘<i>avec + le grand panache</i>,’ and his long gray-blue military cape, and with my + riding boots and spurs and a sword, I shall be able to fool those boobs + out there; that is, if they don’t throw on me one of those damned spot + lights. If they do, G-o-o-d-n-i-g-h-t! Then I can only say that I am doing + it on a bet. But I hardly think that would save me in these times. The + least I could expect would be a term in prison for insulting the uniform. + I will go down in history as ‘Little Boy Blue up in the air.’” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a big risk you’re taking,” frowned Edestone, “and were there any + other way I would not allow you to do this. But if you do succeed, you + will go down in history in a way you could never dream. Lawrence, if you + get back safely with this information, I will make you a present of + $1,000,000.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence looked at his friend as if he thought that he had lost his mind, + but when he saw the look of determination on Edestone’s strong face, which + seemed to have aged within the hour, and when he felt the grip of his + powerful hand, he knew that he meant every word he said. + </p> + <p> + “By God, old man,” he said with a little break in his voice, “you should + be the Emperor instead of his nibs out there.” + </p> + <p> + “I may be yet,” said Edestone smiling, and a look came on his face that + Lawrence had never seen there before. + </p> + <p> + The servants were moving quietly about the room, but it was plain to see + that they felt the presence of the Lord’s Anointed. Through the house + could be heard the clatter of many swords and the tramping of booted heels + along the marble hall. It sent a thrill through Edestone that he would + have had difficulty to explain. It was like the echo of some far distant + past seeming to recall to life a sleeping spirit, which with great + exultation was throwing off the fetters of its long slumbers. He seemed to + be impelled by an almost irresistible force to rush into their midst and + take his rightful position at their head. + </p> + <p> + He was recalled to himself by the sudden silence that had fallen on the + entire house, as though some great army had been halted and was standing + at rigid attention. Then he heard the silvery tinkle and metallic clink of + sabre and spurs as of a single figure striding with military precision + over the softest of carpets, and he could picture that majestic form + advancing well in front of his glittering escort as they stood in + breathless silence while he made his dramatic entrance. + </p> + <p> + Then the silence was broken by a voice which said slowly and distinctly: + “His Imperial Majesty.” An almost simultaneous click followed as if all + had come to a salute and were waiting for the sign to relax and from + automatons become human beings again. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was all alone in the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + The servants had left the room after removing the table decorations, + covering it with a dark cloth and setting a large bowl of flowers in the + centre; and Lawrence had gone out quietly on hearing the noise in the + hall. + </p> + <p> + And so he sat, this young man in a strange land, thousands of miles away + from his home, waiting to be called to a death struggle, without help from + anyone, with the most powerful, arrogant, and relentless man on the face + of the earth, an adversary surrounded by the most perfect fighting machine + yet devised by man, with all the confidence, that tradition, success, and + a brilliant mind could give. An Emperor with the sublime dignity of his + position which he sincerely believed he held by Divine Right, and who had + always lived surrounded by an atmosphere of absolute submission to his + will. + </p> + <p> + Yet Edestone was not afraid. He was not even nervous. He was merely + anxious to be up and doing. This show of force, those mysterious + two-wheeled wagons, had roused his fighting blood. So assured was he of + his own sincerity in his efforts for the good of all that he resented the + attitude which they had taken. He knew they would try to get his invention + peaceably, if possible, but would stop at nothing if they failed, and he + expected some overt act of violence tonight that would mean war with the + United States. + </p> + <p> + So when he was called by one of the under-secretaries of the Embassy he + went with little charity in his heart, but with head erect and + determination shown in his every movement, bearing on his face, which + seemed to have grown very hard, a look that left no doubt of the + fearlessness of the spirit that was behind it. + </p> + <p> + He was taken in at one end of the large room that vibrated with light and + colour. Around three sides of it was banked the most brilliant array of + uniforms that he had ever seen. There were white-headed generals ablaze + with decorations and medals; there were young princes with simple uniforms + and with but one handsome decoration to show their distinguished rank. + There were Cuirassiers and Uhlans, and now and then he could pick out the + sombre black and silver uniforms of the celebrated Death’s-Head Hussars. + </p> + <p> + But the one figure which dominated all and held his attention was that of + the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + He stood in the centre of the room with the Secretary and General von + Lichtenstein, Mrs. Jones having retired as soon as she had received her + distinguished guest. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of medium height but with a bearing which made him appear + larger than he really was. He was dressed in the wonderful white uniform + of the Garde du Corps, which carried with it the celebrated silver eagle + helmet. + </p> + <p> + As this figure dominated and held the centre of this brilliant picture, so + his face drew the attention from his magnificent uniform and held it as + with a magnetic power. It was handsome, intelligent, strong, but above all + it was commanding. There was little kindness but there was a merry twinkle + in his sharp blue eyes which showed a human side and was most attractive. + </p> + <p> + These eyes could change, however, and when he saw Edestone and they were + met by his perfectly fearless but respectful glance, they seemed to try by + force to penetrate his very soul. + </p> + <p> + Edestone advanced alone until he came to within a few paces of the central + group, and then stopped, standing with one knee slightly bent, his right + hand held lightly in front of his body, which was inclined in a graceful + and easy attitude of reverence, while his other hand hung naturally at his + side. + </p> + <p> + After his first quick glance, Edestone dropped his eyes to about the + Emperor’s knees and held them there until the Secretary, with a slight + gesture, called him to his side. The young man then straightened up and + went slowly to the Ambassador’s left, and there stood perfectly erect + looking straight at the Emperor, while Jones with some show of + embarrassment was saying: + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty, may I present Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor, with the hearty and easy manner which he always assumes with + those he has been told are distinguished Americans and with that quizzical + expression in his sharp eyes which, though attractive, is described as + most disconcerting, replied. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, in a loud voice, “your fame has gone before you, + and we are always glad to welcome distinguished men of science in Berlin, + which we think is the centre of science and culture. Your name, that of a + great lighthouse and suggesting the greatest of your inventions, electric + lights, convinces me that you were born to blaze the way for us,” and he + laughed, in which he was joined heartily by his well-trained courtiers, + who knew that nothing pleased him more than to appreciate his little jokes + of which he was so fond. + </p> + <p> + With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn by + Edestone, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a greater + claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor’s rank?” + </p> + <p> + “He was a general, Your Majesty,” replied Edestone with a firmness that + seemed to attract and slightly offend him. + </p> + <p> + He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him + that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. + “General von Lichtenstein tells me,” his face brightening up again, “that + you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great service + to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had expected this + cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those grasping English. He + tells me that you have motion pictures of this invention in actual war + practice, which the representative of the American Ambassador has so + kindly invited me here to see.” + </p> + <p> + Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: “I thank you, + Mr. Secretary.” Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather a + sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: “I will gladly see your + pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I will, + if I like it, buy your invention at a good price.” + </p> + <p> + And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to + applaud his every sentiment, he said: “Germany expects and is able to pay + large prices for American goods now.” And then, as if to cut short any + possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his back + upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: “Where are these + pictures?” + </p> + <p> + “In the next room,” replied the Secretary, “and if you please, Mr. + Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone,” he said, “has + everything been arranged?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly calm + exterior. + </p> + <p> + The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into another + room where Black had installed the apparatus. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing up + the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his place + in front of the screen when his attention was called by General von + Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of + speaking to him apart from the others. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, drawing him aside, “one would think that you had + spent your entire life among us,” and with a quizzical smile he added: “I + think you rather astonished the Kaiser by your <i>sang-froid</i>. I have + seen men of the highest rank stand speechless in his presence, while you + are as finished as a courtier of the Grand Monarque and as cool as the + Iron Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + “I admit,” he said in his fatherly manner, “I had no authority from you to + do so, but thought it best to leave upon the Emperor the impression that + you would sell your invention. Had I not done so he certainly would have + demanded the reasons for your presence in Berlin, and had I dared to + suggest that you had been sent by the United States to coerce him he would + have been thrown into such a rage that he might have declared war on your + country, which I understand is the last thing that you want.” + </p> + <p> + “I regret that you did this, General von Lichtenstein, if I may be + pardoned for seeming to criticize a statesman of your experience and + distinction; for I do not intend to sell and my country has not sent me to + coerce. I have come instead to appeal to your reason, after showing you + the uselessness of continuing this loss of life in the face of the great + power in the hands of those who know the secret of my invention and intend + to put a stop to it.” + </p> + <p> + A cloud seemed to pass over the General’s face, but he soon recovered his + bland, almost Oriental smile. + </p> + <p> + “But, Mr. Edestone, you seem to forget that whereas others <i>may</i> have + the secret, we know that you certainly have it, and you are still our most + honoured guest in Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + “Where I am also the guest of my own country, so long as the Acting + Ambassador is so kind as to allow me to remain under his roof and our + flag,” replied Edestone pointedly, intending if possible to force the + General’s hand. + </p> + <p> + In this he failed as the old man only smiled through his glasses. + </p> + <p> + “A great statesman was lost when you turned inventor, Mr. Edestone,” he + said in a most complimentary tone. “But come, I fear His Majesty waits.” + And then changing his manner, he said with a knowing wink: + </p> + <p> + “Here is a note which Princess Wilhelmina asked me to deliver to you. She + seems to be very much interested. Can it be possible that you are raising + your eyes to a Princess of the Blood? + </p> + <p> + “Still, stranger things than that have happened,” he half mused, “and His + Imperial Majesty is always glad to recognize talent and reward it in a + befitting manner.” + </p> + <p> + They went into the other room where the Emperor sat waiting. Evidently + impatient that Edestone was not at his position of parlour entertainer in + front of the screen with his pointer in hand as soon as the Imperial eye + should deign to be cast in that direction, he rose with exaggerated + politeness when the American appeared and said in a most sarcastic manner: + “Must the whole world wait while inventors dream?” + </p> + <p> + Then sitting down he added in a harsh and irritable tone: “With your very + kind assistance, Mr. Edestone, we will now inspect these much talked of + pictures.” + </p> + <p> + There was a silence in the room that was like a gasp of horror, and the + company all standing looked as if they expected to see Edestone sink to + the floor with mortification; that is, all except Jones, who slow-moving + had only gotten half-way to his feet when the Kaiser sat down, and who now + dropped back into his chair with a quizzical little smile playing about + the corners of his mouth. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone, with the respectful manner of a grown man answering his + father, who still looked upon him as a boy, and who had reproved him + unjustly, said with an indulgent smile that bore no trace of resentment: + </p> + <p> + “I beg that Your Majesty will forgive me, but I was held prisoner by + General von Lichtenstein, and not until I waved the Stars and Stripes + would he let me go.” + </p> + <p> + The General hurried over to the Emperor. “Pardon me, Sire,” he said, for + he saw that the Emperor would fly into one of his fits of rage and might + upset all of their well-laid plans if something was not quickly done to + quiet him. “Pardon me, Sire, it was my fault. I did not know that I was + keeping Your Majesty waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on with the pictures,” said the Emperor, with an impatient gesture of + his enormous right hand, and he sat glaring at the screen as the lights + went out. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. — THE MASQUERADER + </h2> + <p> + Lawrence waited until the room was dark and then slipped out unnoticed. He + would have liked to remain and see the rest of Edestone’s most interesting + pictures which had started off with those taken in Newfoundland and + included a series not shown at Buckingham Palace. But he had an exciting + task before him. The idea of posing as a Royal Prince in the magnificent + uniform of the Imperial Hussars with nodding plumes and flowing military + cape, his coat-of-arms emblazoned on his left shoulder, appealed to his + dramatic instincts, as did the danger to his passion for adventure. + </p> + <p> + He was brave, but unlike Edestone his was the bravery of an unthinking + recklessness rather than that of a perfectly balanced mind which, + contemptuous of the body that carries it, forces that body to do its + bidding. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Edestone had offered him an unheard of reward had made + little impression, going in one ear and out of the other. He would accept + it as lightly as it had been offered because he himself would have made + exactly the same offer under the same circumstances. Whenever he wanted + anything he paid the price, even if it took his last cent. It was no + incentive to action now, as he would have gladly paid for the privilege of + playing this big part in this wonderful melodrama—a melodrama which + he was prepared at any time to see change into a tragedy, with him the + dead hero. + </p> + <p> + He found that his Bowery boy Fred, under the pretext that it was customary + in the best New York “high society,” had bullied the German flunkeys into + bringing all of the officers’ helmets and cloaks upstairs and laying them + out on a bed in one of the chambers on the second floor, from which place + it was easy for him to smuggle all he wanted into Lawrence’s room. + Lawrence found him there waiting to help him “make up.” + </p> + <p> + Turning up the collar of his dress coat so as to hide his white shirt + front, the masquerader buckled on the sabre that Fred handed to him. + Without changing his trousers he put on his riding boots and spurs, which + with the busby and cloak, a pair of white kid gloves, and a small blond + moustache completed his disguise. Standing thus in the middle of the room + with the door open, he waited until Fred signalled that the coast was + clear. He then stepped quickly across the hall and into the elevator, + closely followed by Fred, who closed the door. When they were perfectly + safe from interruption, he adjusted his costume and his false moustache to + his entire satisfaction, pinning the cloak securely together with large + safety pins to prevent it from flying open. Then as the elevator passed + the main floor on its way to the basement, he made a gesture of derision. + </p> + <p> + Fred got out of the car and again carefully reconnoitred. Finding that the + passage leading to the garden was clear and that there was no one in the + billiard room, which was between the elevator and the outside door, he + signalled and Lawrence walked out into the garden at the side of the + Embassy. + </p> + <p> + It was quite dark there, but not dark enough to prevent the soldiers, who + were stationed about to watch this door, from seeing him as he stood + perfectly still as if hesitating which way to turn. + </p> + <p> + Observing that he was an officer, they saluted and stood at attention. + Then as he moved forward and they saw the insignia on his cloak they + signalled in some mysterious manner to the next post, who in turn passed + it down the line that Royalty was at large and that they must be careful + not to be caught napping. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, as Lawrence emerged from the semi-darkness and came around to + the front of the Embassy, every soldier was standing at attention and the + different officers, after looking searchingly but most respectfully at him + to satisfy themselves who he was, stepped back and allowed him to pass, + while they stood like pieces of stone. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence did not deign even to notice them, but, reeling unsteadily in his + gait, passed them without even acknowledging their salute. + </p> + <p> + His presence having been reported to the Captain who had charge of the + company that was stationed in the street immediately in front of the + Embassy, this officer hastened up to him. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything that you require, Your Royal Highness?” he saluted. + Lawrence, carrying out his pretence of intoxication, gave a perfect + imitation of the Prince when in that condition. + </p> + <p> + “I am making a tour of inspection to see that everything is all right,” he + said thickly. + </p> + <p> + The Captain saw his condition and showed an inclination to follow him, but + Lawrence waved his hand with what was intended to be a regal gesture, + although in fact it seemed to throw him almost off his balance. + </p> + <p> + The Captain stepped back most respectfully and saluted, but smiled as he + followed with his eyes the young Prince. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence strutted quickly but unsteadily until he came to within about a + hundred yards of the mortars, where a sentry challenged him. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but my orders are to permit no one to + pass. If you will allow me, I will call the Corporal of the Guard, who + will send for the Captain.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence interrupted him by bellowing: + </p> + <p> + “Get out of my way, you stupid blockhead, or I’ll kick you out of my way! + I have not time to wait for the lot of fools that you all are.” + </p> + <p> + Then as the man did not move he gave him a tremendous upper-cut, catching + his chin with the base of his open hand and sending his head back and + lifting him off his feet. He fell sprawling about ten feet away against an + iron railing, where he lay perfectly still with a nasty cut in the back of + his head. + </p> + <p> + The Captain, who had been slowly following to see that nothing happened to + his Royal charge, ran up quickly and, ordering another soldier to take the + place of the fallen sentry, had the wounded man hurried quickly out of + sight. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Lawrence was strolling along, without even looking back at + the poor fellow where he lay. + </p> + <p> + “I caught him just right,” he muttered with a touch of compunction. “I + hope I did not hurt him badly.” + </p> + <p> + When he finally came to the mortars with the mysterious two-wheeled wagons + attached to them, he walked around from one to the other, as if he were + making a careful inspection to see that everything was all right. It was + impossible for him even now to make out what was hidden under the canvas + covers. One thing he could see, however, and that was, that from under + each there ran a carefully insulated electric cable to the nearest fire + hydrant where it was carefully attached. + </p> + <p> + After inspecting all four, Lawrence turned around and went back to the + second wagon, the cover of which he had noticed was not on exactly + straight. He hoped to be able to see what was underneath, but he found + that the cover was strapped down so tightly that he could get no inkling. + </p> + <p> + During all this time the officers and men were standing at attention in + their proper places, although they followed him with their eyes, an amused + expression on their faces. + </p> + <p> + Finding that it was impossible for him to discover anything while the + covers remained on the wagons, he bellowed in a loud and commanding voice, + not forgetting to imitate Royalty in its cups: + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant!” + </p> + <p> + And to the young officer who ran up to him he said: + </p> + <p> + “Why is not that cover on straight? Did you not receive orders that these—” + and as Lawrence had not the slightest idea what “these” were, he + substituted a loud hiccough for the unknown name, and contented himself + with pointing with an unsteady hand. “Did you not understand these had to + be perfectly concealed? Now that one is not perfectly concealed, for I can + see perfectly what it is, so take that cover off and put it on straight. + And be quick about it or I will report you for untidiness.” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant, who was one of the very young recruits now officering the + German Army, feeling overpowered by the presence of Royalty, had given the + order, and the men were unstrapping the cover when the Captain came up. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing there?” he demanded. Then turning sharply to the young + Lieutenant he said in the most brutal manner: + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you know that the orders are not to take these covers off, not + until the very last minute, not until everything else has been tried and + has failed to bring her down.” + </p> + <p> + “But His Royal Highness,” stammered the younger officer, “has ordered this + cover off because it is not on straight.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Your Royal Highness,” expostulated the Captain, although in the most + deferential manner, “don’t you think that this cover is on straight + enough?” + </p> + <p> + “What! Do you mean to contradict me?” Lawrence almost screamed. “I say + that the cover is not on straight, and I have ordered this fool to take it + off and put it on straight, perfectly straight.” + </p> + <p> + “But that is impossible,” said the Captain, warily keeping out of reach of + His Royal Highness’s fists. “The orders are that these covers are not to + come off until the American flying machine makes its appearance, and if it + does not appear, the covers are not to come off at all. These are the + orders of the General Staff, and Your Royal Highness must realize that + they have to be obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence with the persistency of a drunken man, talking at + the top of his voice, “if you do not put that cover on straight I will + report you, and you will be court-martialled for insulting a Prince of the + Blood.” + </p> + <p> + All the while he kept swaying as if he were about to fall. + </p> + <p> + Straightening himself up with much difficulty and assuming a drunken + dignity he started to go away; but as if he were unable to free his + intoxicated mind from the one idea that obsessed it, he turned and changed + his tone to a persuasive one. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t insist that you take the cover off,” he laughed, “I only insist + that it be straightened, because you can see as well as I that it is not + on perfectly straight, and your orders were to put these covers on + straight, perfectly straight.” + </p> + <p> + The Captain, now thoroughly amused, and deciding that the best way was to + humour him, thought, since his orders were only not to remove, that he + would be able to satisfy the Prince without directly disobeying his + instructions. He therefore ordered the men to unstrap the cover and pull + it around. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence seemed entirely satisfied with this, and took such interest in + seeing that the cover was adjusted to exactly the right position, that he + leaned over and took hold of it himself, as if to give his help. As he did + so he gave a lurch, and grabbing at the cover as if to save himself, he + went down in a heap with it on top of him. + </p> + <p> + The men helped him quickly to his feet and as quickly readjusted the + cover, but not before he had seen that the drum-shaped objects were in + fact great wooden spools on which were wound thousands and thousands of + yards of large copper wire. + </p> + <p> + Having seen all that he wanted, he now turned his attention towards + getting back to the Embassy, so taking the Captain’s arm, and seeming + either to have lost all interest or to have been overcome by his fall, + made his way along. He swung and lurched so that it was with difficulty + the officer kept him on his feet. + </p> + <p> + Then when they arrived at the front steps and the Captain was assisting + him up, Lawrence, as if suddenly awaking from sleep, stopped. + </p> + <p> + “I am too dirty to go in by the front door,” he protested, “I will go in + by the garden. I am much obliged to you, Captain; don’t come any farther.” + </p> + <p> + Then laughing and shaking his finger in the Captain’s face, he said in a + tone of exultation: “I got that cover on straight, anyhow—perfectly + straight.” + </p> + <p> + Swaying as he rounded the corner of the house, he went in through the side + door, where he found Fred waiting for him, who pulled off his boots and + gave him his pumps. + </p> + <p> + He took off his busby, and handed it to Fred, unpinned the long military + cloak, unbuckled his sword, turned down the collar of his evening coat, + and “Richard was himself again.” + </p> + <p> + Stepping into the elevator and letting himself off at the main floor, he + went hurriedly into the room where Edestone was still showing his + pictures, while Fred, after brushing and cleaning the royal paraphernalia, + put them back in their place. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence moved quickly over to the cabinet where Mr. Black was working the + machine and stepped inside. “I must speak to Mr. Edestone,” he whispered. + “Can’t you stop the machine as if something had gone wrong? Then Mr. + Edestone will come back here and see what is the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Not on your life!” Black shook his head violently. “The Emperor now is in + a perfect fury. He and Mr. Edestone have had one or two ‘set-tos,’ and Mr. + Edestone is beginning to put it back at him pretty strong, and if anything + should happen to the machine I think it would end in a fight. I rather + wish we were back in New York. If it is necessary for you to speak to Mr. + Edestone before the lights go up, this reel that I am running off now will + take just about eight minutes more, so if you will slip quietly back of + the screen you can whisper to him from there without attracting much + attention. I will make a little extra noise to help you out.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence worked his way unobtrusively through the room, and standing just + to the side of the screen in a dark corner, called in a low voice: + </p> + <p> + “Jack, can I speak to you?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had been deeply concerned about him, felt that a load was + lifted from his mind when he heard the dare-devil’s voice. He knew at + least that Lawrence was back safely, and he was confident that he would + not have come back without the information until he had made a good fight + for it. So as everything was quiet on the outside he was reassured. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence very quickly explained to him exactly what he had seen, and + Edestone, squeezing his arm, said quietly: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! That is their little game!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. — TWO REMARKABLE MEN + </h2> + <p> + When the lights finally went up and the entertainment ended, perhaps the + most surprised, almost dumbfounded, man in the room was Jones. He now had + his first insight into the stupendous amount of work that had been done by + his friend, and was completely overcome by the seriousness of the + situation. He understood at last many things which had been lost on him + before, as for instance the insinuating remarks of the Chancellor at their + various conferences and why he had suspected the Secretary of lying to + him. + </p> + <p> + Jones wondered also if his own Government had purposely kept the Embassy + in the dark as to its relationship with Edestone. Not knowing the + whereabouts or even the ownership of this frightful instrument of war, he + was at a loss to know what he should say when certain pointed questions + which were inevitable were put to him. + </p> + <p> + He realized now for the first time that the German General Staff was at + work and would stop at nothing either to obtain the use of this great + monster of the air or, by seizing Edestone himself, control its movements; + that is, if Edestone and not the United States were operating it. + </p> + <p> + He could not blind himself to the air of confidence that pervaded the + entire company, composed as it was of the highest men in the German + Government, and this led him to believe that they knew Edestone held the + key of the situation, and as long as they held him they occupied the + strongest position. + </p> + <p> + But why, he could not help asking himself, had Edestone been such a fool + as to put himself so completely in their power. Still, being a very astute + man, and having the greatest confidence in his old friend, who he knew + would do the straight thing in a strong position and the wise thing if he + found himself in a weak one, he awaited developments. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had walked over to the Secretary of Legation, leaned down + and said in a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear: + </p> + <p> + “Will you please say to His Imperial Majesty that if there is any question + he would like to put to me, or if he would care to have me repeat any of + the pictures, I should appreciate the great honour.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor, who was just waking up to the fact that he had in this young + American a very strong and clever man to deal with, was to a certain + extent at a loss to decide just how he would treat him. + </p> + <p> + Without waiting to have the request conveyed to him in due form, and + speaking directly to Edestone he said in an affable voice: + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see again the picture showing the working of the + bomb-dropping device, and I would like to have the film stopped exactly at + the moment that the projectile leaves the tube. I wish to examine the + action of the ejector.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be most happy,” replied Edestone, “to run that film again very + slowly and repeat it as often as Your Majesty may desire. I can also run + it backward very slowly, but I cannot stop the machine that I am using + tonight without ruining the film, and I am quite sure,” he bowed most + respectfully, “that Your Majesty will not wish me to do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop that machine as I order you to do, and ruin the film if it is + necessary!” said the Emperor in his most commanding tone. + </p> + <p> + At last Edestone had the chance he had been looking for. He knew that he + was perfectly in his rights, and if he refused and the Emperor still + insisted upon his most unjust demand, it would open the eyes of his + country’s representative to the situation and the true attitude of the + German authorities. Besides, he was incensed at the wanton destruction of + other people’s property to satisfy the whims of this absolute monarch. + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot do that, and for state reasons + that it is impossible for me to explain.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor turned perfectly livid. His face was painful to look at. He + tried vainly to speak, but could not. It was plain that he was labouring + under an emotion greater than his physical condition could stand. His + mouth worked and each hair of his moustache seemed to stand on end, giving + to his trembling lips an almost ghastly expression. He was seized with a + violent fit of coughing which on account of the weak condition of his + throat caused his doctor, without whom he rarely moved, to step forward, + as if alarmed, to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + General von Lichtenstein leaned over as if to restrain him and whispered + something in his ear, but this seemed only to infuriate him the more, and + he waved his Councillor aside. + </p> + <p> + The Acting Ambassador, a lawyer of ability, felt strongly the justice of + Edestone’s position in defending his property rights, and had he been + sitting on the bench instead of on the edge of a raging volcano would have + ruled in his favour. As it was, he watched with intense interest this + contest between these two remarkable men. + </p> + <p> + When the Emperor had recovered sufficiently to speak, in a way that showed + his uncontrollable rage was battling with an inherited physical weakness, + his voice, starting in a whisper, rose and broke, and, in his violent + efforts to control the convulsive spasms of his throat, turned into a + scream. + </p> + <p> + “Show that film!” he shouted, “and stop it where I command or I will + confiscate everything you have and throw you into prison.” + </p> + <p> + At this Jones rose quickly to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes, and + he was about to speak, but General von Lichtenstein rushed over and + stopped him. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty is beside himself,” he urged in a low voice. “He does not + mean what he says. When he is himself again he will regret the indignity + that he has offered your country and will make reparation.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor had also arisen and was standing in the midst of as furious + and warlike a looking lot of men as had ever grouped themselves around his + wild barbaric ancestors, ready to pile their dead bodies about their + master and give the last drop of blood for his protection. + </p> + <p> + They looked as if they approved and only waited for the word to rush in + and avenge the insult to their beloved lord, and while waiting for this + word they stood and glared at Edestone with a look of absolute contempt + and undying hatred. + </p> + <p> + “Well, which shall it be?” said the Emperor, in a voice which was more + under control but none the less determined. “Will you stop your film?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who all this time had stood perfectly still looking at the + Emperor with eyes out of which had gone every vestige of deference and + respect, showed in every feature a fixed and determined but absolutely + cool defiance. The only time that his face had changed or his position + altered since he last spoke was when the Emperor was apparently suffering, + and then it had taken on an expression of deep pity and sincere sympathy + and he too had made a step forward as if to render assistance. + </p> + <p> + This had quickly changed, however, when his glance caught the look of + hatred that was riveted upon him. Declining even to glance at the Emperor, + he addressed himself directly to the Secretary of Legation, speaking in a + perfectly clear voice, which was a relief after the Emperor’s painful and + rasping efforts. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Secretary,” he said slowly, “I resent the insult to you, and through + you to our country, which you represent, but if I thought that by + complying with the unjust demands which the Emperor of Germany has seen + fit to make I could prevent war between the United States and his country, + I naturally would comply. When I see, however, that the Emperor of Germany + refuses to respect the rights of an American citizen in the house of his + Ambassador, I realize that the destruction of my film will not save the + situation.” He turned to the Emperor. “I regret that I cannot comply with + your commands. The matter is now between our two Governments.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor laid his hand upon his sword and made a movement as though he + intended to strike, at which every sword in the room flashed from its + scabbard, save only that of old von Lichtenstein, who pressing forward + laid a dissuasive hand on the Emperor’s arm. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t let him draw you on,” he whispered to his master; “this may be some + trick.” Then to the rest he said in a contemptuous tone: “Don’t make fools + of yourselves and make Germany ridiculous.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor turned to the Secretary. “Sir,” he said in a voice trembling + with agitation, “you have heard the insult that has been offered to my + Imperial person, and if you do not deliver this man over to my police, I + shall at twelve o’clock tomorrow night declare war against the United + States of America, and until that time”—threateningly—“I shall + hold you personally responsible for him.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly + twenty-five minutes past eleven o’clock, a proceeding which almost caused + the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once more held in + check by General von Lichtenstein. + </p> + <p> + “I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty,” he declared. + </p> + <p> + The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor’s last attack. “I + shall report to my Government all that has passed,” he replied, “and + exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I receive + an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty.” He finished, and stood + waiting as if to force the Emperor’s immediate departure. + </p> + <p> + Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of + their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the Emperor + and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the slightest further + notice of Edestone. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. — ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + </h2> + <p> + The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and + Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the + return of General von Lichtenstein was announced. + </p> + <p> + The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He greeted + the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “you needed my old head on your young shoulders + badly tonight. I have returned to have a talk with the Acting Ambassador, + and I think that if he can prevail upon you to be reasonable I may be able + to settle this little difficulty between you and His Imperial Majesty, the + Emperor. If you will only lead us into some smaller room, Mr. Secretary, + we can sit down and over our cigars discuss this matter quietly.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that my machine—” began Edestone, but he was quickly + interrupted by the General. + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut, that is nothing at all. That was simply two young men losing + their tempers, and ought to be soon settled. One being an Emperor makes it + a little more difficult, I will admit, but I have seen Emperors angry + before and they are just like any of us. They cool off when they realize + that they have,” and he lowered his voice with a quizzical look, “been a + little bit foolish.” + </p> + <p> + When they were all comfortably seated around the table in the library of + the Embassy, and the General and Edestone had lighted cigars, while Jones, + who never smoked, looked on, the old General, statesman, philosopher, and + writer opened the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “We have now come to the last hand in this game which we have been + playing,” he said, “and I think it would be just as well for all cards to + be laid on the table.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone looked at him in surprise, for instead of the simple, smiling old + gentleman, with the soft gentle voice and fatherly manner, he saw a + crafty, dangerous, and determined man of steel. His voice was cold and + harsh, his winning smile had gone. He had come to fight and to fight + desperately to the finish. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place,” he continued, “we do not know exactly what is the + relationship between you,” looking at Edestone, “and the United States of + America,” with a wave of his hand toward Jones, “and as there can now be + no reason for further concealment, since we are virtually on the verge of + a declaration of war—a step which I am here to prevent if possible—I + will say that it makes no difference to His Imperial Majesty’s Government + what that relationship may be, so long as Germany gets the use of Mr. + Edestone’s invention. But we will declare war upon the United States + tomorrow night unless we get an assurance from you that we shall have the + exclusive right to the one and only flying machine in which this invention + has been installed.” + </p> + <p> + At this Jones looked over at Edestone with a glance of inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Edestone in answer to this, “there is only one.” + </p> + <p> + “Germany understands, of course,” proceeded the General, “that the United + States will construct others, but so will Germany. Germany is willing and + prepared to pay well for this, although she knows that by holding Mr. + Edestone she controls this machine and could have it without paying for + it. We admit that we do not know where it is, but we are confident that + Mr. Edestone does,”—he turned upon Edestone the look of a wild beast + who has his prey and loves to torture it,—“and we intend that he + shall communicate with the commander and see that this ship is sent to + some place where we can take possession of it.” + </p> + <p> + And then with a grim smile he leaned forward on the table, looking first + at the Secretary and then at Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You are both virtually prisoners in this Embassy,” he said. “That is my + hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we are now at war,” said the Secretary with a quiet smile. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied the General, “it has not come to that yet. And it does not + necessarily have to come to that. We should be able to arrange this matter + here tonight. As I have said, Germany will pay well. She is willing to + start on even terms with the United States, who can build just as fast as + we can. Germany will bring this war to an end within a week, and then she + and the United States can come to an agreement as to how they will divide + up the rest of the earth.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled and made no answer. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary said: “I can do nothing until I have communicated with my + Government.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” said the General impatiently, “but we cannot wait until we + get an answer from your very slow and inefficient State Department. We + must have a reply before tomorrow night at 12 o’clock. Have you nothing to + say, Mr. Edestone? You are perhaps personally the most deeply interested, + because I tell you,” he grinned cruelly, “we will get your secret if we + have to put you on the rack and go back five centuries in the eyes of the + rest of the world, should it be necessary to do that in order to give it + the blessings that can only be gotten under German rule. I ask you again, + have you nothing to say?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, General,” replied Edestone. + </p> + <p> + He was slowly blowing rings of smoke, seeming almost to fascinate the + General, who would often stop speaking to follow them with his eyes until + they broke or were lost in the darkness in the corners of the room. This + was an old trick of his to divert the attention of his adversary, therein + improving on Bismarck who always used his cigar to gain time when driven + to a corner. + </p> + <p> + “That is your final answer?” said the General. + </p> + <p> + “My final answer,” Edestone bowed. + </p> + <p> + “And you, Mr. Secretary?” + </p> + <p> + “I am but the mouthpiece of my Government, and she has not spoken yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, gentlemen,” said the General rising, “I think we understand each + other.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” replied Edestone. “Good-night, sir.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary accompanied the visitor out into the hall, leaving Edestone, + who as soon as he was alone rang for a servant and sent for Lawrence. In + the meantime he just had opportunity to glance at the note which General + von Lichtenstein had given him. It was a mere scrap of writing asking him + to come to the Princess Wilhelmina immediately after the departure of His + Imperial Majesty. + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came in he hastily slipped this into his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “I want you to send a message for me as soon as Jones + has given his consent. I will ask him in regard to it as soon as he + returns, so you had better wait and hear what he has to say.” + </p> + <p> + A moment later the Secretary came into the room with a very worried + expression on his face. “Edestone,” he said impressively, “this + undoubtedly means war.” + </p> + <p> + “And if so,” rejoined Edestone, “we will win.” + </p> + <p> + He then explained to Jones how he was in daily communication with “Specs” + and was now only waiting for the Secretary’s consent to send for him and + he could have him over Berlin in seven hours. He also explained to him + about the instrument that was in the penthouse on the roof of the Embassy. + </p> + <p> + “But what do you propose to do, Jack?” frowned the Secretary. “Do you + intend to fight these people single-handed and thereby drag your country + into a cruel and disastrous war? That seems to me to be unnecessary.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I propose to save you and the members of the Embassy from a very + disagreeable experience and from what may develop into a very dangerous + situation; for I am convinced that these Germans will not hesitate to fire + upon the Embassy if you do not deliver me up to them. The only hope of + stopping war without loss of life is through me and my invention. I + therefore ask your permission to send the following message,” and he + handed the Secretary a scrap of paper upon which he had written: + </p> + <p> + “Be exactly over American Embassy Berlin tomorrow night at nine o’clock. + Take station at 5000 feet and there await instructions. + </p> + <h3> + “E.” + </h3> + <p> + The Secretary took the paper and read it through twice very slowly. + </p> + <p> + “I fear,” he said with a sigh, “that is the only way.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. — WHERE IS IT? + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary left the room after practically turning the entire matter + over to Edestone. He feared that the time had come to show force. The + Germans, in what they felt might be a desperate strait, had thrown to the + wind caution, tradition, and the usages of civilized warfare. They were + preparing some desperate move which he felt that he was powerless to stop. + Diplomacy with them now was as useless as pure logic on a charging + elephant. + </p> + <p> + How they expected to stand against Edestone and his diabolical mystery of + the air, he could not comprehend, but he had lived long enough with this + nation to know them. Simple, kind, and lovable in their ordinary lives, + they were nevertheless, on the subject of war, individually and + collectively mad and they were ready to die fighting. + </p> + <p> + Whereas any sane man could see that their fight with Edestone was + hopeless, they with their absolute confidence and conceit were preparing + to pit themselves against him and some unknown secret of nature. While he, + with his discovery, was apparently in a position to let loose upon their + defenceless city an engine of destruction too terrible to think of. + Edestone, like the pilot who has come aboard the ocean liner, had now + taken entire charge. + </p> + <p> + The first thing was to get off this message, so he sat down to work out + the cipher known only to himself and “Specs.” He said to Lawrence: + </p> + <p> + “My initials J. F. E. are the call which must be repeated three times, + then twice, and then finally once. This must all be repeated with one + minute intervals until answered by the single letter ‘E,’ which will be + repeated eight times, once for every letter in my name, and after an + interval of five minutes, once again only. + </p> + <p> + “After you have satisfied yourself that you are in touch with Mr. Page, my + head man, ‘Specs,’ I call him, send him this.” He handed Lawrence one word + of twenty-two letters, or rather twenty-two letters which he had + apparently taken indiscriminately from a small pocket dictionary. “Have + him repeat, and see that there is no mistake,” and continuing, he said: + “We are certainly being watched by the German servants; the condition of + my trunks shows that, so the first thing to do is to get them out of the + way. Call them all down into the ballroom, and say that I wish to speak to + them. See that everyone is there, and if there is a single one missing, + search the house from garret to cellar until you find them all. I will + give them a little talk which will give you and Black time to get off this + message. I will, incidentally, show them that I propose to put up with no + nonsense whatever.” + </p> + <p> + As Lawrence was leaving the room he said to him with a jolly laugh: “Oh, + by the way, how does it feel to be rich again? I have been so occupied + with other things that I have not had time to thank and congratulate you + on your splendid work. What a fine story it will make when we get back to + New York, which will be very soon, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + When the servants came in he first gave them a little insight into the + real state of affairs from a standpoint that they had never known. He then + explained to them that the Embassy was practically in a state of siege, + and that he was in command, and that if he heard of any one of them having + any communication whatever with anyone on the outside, he would treat them + in the way that he had treated the people in the pictures which he had + shown them, only he would put them out of the window and they would keep + going up and up and never come down again. So when Lawrence returned and + signalled that he might let them go, a more thoroughly scared set of + domestics never waited on the word of “Ivan the Terrible.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Bo,” said Lawrence as he threw himself into a comfortable chair, + after slopping whisky and water all over the tablecloth and dropping a + large piece of ice on the floor which he kicked violently at the + retreating servant at whom he had bellowed, giving a perfect imitation of + a Prussian officer in a public restaurant when American ladies are + present, “this has certainly been ‘some day.’ Will you please be so kind + as to put me wise on a few of your dates? + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, who was the ‘wise guy’ who rushed out from nowhere + and swallowed up my J. F. E. like an old trout from under a bank who had + never seen a Silver Doctor before? Where is he? How is he to get here, and + what is he going to do when he does?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone quietly finished the lighting of his cigar, and after he was + thoroughly satisfied that this was perfectly done and it was going to draw + to his entire satisfaction, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, now that you are to be my fellow-partner in crime, and Jones is our + associate, I will tell you. Do you remember the summer way back in the + 90’s that you and I spent in Switzerland mountain climbing?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, perfectly,” said Lawrence, “but that was a long time ago. We were + nothing but kids then.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember that you, kid-like, insisted upon going over a very + flimsy-looking snow bridge, simply because the old guide told us that he + had never seen that crevasse bridged before, and that the tradition down + in Chamonix was that it had only been bridged once or twice in the memory + of man? + </p> + <p> + “And do you remember,” went on Edestone, “that at first he refused to go, + saying that if it broke after we got over, there was no possible way of + our getting back?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” acknowledged Lawrence, “the old ‘chump,’ and I remember that we + went over and got back all right, and those guides are talking about it + yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, do you remember,” continued Edestone, “that when we scrambled up + over the next rock ridge we looked into a regular bowl-shaped valley that + had the appearance of a crater of an extinct volcano?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ‘Specs’ is there in that valley, where perhaps no human being has + ever been before. I sent him there for that reason. He has been there for + the last two months and a half, unknown to anyone on the face of the earth + and thoroughly protected from the storms that sweep over that portion of + the French Alps.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll be damned,” said Lawrence. “Is ‘Specs’ the skipper of that + pretty little toy you were showing on the screen?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Captain Lee is the skipper,” laughed Edestone. “Dear old ‘Specs’ is + my boss. He is the Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, for the love of Mike,” exploded Lawrence. “What a swell chance + those mortars out there with their long distance telephone attachments + will have with that Queen of the Milky Way. You don’t mean to say that he + is coming over here with his forty thousand tons and float around up there + five thousand feet above the Embassy?” he exclaimed as he looked up at the + ceiling with a look of alarm, as if he expected to see it come crushing + down on him at any moment. And jumping out of his chair he ran about the + room, making the most ridiculous gestures, crying: “Air, I want air!” + while Edestone laughed until the tears rolled down his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “But say, Bo,” said Lawrence, “there is nothing to it. What do you suppose + those crazy Dutchmen are thinking about? Why I thought that sky pirate + belonged to the United States, and was now probably tied to a dock in some + mud flat, with a crew of two brass polishers and a Sunday School teacher, + while the Virginia creeper and the North Carolina milkweed twined about it + to make nests for the Dove of Peace.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Edestone, “it is what you have just called it, a Sky Pirate, + and I am the buccaneer.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the Emperor know that when he got so gay with you tonight?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “No, he does not know that, but he knows everything else.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what is his game?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone, after thinking for a while, “as far as I can make + it out it is this: They do not want to kill me; they are using me to bait + the trap with which they hope to catch the ‘Queen of the Milky Way,’ as + you call her. They will take her dead, now that they cannot get her alive, + and they hope to be able to put new life into her after they have taken + all life out with the ‘long distance telephone attachments,’ as you call + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is he so certain that you will not drop bombs on his city?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” replied Edestone, “unless he knows that I am more of a + gentleman than he is. Or perhaps he thinks that I will not allow any + damage to be done until I am safely on board, which may or may not be + perfectly true.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Tu as raison, mon vieux</i>,” shrugged Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “They will do nothing to me until they are certain that they are going to + lose me. They want me alive, but would rather have me dead than in the + hands of the other fellow. Now do you understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly,” replied Lawrence, pretending to look very wise. “What do + you mean about taking her dead if they can’t get her alive, and what have + those wires got to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean by taking her alive,” said Edestone, “buying her from whoever she + belongs to, and keeping me here to show them how to run her. And when I + spoke of taking her dead, I had forgotten that you had not heard what I + said tonight while showing the pictures. I will explain this to you + sometime when we get on board and we have more time, but you will + understand enough when I tell you this.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence listened attentively as Edestone continued. + </p> + <p> + “They know that she floats by virtue of an instrument that I have; they + know that she will not float if brought in contact with the earth or if + connected with it by means of some electrical conductor. They propose to + establish an electrical connexion between her and the ground by throwing + those wires over her with mortars, just as the life-saving men throw a + life-line to a ship in distress.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was why they were so carefully connected with the water main,” + interrupted Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Edestone, “and when they get her down they will expect me + with my instrument to float her off again.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you think of their chances of pulling this off?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Edestone thoughtfully, “their chances are small, but you + can never tell what these very resourceful people may do. They are buoyed + up by a hopefulness that is almost uncanny and they can’t all be crazy!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. — THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + </h2> + <p> + Edestone and Lawrence sat quietly for a few minutes, Lawrence watching him + with a merry twinkle in his eye while Edestone was unconsciously fingering + the note that General von Lichtenstein had given him. Finally he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’m off for bed. I have a hard day before me tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you are, you old fox!” said his companion. “I’m on to you. There is + something up, and you can’t hide it from me. You have been sitting there + fingering that note from—well, I guess I can pretty well call you, + because your lady friends in Berlin are limited—with the silliest + expression I have ever seen on your face. Now, out with it! You had better + get it off your chest by telling your troubles to papa.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone put the note quickly into his pocket, and was about to force + through his bluff when Lawrence stopped him by saying: + </p> + <p> + “You can trust me, old man; now out with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone in an embarrassed tone, “General von Lichtenstein + did give me a note from Princess Wilhelmina,” showing it to Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” Lawrence said, “what do you propose to do? If you are + going to take a chance for the pleasure of seeing a beautiful woman, I am + with you heart and soul; but if you are taking a chance because you + believe she is sincerely in distress and calling on you, an American here + in Berlin, when she’s got all of those becorseted Johnnies around her, you + had better allow me to advise you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am perfectly willing to take a chance,” cried Edestone in an angry + tone, “if you choose to call it that, because I have absolute confidence + in her.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, Jack, I think you are beginning to get a little bit soft on the + Princess. You may be all right when it comes to straight electricity, but + I think you will admit that I have had more experience in this kind of + animal magnetism than you. She is certainly a snappy little induction + coil.” + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, please don’t,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you don’t know perfectly well, Jack, that General von Lichtenstein + would not have delivered that note from a Princess of the house of + Windthorst to you, a low-born American plebeian, unless it was part of + their scheme. Why it’s as much as his life is worth, if it is as you + believe it to be,” and he gave Edestone a knowing look. + </p> + <p> + “Now, cut that out, Lawrence,” said Edestone in a decided tone. “Do not + think for one moment that I have any illusions as far as that young lady + is concerned. She is evidently in trouble of some kind, and the fact that + she is so young offsets that of her being a Princess.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence shrugged his shoulders, and occupied himself smoking while + Edestone continued: + </p> + <p> + “I think that General von Lichtenstein thinks she is working for them, but + I am just fool enough to think that she is not. In fact, I know she is + not, but even if she were, I would like to show those people that I will + not allow them to sacrifice her dignity and compromise herself in her own + eyes even for them, so I am going, if for no other reason than to keep her + from doing something which she may some day deeply regret. I’m off. If you + want some excitement, why you might drop into some of the clubs and feel + out the officers.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Lawrence, “that is a good idea. I will be just about as popular + as a baby rabbit in a litter of foxes.” + </p> + <p> + “And you can enjoy watching them as they sit around, licking their chops,” + interjected Edestone, “as they think of the dainty morsel you will make + when they eat you alive tomorrow. Be careful. We want no false steps, and + there are some pretty skittish ponies in the Emperor’s stable. He can hold + in check his plough horses, but these young thoroughbreds are getting + nervous at the post.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence, “I never was very strong for these Prussians, but + they made a hit with me tonight in the way in which they started for you. + They were a pretty fine looking lot of handsome young chaps,” and curling + an imaginary moustache, he continued: “Almost as good as our eleven of + 1903,” and they both stood and toasted grand old Harvard, and he was + leaving the room singing, “Here’s to dear old Harvard, drink her down!” + when Edestone called him back and said: + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, get one of the Embassy automobiles and I will drop you on the + way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, whereas he knew that his movements were being watched and that + this meeting had been arranged, if not by the German General Staff, by + some of its female lieutenants, was determined to show them that he did + not intend to compromise this little Princess by calling upon her at that + hour of the night in a secretive manner. + </p> + <p> + All was perfectly quiet in the streets, and the automobile was allowed to + pass without interruption. When he arrived at the Palace he imagined that + the coast had been cleared for him, for on entering he discovered that + there was some sort of an entertainment going on, which would have + necessitated the presence of waiting automobiles on the outside, which + were conspicuous by their absence. + </p> + <p> + He was evidently expected, and was immediately conducted to a small room. + He could hear music and laughter in another part of the Palace, but saw no + one except the flunkeys in the hall. + </p> + <p> + The room into which he was shown was evidently one of those used by the + family in their home life, as was shown by the papers, books, and fancy + work lying about. + </p> + <p> + The situation would ordinarily have been most amusing to him, and had he + not been so occupied with such serious matters, and had there been less of + a difference in their ages and social positions, he would have enjoyed the + excitement of a mysterious rendezvous with this extremely charming and + attractive young woman. + </p> + <p> + He was thoroughly conscious of her attractions, and though he might have + denied the necessity of this, in thinking of her he always kept before his + mind the fable of the fox and the sour grapes. + </p> + <p> + He was kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, and he began to wonder if + the whole thing had not been arranged, and would not have been surprised + if when the door quietly opened he had seen von Lichtenstein or even the + Emperor himself instead of a very much frightened little woman. + </p> + <p> + She was apparently supported by sheer will power and the pride of the + Princess, which she had inherited from her long line of ancestors, + extending back into the unwritten pages of history. + </p> + <p> + She was dressed so simply that the lines of her most graceful little + figure were perfectly revealed, but with such modesty that though she + followed the dictates of the modern fashions, which leave little to the + imagination, the effect upon Edestone was that of reverence in the + presence of such youth and innocence. + </p> + <p> + To him she seemed to be draped in some soft silky material, and though her + neck and arms were bare, they were enveloped in a shimmer of tulle, which + she held about her as if for protection. Her hair, parted in the middle, + was flatly dressed, and held close to her small head by a little band of + jewels which encircled it and crossed her low white brow. + </p> + <p> + She was perfectly calm, dignified, and had herself well in hand. There was + an expression upon her face of resolution, and as if to help, she assumed + a more royal and dignified bearing than he had ever supposed she was + capable of. + </p> + <p> + She had evidently been crying, but her voice was steady and rather haughty + in its tone as she said, giving him her hand: + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you have come.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone took it gently in his own, and bowing, scarcely touched it with + his lips, but when he felt its icy touch, and caught the faint perfume, he + felt a thrill, and for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence of a + Royal Princess, who looked upon him as something a little bit better than + a servant, and not as good as the most miserable Count that ever wore a + paper collar or passed a fraudulent check at the Newport Reading Room. + </p> + <p> + Recovering himself quickly, however, he dropped her hand and stood in an + attitude of deep respect, but not until she had caught the look that he + had given her. + </p> + <p> + Not daring to look up at her for fear of her indignation at his + presumption, he busied himself arranging the cushions in a seat for her. + </p> + <p> + Raising her hand to her throat, which had moved convulsively, she watched + him with a quiet little smile, as if waiting to finish the deadly work + which she, young as she was, knew that she had started. Like a great ring + general, she did not intend to allow her adversary time to recover before + she administered the <i>coup de grace</i>. + </p> + <p> + When he recovered sufficiently to allow himself to look at her, although + he resolved to keep strictly to the object of their meeting, he was so + struck with her great charm that he could not resist saying: + </p> + <p> + “I sincerely hope, Princess, that you will pardon me if I take the great + liberty of saying to you that you are looking extremely beautiful + tonight.” + </p> + <p> + She answered with a smile. + </p> + <p> + And then in a light and frivolous tone, and looking at her in a manner + which she could not misunderstand, with the deepest respect he added: + </p> + <p> + “If I were a Prince and a few years younger, I would humbly kneel and + worship at your shrine, Princess.” + </p> + <p> + A cloud passed over her face, but recovering, with a look which if + Edestone had been younger and less sensible would have finished him: + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled coquettishly, “I understand that you were + tonight a match for an Emperor; and I am feeling very old myself.” + </p> + <p> + With a smile acknowledging her condescension in allowing this slight + exchange of repartee, he assumed a fatherly air, and said, having + recovered himself entirely: + </p> + <p> + “Now, my dear and very sweet little Princess, your very old and most + humble servant awaits your orders. The only reward that he expects is that + he be allowed to see you one or two times before he dies of old age, or + you are seated on a throne.” + </p> + <p> + With an impatient gesture, and an almost imperceptible stamp of her little + foot, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Please don’t talk that way. I hate being a Princess, and the way you say + it makes me hate myself,” and with a quick glance and a tone of great + seriousness: “I don’t think you are so old as all that. + </p> + <p> + “I have sent for you,” changing her voice, “to warn you again. It was + absolutely necessary in order to arrange this meeting to lead them to + believe that I was willing to do that which you must hate me for—use + my power as a woman to persuade you to give up the position which you have + taken, and though I hate them all for it, in order to save you from + certain death I have compromised myself in my own eyes, and have done that + which will cause you to hate me.” + </p> + <p> + “That I could never do,” said Edestone, which brought a faint smile to her + lips. “Princess, I appreciate more deeply than I can say your great + kindness, and if there is anything that I can do which will save you from + these people when they find that you have failed in your undertaking, you + can command me. Your warning, however, comes as no surprise to me; but I + appreciate it none the less.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I not hold out to them,” she anticipated, “that you had agreed to + reveal this secret to me, and in that way gain time, and you might be able + to get out of Berlin?” + </p> + <p> + “But what would become of you when they discovered that you had played + them false?” asked Edestone. And then, as if hesitating to refer to the + delicacy of her position, an English Princess in Berlin, he added: “They + are relentless, and they might suspect you of playing into the hands of + England. No, Princess, there is but one thing for you to do, and that is + to say that I declined absolutely and entirely to consider any proposition + of any kind. + </p> + <p> + “If you were in any way associated with me in what I have already done and + what I propose to do, I should not be willing to leave you in Berlin, and + though I know you are absolutely sincere in your intentions to assist me + in my work, there is no possible way for me to protect you other than by + taking you with me, which is absolutely out of the question. You would not + be safe even in the American Embassy.” + </p> + <p> + She thought for a while, and then, as if an idea had struck her, she said + blushingly: + </p> + <p> + “My mother, like myself, is perfectly loyal to England, and if as I + understand it is the intention of the American Government to come out on + the side of the Allies, would there be any impropriety in my going with + her to the Embassy and taking my chances with the Secretary’s family?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be impossible,” said Edestone. “They have taken you into their + confidence, and would not allow you to leave the country. I think mine is + the only plan. Say to them that I would listen to no proposition, and + allow me to go and take my chances.” + </p> + <p> + He could not trust himself, and he knew his only hope of keeping her + esteem was in getting out before she discovered his real secret, and + rising in a most dignified manner he kissed her hand, and then allowing + himself to press it gently to his cheek for a moment, left the room + abruptly, while she sank into a seat and covered her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. — THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + </h2> + <p> + The next morning everything was perfectly quiet on the outside of the + Embassy. The soldiers had apparently settled down for a siege. They + contented themselves with singing hymns and drinking songs, and with mock + reverence rendering the “Star Spangled Banner,” closely followed by the + “Marseillaise,” and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + </p> + <p> + But there was mutiny within the walls. Mrs. Jones had flatly refused to + leave the Embassy. She said that she had not the slightest idea of going + up in Jack’s foolish flying machine, to be shot at by the soldiers or + dropped into the middle of the ocean; that for her part she intended to + stay exactly where she was. The Secretary might go if he wished to risk + his life in a balloon or if it was his duty, but she thought she was safer + in the Embassy. She was perfectly sure that the Germans would not dare to + shoot at it while the United States flag was flying over it, and there + were women inside. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary seemed to agree with her, and said: “It was only on your + account, my dear, that I was going. As long as the flag flies above this + roof, my duty is here, and I sincerely hope that you are right.” + </p> + <p> + “But we are now at war with these people,” said Edestone, “and they may + take it into their heads to shoot that flag away, and they have plainly + shown that they will kill and burn women and children if in their judgment + one single point, however small, can be gained in their national game of + war. It is a ruling passion with them, and they think that all of the + nicer feelings of honour, humanity, and even religion must be crushed, and + that these sentiments are foolish and are for women and weaklings only.” + </p> + <p> + At which Mrs. Jones seemed worried. She preferred, however, she said, to + stay and take a chance rather than go to certain death with Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said he, “that if we were dealing with any of the other + civilized nations, the Embassy would be perfectly safe, even if war had + been declared or forced upon us without any formal declaration, but with + the Germans in their present state of nerves, it is quite different. They + have a strange method of retaliation, not for an injury to themselves, but + for the failure on their part to inflict one upon others, which can only + be accounted for by their savage passion for revenge. The real danger, + however, will be before this while they are trying to prevent my escape.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary was anxious to remain at his post as long as possible, so he + was glad to side with Mrs. Jones. Lawrence begged for and obtained + permission to go with Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You can take absolutely nothing in the way of luggage,” said Edestone. “I + can fit you out when we get on board. I have just told Black, Stanton, and + James the same thing, and I suppose your boy would like to go with you + also.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + With no preparations to make, there was nothing to do but wait. Lawrence + was the only one who was willing to go out on the streets and stand the + ugly looks that were given by all those who in some way or another knew + that they were Americans. + </p> + <p> + On his return he reported that the papers were silent on the subject of + the Kaiser’s call at the Embassy the night before. One of the afternoon + papers, he said, did report that a very large Zeppelin had been seen + flying over Berne at 9 o’clock in the morning, at about 5000 feet, judging + by her size. At first it was thought that she was on fire from the clouds + of smoke that she was emitting, but she continued on her way in the + direction of Berlin at about fifty miles an hour. She was up too high, the + papers stated, to be identified, but as the Swiss Government knew that + none of the Allies had Zeppelins, it was suggested that a protest would + soon come from Switzerland for a violation of her neutrality. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence said that evidently the German General Staff had received some + information, for he found no officers at the Club, and troops with + anti-aircraft guns and mortars with their two-wheeled trailers were moving + in all directions. + </p> + <p> + The general public, however, as usual, seemed to have no information, and + were going about their duties in their usual stolid manner. + </p> + <p> + The troops around the Embassy had been reinforced and were showing great + activity. He thought that the Kaiser was making a personal inspection + judging by the number of high officers he saw going and coming. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were most insulting in their manner and kept him moving, and + would not allow him to go anywhere near the mortars which were stripped + for action. The covers over the two-wheeled drums were unstrapped so that + they could be thrown off at a moment’s notice. + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said Edestone, as he and Lawrence stood looking out of + one of the windows of the Embassy at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. + “They have heard something. I am surprised that we have heard nothing from + them today. You can depend upon it, they will try to get me without an + actual fight. They know that they can bamboozle our Government, but fear + the temper of our people will not stand for any killing, which they + certainly intend to do if necessary. I do wish Mrs. Jones was not here. + </p> + <p> + “If ‘Specs’ was over Berne at 9 o’clock,” he went on, “and he wanted to, + he could have been here hours ago. He is evidently jogging along slowly. + He cannot now be more than fifty miles away; he is perhaps just about at + Leipsic. I think we had better speak to him and tell him to go higher up + and not to come over Berlin before dark. You know he does not know what is + going on here. I am afraid to warn him about the wires, for if by chance + they should intercept our message they would know that they had struck a + very good answer to my ‘Little Peace Maker.’” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say,” cried Lawrence, “that there is any chance of + their pulling you down with those wires?” + </p> + <p> + “It all depends,” replied Edestone. “It would take me some time to + calculate the amount of metal it would require to take the current that + would wreck us, but if they do get that amount in contact with us and the + earth at the same time we will come down.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is the reason that I do not want to take any chance by + mentioning wires at all. They don’t know now that one wire will not do the + trick, and if they get the idea that it is a question of the largest + possible number, they will double up on us. As it is, they have sixteen, + and we have a fighting chance. At any rate, I will speak to ‘Specs’ and + tell him not to come over the Embassy until after dark.” + </p> + <p> + “Won’t he have some difficulty in finding the Embassy?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “You do not know old ‘Specs.’ In the first place he + studied for six years in Berlin and knows it from end to end. Besides, he + has all of the cities of Europe plotted, and he can get his bearings from + a dozen different points. He will feel very badly unless Capt. Lee puts + him within a few inches of where his calculations tell him he should be. + Why, you should see him calculating! He used a 6 H pencil, and he can + cover a large sheet of paper with microscopic figures before you have even + sharpened yours! It will be just like ‘Specs,’ if it is a still night, to + drop a plumb line and check himself. When you see him coming down slowly, + you can be sure that he is going to drop his ladder at exactly the right + spot. + </p> + <p> + “You see to it that the servants are all out of the way. If necessary, + lock them all down in the basement. I will work out the message.” + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence returned and stated that everything was clear, Edestone said + to him: “Send this. It says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Stand by at 50, up 10,000. After dark follow orders. If called + come quickly.’” + </pre> + <p> + They then took the elevator and went together to the roof, where with + powerful glasses they searched the south-western sky. On all sides they + could see Taubes, which like great birds were circling in all directions. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was startled by seeing something that looked like the “Little + Peace Maker,” but it turned out to be one of the largest German Zeppelins. + </p> + <p> + “Why, my boy,” laughed Lawrence, “Captain Lee could make that fellow look + like an <i>ante bellum</i> picnic in a thunderstorm, all hoop skirts and + bombazine, before Count Zeppelin could get it under the shelter tent. + </p> + <p> + “It is circling now,” he exclaimed; “he must have his eye on a Belgium + baby, the old buzzard!” + </p> + <p> + After Edestone had gotten Lawrence to his wireless instrument by first + running the car down until the top was at the level of the roof, and after + Lawrence had stepped on running it up to the top of the penthouse, he then + dropped the car down and came out on the roof again. + </p> + <p> + He looked about with his glasses; and was not surprised to see soldiers on + the roofs of the other buildings where they had stationed powerful + anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. + </p> + <p> + “I am rather glad Mrs. Jones is not coming with us,” he thought. “It is + going to be pretty hot here for a little while. We shall be under fire for + about ten feet; Captain Lee will not dare come down any closer.” + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came down, he said: “I got him and he answered me. I am sure + someone was trying to cut in. I could not tell whether he could get us or + not, but he was trying to mix us up.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone worked with his little book for a few minutes, and then read + aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Passed over Leipsic up 5000. Have been seen. Will stand by at 30, + up 10,000.” + </pre> + <p> + “That means that he is about over Dessau, and could get here in fifteen + minutes easily if called. So far so good. But those machine guns are + worrying me. I did not want to make any show of force, but self protection + may drive me to it. + </p> + <p> + “Run the elevator down, Lawrence, and come back by the stairs. We can walk + down. I want to look over my ground and plan my campaign.” + </p> + <p> + “How foolish,” he thought, “not to have remembered the machine guns on the + roofs. The only protection we have on the Embassy are the chimneys and the + penthouse, and they will protect only halfway up the landing ladder. There + is always that ten feet in which we will be exposed on all sides to a fire + under which nothing could live for half a minute.” + </p> + <p> + He then examined the door to the bulkhead at the head of the stairs. It + was strong, but there was no way to fasten it on the outside. There was + another door at the bottom of the stairs that could be locked, but it was + an ordinary door and could easily be broken down. He found only one place + on the entire roof where there was what might be called a zone of safety, + and that was by no means perfectly safe. + </p> + <p> + He carefully worked out the plan of defence, giving to his enemy the part + to play which he thought they would naturally take. + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came up he explained his plan to him. He said: “When they + see that we are attempting to escape by the roof, they will rush us by + coming up those stairs. I do not intend to allow my men to fire unless it + is absolutely necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, just shoot me one little one,” begged Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone frowned disapprovingly. “When they have broken through the lower + door, we can stand here between the penthouse and the chimneys, and by + keeping down below the parapet be comparatively safe. I will then tell + them that I have a machine gun trained on the bulkhead door, and that it + will be certain death for them to attempt to come out that way. If they + fire on the Embassy, I will order my large guns to silence every gun that + bears on it.” + </p> + <p> + As they went downstairs the sun was just setting. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. — “SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone and Lawrence were coming down the stairs they were met by one + of the German servants, who told them in a rather excited manner that the + Secretary wished to see them both in his library. + </p> + <p> + Hastening down they were surprised as they arrived in the main hall to see + through the iron and glass grille a squad of German soldiers standing at + the front door. + </p> + <p> + “This is their last card,” said Edestone in an undertone, “and if it fails + there is nothing left for them to do but kill me. They have received word + from Leipsic and they know that there is no time to lose, so we can look + out now for anything. You had better get our party together, Lawrence, and + see that every man has a pistol. There are two automatics in my room. When + you get back, if you find me standing, or if I rise, or if I light a + cigar, make some excuse and get up to the roof as quickly as you can and + send your S. O. S. call to ‘Specs.’ He can be here in fifteen minutes + after he receives it. Then, lock that grille and station someone there you + can trust.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what they’ll charge me with?” he thought as alone he entered the + room where the Secretary was sitting calmly, although Edestone could see + that he was making a great effort not to show his indignation to the + German officer who was standing in front of him. + </p> + <p> + Edestone knew him so well that when he saw his mouth fixed as though he + was whistling quietly to himself, the forefinger of his right hand at his + lips as if to assist him in his musical efforts,—he who could not + turn a tune,—he knew that Jones had himself well in hand. In his + left hand the Secretary held a formal-looking paper with which he was + quietly tapping the table in front of him as though keeping time to his + soundless and imaginary ditty. With his chin well down, he was looking + from under his heavy eyebrows with eyes that were dangerously cold. + </p> + <p> + The officer who had delivered these papers was apparently waiting for his + answer and stood very erect, looking straight ahead of him. He did not + change his position or notice Edestone as he entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Count von Hemelstein,” said Edestone on seeing who it was, + and the soldier then condescended to acknowledge the greeting with a + slight bow. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary leaned forward, and putting both hands flat on the table + while looking straight at Count von Hemelstein, said in a rather judicial + tone, as though delivering an opinion from the bench: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, Count von Hemelstein has just delivered to me an order for + your arrest on the charge of giving assistance to the enemies of Germany. + He also charges Lawrence Stuyvesant with insulting the Emperor’s uniform + and his dignity by impersonating a Prince of the Royal Blood and rendering + that Prince ridiculous. He states, however, in your case that the Emperor + will accept your explanation if you will accompany Count von Hemelstein + quietly and make it to His Imperial Majesty in person. In the case of + Lawrence Stuyvesant, he demands an apology and has paroled him in my + custody until this is received, and as in the first case he makes a + further condition, which is that the Emperor will accept an apology made + by Lawrence Stuyvesant to the Prince himself, provided only that you agree + to accompany Count von Hemelstein quietly and at once.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning as if addressing a prisoner on trial before him he said, in + that soft and quiet voice always assumed by a judge in speaking to a + criminal, even though he knows that the culprit has just boiled his + mother: + </p> + <p> + “In the case against you, Mr. Edestone, in your absence I have flatly + denied the charge. In the case against Lawrence Stuyvesant I deny all + knowledge of, and decline to express an opinion until I have had an + opportunity of looking into, the circumstances of the alleged offence.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone who had stood during this went over and took a seat at the + Secretary’s side of the table. “It is just as you said it would be,” he + observed to the Count with a mocking laugh as he passed him. “You Germans + are so thorough.” + </p> + <p> + The Count made no reply, only stiffening up, if it were possible to give + any more of that quality of German militarism to a ramrod in human form. + </p> + <p> + He stood as if expecting the Secretary to continue, or to hear further + from Edestone, but both men sat perfectly still looking at him. The + Secretary, as if having delivered his ruling, he was waiting for the case + to go on, settled back into his chair, while Edestone, with the look of a + lawyer who is perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the court, was + grinning at his opponent, toying with both hands with a small bronze + paper-weight made in the shape of a ploughshare, recently received from + Washington with the compliments of the Secretary of State. + </p> + <p> + As neither man seemed to have the slightest intention of breaking the + silence, after a moment which seemed an age, Count von Hemelstein brought + his hand with a snap to a salute. + </p> + <p> + “My orders are to bring Mr. Edestone with me,” he said, “and if you + decline to deliver him to me, Mr. Secretary, I must use force.” + </p> + <p> + “That I have no power to prevent you from doing,” said Jones. “You are now + in the Embassy of a friendly nation, on soil dedicated by His Imperial + Majesty to the use of the representative of that nation, whose safety and + that of those he may see fit to protect are guaranteed by the most solemn + promise that it is possible for one nation to make to another. If His + Imperial Majesty intends to break his solemn word, I am as powerless as + the lowest peasant in his domain. As to my word of honour as to the + safe-keeping of Mr. Lawrence Stuyvesant, you have by your act reduced me + to the rank of a simple American citizen, and as such, and not as + representing the Ambassador at the Court of Berlin—for after this + there can be none—I tell you that I will not give my word to those + who do not keep theirs. As to Mr. Edestone, I can simply, for his own + sake, advise him to go with you, but not before I tell him that his + country will resist with all its power the indignity which His Majesty has + seen fit to offer it.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who had come in during this speech, was standing looking in + amazement from one to the other. + </p> + <p> + Then Edestone rose. “Mr. Secretary,” he said, “I regret to have been the + cause of putting you in this most trying position, and before I decide to + accompany this officer or detective I must think, so with your permission + I will light a cigar.” He walked over to a table and very slowly selected + one from a box that was there. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, as if he had forgotten something, left the room hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + Edestone very deliberately took his cigar and very slowly lighted it. He + then as slowly walked back to his seat and sat blowing ring after ring, + holding all the time the box of matches in his right hand. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Lawrence had walked to the front door, as if looking out + to see why the soldiers were there, and turned the key of the grille so + noiselessly that it failed to attract any attention from the men on the + outside. Then turning to Fred, the Bowery boy, who was waiting for him, he + spoke in an undertone. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t let any of the servants open that door or even go near it,” he + said, and, satisfied that his order would be obeyed, stepped inside the + elevator and closed the door with a bang. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had meanwhile been doing anything simply to kill time, heard + this. He knew that Lawrence would work quickly, and had had ample time to + carry out the first part of his instructions. As if about to drop into his + pocket the box of matches he was holding, he drew with a quick motion a + .38 automatic, and leaning across the table covered the Count with it. + </p> + <p> + “Hold up your hands!” he said without raising his voice. “It is safer.” + </p> + <p> + There was on his face that unmistakable look of the man who intends to + kill. The other man saw it and understood, and reluctantly raised his + hands above his head after making a half-gesture as if to draw his own + pistol from his belt but thinking better of it. + </p> + <p> + “This is very foolish, Mr. Edestone,” he said with a disdainful sneer. + “Will you fight single-handed six million men?” + </p> + <p> + Jones, who when a young man had spent a good many years in a frontier + town, was too accustomed to this method of punctuating one’s remarks and + calling the undivided attention of one’s listener to them, to be much + surprised. At any rate, he showed none, and besides he knew Edestone to be + a perfectly cool man whose trigger finger would not twitch from + nervousness. + </p> + <p> + “Be careful, Jack,” he contented himself with saying very quietly; “I + suppose you know what you are about.” Then he settled back to wait for + Edestone to explain what he would do next. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, William,” said Edestone, “I know exactly what I am doing, and in + order to relieve you and your Government from any responsibility, I here, + in the presence of the Emperor’s representative, renounce my allegiance to + the United States of America and to all other countries, and I now become + a law unto myself, accountable to no one but myself—in other words, + an outlaw, a pirate.” He turned then to the emissary of the Kaiser. + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein, as I intend to keep you in that position for some + little time unless you will allow me to remove your arms—not your + sword,” he explained quickly on seeing the look of horror that came over + the Prussian’s face. “I will allow you to keep that barbaric relic of the + Middle Ages and modern Japan, to which you and the Knights k of the Orient + attach so much importance. But that very nice automatic I must have. I beg + that you will allow me to take it without any unnecessary fuss.” He walked + around the table and, gently pulling the pistol out of its holster, put it + into his own pocket, keeping the Count carefully covered all the while. + </p> + <p> + “Now you can take down your hands. I know that you can hide nothing more + dangerous in that tight-fitting uniform of yours than a long cigarette + holder and a very pretty box. I am delighted that you have been so quiet, + as no one could come to your assistance. Your soldiers are locked outside + of the iron grille and would have some difficulty in breaking it down, + even if they could hear you; so sit down. I wish to explain a few things + to you. + </p> + <p> + “It is now exactly a quarter before eight o’clock. By eight the Little + Peace Maker will be over the Embassy, and you with your boastful knowledge + of other people’s business must realize what that means. You have heard + what I just said to the Secretary representing the United States at the + Court of Berlin, and my object in making that statement before you was to + relieve him and the United States of America of the responsibility of any + of my acts. The Little Peace Maker is my own personal property, and before + she fires a gun or drops a bomb I shall haul down the flag of the United + States and run up my own private signal, which on my yacht, the <i>Storm + Queen</i>, is well known in all yachting circles. In short, from now on I + declare myself an outlaw. + </p> + <p> + “If your Emperor will allow me and my men to go abroad peaceably, I will + do so and all may be well, but at the very first act of violence I will + take the necessary steps to protect them. I intend to keep you here until + I am notified that the airship has arrived, and when I leave this room, my + advice to you is not to follow me, but go at once and notify your superior + officer and thereby save the great loss of life that will otherwise ensue. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Count, as we will have about ten minutes longer together, I am quite + sure that the Secretary will not object to your joining me with one of the + Ambassador’s extremely good cigars,” and he winked at his friend Jones. + </p> + <p> + He walked over to the table as if to get the box, but the moment his back + was turned the Count jumped and started for the door like a flash. With a + quick side step, however, Edestone threw himself between him and the only + exit from the room, and giving the fugitive a good poke in the stomach + with the muzzle of his gun, said: + </p> + <p> + “I allowed you to do that to show you that you are absolutely in my power. + Sit down, Count von Hemelstein, and if you will give me your word of + honour that you will not move I shall not tie you. Do you accept these + terms?” + </p> + <p> + The Count nodded his head and sat down, and the Secretary, who all this + time had been sitting perfectly quiet, said with a very little bit of a + smile on about one-half of his mouth: + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein, if I were you I should sit still. You must see that + you are powerless to do anything, and whereas I know that Mr. Edestone + does not intend to kill you unless it is absolutely necessary, I am + equally certain that he intends to if it is. In fact, I do not know that + he might not kill me if I stood in his way. He has just declared himself + to be an outlaw, and it is my duty to turn him over to the authorities, + but I should hate to have to try to do it now that he seems so bent on + leaving us.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who quickly caught the idea that the Secretary was trying to + convey to him, turned on his friend. + </p> + <p> + “If you, my friend, whom I have known for years, desert me now,” he + declared in a loud and apparently much excited tone, “or attempt to + deliver me over to these wild people to kill, I will kill you, if it is + the last act of my life.” He faced about so that one eye was hidden from + the flabbergasted German and gave another significant wink. Then turning + back to the Count he resumed: “I will kill any man who prevents me from + going on board the Little Peace Maker tonight. Now let us talk about more + pleasant things for the few remaining minutes that we are to have in each + other’s company.” + </p> + <p> + But the Count was in no mood for conversation. He sat staring at the + floor, while Edestone with his watch in his hand waited for word from + Lawrence. It was now eight o’clock and still no response. Could there be + some mistake? Had the Germans been able to prevent his message from going + through? Or was Lawrence waiting to be sure that the airship was coming + before leaving the roof to notify him? + </p> + <p> + On the outside all was quiet, and as long as the soldiers did not suspect, + everything would be all right. But suppose that the Emperor should grow + impatient and send another messenger? He was just congratulating himself + that the Count did not know what time it was or that the Little Peace + Maker was now overdue, when a clock somewhere struck eight. + </p> + <p> + The Count straightened up and his look of k interest changed to hope, and + finally a smile broke over his face as the minutes slipped by. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone, your little dream will soon be over,” he taunted, + after sitting for about five minutes longer. + </p> + <p> + Even the Secretary was growing fidgety. He knew that something would have + to happen soon or the German General Staff, with its usual thoroughness, + would ask the reason why, and this question would be put in their usual + forcible manner. + </p> + <p> + It was now ten minutes after eight, and Edestone expected every minute to + hear a ring at the front door. Besides, the dusk was coming on and the + servants would soon be in to light the lights. He had decided that if they + did he would retreat to the roof, forcing the Count to accompany him, and + there make a last stand. He formed a mental resolution never to leave that + roof alive except on board of the Little Peace Maker. He had always said + that he had rather be dead than a failure. He did not want to live to see + his life’s work, his beautiful ship, which must finally come down, used + for war, death, and destruction, his dream of universal peace gone + forever; or by his own discovery remove still farther from the grasp of + the long-suffering world that relief which it was vainly reaching out for + in its present desperate plight. + </p> + <p> + Was this the end? If so, he would meet it calmly, but not until he had + made a fight. Then he would meet Fate with a smile, for she had been good + to him. Perhaps an all-wise Providence had decreed that man must fight on + to the bitter end, and to punish him for his presumption in attempting to + alter an unalterable law had led him on only to destroy him just as he, + with his petty little mind, thought he had reached the goal. + </p> + <p> + The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to + happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and Jones + was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth in what + he was saying. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front + door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, “don’t you think that it is just about time to + ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I hate + to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary.” + </p> + <p> + The ring was followed by another longer than the first. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a + light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring. + </p> + <p> + “I return the compliment,” he said. + </p> + <p> + There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell was + rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door was + followed by the breaking of the glass in the iron grille. Above this din, + which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought nerves of + the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last forty + minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which at + first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity + increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up + from the southern part of the city. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have + been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window. + </p> + <p> + The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces + within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made a + jump for the door. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, you dog!” cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and + he sent a bullet crashing through the door just above the Count’s hand + where it rested on the knob. + </p> + <p> + Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the + ball that he thought must certainly follow. + </p> + <p> + “Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word + without help, I will help you next time.” + </p> + <p> + But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their + efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and + trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came + down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor who + announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the <i>Maine</i>, said: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been + sighted on our starboard bow.” Then throwing off his assumed character he + added: “Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a minute! + </p> + <p> + “And what are you going to do with this?” he asked on seeing the Count. + “Don’t you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka bibble.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: + “Good-bye, William,” he called over his shoulder. “I am sorry to have + given you so much trouble.” + </p> + <p> + When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started + for the roof. + </p> + <p> + “Where are all of those who are going with us?” asked Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!” Lawrence interrupted himself, + “Fred is still down in the front hall.” + </p> + <p> + “We must go for him,” said Edestone, halting the car and starting it down. + </p> + <p> + “Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, they won’t stop at anything.” Edestone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone + flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, + while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was running + up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to the + soldiers who had their guns through the grille: + </p> + <p> + “Shoot that man!” + </p> + <p> + There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the Bowery + boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell dead. His + body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. — L. P. M. + </h2> + <p> + Almost beside himself, Lawrence resisted all of Edestone’s efforts to get + him back into the elevator. + </p> + <p> + “You damn’ dirty Dutchman, I’ll pay you for this!” he yelled over his + shoulder, as he struggled to break loose from the firm grip which held + him, and get at the Count. + </p> + <p> + It was not a time to permit of argument. Overpowering him with his great + strength, Edestone simply dragged him back, and flung him into a corner of + the car, where he sat crying like a baby with uncontrollable rage. + </p> + <p> + After he had started the lift, however, Edestone went over and patted him + soothingly on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, old man,” he said regretfully, “awfully sorry! He thought it + was I, and I almost wish it had been.” + </p> + <p> + This brought Lawrence back to himself. He knew that Edestone meant every + word he said and, jumping to his feet, he threw his arms around his + friend’s neck. + </p> + <p> + “Bo!” he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-sobbing, “you are a king among + men!” little dreaming of the amount of truth there was in what he said. + </p> + <p> + A moment later he dropped back into the vernacular, where he was more at + home. + </p> + <p> + “You are the best sport I ever knew,” he said, “and I am nothing but a + rotten squealer! Forgive me, and I will try to be good. But, Bo! that did + hurt!” The tears came to his eyes once more. “He was such a nervy little + chap!” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had gotten to the roof, where they found Black, Stanton, + and James eagerly awaiting them. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Fred?” asked Black, noting his absence as the other two stepped + out to join them. + </p> + <p> + “Dead by God!” Lawrence started again to become hysterical. “That devil, + Count von Hemelstein, killed him!” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, Lawrence!” broke in Edestone sharply. “Cut out that swearing and + get to work. We have no time to lose.” + </p> + <p> + In the same quick, authoritative tone, he issued his orders to the others, + as they stood staring at the news, each in his different way showing his + breeding. Black was commencing to whine; Stanton with a scowl of rage was + in sympathy with Lawrence; while James, demonstrating his years of + training, stood statue-like with hand behind his back, leaning forward as + if to catch his master’s next order, and carry it out with perfect + decorum. + </p> + <p> + “Have you locked the door at the foot of the stairs? Ah! That is good!” he + exclaimed, as he saw that they had barricaded the door of the bulkhead by + putting a piece of timber between it and the coping around one of the + skylights. + </p> + <p> + It had grown quite dark in the interval, but in the glare of the great + searchlights which were playing upon her he could plainly see above him + the Little Peace Maker which had swung into a position directly over the + Embassy, and was now slowly descending. + </p> + <p> + She was not over a thousand feet above the roof as she hung there, three + of her great searchlights bearing steadily on three different points in + the city, and giving to her the aspect of an enormous spyglass standing on + its gigantic tripod, and by its own weight forcing the feet of the tripod + into the soft earth, as the ship slowly settled. + </p> + <p> + Shrapnel shells were exploding all about her, and at times she was almost + entirely enveloped in smoke. Between the reports of the heavier artillery + could be heard the staccato spatter of bullets on her iron sides as the + machine-guns sprayed her from end to end. Now and then one of the gunners + would reach one of her searchlights, and as the ray was extinguished, one + almost expected to see her topple in the direction of her broken support, + but in each case it was quickly replaced by another, and she continued to + drop nearer and nearer to the earth. + </p> + <p> + Excepting for the searchlights there was no sign of life on board. + Silently and without response of any kind, she came. But as she approached + nearer, and the angle of the German guns was still further reduced, + although they must already have been doing frightful damage in all parts + of the city, the shrapnel and small bullets could be heard screaming over + the heads of the little party on the roof. + </p> + <p> + “It is getting pretty hot here, and we had better lie down,” Edestone + said. But the words were hardly out of his mouth before Stanton fell with + a bullet in his head, and James sat down, probably more abruptly than he + had ever done anything before in all his life. + </p> + <p> + “I beg pardon, sir,” he observed with a little gasp, “but I think, sir, as + how they have got me in the leg, sir.” + </p> + <p> + They all dropped down. Stanton was dead, and James was bleeding badly from + the flesh-wound in his leg. + </p> + <p> + “That was the fellow in that tower over there.” Lawrence made a + reconnoissance. “He is now shooting straight at us.” + </p> + <p> + “This has got to stop.” Edestone frowned. “Lawrence send this message. No + cipher; I would rather have them catch this. + </p> + <p> + “Tell ‘Specs’ first to haul down the U. S. flag and run up my private + signal. Then he is to silence every gun he can find that is bearing on us, + and train a machine-gun on the door of the bulk-head, ready to fire when I + give the signal by throwing up my hat. + </p> + <p> + “Take Lawrence up to the instrument, Mr. Black,” he directed, turning to + Black who was giving “first aid” to the unfortunate valet. “I will do what + I can for James.” + </p> + <p> + When the elevator with Lawrence and the electrician had gone up above the + level of the roof, leaving the shaft open down into the house, he could + distinctly hear the soldiers running up the stairs. At any moment now they + might be hammering on the door at the foot of the stairway leading to the + roof. + </p> + <p> + He hated the idea of killing those innocent Germans, mere machines, as + they were, in the hands of a Master, who with his entire entourage had + become sick with a mania which took the form of militarism, imperialism, + and pan-Germanism. But after the death of his two fellow-countrymen—for + at heart he was still true to the land of his birth, although to save her + he had just renounced the flag—he felt that he was justified in what + he was about to do. + </p> + <p> + With a silent prayer for the peasant mothers who were soon to lose their + dear ones, he commended their souls to God, and not as these mothers, poor + benighted creatures, had done, to their Emperor. + </p> + <p> + He was startled from these sorrowful reflections by the white glow of a + searchlight from the Little Peace Maker sweeping across the roof, and + playing hither and thither. Evidently, “Specs” had received his order, and + was now feeling about for the bulkhead door. + </p> + <p> + A moment later he located it. Immediately the night was made hideous with + the roar of the guns from the airship, as they sowed bursting shells in + all directions, and carried death and destruction to the heart of this + great and wonderful city, built up stone by stone, and standing as a + living monument to one of the greatest people on the face of the earth—a + people that science teaches are the very last expression of God’s + greatness shown in His wonderful evolution of matter into His own image. + And for what? That one family might maintain the position given to one of + their ancestors in the remote, dark, and grovelling ages of the past for + prowess of which a modern prizefighter might be proud, but for acts to + which he with a higher standard might not stoop. + </p> + <p> + The telling response of the Little Peace Maker soon put an end to the + storm of shrapnel and bullets which had been singing, whistling, buzzing, + and screaming about them, and Edestone might have been able to stand up, + but for the pertinacity of the snipers, those serpents of modern warfare, + who were searching every dark corner of the roof. + </p> + <p> + Matters were fast coming to a climax, however. By the time that Lawrence + and Black had returned from sending the wireless message, and had crawled + over to where Edestone lay, the soldiers had broken down the lower door, + and were pounding at the upper, which “Specs” was holding as with a rapier + point at the heart of a fallen foe, ready to strike at the slightest + movement. + </p> + <p> + Crawling over to the elevator shaft, Edestone called down a warning in a + loud voice to those below: + </p> + <p> + “I have a machine-gun trained on the top of the stairs! If you order your + men to break that door down, I will order my guns to fire, and will kill + them faster than you can drive them up!” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the only response to his challenge was silence. Then a voice + rang out which he had heard before, arrogant and commanding: + </p> + <p> + “As God has ordained that I and none other should rule the earth, with Him + alone, I shall. By my Imperial order, and with His assistance, bring that + man to me, dead or alive!” + </p> + <p> + A brief pause ensued. Edestone could hear the officers urging on their + men. Suddenly pistol-shots rang out, and with a mad rush they came on. The + door swayed and shivered under the impact. It split and shattered. Finally + it fell. + </p> + <p> + “May God have mercy on his soul!” murmured Edestone, and he tossed his hat + high in the air. + </p> + <p> + “Specs” from his look-out caught the signal; and instantly the doorway + became a writhing, shrieking mass of wounded humanity. Like vaseline + squeezed out of a tube, it was forced out of the opening by the pressure + of those behind and spread in wider and wider circles across the roof, + until the aperture itself was choked and stopped with bodies. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone and his companions were spared the full measure of this + sickening sight, as the rapid manoeuvres of the Little Peace Maker + compelled them to devote their attention to her. + </p> + <p> + As the great ship descended to within about ten feet of the chimney-tops, + men appeared on her lower bridge and dropped over the insulated ladder + which extended almost to where the refugees lay. + </p> + <p> + Picking James up and putting him on his back where he clung like a baby, + Edestone ran for the ladder, quickly followed by Lawrence and Black. He + reached the bridge just in time to turn James over to one of the crew, and + extend his assistance to Lawrence, who had received a shot in one hand, + and was rather dizzily holding on to the ladder with the other. + Eventually, though, they all gained the bridge, and with their rescuers + already there raced up the gangway under a perfect hail of bullets for the + open doorway at the top. But before the last man had passed through, two + of the sailors had been shot, and had fallen to their death on the roof. + </p> + <p> + As they entered the ship, they were met by “Specs,” Captain Lee, Dr. + Brown, and other officers in uniforms which at the first glance might have + been taken for those of the New York Yacht Club, except for the insignia + on their caps which was a combination of Edestone’s private signal and the + letters L. P. M. Edestone, however, interrupted their attempt to salute + him. + </p> + <p> + “Please waive all ceremony,” he said. “We have wounded men here that must + be attended to.” + </p> + <p> + At this, Dr. Brown immediately came forward, and after ordering Lawrence + and James to the hospital gave a start as his glance fell upon Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You did not tell me that you yourself were wounded, sir,” he exclaimed; + and then for the first time Edestone discovered that his face, hands, and + clothing were covered with blood which was streaming from a wound above + his temple. + </p> + <p> + He was about to permit himself also to be examined, when there was heard + from below the detonation of one of the Kaiser’s big mortars; and pulling + away from the Doctor, he called an excited order to “Specs”: + </p> + <p> + “Throw on your full charge, and lift her as fast as you can!” + </p> + <p> + He ran to the gangway in time to see the wire carried up to a great height + by the ball from the mortar settling down across the Little Peace Maker + about midships. It was falling now, and would soon come in contact with + the ship. + </p> + <p> + When it did, there was a slight jar perceptible, but no such result as the + enemy had hoped. The wire was so quickly fused, accompanying an explosion + giving out an intense light, that it seemed to shoot to the earth like a + streak of lightning, setting fire to or knocking down everything that lay + in its path. + </p> + <p> + Another and another mortar shot followed until the sky seemed to be filled + with falling wires which were swinging, twisting, and snapping above him. + The Little Peace Maker was the centre of an electrical storm, and was + sending back by every wire messages of death to those who were striving to + bring her down. + </p> + <p> + The ship was rising very rapidly now, however, and almost before Edestone + had time to sing out, “Steady now, as you are,” she was 3000 feet above + the German capital, and out of range of the wire-throwers. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. — YACHTING IN THE AIR + </h2> + <p> + While Lawrence’s hand was being dressed by one of the assistant surgeons, + he had an opportunity of observing how perfect were the appointments of + the operating room to which he had been taken. The orderlies and nurses + moving about were all dressed in spotless white gowns and caps. The doctor + and those assisting him in cleaning and dressing the slight flesh-wound + which had been inflicted looked at their patient through holes in a cap + that completely covered their heads and faces. Every appliance was + provided for perfect cleanliness and sanitation, and the apparatus was on + hand to permit of any operation of modern surgery, no matter how + complicated. + </p> + <p> + From where he sat, he could see into another room exactly similar where + James was having the injury to his leg attended to with the same + scrupulous care; and he had passed, as he was brought in, a long room + which he was told was one of the surgical wards, and where he had seen + several men on hospital cots. The surgical wards, he was further informed, + were on the starboard side of the ship, and not connected in any way with + the sick bay which lay over on the port side. + </p> + <p> + With his great love for ships and machinery, Lawrence was impatient to get + away and make a tour of inspection of this strange craft upon which he had + embarked; but while he was waiting he occupied himself in his usual + fashion by giving vent to his high spirits and making a joke out of + everything. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Doc,” he remarked to the surgeon, “you certainly have got one nifty + little butcher shop, but I want to tell you, before one of those Ku-Klux + throw me down and slap the gas bag in my face, that I have no adenoids, + and that my appendix was cut out by an Arabian doctor who threw a handful + of sand into me to stop the bleeding. If you would like to study German + sausages, though, there is a pile of it down there on the roof.” And even + he shuddered as he recalled that awful carnage. + </p> + <p> + A bright-looking chap, dressed in the smart uniform of a steward on a + gentleman’s yacht, appeared at the door, but was not allowed to come in by + Lawrence’s aseptic guardians. He had been sent down by Edestone to inquire + as to the condition of the wounded, and to announce to Lawrence that if he + felt well enough to join him, dinner would be ready as soon as he was. He + begged, the messenger said, that Mr. Stuyvesant would go directly to his + room and dress, and allow him to have the pleasure of showing him over the + ship after dinner. If he would let the quarter-master’s department have + his measure, he would be fitted out. + </p> + <p> + Wild horses could not have restrained Lawrence from such an invitation, + much less a little scratch on the hand; and his injury having been dressed + by this time, he was about to set out with the messenger, when James + appealed to him from the next room, begging to be allowed to look after + his master’s clothes. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, sir,” he urged, showing his embarrassment at not being able + to stand, “but I am the only one who knows how Mr. Edestone likes his + dinner clothes laid out, and his whole evening will be spoiled without me, + sir. I only ask to be allowed to break in the new man, sir, as starting + right in laying out a gentleman’s clothes is half the battle, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you think, you have had enough of a battle for one day, you dear + old fighting fossil?” asked Lawrence in a tone of real affection, for + there is nothing which draws men together, regardless of rank, more + quickly than to fight on the same side, and he could not help but admire + the cool manner in which the valet had borne himself under fire. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir, but mightn’t I be allowed to see to his bath, sir? A drop + of hot water in it turns his stomach for a week. Just let me do that, and + I will come straight back to these very kind persons.” He glanced about at + the men of science with the condescending manner of the English upper + servant in dealing with the shopkeeper class. + </p> + <p> + But Lawrence shook his head. “I’m sorry, James, but—” he bowed low + to the grinning circle of doctors and nurses, and assumed his most + grandiloquent air—“you are now in the hands of the only acknowledged + ruling class of the twentieth century, who hold you with a grip of steel, + but whose touch is as gentle as a mother’s kiss. So get out your knitting, + Old Socks; you are doomed.” + </p> + <p> + He turned with a laugh and a new impersonation to the surgeon as he left + the room. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Doc. You’ve cert’nly been kind to me, a poor working girl. + Just send the bill to Mr. Edestone. He is my greatest gentleman friend.” + </p> + <p> + In his room, which was reached by an elevator, he found the ship’s tailor + waiting for him; but after this functionary had taken his measure and + gone, he had an opportunity to look around. + </p> + <p> + He was in a room, he found, a parlour or sitting-room, about fifteen by + twenty, neatly but handsomely furnished, and suggesting to him in its + general appearance the owner’s apartments on the largest and most + perfectly equipped yachts. There was this difference, however, that + nothing about it indicated that it was ever off an even keel. There were + no racks or other contrivances to suggest that it was prepared to turn in + any direction at an angle of forty-five degrees, and which to the + land-lubber causes qualms even while the ship is still tied to the dock. + </p> + <p> + It might indeed have been a handsome living-room in a bachelor’s + apartment, but for the windows, which at the first glance seemed to be of + the ordinary French casement form, running down to the floor, and looking + as if they might open out onto a balcony; but to his surprise, he found, + when he pulled aside the heavy curtains, that they looked into a perfectly + blank white wall about two inches from the glass. + </p> + <p> + Adjoining the living-room was a bedroom furnished in similar style with + the same sort of windows, and beyond, Lawrence found as attractive a + bath-room as ever welcomed an American millionaire after a hot day in his + office, or a game of polo. + </p> + <p> + After a boiling tub and a freezing shower, in the pink of condition—and + nothing else—he went back into the bedroom. + </p> + <p> + “Now what,” he had wondered, “will the Fairy Godmother have for me in the + way of a union suit, and a pair of jumpers?” + </p> + <p> + But he had not wondered very hard. He found, as he knew he would, for he + had yachted with Edestone before, a complete outfit, not forgetting the + cocktail, which was standing on the table as quietly and innocently as if + it had always been there, although in reality it had just been placed + there by a man who, with years of experience in listening to the sounds + that come from a gentleman’s bathroom, had timed its arrival to the + second. + </p> + <p> + Nor was it one of those cocktails that are poured from a bottle, and + served hot out of a silver-snouted shaker on a sloppy waiter, but a + masterpiece from the hands of an artist, who took pride in his handiwork. + </p> + <p> + With the modesty of a chorus girl with a good figure on a “first night,” + he toasted the valet with much ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Soon he was dressed in the mess jacket of a petty officer, and putting a + yachting cap jauntily on his head, he went out to seek his friend. The + valet told him he would find Mr. Edestone in the breakfast room, and he + was shown thither by an officer who was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + As he passed along, he could not divest himself of the idea that he was on + board Edestone’s yacht, the <i>Storm Queen</i> again, only that everything + here was on a larger scale. The breakfast room, he discovered, was on the + same deck but farther forward, and was reached by passing through a large + room furnished as a general living-room. + </p> + <p> + Edestone came forward to greet him with a rather melancholy expression on + his face. He was dressed in a yachtsman’s dinner jacket which fitted him + perfectly, and with his bandaged head, he looked more than ever the sea + lord. His rank of Captain was shown by the stripes on his arm. + </p> + <p> + The room was, as one would expect Edestone to have in his New York or + country house, simple but handsome. + </p> + <p> + He had just been giving some orders about the windows which were of the + same form and size as those Lawrence had remarked in his own room, and + like them opened against a wall; but at Lawrence’s appearance, he + interrupted these instructions. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you aboard.” He presented his hand, which Lawrence took + with his left. “I had looked forward to your first trip with me with so + much pleasure. But how different it is from the way I had pictured it. I + cannot get Fred, Stanton, or my two sailors out of my mind.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence’s own face saddened, but for Edestone’s sake he endeavoured to + speak philosophically. + </p> + <p> + “The fortunes of war, old man. Why grieve? You certainly were not to + blame.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment there was silence between them; then Edestone, as if + attempting to shake off his gloomy reflections, struck a lighter note. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like being a pirate, Lawrence?” he smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Great! The dream of my life, with you for a captain!” + </p> + <p> + So they sat down to dinner. The men attending to their wants moved about + unheard and almost unseen in the shadow outside the circle of soft light + which fell only on the table. The room was filled with an indescribable + aroma of comfort and good cheer. A newly-lighted fire crackled on the + hearth, for it had suddenly become quite cold. Indeed, it was with + difficulty Lawrence could realize that but a few hours before they had + been in the midst of battle and sudden death, and that, as they sat, down + there five times the height of the Eiffel Tower below them was the Embassy + from which they were still removing the dead, or aiding the dying. + </p> + <p> + As he looked at Edestone with his sad, brooding eyes, he felt all at once + as if his friend had been taken away from him, and had been lifted to a + place so exalted, that for the life of him, he could not have taken the + liberty of speaking until he was first addressed. + </p> + <p> + The dinner went on, and though the food was delightful and the wines + perfect, both men merely toyed with what was on their plates, while + Lawrence gulped his champagne as if he were trying to get its effect + quickly in order to throw off this strange new diffidence and restraint + which he now felt in the presence of his oldest and dearest friend. + </p> + <p> + He tried to imagine that they two were cruising alone on the <i>Storm + Queen</i>, as they had so often done, and that this was just one of many + evenings that they had spent in this way together; but + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Where was the lap of the water at her side, + Or the pounding of the launch as she rode at her boom? + The groan of the anchor as she swung with the tide, + Or the blowing off steam, which demanded more room? +</pre> + <p> + All was perfectly quiet. If there were storage batteries on board, they + had been charged. There was no shovelling of coal; no shrieking and + banging of doors in the boiler room, nor banking of fires. The only thing + that remained true to tradition was the ship’s bell. It had just sounded + out five bells. + </p> + <p> + The silence was at last broken by Edestone; but, although he spoke, it was + more as if he were merely letting his pensive thoughts run on. + </p> + <p> + “How different this has been from the way I had planned it. How different, + too, has been your home-coming, old man—for the <i>Storm Queen</i> + was like home to you in the old days.” + </p> + <p> + But Lawrence by this time was beginning to feel the effects of champagne, + and was certain that unless he very soon did something to lift the pall + that had fallen on them, he himself would be dissolved in tears. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what your plan was,” he said; “but don’t you worry about my + home-coming. The thing that ought to worry you is my leave-taking. The L. + P. M. has got the <i>Storm Queen</i> beat a mile, and I am booked for + life. And, by the way, what is my rank on this ship? My old position of + room clerk on the <i>Storm Queen</i> won’t go here, as I don’t suppose you + intend to have any ‘cuties’ on board, not even for the New London week.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone consented at last to smile. “I am afraid, Lawrence, those + days are all over for me. My little house of cards has fallen about me, + and I have serious work before me, if I wish to build it up again. I have + been thinking, and thinking very hard. From the moment that I saw poor + Fred roll down the stairs of the Embassy, I knew that my first plan had + failed. When Germany discovers that the United States is not back of me, + she will apologize, and you know how quickly our present Administration + will accept the apology, and how quickly they will disclaim any + responsibility for my acts, if it means a fight?” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Germany,” went on Edestone, “will then call on all the neutral nations to + join her in bringing me, an outlaw, to earth. This will give her a common + cause with them, and she will hope in that way to strengthen her position + relative to the Allies. She does not know my relationship with England, + but she will undoubtedly declare that I am one of the means England is + using to subjugate the world.” + </p> + <p> + “And is there nothing you can do?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “My last and only hope is that tomorrow, after they have realized the + uselessness of opposing me, they will listen to a proposition of peace—without + honour, from their old standard; but with great honour, from the standard + that I intend to establish. I propose to send what is practically an + ultimatum; and that is, that if they do not immediately open negotiations + looking toward peace, I will sink every German battleship that floats, and + destroy every factory in which guns, explosives, or any of the munitions + of war are manufactured.” + </p> + <p> + “Me for the junk business,” exclaimed Lawrence with an inspiration. “Oh, + you Krupps!” + </p> + <p> + But Edestone paid no heed to the frivolous interruption. “It is my + intention,” he continued, “to give sufficient notice, so that if they are + willing to admit my supremacy, there need be no loss of life.” + </p> + <p> + He halted, as an officer had just come in, and was standing after + saluting, waiting for Edestone to stop speaking. + </p> + <p> + “The look-outs report, sir, that there are several Taubes climbing up + toward us. What are your orders, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Close everything down, except one of these.” Edestone pointed to a + window. “Expose no lights.” + </p> + <p> + After the man had retired, he said to one of the servants in the room: + “Put out the lights, and bring us two cloaks.” + </p> + <p> + When the lights had been put out, Lawrence saw for the first time that + during dinner the solid cubes of steel, the size of the windows, had + noiselessly rolled back, leaving a square aperture or passage-way through + the six-foot thickness of the armour-plate, and forming a sort of <i>loggia</i> + into which they stepped. It was a beautiful night, and through the clear, + rarefied atmosphere the stars seemed to Lawrence brighter than he had ever + seen them before, while down below them he could just see the lights of + Berlin. + </p> + <p> + The explosions of the motors of the Taubes could be plainly heard, but as + yet nothing could be seen of them. + </p> + <p> + “What do you suppose those mosquitoes expect to do against us with their + pop-guns and tomato cans?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know.” Edestone shook his head. “Perhaps they are just coming up + to look us over. They will keep out of sight, and as they may not know + that we are protected on top, will perhaps try to drop one of their tomato + cans on us. That is, if they can get close enough. I hardly think that + they will risk a miss, and drop bombs on their own capital, so long as the + Only One Who Seems To Count In Germany is in the midst of his beloved + people.” + </p> + <p> + The Taubes could be heard on all sides, as if they were climbing in great + circles around the Little Peace Maker. There seemed to be at least a dozen + of them, although owing to the confusion of sounds as they crossed and + re-crossed, it was impossible to count them. + </p> + <p> + At last, though, when judging by the noise they were about on the same + level as the ship, Edestone turned to an officer who was standing by him. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Commander Anderson to load all of the big guns with a full charge of + black powder only, and fire them all off at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “And, Lawrence,” he advised his friend, “when you hear a bell ringing, + stand on your toes, open your mouth, stick your fingers in your ears, and + if you’ve never been in Hell before, prepare yourself for a shock.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he gotten the words out of his mouth, when bells began ringing + all over the ship. In just exactly one minute, Lawrence thought he had + been blown into bits, as he was lifted and thrown from side to side + against the steel walls of the passage. The noise was so great that his + ears seemed unable to record it, and it was made known to him by the air + pressure which seemed to be crushing him to death. The rush of air down + his throat was choking him, while his very insides seemed to be turning + over and over in their effort to escape. A dizziness and nausea followed, + and he had to lean against his friend, trying to catch his breath in the + thick, black smoke with which they were enveloped. + </p> + <p> + “This is Hell all right,” he managed to gasp. + </p> + <p> + “That is the worst you will ever get,” said Edestone. “It was noise that I + was after, and black powder makes it. Your experience would not have been + half so bad had the guns been loaded or had I used smokeless.” + </p> + <p> + The ship which had trembled from stem to stern under the tremendous + concussion was floating now as quietly as a toy balloon, while the wind + was rolling up and pushing before it a great cloud of smoke which obscured + the sky. On all sides there was perfect stillness, broken only now and + again by the last explosion of gas caught in the cylinders of the Taubes + by the sudden stoppage of the engines. The airmen were volplaning to earth + as fast and as silently as they could. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that ought to hold them for a while,” commented Lawrence in a tone + which showed that he was almost himself again. + </p> + <p> + “And make them a little bit more amenable to reason in the morning,” added + Edestone, and he laughed, for action with him always drove away the blue + devils. + </p> + <p> + “With that settled, too, we will just have time before turning in, to + inspect my quarters,” he continued. “Tomorrow I will introduce you to + ‘Specs’ and Captain Lee, and you can go with them at eleven o’clock on + their tour of official inspection. They will show you the fire drill, the + life-balloon drill, the gun drill, the kitchen, and the cows. But now I + want you to see a different side of the ship. We will look at my quarters, + then at my guest rooms, and finally at my royal suite or state apartments + as I call them.” + </p> + <p> + He then took Lawrence through room after room, which were arranged in the + form of a horseshoe, starting on the port side with his breakfast room, + and working around to the starboard side with its opening toward the stern + of the ship. + </p> + <p> + On the port side were Edestone’s apartments—living-room, library, or + den, bedroom, dressing-room, bath-room, and gymnasium. On the starboard + were a number of guest rooms arranged in suites of parlour, bedroom, and + bath, while at the crown of the arch was a large dining-room in which + fifty persons could sit down to dinner comfortably. + </p> + <p> + The centre of the horseshoe was the large room through which he had + passed, and like the general meeting room of a large country house was + filled with all known kinds of games—instruments and devices to + amuse that most unfortunate class of human beings who have no resources + within themselves, and must play some foolish game, or do some foolish + puzzle in order to get through the life which seems to hang so heavily on + their hands. + </p> + <p> + From this they passed to a lower deck about amidships, to a room about + eighty feet by one hundred and twenty feet, which extended the full width + of the ship and up three decks. At one end of this large and handsome room + was a raised platform arranged like the Speaker’s desk in the House of + Representatives at Washington with the desks at lower levels for + stenographers, clerks, and attendants, while around the room in concentric + circles were large comfortable seats and desks, also like a Senate + Chamber, only more luxurious in appointments, as though it were to receive + a more distinguished body of men than the Senate of the United States, if + that were possible. + </p> + <p> + “This,” said Edestone, “is where I intend to hold my Peace Conference, and + when you see the names of the distinguished men who are to sit here, and + the apartments that I have arranged for them and their suites, you will + perhaps be glad to take your old position of room clerk.” + </p> + <p> + Then after showing his companion through these magnificent “royal suites,” + as he called them, all furnished and equipped in the most sumptuous + fashion, he suggested that they had better turn in. + </p> + <p> + “We will hope and pray for the best in the morning,” he said, as he bade + Lawrence good-night. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. — THE ULTIMATUM + </h2> + <p> + The sun was streaming through the windows when Lawrence awoke the next + morning. The valet had come in shortly before to throw back the curtains + with a slam, and by moving about the room, slapping up shades and dropping + boots, make the usual noises of a well-trained valet at that time of the + morning. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone is already up, sir,” he said when he saw that he had + succeeded in waking Lawrence, “and is having his breakfast in his own + apartments. Will you have yours here or will you go to the breakfast + room?” + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast room,” elected Lawrence sleepily. “What time is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Eight o’clock, sir. What will you have for breakfast, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Anything and eggs,” said Lawrence, and was about to turn over and go to + sleep again when he realized where he was, and leaping out of bed to the + window in one bound stepped out into the <i>loggia</i>. + </p> + <p> + The Little Peace Maker had dropped down and was now only about a thousand + feet up; and when he looked down from his balcony, he could see that she + had changed her position so as to float exactly over the Palace. It almost + seemed to him as if he could step off and onto the roof of this great pile + of masonry. The airship, too, must have just moved into this position, as + was shown by the excited way in which the little people below him were + running away in every direction. + </p> + <p> + He had his bath, and hurriedly dressing went into the breakfast room, + where he found Edestone, who had finished his breakfast and was waiting + for him, while reading from a lot of slips of paper which he was turning + over in his hand. The master of the ship was dressed all in white and + looked refreshed after a good night’s rest. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Lawrence,” he greeted him. “Did you sleep well?” + </p> + <p> + “Like a top.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is your hand?” + </p> + <p> + “I had almost forgotten it, only I did get the dressings wet while taking + my bath, but that will give me an excuse for passing the time of day with + the doctors. How is your head?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that does not amount to anything,” said Edestone. “It will be well in + a week. Have you seen the morning papers?” With a smile he handed him a + sheet on which was printed all the news of the day which the wireless man + had picked up during the night. + </p> + <p> + “The United States has not been heard from,” he commented as he glanced it + over. “I wonder what the Southern Baptist Union School Children will think + of me now? You know the Secretary of State thought I was a Baptist. And as + for him, why he will leave the State Department and stay away until it + gets too hot in Florida, or the lecturing season is all over, while the + President will write a most scholarly note to all of the Powers telling + them how much he loves them, and what a glorious thing it is to be an + American. He will then give an unqualified invitation to all of the + dark-skinned downtrodden criminals of Europe to come over and be sprinkled + with the holy water of citizenship, after they have made their mark to + their naturalization papers which have been read to them by their + interpreter. + </p> + <p> + “London reports that the news from Germany has filled the entire country + with new confidence,” he went on, “and that the Londoners have given + themselves over to the most un-English and thoroughly Latin demonstrations + by parading the streets and singing songs and indulging in another + Mafeking. I see, too, that Lord Rockstone is reported to have said that he + thought now the war would not last as long as he had expected. The King + has called a special meeting of the Cabinet for today at 4 o’clock. + </p> + <p> + “Reports come from Rome that Italy will enter the war immediately, and the + papers point out the fact that now since her friend America has joined the + Allies it is high time that Italy should take her position. + </p> + <p> + “Petrograd reports that they have lost 100,000 men but have captured + 250,000 Austrians. + </p> + <p> + “Constantinople,” he went on reading, “declares that the Dardanelles are + impregnable and that the city is perfectly quiet, but the Sultan and half + of his harem have moved to his summer residence.” + </p> + <p> + He laid down the printed sheet. “I have had no communication yet from down + there,” he said as he pointed down in the direction of the Palace. “My + international law department is drawing up a proclamation which I will + send as soon as it is finished. It will be along the lines that I spoke of + to you last night, but framed in more diplomatic language. These are the + latest bulletins I was just reading over when you came in.” + </p> + <p> + Then while Lawrence sat eating his breakfast, Edestone continued to read + now and then bits of the different press notices. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this,” he said with a laugh. “‘The twenty Taubes sent up to + make a night attack on the American airship inflicted great injury. After + using up all their ammunition and bombs they were forced to retire before + the large guns of the enemy. They all reached the ground in safety. The + tremendous explosion that was heard in the city is thought to have been + caused by the exploding of one of the large magazines.’” + </p> + <p> + “What’s that from?” Lawrence glanced up from his “anything and eggs.” “<i>Die + Fliegende Blatter?</i>” + </p> + <p> + But Edestone did not smile, he was glancing at another of the slips. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he said in a sad voice, “I seem to have killed about one thousand + people last night.” + </p> + <p> + “Still,” argued Lawrence, “that was not as large a percentage of the + German Empire as they killed of your little kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” granted Edestone; “and as long as they insist upon treating me as an + outlaw I will be one so far as they are concerned. I will now go and see + if my ultimatum is prepared. I am undecided as to whether I will send it + by wireless or by a messenger.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence finished his breakfast and while he sat in the <i>loggia</i> + smoking his cigar and looking down over the city, he decided to ask + permission to carry the message to the Emperor himself. The idea delighted + him, and he pictured exactly how he would walk and speak his lines like + the prince in the story book. He only regretted that he was not to be + dressed up in spangles, like the heralds of old, and have the triumphal + march from <i>Aïda</i> played by trumpeters from the Metropolitan Opera + House who would precede him in their brand-new Cammeyer sandals and badly + fitting tights but he decided that if said trumpeters were obliged to read + sheet music he would not allow them to wear glasses. He was just making up + his mind what he would say to the Emperor when Wilhelm fell on his knees + and begged him to intercede for him, as Edestone came in, and blasted all + these glowing dreams with a word. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is done,” he said, “and I have given them until one o’clock to + answer.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence was then formally introduced to “Specs” under his title of + Admiral Page, to Captain Lee, and the officers, and he spent one of the + most delightful days of his life, so much interested in what he saw that + he entirely forgot that he was a pirate, waiting to destroy a peaceable + city if it did not do his bidding. + </p> + <p> + Edestone had settled himself down for a quiet day of waiting, and Lawrence + amused himself by inspecting every part of the ship and talking with all + on board from the oil men to the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “Admiral Page,” he inquired, “where do you keep the Deionizer?” + </p> + <p> + At which “Specs” peeped at him with a suspicious glance through his thick + glasses. “Has Mr. Edestone spoken to you of that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence, “but he did not explain to me its working.” + </p> + <p> + “Specs” hesitated to take even Lawrence into the holy of holies until he + had obtained permission from Edestone to do so. Having by telephone + communicated with him, and receiving his permission, he conducted Lawrence + up into the bow of the ship. After passing through several heavy doors, + which “Specs” unlocked, saluting the sentries at each, they came to a + great iron grille and he motioned to Lawrence to look through, saying, + “This is as far as I can take you.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence looked through, and he saw what appeared to be the door of an + enormous safe-deposit k vault. “That,” nodded “Specs,” “is the door to the + safe in which the Deionizer is kept. No one on earth excepting Mr. + Edestone knows the combination that will open those doors. That is run by + a one hundred H. P. motor in the engine room, and from it run the + deionizing cables which run down the port and starboard sides of the + vessel.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say,” said Lawrence, “that I have no weight?” as he felt + his large biceps with an expression of pride. + </p> + <p> + This caused “Specs” to laugh, and in response to the numberless questions + put to him by the young man, he explained the different mechanisms by + which the weight of the ship and its contents was kept at the weight of + the amount of air displaced by it. + </p> + <p> + “So,” said Lawrence, “we are floating not by virtue of gas bags filled + with gas lighter than air, but by the amount of air displaced by all + metallic substances on this vessel, which for all practical purposes are + rendered lighter than air?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied “Specs,” with a look of pity for the other man’s ignorance, + “I suppose that is the way you would express it. If you really want to + understand, and are willing to give the time to it, come to my quarters, + and I will give you the scientific explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you,” said Lawrence; “I’ll take your word for it, but I am glad + to know that when I get back to earth I’m not liable at any time to be + blown away like a thistledown.” + </p> + <p> + At lunch Edestone appeared very thoughtful and seemed to feel great + anxiety about the outcome of his note. They had observed that soon after + the message had been sent automobiles were coming and going from the + Palace in great numbers, and gathered that the Emperor apparently was + holding a council of war. They had also seen with powerful glasses that, + in certain parts of the city there was great activity of some kind, but + they were unable to ascertain exactly what it was. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot understand,” frowned Edestone, “how they can possibly decline a + proposition <i>pour parler</i>. I asked them to agree to nothing. I + assured them that I would use my influence in favour of a just settlement + of all the claims arising out of the war and of the incidents leading up + to it. I appealed to their humanity, and guaranteed as far as lay within + my power to protect the lives and property of Germans all over the world + if they would only stop all actual fighting until I could make an exactly + similar appeal to the other Governments that are involved.” + </p> + <p> + Just then an officer came in and handed Edestone a wireless message which + had just been received. + </p> + <p> + Edestone read it hurriedly, but as he glanced up it was easy to see from + the expression on his face that he was pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he exclaimed elatedly, “these Germans are not so bad after all, + and if they will only give up the idea that they are the only people on + the face of the earth, the sooner will they get what they want. That is, + if they are telling the truth when they state they are fighting only to + bring religion, science, and culture to the entire world. They do + sincerely and honestly believe, I think, that this can be obtained only + under the German form of government, and many of the other nations would + be willing to admit this in part were they absolutely convinced of their + sincerity and did not suspect them of greed on the part of the merchant + class and ambition on the part of the war party. + </p> + <p> + “They have apparently received my note in the spirit in which it was + sent,” he explained, “and have agreed to consider carefully the + proposition which I have made. They only ask to be given until five + o’clock this afternoon to draw up in proper form their reply to me and + their message to the other countries. I am expecting every minute now to + see a white flag displayed somewhere on or around the Palace, which was + the signal agreed upon and is to be acknowledged by a similar flag + displayed by me. This is not to be considered as an indication of any + weakness on their part, or any surrendering of their rights or the + acknowledgment of my power, but as a truce which will last only until five + o’clock, or until such earlier time as I shall answer them. They stipulate + that I, as an indication of good faith, withdraw to some point outside of + the city, where it will be well out of range of my largest guns, and in + order to fix some location which will be perfectly satisfactory they have + suggested that I lie over the Gotzen See and have established my exact + position by the ruins of an old castle on its north-eastern bank. There I + am to remain until I receive their answer, which if not satisfactory + terminates the truce. They have indicated very justly that they do not + think they should be called upon to open negotiations for an amicable + settlement with me while the Little Peace Maker is lying so close to the + Emperor’s Palace and threatening it with instant destruction.” + </p> + <p> + As it was impossible for them from where they were to see the Palace, + Edestone suggested that they go up on the upper deck. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that by the time we arrive on deck,” Edestone said as they hurried + along, “the white flag will be flying, and I sincerely hope that this will + mark the beginning of the end of this cruel war and the realization of my + hopes, the accomplishment of my life’s work. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he exclaimed as they arrived and looked down, “there she is! You can + see it on the large flagpole out in front of the Palace, while the + Imperial standard is still floating over His Majesty’s residence.” He + called an officer to him and gave him his orders: + </p> + <p> + “Dip my colours and then run them up to the peak again. Display a white + flag. Tell Captain Lee to call all hands, and get under way at once. Drop + to within four hundred feet, man the rail, and circle the Palace. Haul + down my colours and run up the German Imperial Ensign and fire a national + salute of twenty-one guns, and then run at top speed and take a position + over the Gotzen See at a point which I shall indicate.” + </p> + <p> + The ceremony was executed faultlessly, as he directed, and when the Little + Peace Maker, just skirting the tops of the buildings, cast the shadow of + its nine hundred feet of steel as it came between the sun and the Imperial + city, its big guns booming the national salute, the people of Berlin must + have been impressed, for when she circled at about four knots they + cheered. But when she changed her speed, and at one hundred and eighty + knots disappeared from sight, they must have been relieved. + </p> + <p> + At such speed it was only a few minutes before they were hovering quietly + over the old ruin on the banks of the lake, and they settled down to spend + the afternoon as they would have, had they been anchored in Frenchman’s + Bay off of Bar Harbour in the month of August on board the <i>Storm Queen</i>. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful and quiet summer scene, and like a big trout in a + limpid pool the Little Peace Maker lay perfectly still basking in the warm + sunshine. Most of the ports were open and the men were lying around + enjoying the relaxation of the first dog-watch. + </p> + <p> + Although it was with difficulty that Edestone could keep Lawrence still + long enough, he forced him to join in a game of chess, which was + Edestone’s favourite form of relaxation. Lawrence, however, kept + continually breaking in with the suggestion that they go below and take a + walk among the ruins of the home of one of the ancient Barons of Prussia. + </p> + <p> + From time to time, while waiting for Lawrence to move, Edestone would + consult his watch, and as the fatal hour of five approached, although + perfectly calm he was anxious. + </p> + <p> + With the finish of the game, Lawrence, who had chafed under the + confinement, insisted upon going on deck and talking with the officers and + men. + </p> + <p> + When next he saw his friend, Edestone was walking up and down the general + living-room with an expression of great anxiety on his face. It was + half-past five o’clock, and although Lawrence had entirely forgotten it, + he suddenly thought of the ultimatum. + </p> + <p> + “Well what did they answer?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “And what are you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to Kiel to sink one of their largest battleships, and see if + that will wake them up. We shall be under way in ten minutes and should be + there by eight-thirty o’clock. I have ordered ‘Specs’ to get under way as + soon as possible.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence was delighted; this was the best yachting that he had ever had, + and he wanted to be in so many places at the same time that he ran about + like a boy on his first ocean trip. He was just going up the companionway + to the pilot house, where he knew he would find Edestone, when he was + almost knocked off his feet by the impact of something against the side of + the ship which felt as if it would tear out every rivet and buckle every + beam. At the same instant there was an explosion which was worse than the + black-powder explosion of the night before, and he was just thinking how + unkind it was of Edestone not to have warned him before indulging in + another one of his pyrotechnical demonstrations, when it was followed by + another and another. + </p> + <p> + He had managed by this time to get into the pilot house, where he saw + Edestone with an expression of rage on his face giving sharp peremptory + orders while the life was being pounded out of the Little Peace Maker. In + response to these orders, the ship suddenly shot up with such rapidity + that it seemed to Lawrence as if his legs would be driven through the + floor. + </p> + <p> + He was suffering great pain in his head and his nose was bleeding. He + could scarcely hear what Edestone was saying to him, but finally he caught + these words: + </p> + <p> + “So that is their answer, the liars! They have taken advantage of my + willingness to remain here quietly, and with their thoroughness in all + matters and their usual method of working in the dark, they have placed me + where they have carefully worked out the range of their + forty-two-centimetre guns. They hoped to be able to capture us, but seeing + our smoke, and realizing that I was going to move, they took this + unspeakable method of putting an end to the Little Peace Maker.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. — A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + </h2> + <p> + It seemed for a time as if Edestone had completely lost control of + himself. Lawrence, “Specs,” and Captain Lee, who had all known him for + years, stood back staring at him in blank amazement. He was perfectly + livid. Out of his face had gone every semblance of the man that they had + known, loved, honoured, and respected for his kind, big, and forgiving + nature, willing to stand an insult rather than use his great power where a + smaller character would have demanded the last ounce of flesh. In its + place was an expression of rage which would have been frightful to see on + the face of a weaker man, but on his, with all the power and determination + of his strong character behind it, it was appalling. It made them feel + that they were held helpless by a powerful demon who would destroy and + kill any who might stand in his way. Pushing everyone aside in a manner + that was entirely foreign to him, he sprang to the wheel and taking it + rang for full speed ahead. He swung the ship around so quickly that she + banked and turned over at an angle of thirty degrees. + </p> + <p> + She was then at an altitude of from 7000 to 8000 feet and he put her head + down as if he intended to drive her steel-pointed bow into the very heart + of the city of Berlin. But when he had gotten her at about 400 feet he + straightened her out and sent her at 150 knots. Without taking his eyes + off his goal, which seemed to be the Palace of the Kaiser, he said in a + cold and emotionless voice: “See what damage has been done and report to + me quickly, and as there is a God in Heaven if a single one of my men has + been killed I will hang the Kaiser after I have destroyed his city!” + </p> + <p> + While the different officers were busily telephoning to every part of the + ship carrying out this order, Lawrence stood paralysed waiting for the + answers. He sincerely hoped that none of the men had been killed, but as + one officer after another reported all well in his department, and as the + number of departments yet to be heard from grew less and less, he could + not control a distinct feeling of disappointment, for he had silently said + “Amen!” to Edestone’s last sentiment. When all had been heard from, and it + was found that none had been killed, and that the injuries to the ship + were, so slight that they could be repaired within a week, Edestone said + to the officer of the deck: + </p> + <p> + “Take the wheel. When you are over the city and have made the Palace, + circle it at eight knots. I wish them all to see me. After you have + rounded the Palace, run at full speed for Kiel.” + </p> + <p> + And without a word to Lawrence he turned and left the bridge. On his face + was a look that showed that the demon within him was under perfect + control, but he had no desire to hide the fact that it was still with him. + Lawrence would no more have thought of following him than he would have + thought of following a wounded Manchurian tiger into its cave. + </p> + <p> + “I would have hated to hear that any one of our fine fellows had been + killed,” he said with a nervous laugh, “but my, what a swell little + afternoon hanging that would have been! Nathan Hale with the original cast + wouldn’t have had a speculator in front of his doors. His front-row seats + would be selling at box-office prices, while we would have sold out the + house at ten thousand times the cost of the production before the + first-nighters had even seen a press notice. There would not have been a + piece of paper in the house except the Press and the Princes. By the + sacred substance of John D. Rockefeller’s hair-tonic, I hate to think of + the money we would have made with the movies! The Crown Prince giving the + Papa Wilhelm kiss, while the trap man plays on the melodeon ‘It’s the + Wrong Way to Tickle Mary,’ and the Ghost of the Hohenzollern, who ate up + her two babies when she found they disturbed her gentleman friend, + hovering over the scene like Schumann-Heink in the <i>Rheingold</i>,—I + would not release that reel for less than a billion dollars down! + </p> + <p> + “But why talk about pleasant things when we have such serious matters on + our hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone looked as if he meant serious business all right,” said one + of the officers. “Listen! I hear the wireless sending a message now.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence listened, and repeated as he heard: “The Little Peace Maker is + now running for Kiel, where she will arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 I will begin + to drop tons of lyddite and dynamite on the decks of all German ships of + war, and in order that there may be no unnecessary loss of life I give + this notice.” + </p> + <p> + The instrument stopped, but Lawrence continued, as if still catching and + translating the message: + </p> + <p> + “And realizing the extreme supersensitiveness of the German sailors, we + are sending ahead by Parcel Post baskets for the cats and cages for the + canaries. The women and babies, being contraband, must go down with the + ships.” + </p> + <p> + They were now slowly swinging around the Palace, and as the people of + Berlin knew nothing, they took the accepted German position, which was + that Edestone was afraid of the Kaiser’s wrath, and they therefore came + flocking out into the streets to see him dip his flag to that of the + all-powerful German Empire. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence noted that the Imperial standard was no longer flying over the + Palace. “It looks,” said he, “as if we would have to put in an under-study + for the leading man.” + </p> + <p> + And then as if some sudden idea had struck him, he rushed from the bridge, + and while the Little Peace Maker was slowly passing over the plaza in + front of the Palace, the men on the bridge saw with a mingled feeling of + horror and delight a large black object, which resembled a submarine mine, + dropping from the port side of the ship, and they stood in breathless + expectation of seeing the hideous Renaissance monument, erected by + Schluter, blown to atoms. When the sinister-looking cylinder struck the + pavement it exploded, but instead of death and destruction the flaggings + were strewn with egg-shells, coffee-grounds, and garbage. + </p> + <p> + “I always did like that French chef,” said Lawrence when he returned to + the bridge, gasping for breath. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” he added, “that we didn’t have our little lynching bee this + afternoon, but the sinking of a billion dollars’ worth of battleships must + be almost as much fun as hanging a ‘kink.’” + </p> + <p> + They were now going at top speed, and after waiting about for some time + and finding that Edestone did not return to the bridge, he went to his + room and dressed for dinner. + </p> + <p> + At dinner Edestone appeared, but he was very quiet. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “you must forgive me, but I really am not myself. I + cannot recall at any time in my entire life when I was ever so angry as I + was this afternoon. I think they call it ‘seeing red.’” + </p> + <p> + “You were ‘seeing red’ all right,” said Lawrence, “and you certainly got + my goat.” + </p> + <p> + “If one of the men on this ship had been killed, after that pledge had + been given for their safety, I do not know what I would have done.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly what do you propose to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I intend to wreck and destroy everything in this country that will be of + the slightest use to them for military purposes. Today it is Kiel with its + ships, shipyards, and dry-docks; tomorrow, Krupps; and so on until they + will have to stop fighting for the lack of munitions of war. I shall + endeavour as far as possible to avoid loss of life, but,” with an ironical + smile, “if these people wish to indulge in a fanatical display of heroism + and patriotism, I shall allow them the privilege of sinking with their + ships, or dying with their pet inventions.” + </p> + <p> + With everything closed down tight they were fast approaching Kiel, and + going up into the conning tower Edestone and Lawrence were able to see the + entire German fleet. His message had evidently been received, but the + commanders, instead of accepting his warning, had steam up, were stripped + for action, and with flags flying were making for the open sea. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, as quietly as if he were standing on the bridge of the <i>Storm + Queen</i> giving instructions for the next day’s cruise, turned to + “Specs.” + </p> + <p> + “Go out and circle them,” he said, “meet the leading ship, and then with + every gun, aerial torpedo, and bomb dropper destroy them.” + </p> + <p> + The air was soon filled with the most frightful conflict that had ever + taken place in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters + under the earth. Every ship in the fleet was, as far as possible, training + all of her guns on them, while they, moving at the rate of thirty knots, + were sailing around and around, dropping bombs on those under them, + bombarding with their great 16-inch guns the distant ships, while the + smaller guns rendered the middle distance untenable to any ship yet built + by man. + </p> + <p> + In the course of an hour not one of the German ships could be seen above + the water, and Edestone, with none of his usual kindness of heart and + sympathy for others, leaving to their fate the dead and dying that filled + the sea beneath them, gave the orders to destroy the shipyards and + dry-docks before it was too dark. + </p> + <p> + For a week this rain of destruction was continued day after day until his + prophecy had been fulfilled, and Germany, driven to her knees, was suing + for peace. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. — THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + </h2> + <p> + Edestone, in the meantime, through Sir Egbert Graves, had communicated + with the King of England, politely calling His Majesty’s attention to what + he was doing, and begging that he would call upon his Allies to stop all + hostilities, and intimating that the same treatment would be meted out to + any who declined to comply with His Majesty’s request. + </p> + <p> + He also suggested that it was his sincere hope that His Majesty would call + to a conference the representatives of the nations of Europe to discuss + the settling of all questions that had caused the war, or had grown out of + it, as well as the possible methods of securing for the world perpetual + peace. + </p> + <p> + He stated that he would put at His Majesty’s disposal the Little Peace + Maker if it were necessary in order to accomplish this. + </p> + <p> + He intimated that, if it were perpetual peace that was sought, much time + and many lives would be saved if all would, of their own accord, each for + himself, do what he was doing for Germany as fast as possible, namely, + destroy all ships and implements of war. + </p> + <p> + This raised a storm of protest, and international notes burned the ether + of space as they flashed back and forth. Even the United States entered + the controversy, seeming to have at last found something sufficiently + threatening to her interests and insulting to her dignity to cause her to + take her place with the other nations of the world. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was inundated with communications from the different nations, + drawn in the most bombastic manner; for although they must have by this + time realized that they were absolutely in his power, they were unable to + set aside the boastful method of addressing their fellow-men which they + had inherited from their savage ancestors, who, standing half-naked around + the council fire, tried by this method to throw terror into the hearts of + their listeners. + </p> + <p> + To all this he made but one reply, which was that nations which came + together for the purpose of sincerely discussing universal peace must come + absolutely unarmed, and those who refused so to do should be disarmed by + force. When these protests finally took the form of an approaching + coalition of the nations of the earth for the purpose of his destruction, + his answer was to take possession quietly of two or three of the largest + plants in Europe, which he forced to run to replenish the Little Peace + Maker with munitions of war. + </p> + <p> + After a diplomatic correspondence had gone on, extending over several + weeks, and Edestone had punctuated his demands with an occasional sinking + of a battleship or destruction of a powder plant belonging to the nations + who stood out against him, after he had visited all of the principal + capitals, and representatives of the Governments had come on board to + discuss with him, his terms were finally agreed upon, and the date for + this great meeting was fixed. He declined to negotiate with any, other + than the absolute heads of the respective Governments, and after much + discussion all precedent was set aside, and it was agreed that the + conference should be held on board of the Little Peace Maker. Franz Josef + I., Emperor of Austria; Wilhelm II., Emperor of Germany; George V., King + of England; Nicholas II., Czar of Russia; the President of the French + Republic; Mr. Cockadoo of the United States of America, together with a + company of lesser lights, all with suites in keeping with their rank, were + there received and entertained by him. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, accepting the position of Room Clerk, took great pride and + pleasure in seeing that everyone was properly installed. This was not, + however, his official position, as Edestone had turned over to him the + task of answering the great volume of communications that he had received + from amateurs, fanatics, ladies, and criminals, and it devolved upon him + to answer these and also to provide for the entertainment of the + representatives of the Anarchists, Socialists, Organized Labour, and + Suffragettes. + </p> + <p> + To the Anarchists, in answer to their inquiries as to where they were now + to obtain their explosives with which to continue their campaigns in the + future, and without the use of which they could secure for their arguments + no attention, he made no reply. + </p> + <p> + To the Socialists, he said that the best that he could do for them was to + provide an overflow meeting at the foot of the stairs; the Emperor of + Germany had refused to sit down with the traitors, as he called them, and + for once Edestone agreed with the Imperial contention. There, Lawrence + assured them, their point of view would be given serious consideration; in + fact, he himself expected to have the great honour of addressing them and + the Prohibitionists, the Anti-Vivisectionists, the Cubists, the Futurists, + the Post-Impressionists, and the Reds. + </p> + <p> + To Organized Labour, Edestone wrote that he would represent their cause. + Descended as he was from a long line of honest labouring men, who had + succeeded without the assistance of an organization of lazy and + inefficient ones combined under dishonest leaders, he assured them that he + would insist upon their rights, and that under the new regime, honesty, + efficiency, and sense of responsibility to those who employed them would + be recognized and rewarded in a manner beyond their wildest dreams. This + could not, however, be accomplished, he said, except by forcing the + dishonest, lazy, and inefficient into their rightful position, that of a + worthless by-product in this great world of recognition of true merit. + </p> + <p> + To the Suffragettes, Lawrence extended a most cordial invitation, but + stipulated that no representative would be received who had not borne and + raised twelve children, or were willing to appear at the meeting without + their hats, with hair cropped close to the head. + </p> + <p> + The date selected by Edestone was the Fourth day of July; the place, in + order to offend no one, was the beautiful valley of St. Nicholas in the + neutral country of the Swiss, and the Little Peace Maker, painted and + polished, was floating about twenty-five feet from the ground. About + one-quarter of her length from her stern, leading from an opening in her + bottom, ran a great flight of stairs which rested on a platform at their + foot. This was constructed in a manner similar to the cradle upon which + she was seen to rest by the King of England and his Cabinet. In this + manner she was connected with the earth but absolutely insulated. + </p> + <p> + To reach this platform one had to walk up four or five steps, which were + made of hard rubber, over which was laid a thick red velvet carpet, which + continued across the platform and up this most impressive flight of stairs + and disappeared into the opening in the Little Peace Maker. Bands were + playing, children were laughing, but not one soldier was to be seen. + </p> + <p> + The Royalties, as they arrived, were received at the foot of the stairs by + Edestone and conducted to their apartments where, surrounded by their + secretaries and servants, they might live entirely alone, or could, if + they desired to do so, mingle with the rest of the distinguished company. + </p> + <p> + When the great day arrived, and these Royal Potentates were seated in + their places, which had been arranged with great consideration for their + extreme sensitiveness on the subject of precedent, an exact science, + Edestone, dressed in his simple yachting costume, walked slowly up through + the aisle, on either side of which were seated Royalties, each in his + favourite uniform of ceremony, soon to become as old-fashioned as the + tattooing on a savage’s face. With perfect composure and self-possession + he took his place as Chairman of the Board and called the meeting to + order. + </p> + <p> + Then in a perfectly businesslike manner he explained the object of the + meeting, which he did with the greatest consideration for his + distinguished listeners, but there was in his voice a ring of confidence, + which they all knew was due to the fact that the suggestions that he made + would certainly be put into effect, and whereas they came to discuss, they + remained to agree. + </p> + <p> + He first briefly outlined the Utopian condition of the world as it would + be after his first suggestion had been carried into effect, and all arms, + ammunition, ships of war, and all destructive agencies had been destroyed. + </p> + <p> + He then laid down some new principles and relegated some of the old to the + scrap-heap. + </p> + <p> + He scoffed at the theory of majority rule, equality of man, and perpetual + peace through brotherly love. + </p> + <p> + Why should the majority rule, if the minority were more intelligent? + </p> + <p> + Why should all men be considered equal in intelligence, if not in weight + and height? + </p> + <p> + Why should dried-up old women be able to do something that young men, in + their full health and strength, had been unable to accomplish? + </p> + <p> + He then established a very limited ruling class, which he called, for the + lack of a better name, the Aristocracy of Intelligence, over which he + placed a head with absolute power, backed with sufficient force to see + that its wishes were carried out. + </p> + <p> + He then finally laid before them the plan of administration which he + proposed, which was that the entire world should be run by a Board of + Directors, of which, for the present, he sincerely hoped that they would + allow him to hold the humbler position of Chairman, while the President + and glorious head should be selected from some of the distinguished + monarchs within the sound of his voice. + </p> + <p> + He then very diplomatically explained that the form of government would be + based upon the administration of the great corporations of America, which + was his extremely polite method of informing them that the Chairman of the + Board was the power, and the President was but the icing on the cake. + </p> + <p> + He stated that history taught them that all wars had come about on account + of three things: Race, Religion, and Riches. + </p> + <p> + He suggested that the Race problem might be entirely solved by segregating + the races of the world, and giving over to them a portion of the earth + sufficiently large to support them in comfort in the climate and + surroundings to which they were accustomed, in which section they should + speak their own language, and were entitled to indulge in their own forms + of religion, customs, and superstitions, and there and there alone they + were supreme, and then only on matters of the administration of their own + allotment of the earth, but were subject absolutely and entirely to the + ruling of the Board of Directors as to their international policies. + </p> + <p> + The title of the portion of the world allotted to them was based not upon + the claims of any barbarian of antiquity, fanatic of the Middle Ages, or + the war lords of modern times, but upon the decision of the Board of + Directors, which would annul all previous titles and be final and + irrevocable. + </p> + <p> + If at any time any one or group of these left the portion of the earth to + which they had been restricted, they lost all of their rights as citizens + of the world, and while visiting the other sections must bow absolutely to + the will of those whose hospitality they were accepting. + </p> + <p> + In the case of those nations who had no home, and who had been parasites + on the nations of the earth for thousands of years, it was proposed that + they purchase from the country now holding the cradle of their birth a + home sufficiently large to accommodate their ever-increasing numbers under + the hygienic and healthful condition of the countries which they swarmed. + </p> + <p> + Religion, he said, which had for so many years been the cause of wars and + tumults, numbered by actual count up into the thousands, were in his + opinion sufficient in number to satisfy all who were not wishing for + personal aggrandizement or accumulation of wealth to create others. + Therefore, he stated, that all religions which had been established up to + the beginning of the nineteenth century might be allowed to continue, but + all others, being drawn on rather too scientific and financial lines, were + to be eliminated. + </p> + <p> + Coming to the last, and, as he expressed it, the cause of the present war, + namely, Riches, he showed that in the new form of government competition + would be eliminated, the interest of the whole being controlled by one + head with power to police, and greater profits to all would accrue by the + elimination of waste of time and money and by the efficiency of a single + administration. + </p> + <p> + He then suggested that a grand and international festival be held, at + which the combined fleets of the entire world be gathered together in the + middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and there, as a bond of good faith of all, + in the midst of universal rejoicing, they should be consigned to the + bottomless depths of absolute and eternal darkness. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Lawrence was addressing an assemblage of Reds, I. W. + W.‘s, Prohibitionists, and other thoughtful members of society. To these + he was serving grape juice and patent medicines. The percentage of alcohol + in these beverages quieted the nerves of most, but rendered the + Prohibitionists quite hilarious. They listened with much attention and + applauded violently the scheme which he outlined before them. + </p> + <p> + “You should be allowed,” he said, “to settle in the middle of the Desert + of Sahara, where you could all live in beautiful glass houses, and where + the soil produces no stones of a throwable size. There will be no saloons + there, clubs or dinner parties, but drugstores with their alluring lights + will decorate every corner. There with your palates parching with pain + your motto should be ‘Speak Easy’ for the sake of the Cause. The lives of + the inhabitants will be regulated by priestesses and preachers, and to + them will be submitted the most intimate affairs of the family. Yours will + be a maternal government; to each member of every family the Government + will daily, after taking the temperature, issue canton flannel + underclothes of the proper weight to be worn during the day. Alarm clocks + set by the Government will be issued to all. Your food, your cooking, and + your babies—if you have any, and God grant that you may not in such + a dry place!—will all be according to the canons of your religion. + Should you at any time find that the inhabitants are drying up and blowing + away, you can recruit from the malcontents of other portions of the + globe.” + </p> + <p> + With the Anti-Vivisectionists he was most sympathetic. “Ladies and + cranks,” he said. “I, too, am very fond of dogs, but as it is absolutely + necessary for the progress of science to make experiments upon living + subjects, I call upon you to volunteer for this work for all portions of + the body except the brain; for that portion I am creditably informed that + the doctors would prefer to use wood pulp.” + </p> + <p> + This was received with violent protestations of disapproval by the + Cubists, the Futurists, and the Post-Impressionists, who claimed that this + was entirely unnecessary, as they were able in their pictures to reveal + the most secret workings of the brain, and that upon their canvases they + laid bare for the study of the scientific world all that it was necessary + for it to know. + </p> + <p> + To the representatives of the Allied A.M.L.Q. American Architects, he + expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind expression of their + approval and offer of assistance, and in recognition of their + co-operation, he gave them entire charge of the competition for the laying + out and decorating, with befitting whirlwind monuments, hot air fountains, + and castles in the air, the great Edestone aerial highway which was to + encircle the globe. + </p> + <p> + Aloft Edestone, on the other hand, was having more trouble with his + audience, for his speech when finished was received with loud + protestations of disapproval, rendered in the most kingly and imperial + manner by this group of cousins, first cousins, double first cousins, and + half-brothers. Fortunately, however, for the welfare of the great mass of + the people of the world, they were well represented by the strong, + serious, and intelligent-looking men who sat at the elbow of this + consanguineous group, some of whom had by a process of intermarrying + degenerated into mere effigies of the strong men from whom they were + descended. These powers behind the tottering thrones of Europe realized + and bowed before the inevitable. + </p> + <h4> + FINIS + </h4> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + +***** This file should be named 7826-h.htm or 7826-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/2/7826/ + + +Text file produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. 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Stewart Barney + + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7826] +This file was first posted on May 20, 2003 +Last Updated: May 28, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + + + + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + +L. P. M. + +THE END OF THE GREAT WAR + + +By J. Stewart Barney + + +1915 + + +[Illustration: "COUNT VON HEMELSTEIN," THE AMERICAN SAID LAZILY, +"I WAS JUST THINKING WHAT A STUNNING BOOK-COVER YOU WOULD +MAKE FOR A CHEAP NOVEL." Drawn by Clarence F. Underwood.] + + + + _THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED_ + + TO MY REAL FRIENDS, WHO MAY LOVE IT. + WHILE THE OTHERS IT MAY BORE; + TO MY ENEMIES, GOD BLESS THEM, + THO' THEY SPLUTTER, MORE AND MORE. + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + I.--THE MAN AND THE HOUR + II.--THE ONE-MAN SECRET + III.--CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + IV.--THE FIRST REBUFF + V.--ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + VI.--A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + VII.--DIPLOMACY WINS + VIII.--THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + IX.--BUCKINGHAM PALACE + X.--HE MEETS THE KING + XI.--THE DEIONIZER + XII.--FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + XIII.--"THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!" + XIV.--THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + XV.--SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + XVI.--A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + XVII.--THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + XVIII.--IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + XIX.--THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + XX.--GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + XXI.--HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + XXII.--KAFFEE KLATSCH + XXIII.--THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + XXIV.--DER KAISER + XXV.--THE MASQUERADER + XXVI.--TWO REMARKABLE MEN + XXVII.--ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE +XXVIII.--WHERE IS IT? + XXIX.--THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + XXX.--THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + XXXI.--"SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!" + XXXII.--L. P. M. +XXXIII.--YACHTING IN THE AIR + XXXIV.--THE ULTIMATUM + XXXV.--A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + XXXVI.--THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + + + +L. P. M. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN AND THE HOUR + + +The Secretary of State, although he sought to maintain an air of +official reserve, showed that he was deeply impressed by what he had +just heard. + +"Well, young man, you are certainly offering to undertake a pretty +large contract." + +He smiled, and continued in a slightly rhetorical vein--the Secretary +was above all things first, last, and always an orator. + +"In my many years of public life," he said, "I have often had occasion +to admire the dauntless spirit of our young men. But you have forced +me to the conclusion that even I, with all my confidence in their +power, have failed to realize how inevitably American initiative and +independence will demand recognition. It is a quality which our form +of government seems especially to foster and develop, and I glory +in it as perhaps the chief factor in our national greatness and +pre-eminence. + +"In what other country, I ask you," he flung out an arm across the +great, flat-topped desk of state, "would a mere boy like yourself ever +conceive such a scheme, or have the incentive or opportunity to bring +it to perfection? And, having conceived and perfected it, in what +other country would he find the very heads of his Government so +accessible and ready to help him?" + +The young man leaned forward. "Then am I to understand, Mr. Secretary, +that you are ready to help me?" + +"Yes." He faced about and looked at his visitor in a glow of +enthusiasm. "Not only will I help you, but I will, so far as is +practicable, put behind you the power of this Administration. + +"Doubtless the newspapers," his tone took on a tinge of ironic +resentment, "when they learn the broad character of the credentials +that I shall give you in order that you may meet the crowned heads of +Europe, will say that I am again lowering the dignity of my office. +But I consider, Mr. Edestone, that I am, in reality, giving more +dignity to my office by bringing it closer to and by placing it at +the services of, those from whose hands it first received its dignity, +the sovereign people. 'The master is greater than the servant'; and +to my mind you as a citizen are even more entitled to the aid and +co-operation of this Department than are its accredited envoys, our +ministers and ambassadors, who, like myself, are but your hired men." + +His face lighted up with the memory of the many stirring campaigns +through which he had passed and his wonderful voice rang out, +responding to his will like a perfect musical instrument under the +touch of the artist. + +"I tell you, sir," he declared, "I would rather be instrumental in +bringing to an end this cruel war which is now deluging the pages of +history with the heart's blood of the people, whose voices may now be +drowned in the roar of the 42-centimeter guns, but whose spirits will +unite in the black stench clouds which rise from the festered fields +of Flanders to descend upon the heads of those who by Divine Right +have murdered them,--I would rather be instrumental in bringing about +this result, than be President of the United States!" + +He had risen, as he spoke, and had stepped from behind his desk to +give freer play to this burst of eloquence, but he now paused at the +entrance of a secretary for whom he had sent, and changing to that +quizzical drawl with which he had so often disarmed a hostile +audience, added, "And they do say that I am not without ambition in +that respect." + +He turned then to the waiting secretary, and letting his hand drop on +Edestone's shoulder: + +"Mr. Williams," he said, "this is Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New +York, whose name is no doubt familiar to you. He is desirous of +meeting and discussing quite informally with the potentates of Europe, +a little matter which he thinks, and I more or less agree with him, +will be of decided interest to them." + +He chuckled softly; then continued in a more serious tone: "Mr. +Edestone hopes, in short, with our assistance, to bring about not only +the end of the European war, but to realize my dream--Universal +Peace--and his plan, as he has outlined it to me, meets with my hearty +approval. + +"I wish you to furnish him with the credentials from this Department +necessary to give him _entree_ anywhere abroad and protect him at +all times and under all circumstances. + +"And, Mr. Williams," he halted the retiring subordinate, "when Mr. +Edestone's papers have been drawn, will you kindly bring them to me? +I wish to present them in person, and I know of no more appropriate +occasion than this afternoon, when I am to receive a delegation of +school children from the Southern Baptist Union and the Boy Scouts of +the Methodist Temperance League. I will be glad to have these young +Americans, as well as any others who may be calling to pay their +respects--not to me but to my office--hear what I have to say on +peace, patriotism, and grapes." + +With the departure of the secretary he unbent slightly. "Well," he +smiled, "you cannot say, as did Ericsson with his monitor and Holland +with his submarine and the Wrights with their aeroplane, that you +could not get the support of your Government until it was too late. In +fact, my dear fellow, when I think of the obstacles so many inventors +have to contend with, it strikes me that you have had pretty easy +sailing." + +"Perhaps," Edestone raised his eyebrows a trifle whimsically, "it has +not been so easy as you think, Mr. Secretary." + +"Oh, I know, I know!" the other replied. "You still must admit that in +comparison with most men you have been singularly fortunate. You have +had great wealth, absolute freedom to develop your ideas as you saw +fit, and finally the influence to command an immediate hearing for +your claims. Do you know that perhaps you are the richest young man in +the world today? It is this which, I must confess, at first rather +prejudiced me against you." + +Edestone laughed good-naturedly. "It is lucky that my photographs were +able to speak for me." + +"Yes," the Secretary assented. "As you probably have recognized, I am +not a scientist, and all your formulae and explanations were about as +so much Greek to me, but those photographs of yours were most +convincing, and prove to me how simple are the greatest of +discoveries. I fancy," he added slyly, "that they will penetrate even +the intelligence of a monarch." + +"Ah!" He rubbed his hands together. "I can imagine the chagrin and +fury of those war lords when they find themselves so unexpectedly +called to time, while your device is held over the nations like a +policeman's club, with America as its custodian. What a thought! +Universal dominion for our country; Universal Peace!" + +Some sense of opposition on the part of his companion aroused him, and +he levelled a quick and searching glance at the other. + +"That is your intention, is it not, Mr. Edestone?" he demanded. "That, +upon the completion of your present mission, the Government shall take +over this discovery of yours?" + +Edestone moved uneasily in his seat. He had naturally anticipated this +question, and yet he was unprepared to meet it. + +The Secretary frowned and repeated his question. "That is your +intention, is it not?" + +Hesitating no longer the inventor answered quietly: + +"Mr. Secretary, I yield to no man in my devotion to my country, but I +am one of those who believe that the highest form of patriotism is to +seek the best interest of mankind, and standing on that I tell you +frankly that I cannot at this time answer your question. Just now I +look no farther than the end of this brutal war. After that is +accomplished it will be time enough for me to decide the ultimate +disposition of my invention. Its secret is now known to no living soul +but myself, and is so simple that it requires no written record to +preserve it, and would die with me. It is the result, it is true, of +many years of hard work, but the finished product I can and often do +carry in my waistcoat pocket. + +"Do not misunderstand me," he lifted his hand as the Secretary +endeavoured to break in. "I thoroughly realize the responsibility of +my position and that my great wealth is a sacred trust. Upon the +answer to the question you have just put to me depends the destiny of +the world, whether it is answered by myself at this time or by others +in the future. Exactly what I will do when the time comes I cannot +say, but I will tell you this much, that in reaching a decision I will +call to my assistance men like yourself and abide by whatever course +the majority of them may dictate." + +"But, my dear young fellow, that will not do." The Secretary shook his +head. "You are called upon to answer my question right here and now." + +He dropped his bland and diplomatic manner as he spoke, and with his +jaw thrust forward showed himself the unyielding autocrat, who, in the +rough and tumble of politics, had ruled his party with a rod of iron. +This man whose wonderful talents and personality had fitted him for +his chosen position of champion of the plain people, and whose great +motive power, against all odds, that had forced him into the first +place in their hearts, was his sincere and honest love of office. + +He had now assumed a rather boisterous and bullying tone, showing that +perhaps his great love for the rougher elements of society was due to +the fact that in the process of evolution he himself was not far +removed from the very plain people. + +"You have been talking pretty loud about using the 'big stick' over on +the other side," he went on sternly, "but that big-stick business you +will find is a thing that works two ways. Suppose then I should tell +you, 'No answer to my question, no credentials.' What would you have +to say?" + +"I should say," Edestone's face was set, "simply this, Mr. Secretary, +if I must speak in the language of the people in order that you may +understand me: 'I should like very much to have your backing in the +game, but if you are going to sit on the opposite side of the table, I +hold three kings and two emperors in my hand, and I challenge you to a +show-down.' I should further say that, credentials or no credentials, +I am leaving tomorrow on the _Ivernia_, and that inasmuch as I +have a taxi at the door, and a special train held for me at the Union +Station, I must bid you good-day, and leave you to your watchful +waiting, while I work alone." + +He rose from his seat, and with a bow started for the door. + +"Hold on there, young fellow, keep your coat on!" the Secretary +shouted, throwing his head back and laughing loud enough to be heard +over on the Virginia shores. "You remind me of one of those gentle +breezes out home, which after it has dropped the cow-shed into the +front parlour and changed your Post-Office address, seems always to +sort of clear up the atmosphere. When one of them comes along we +generally allow it to have its own way. It doesn't matter much whether +we do or not, it will take it anyhow. I never play cards, but what you +say about having a few kings in your pants' pocket seems to be pretty +nearly true. You are made of the real stuff, and if you can do all the +things that you say you can do, and I believe you can, nothing will +stop you." + +"In that case," said Edestone, resuming his seat, "I suppose I may as +well wait for my credentials." + +And in due time he got them, the presentation being made by the +Secretary to the edification of the Baptist School children and the +Methodist Soldiers of Temperance and a score of adoring admirers. Then +with a hasty farewell to the officials of the State Department, this +emissary of peace started on his hurried rush to New York. + +His taxi, which he had held since seven o'clock that morning, broke +all speed regulations in getting to the station, and the man was well +paid for his pains. + +Edestone found his Special coupled up and waiting for him. He always +travelled in specials, and they always waited for him. In fact, +everything waited for him, and he waited for no one. When he engaged a +taxi he never discharged it until he went to bed or left the town. It +was related of him that on one occasion he had directed the taxi to +wait for him at Charing Cross Station, and returning from Paris three +days later had allowed his old friend, the cabby, who knew him well, a +shilling an hour as a _pourboire_. He claimed that his mind +worked smoothly as long as it could run ahead without waits, but that +as soon as it had to halt for anything--a cab, a train, or a slower +mind to catch up--it got from under his control and it took hours to +get it back again. + +To him money was only to be spent. He would say: "I spend money +because that calls for no mental effort, and saving is not worth the +trouble that it requires." + +A big husky chap, thirty-four years old, with the constitution of an +ox, the mind of a superman, the simplicity of a child: that was John +Fulton Edestone. He insisted that his discovery was an accident that +might have befallen anyone, and counted as nothing the years of +endless experiments and the millions of dollars he had spent in +bringing it to perfection. He was a dreamer, and had used his colossal +income and at times his principal in putting his dreams into iron and +steel. + +Upon arriving in New York he was met by his automobile and was rushed +away to what he was pleased to call his Little Place in the Country. +It was one of his father's old plants which had contributed to the +millions which he was now spending. + +It was nothing more nor less than a combination machine shop and +shipyard, situated on the east bank of the Hudson in the neighbourhood +of Spuyten Duyvil. + +It was midnight when he arrived. The night force was just leaving as +he stepped from his automobile and the morning shift was taking its +place. At eight o'clock the next morning this latter would in turn be +relieved by a day shift; for night and day, Sundays and holidays, +winter and summer, without stopping, his work went on. It got on his +nerves, he said, to see anything stop. Speed and efficiency at any +cost was his motto, and the result was that he had gathered about him +men who were willing to keep running under forced draft, even if it +did heat up the bearings. + +"Tell Mr. Page to come to me at once," he said, as he entered a little +two-story brick structure apart from the other buildings. This had +originally been used as an office, but he had changed it into a +comfortable home, his "Little Place in the Country." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ONE-MAN SECRET + + +With the giving of a few orders relative to his departure in the +morning, the brevity of which showed the character of service he +demanded, Edestone permitted himself to relax. He dropped into an +arm-chair, after lighting a long, black cigar, and pouring out for +himself a comfortable drink of Scotch whisky and soda. + +For a few minutes he sat looking into the open fire, while blowing +ring after ring of smoke straight up into the air. The well-trained +servant moved so quietly about the room that his presence was only +called to his attention by the frantic efforts of the smoke rings to +retain their circular shape as they were caught in the current of air +which he created and were sent whirling and twisting to dissolution, +although to the last they clung to every object with which they came +in contact in their futile struggle to escape destruction. + +Edestone loved to watch these little smoke phantoms, their first mad +rush to assume their beautiful form and the persistency with which +they clung to it until overtaken by another, were brushed aside, or +else drifted on in wavering elongated outlines and so gradually +disappeared. + +They suggested to his fancy the struggling nations of the world, +battling with the currents and cross-currents near the storm-scarred +old earth, and continually endeavouring to rise above their fellows to +some calmer strata, where serene in their original form they could +look down with condescension upon their harassed and broken companions +below. + +The little rings were, however, more interesting to him for another +and more practical reason. It was their toroidal movement around a +circular axis which moved independently in any direction that first +suggested to him the principles of his discovery. + +Before him the fire upon the hearth sang and crackled as it tore +asunder the elements that had taken untold ages to assemble in their +present form, and with the prodigality of nature was joyfully rushing +them up the chimney to start them again upon their long and weary +journey through the ages. + +The bubbles coming into existence in the bottom of his glass, rushing +in myriads through the pale yellow liquid to the top and obliteration, +set the thin glass to vibrating like the sound of distant bells. + +From his workshop came the soft purr of rapidly moving machinery, +punctuated now and again by the roar of the heavy railroad trains that +thundered past his little flag station. + +Had he seen then what the future had in store for him, had he realized +that he was in that well-beloved environment for the last time, he +would not have hesitated to have gone on along the road that he had +marked out for himself. It would simply have made the wrench at +parting a little bit more severe. + +His musing was interrupted by his man, who had attracted his attention +by noiselessly rearranging on the table the objects that were already +in perfect order. + +"Mr. Page is outside, sir." + +It was a call to action. Edestone, without changing his position, +said: "Tell him to come in." And then taking two or three deep puffs +at his cigar, he blew out into the clear space in front of him a large +and perfectly formed ring. Rising he followed it slowly as it drifted +across the room, twisting and circling upon itself. Then with a low +laugh, which was almost a sigh, after sticking his finger through its +shadowy form, with a sweep of his powerful hand he brushed it aside. + +"Good-bye, little friend," he said, "we have had many good times +together, and whatever you may have in store for me, I promise never +to complain. Let us hope that I shall use wisely and well the +knowledge which you have given me." + +Turning quickly at some slight sound, which told him that he was no +longer alone, he threw his shoulders back, and with his head high in +the air there came over his clean-shaven face a look of quiet +determination, a look before which those who were born to rule were so +soon to quail. + +Then, with a complete change of manner, upon seeing his old friend and +fellow-workman, his face lighted up, and he laughed: + +"Well, old 'Specs,' I'm back, you see, and the 'Dove of Peace' is +safely caged. He came to hand with scarcely even a struggle." Then as +he looked down into the other's worn and haggard eyes which peered up +at him through their round, horn-rimmed spectacles, his voice softened +and he spoke with a touch of compunction. + +"By Jove, old chap, you look all in. I've been driving you boys a bit +too hard; but don't you worry. I'm off in the morning, and then you'll +have a chance to take it easier. Soon our beautiful _Little Peace +Maker_," he winked, "will be tucked safely away in some quiet +corner, and you scientific fellows can devote all your attention +to your beloved bridge, while I bid up The Hague Conference for a +no-trump hand. + +"But to business now. How did the films for the moving pictures come +out?" + +"Splendidly." + +"Good. I'll have you run them over for me presently. I don't want to +show too much when I give my performances for Royalty, you understand; +just enough to scare them to death. And how about the wireless? Did +you test that out, and tune it to my instruments, as I asked you?" + +With a satisfactory answer to this also, he ranged off rapidly into a +dozen other inquiries. + +"Does Lee understand exactly where he is to go, and what he is to do, +if by any chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don't +think he need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but +we've got to be prepared for every emergency. + +"Now, 'Specs,' I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough men +about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your +absence may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as +you are safely out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary +risks. As soon as you are settled, communicate with me, once only +every day at exactly twelve o'clock Greenwich time, until I answer +you. I shall then not communicate with you again until this peace game +is up and we are forced to show our hands." + +He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing; +then resumed his instructions. + +"Captain Lee's men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for +a big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child's play; but +it will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that +no rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I +intend to have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most +extreme measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man +is faultlessly perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be +pronounced outlaws at any time with a price upon our heads, and +therefore, before leaving here, I wish that none be allowed to join +the enterprise except those who willingly volunteer for the sake of +the cause. The men who are unwilling to volunteer, and yet know too +much, must be taken and held _incommunicado_ in some perfectly +safe place until such time as I notify you. + +"I think that is all," he reflected. Then, while the other man watched +him curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a +small, hardwood box about six inches square. + +"I have never explained to you, Page," he said, "the exact +construction of the instrument that is contained in this box. As you +know, there is but one other instrument like this in the world, and +that you know is in a safe place. My reason for not taking anybody +into my confidence was not from any lack of faith in you or my other +trusted associates, but simply in order to be absolutely sure at all +times and under all circumstances that I was the only one in +possession of this secret." + +And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents +directly on to the burning logs. + +Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and +half stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised +an interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile. + +"That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical +construction of this instrument is so simple," he said, "that I can +at any time construct one which will answer all purposes that I may +require of it until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the +_Ivernia_ during the crossing constructing a new smaller and +more compact instrument, combining with it one of the receivers which +you have attuned to your wireless. See that these as well as the +following," handing "Specs" a list of electrical supplies, "are put in +Black's steamer trunk. And now, let's have a look at those films." + +He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire +establishment, although the latter was largely perfunctory in +character, since he knew that for days everything had been in +readiness for his orders, waiting only for his return from Washington; +then returning to his quarters, he tumbled into bed to catch a few +hours of sleep before again whirling off at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait +to board his steamer at the dock. + +His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were +fellows of tested experience and education, many of them college +graduates, while his "commissioned officers," as he called them, +numbering sixty, were all experts in their respective lines. They had +been drawn from all ranks of life, from the college laboratory, the +automobile factory, and the war college. There were among them bank +clerks, former commanders of battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, +and sailors. In fact, his little world was a perfectly equipped and +smoothly running community with all the departments of a miniature +government, save only a diplomatic service, and that he combined with +his own prerogatives as Executive and Commander-in-Chief. + +One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,--and +that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he sifted them out, and applied +to each of them the acid test, that he was sure he could rely on them, +as he liked to say, "to the last ditch." + +For the rest, although he had taken only a few of them into his +confidence as to his real purposes and intentions, he had assured each +recruit that he would be required to do nothing that was contrary to +his duty to his fellow-man, his country, or his God. + +And tomorrow the wheels would be set in motion. The undertaking to +which he had dedicated his life and colossal fortune would be +launched. + +It was characteristic of Edestone that no sooner had he laid his head +upon the pillow than his eyes closed, and he slept as peacefully as a +tired child. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + + +After a perfectly uneventful voyage, the _Ivernia_, with Edestone +and his three men aboard, swung slowly to her dock. As the big vessel +had approached the coast the few cabin passengers were at first a +little nervous, but the contempt in which the officers held, or +pretended to hold, the submarine menace made itself soon felt +throughout the ship, and but for the thinness of their ranks all went +as usual. It is true that the little group of army contract-seekers +and returning refugees seemed to enjoy constituting themselves into +special look-outs, and regarded it as their particular duty, as long +as it did not interfere with their game of bridge, or might cause them +to lose a particularly comfortable and sheltered corner of the deck, +to notify the stewards if they happened to see anything which to them +looked like a periscope or floating mine. + +Throughout the voyage Edestone kept very much to himself and in his +quarters occupied himself constructing a new instrument, and to the +hard-rubber case that had been provided for it he attached a wireless +receiver. In some of this work he was assisted by Stanton and Black, +two electricians he had brought with him, who, with James, his valet, +made up his party. + +He had little time and less inclination to observe his neighbours, who +occupied the corresponding suite just across the passageway; but his +man James, who had been formally introduced to their servants, +insisted upon telling him all about them. They were, James said, the +Duchess of Windthorst and her daughter, the Princess Wilhelmina, who +were returning from Canada, where they had been visiting the Duke of +Connaught at Toronto. + +But, if Edestone was preoccupied, the Princess, on the contrary, +being a girl of nineteen, with absolutely nothing on her mind, had +not failed to note the handsome young man across the passage. +Unconsciously answering to the irresistible call of youth, which is as +loud to the princess as to the peasant, she had watched him with a +great deal of interest, and had been fascinated by his faultless boots +and the fact that he failed to notice her at all. + +Yet Edestone, it may be remarked, was not the only person on board +favoured with the royal regard. The Duchess, with the propensity of +her kind on visiting the States, had selected for her rare promenades +on deck a Broadway sport of the most absurd and exaggerated type, +known as "Diamond King John" Bradley. + +This vagary is explained by the fact that the social chasm separating +them from all Americans is, to their limited vision, so infinitely +great that it is impossible for them to see and to understand the +niceties that the Americans draw between the butcher of New York and +the dry-goods merchant of Denver; and since it is impossible to see +nothing from infinity, they content themselves by selecting those who +are, in their opinion, typical, in order that in the short time they +can give to this study they may learn all of the characteristics of +this most extraordinary race, who on account of the similarity of +language have presumed to claim a relationship with them. They will +not accept as true what much of the world believes: that Old England +is in her decadence, and that her only hope is in those sons who have +left her and who, away from the debilitating influence of the +poisonous vapours arising from the ruins of her glory, are developing +the ancient spirit of their ancestors and are returning to her +assistance in her time of need. + +As to the Princess, Edestone, although he noted that she was extremely +attractive in face and figure, did not give her a second thought. He +was amused at the attitude of the Duchess and her class, and was +willing to accept it, but it did not arouse any desire on his part to +follow the lead of the gentleman from Broadway and seek their +acquaintance. As a matter of fact, he had always found the young women +of the upper classes of England either extremely stupid or perfectly +willing to appear so to an American of his class. + +Still, as it happened, he did meet the Princess. One night after +dinner he found her struggling with the door into the passage which +led to their adjoining apartments. She was, or pretended to be, +helpless in the wind that was blowing her down the deck as she clung +to the rail, and, quietly taking her by the arm, he pulled her back to +the door, where he held her until she was safely inside. This was all +done in a perfectly matter-of-fact manner, and she might as well have +been a steamer rug that was in danger of being blown overboard. Then +before she had time to thank him, the door was blown shut, and he had +resumed his solitary walk along the deck. + +The next time that the Princess saw him, although she felt sure that +he must have known that she had looked in his direction, there was no +indication of any desire on his part to continue the acquaintance. He +had apparently entirely forgotten the episode or her existence, and +the pride of a beautiful young girl was hurt, and the dignity of +royalty offended--but the first was all that really mattered. + +And so the voyage ended. The passengers all seemed perfectly willing +to go ashore, notwithstanding their assumption of indifference to the +German blockade. Edestone, as usual, was met by the fastest form of +locomotion, and before the trunks and bags had begun to toboggan down +to the dock, he was whirling up to London in the powerful motor car +belonging to his friend, the Marquis of Lindenberry. Edestone had +notified him by wireless to meet the steamer, and they were now being +driven directly to the Marquis's house in Grosvenor Square. Stanton +and Black were left behind with James, who condescended with his +superior knowledge to assist them in getting the luggage through the +custom-house. + +"Well what in the name of common sense has brought you over to England +at such a time as this?" demanded Lindenberry, after the automobile +had swept clear of the town and with a gentle purr had settled down to +its work. He leaned over as he spoke, to satisfy himself that the +chauffeur, having finished adjusting his glasses with one hand while +running at top speed, finally had both hands on the wheel, and then +turned expectantly to his companion. + +"Oh, I see," Lindenberry nodded when he found that he got no +satisfactory answer to this or the other inquiries he put; "you +evidently do not propose to take me into your confidence. Still, I +would not be so deucedly mysterious, if I were you. I call it beastly +rude, you know. Here I have come all the way from Aldershot, and am +using the greater part of my valuable leave in response to your crazy +wire. Tell me, is it a contract to deliver a dozen dreadnoughts at the +gates of the Tower of London before Easter Sunday?" and his eyes +twinkled, "or have some of your young Americans enlisted and the fond +parents sent you over to rescue them?" + +Edestone smiled. "Well, the first thing I want, Lindenberry, is a +little chat with Lord Rockstone." + +"Oh, is that all?" with a satiric inflection. "Well, why in the name +of common sense didn't you say so at first? I do not know, however, +that I can positively get you an appointment today. You must not mind +if His Lordship keeps you waiting for a few minutes if he happens to +be talking with the Czar of Russia on the long-distance telephone. You +know, we over here are still great sticklers on form. We are trying +hard to be progressive, but we still consider it quite rude to tell a +King to hold the wire while we talk to someone else who has not taken +the trouble that he has to make an appointment. You must remember that +he has perhaps dropped several shillings into the slot, and would +naturally be annoyed if told by the girl that time was up and to drop +another shilling. + +"Or Lord Rockstone may perhaps be just in the midst of one of his +usual twenty-four-hour interviews with an American newspaper +representative," he continued his chaffing. "Now if he does not invite +Graves and Underhill and Apsworth to have tea with you, you might drop +in at Boodles' on your way back from the city, and we will just pop on +to Buckingham Palace and deliver to Queen Mary the ultimatum from the +suffragette ladies of the Sioux Indians." + +Edestone laughed so heartily that the footman nearly turned to see if +something had happened. "And they say that you Englishmen have no +sense of humour. The trouble with you though, old top, is that your +joke is so deucedly good that you don't see the point yourself." + +They were just passing through one of Rockstone's military camps, +where England's recruited millions were being trained, and cutting +short his badinage Edestone gazed at the scene with interest. + +"It does seem a pity that all these fine young fellows should be +sacrificed in order to settle a question which I could settle in a +very short time," he said, becoming more serious. + +"Settle it in a very short time?" repeated Lindenberry. "I would like +to know how you propose to do it. I know you are full of splendid +ideas, and invent all kinds of electrical contrivances to do things +that one can do perfectly well with one's own hands. I suppose you +would take a large magnet and with it pull all of the German warships +out of the Kiel Canal, and hold them while you went on board and +explained to Bernhardi and von Buelow the horrors of war, and if they +did not listen to you, you would, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin lead +them off with all the other disagreeable odds and ends, submarines and +Zeppelins, to an island, way, way out in the ocean, where they would +have to stay until they promised to be good little boys?" + +"Well, wouldn't that be better than killing a lot of these fine young +fellows you have here?" demanded Edestone, although he smiled at his +friend's fantastic idea. + +"You Americans are developing into a nation of foolish old women," +taunted Lindenberry, "and the sooner that you get into a muss like +this one we're in, the sooner you will get back that fighting spirit +which has made you what you are. You are fast losing the respect of +the other nations by your present methods, always looking after your +own pocket-books while the rest of the world is bleeding to death." + +Edestone was thoughtful, and appeared to have no answer for this, and +Lindenberry reverted to his request. + +"If you really want to have an interview with Lord Rockstone, Jack, I +think I can possibly arrange it. I will telephone to Colonel Wyatt, +who is on his staff, and find out what he can do for you." + +And so they chatted until coming to Grosvenor Square where they got +out of the automobile in front of an unpretentious red brick house +with an English basement entrance, trimmed with white marble and +spotlessly clean. + +Lindenberry at once telephoned to Colonel Wyatt, who said that Lord +Rockstone was in and that if Edestone would come around at once he +would see to it that his letters were presented. As to an appointment, +he could promise nothing, but he did say to Lindenberry, not to be +repeated, that the Department was not at that time very favourably +disposed toward Americans. + +With his usual promptness, Edestone jumped into his automobile and +started for Downing Street, not stopping even to wash his face and +hands nor to brush the dust from his clothes. + +At the door he was met by an officer in khaki, was told that Colonel +Wyatt was expecting him, and was asked if he would be so kind as to +come up to the Colonel's office. There he was told that his +credentials and letters could be presented that afternoon, but there +was practically no chance of an interview, as Lord Rockstone was +leaving the War Offices in a few minutes. + +Word was finally brought in that Lord Rockstone would see Mr. Edestone +and receive his letters, but regretted that he would be unable to give +him an appointment, as he was leaving for the Continent in a few days +and affairs of state required his entire time--which translated into +plain English meant: "Come in, but get out as soon as you can." + +Shown into a large room, he saw seated at a big desk the man who is +said to have said that he did not know when the war would end, but he +did know when it would begin, and fixed that date at about eight +months after the actual declaration--after millions of pounds had been +expended and hundreds of thousands of English dead. + +Cold, powerful, relentless, and determined, Edestone knew that it was +useless to appeal to a sense of humanity in this man who, sitting at +his desk early and late, directed the great machine that slowly but +surely was drawing to itself the youth and vigour of all England, +there to feed and fatten, flatter and amuse these poor boys from the +country, and with music and noise destroy their sensibilities before +sending them across the Channel to live for their few remaining days +in holes in the ground that no self-respecting beast would with his +own consent occupy. + +To appeal to a sense of duty so strong in him as applied to England, +was one thing; but to convince him that Edestone as an American had a +sense of duty to the nations of Europe was something quite different. +This man of steel had no imagination, he was convinced, and to ask him +to follow him in his flights would be as useless as to request him to +whistle Yankee Doodle. + +He had a chance to decide all this while Rockstone, who had risen and +received him with courtesy, was reading the letters he presented. The +great soldier's face never changed once as he read them all with care. + +"Your credentials are satisfactory," he finally said, "but I do not +quite understand what it is you wish. Your letters say that you do not +want to sell anything, which is most extraordinary; I thought you +Americans always wanted to sell something." And his face assumed the +expression of a man who, having no sense of humour, thought that he +had perhaps made a joke. + +"If you have drawings and photographs of a new instrument of war," he +caught himself up abruptly, "I should greatly prefer that you submit +these to the Ordnance Department; but since your Secretary of State +has been so insistent, I will look at them tomorrow. I will give you +an appointment from 9 to 9:15." + +And he rose and bowed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE FIRST REBUFF + + +At exactly a quarter past nine the following morning, Lord Rockstone +with military precision rose from his desk. + +"I fear that my time is up, Mr. Edestone," he said, glancing at his +watch. "I have enjoyed this opportunity of meeting you and listening +to your presentation of your theory. Your drawings are most +interesting; your photographs convincing, if--" he paused, his lip +curling slightly under his long tawny moustache,--"if one did not know +of the remarkable optical illusions capable of being produced in +photography. Our friends, the Germans, have become particularly expert +in the art of double exposure." + +Then, as if he thought he might have said too much, he added less +crisply: + +"Please do not understand that I doubt either your sincerity, or that +of the Government at Washington in this matter; you may have both +perhaps been deceived. I hope that your stay in England may be +pleasant, and I regret that this war will prevent you from receiving +the attention to which your letters and your accomplishments would +entitle you." + +With an expression on his face that said plainer than words: "This is +the last minute of my most valuable time that I intend to give to this +nonsense," he bowed formally, and reseating himself at his desk, took +up papers. + +Then without looking up, "Good morning, Mr. Edestone." + +The American did not allow himself to show the slightest trace of +annoyance at the brusque dismissal. + +"You will at least permit me to thank you for your kind intentions, +sir," he said; and standing perfectly still until he had forced Lord +Rockstone to look up, he added with a smile, "We may meet again, +perhaps." + +There was something about his perfect ease of manner as he stood +waiting which showed that although he would not condescend to notice +it, he was both conscious of the War Minister's unpardonable rudeness +and intended to make him acknowledge it. + +Rockstone hesitated a moment; then with a belated show of courtesy +came from behind his desk, and stiffly extended his hand. + +"You Americans are the most extraordinary people," he said; "I must +admit, I never quite understand you." + +"Then you must grant us a slight advantage," rejoined Edestone evenly; +"because we believe we do understand you Englishmen. If there had been +the same clear understanding on your side in the present instance it +would have been more to your interest, I am satisfied; for then +instead of merely disturbing you I should have aroused you." + +"It is not a question of arousing me as you call it. You are dealing +with the Government of the Empire, and, as you know, England moves +slowly. The suggestion that I invite His Majesty to see a lot of +moving pictures of an impossible machine, if you will pardon me, is +preposterous. If you really wish to sell something to the War +Department, although I understand you to state that you do not, +nothing is simpler. Ship one of your machines to England, give a +demonstration, and whereas I cannot speak with authority, I am +confident that England will pay all that any other Government will +pay. As to our friends, the enemy, our ships will attend to it that +nothing goes to them that can be used against us." His jaws snapped, +and his cold greenish-grey eyes flashed, as he gave another curt bow +of dismissal. + +Edestone had no alternative but to leave; but as he turned to rejoin +Colonel Wyatt, who had stood stiffly at attention throughout the +entire interview, he could not resist one parting shot. + +"Do not forget, Lord Rockstone," he said, "that England six months ago +spoke lightly of submarines." + +The War Minister pretended not to hear; but no sooner had the door +closed upon his offensive visitor than he caught up the +telephone. "Get me the Admiralty, and present my compliments to +Mr. Underhill," he directed sharply. "Tell him I would like to speak +to him at once." + +He turned back to a tray of letters left upon his desk to sign, but +halted, his pen held arrested in air. + +"Suppose," he muttered, "the fellow should actually have--? But, +pshaw! It's simply a mammoth Yankee bluff. That Foreign Department at +Washington is just silly enough to believe that it can frighten us +with its manufactured photographs. They are so anxious over there to +stop the war, that they would resort to any expedient--anything but +fight." + +The telephone tinkled. + +"Ah! Are you there Underhill? Yes, this is Rockstone. I called you up +to warn you against a madman who is now on his way to see you. You +can't well refuse to give him an audience, for he has such strong +letters from the American Government that one might imagine he was a +special envoy sent to offer armed intervention and to end the war. But +in my opinion he is merely a crank or an impostor, who has succeeded +in obtaining the support and endorsement of their State Department. + +"What is that? Oh yes; he's an American. His name? How should I +remember! I wasn't interested either in him, or what he had to say. +He pretends to have discovered some new agency or force, don't you +know, and tries to prove by a lot of double-exposed photographs that +he has broken down the fundamental laws of physics, neutralizing the +force of gravity, or annihilating space by the polarization of light, +or some such rot. + +"Do not kick him out. He has letters not only from his Government, but +from some of its most prominent men whom it would be unwise to offend +at this time. Just listen to his twaddle about universal peace and +that sort of thing, and then pass him on to Graves with a quiet +warning such as I have given you." + +Meanwhile Edestone, having taken leave of Colonel Wyatt, was making +his way out of the building, when he found himself accosted in the +dimly lighted corridor by a man in civilian clothes whom he recognized +as a New York acquaintance of several years' standing. + +"Well, look who's here!" he greeted Edestone lustily as he extended +his hand. "What brings you into the very den of the lion? Is it that, +like myself, you are helping dear old England get arms and ammunition +with which to lick the barbarians on the Rhine?" + +Glancing around cautiously he lowered his voice. "Make her pay well +for them, my boy; she would not hesitate to turn them on us, if we got +in her way." + +Edestone laughingly disclaimed any interest in army contracts, but at +the same time avoided divulging the actual mission upon which he was +engaged. + +There was something in his companion's manner that put him rather on +his guard; he remembered smoking after dinner not more than three or +four months before in the house of one of the most prominent German +bankers in New York, and listening to this man, who had expressed +himself in a way that might have suggested somewhat pro-German +sympathies. Edestone had at the time attributed this to a +consideration for their host and to the fact that the German +Ambassador was present; but he recalled that, although the speaker was +most violent in his protestations of neutrality, someone had suggested +at the time that he was of a German family, his father having been +born in Hesse-Darmstadt. He was a man of wealth, with establishments +in New York and Newport, at both of which places Edestone had been +entertained. His loud and hearty manner stamped him as a typical +American, but his large frame, handsome face, and military bearing +showed his Teutonic origin. + +"You surprise me Rebener." Edestone's eyes twinkled slightly at these +recollections. "I should have supposed, if you had anything of the +kind to sell, that it would be to your friend, Count Bernstoff. +However," he laid his hand on the other's arm, "it's an agreeable +surprise to run across a fellow-countryman, no matter what the cause. +Are you going my way?" + +"No," Rebener told him, he had an appointment on hand with one of the +bureau chiefs in the Ordnance Department. + +"Well then suppose you dine with me tonight," suggested Edestone. "I +am stopping at Claridge's and shall be awfully glad if you can come. I +am entirely alone in London, you see; my cronies, I find, are all dead +or at the front." + +"Delighted, my boy. But listen! Don't have any of your English +swells. Let's make this a quiet little American dinner just to +ourselves, and forget for once this ghastly war." + +"At eight o'clock, then," Edestone nodded. + +"And a strict neutrality dinner, remember. That is the only safe kind +for us Americans to eat in London." + +"All right, Rebener, as neutral as you please. _A bientot_." And +with a wave of the hand he passed on down the corridor and out of the +building. His appointment with Underhill, Chief of the Admiralty, was +not until 11:30, so he put in the time by sauntering rather slowly +along the Thames Embankment. + +He regretted now that, in talking with Lord Rockstone, he had not made +a little more show of force, for had he assumed a more dictatorial +manner he would have at least aroused the fighting spirit in his stern +antagonist, who might then have taken some interest in crushing him +under his heel; whereas now he saw plainly that Rockstone considered +him beneath his notice, and thereby much valuable time had been +lost. Yet he did not wish to make any show of force until he knew +positively that his men were all at their stations, and that the +_Little Peace Maker_ was near at hand. He must be in a position +to use force before playing his last card, and he had not as yet heard +from "Specs." Although he knew that their instruments were perfectly +attuned, he had not, up to twelve o'clock of the day before, received +a single vibration. + +At this point he was interrupted by encountering another American who +also insisted upon stopping and shaking hands. This was a young +architect from New York, who had from time to time done work for his +father's estate and who had also made some alterations at the Little +Place in the Country for Edestone himself. He was a tall, lank young +man of about twenty-seven, with little rat-like eyes, placed so close +to his hawk-like nose that one felt Nature would have been kinder to +him had she given him only one eye and frankly placed it in the middle +of his receding forehead. His small blonde moustache did not cover his +rabbit mouth, which was so filled with teeth that he could with +difficulty close his lips. + +"What has brought you to London, Schmidt? Aren't you afraid that these +Englishmen will capture you and shoot you as a spy?" + +"Sh! Not quite so loud please, Mr. Edestone; these English are such +fools. They think that because a man has a German name he must be a +fighting German, when you know that I am a perfectly good naturalized +American citizen. My passport is made out in the name of Schmidt, and +that's my name all right, but I call myself Smith over here to keep +from rubbing these fellows the wrong way." + +"Well, Mr. 'Smith,' you have not told me what you are doing in +London." + +"I have been sent over by a New York architectural paper to make a +report upon the condition of the cathedral at Rheims. I stopped over +in London to get my papers vised by the Royal Institute of +Architects." Then, lowering his voice, and keeping his eyes on a +policeman who was apparently watching them with interest: "I am sorry +to see you here, Mr. Edestone. This is no place for us Americans, and +my advice to you is to get out of here as soon as you can, and don't +come back again until the war is over." + +Edestone felt that he would have said more but they were interrupted +by the policeman who said: "Excuse me, gentlemen, but these be war +times, and me ordhers are to keep the Imbankment moving." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + + +After leaving the War Offices, Rebener went directly to the nearest +public telephone. + +"Hello, Karlbeck," he called, after satisfying himself by mumbling a +jumble of unintelligible words and numbers that he had the man he +wanted on the wire. "Is Smith there? What? Thames Embankment? What did +you say is the number of that officer? Oh, my old butler, Pat! That's +all right. Now listen; if I should miss Smith and he comes in, tell +him to call me at my hotel at once. I have made an engagement for +dinner with our man for eight o'clock tonight, but you and H. R. H. +need not be at my rooms until half-past eight. You understand, eh? +Good-bye." + +He strolled out, following Edestone's course with the air of a man +wishing to enjoy this beautiful spring morning, and approaching the +officer who had interrupted the interview between Edestone and Smith, +he said, with a little twinkle in his eye: "Will you tell me which of +these bridges is called the London Bridge?" + +The blue-coated Pat, with Hibernian readiness, caught the humour of +the situation. "Shure, I would gladly, but 'tis a strhanger I am here +mesilf," he grinned as he smothered the entire lower part of his face +with his huge paw of a hand, and significantly closed one eye. + +"Pat, your fondness for joking will get you into trouble yet. Did +Smith turn Edestone over to you?" + +"He did, and I mesilf took him up to the Admiralty where he is +now. 4782, I think they called him, takes him up from there, and will +keep him until he hears from either you or Smith." + +"Where has Smith gone?" + +"Shure he's up at Claridge's, bein' shaved by Count von Hottenroth." + +"Now, now, Pat, if you don't stop that joking of yours I'll certainly +report you to the Wilhelmstrasse." + +"And they said I was to be the first King of dear old Ireland!" as +with a broad grin on his face he raised his hand as if drinking. "Der +Tag!" he cried, thereby causing several passers-by to laugh at the +idea of a London bobby giving the sacred German toast. + +Rebener, leaving him, went directly to his rooms at The Britz where he +was received with the greatest consideration by everybody about the +place. He was shown to the royal suite by the proprietor himself, who +after he had carefully closed the door upon them stood as if waiting +for orders. + +"Call Claridge's on the 'phone, and tell Smith who is being shaved," +he smiled at the recollection of Pat's jest, "to meet me here at +once. I do not want him seen in the hotel, so tell him to come in by +the servants' entrance, and you bring him up on the service elevator +and in here through my pantry and dining-room." + +The proprietor retired to attend to this, but was soon back, and +Rebener continued his instructions. + +"Luckily Edestone invited me to dine with him tonight before I had a +chance to invite him," he said, "but I will persuade him to come here +and dine with me." + +"So, Mr. Bombiadi," he turned to the proprietor, "I shall want dinner +here for four at 8:30. See to it yourself, will you, that my guests +are brought through my private entrance, and one especially--you know +who--who will be incognito, must not be recognized. Not that there +could be any objection to these men dining with me here--a common rich +American, who loves to spend his money on princes and things--but by +tonight this man Edestone will be watched by at least twenty men from +Scotland Yard, and they suspect anyone of being a German spy, be he +prince or pauper." + +Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the arrival of +Smith, who came in very much excited. Sniffling and rubbing his nose +with the back of his forefinger, like a nervous cocaine fiend, he +broke out agitatedly: + +"Mr. Rebener, I'm getting sick of this job. When I undertook to find +out for you what was going on at the Little Place in the Country, I +was working for Germany as against the world, and anything that I can +do for her I am glad and proud to do, but that Hottenroth talks like a +damn fool. Excuse me, Mr. Rebener, but he don't want to stop at +anything. He says that if he pulls off this thing the Emperor, when he +gets to London, will make him Duke of Westminster, or something, and +six months from now he will appoint me Governor-General of North +America. I tell you, Mr. Rebener, that fellow is plumb nutty." + +"Pardon me, Mr. Rebener," interposed the proprietor, "it is true that +Hottenroth is excitable, but he is faithful to the Fatherland and an +humble servant to His Imperial Majesty. He has been in charge of a +fixed post in London for fifteen years. He was one of the very first +to be sent here, and he was in Paris before that. He would die +willingly for the Fatherland, as would I, and if this Schmidt, I mean +Smith, thinks there is any sin too great to be committed for the +Fatherland, he is not worthy of a place among us, and the sooner we +get rid of him the better." And he looked at the unfortunate Smith in +a way that showed he was willing to do this at any moment. + +But Rebener, who had lived all his life in America, and like Smith did +not thoroughly agree with the philosophy of German militarism--before +which everything must bow--hurriedly raised his hand. + +"Come, come, you are both getting unnecessarily excited. Don't let us +try to cross our bridges until we get to them. What did von Hottenroth +have to report?" + +"It was not very satisfactory, to tell you the truth, Mr. Rebener," +said Smith; "they searched through all of his things and they found +nothing but a drawing of a Zeppelin of our 29-M type, with some slight +changes, which Hottenroth said don't amount to anything, and some +photographs of Mr. Edestone himself, doing some juggling tricks with +heavy dumb-bells and weights, but we learned afterwards from the +porter that an expressman had left two large and heavy trunks marked, +'A. M. Black and P. S. Stanton,' at No. 4141 Grosvenor Square East." + +"Well what is the report," demanded Bombiadi, "on No. 4141 Grosvenor +Square?" + +Smith read from a memorandum book: "Lord Lindenberry, who is a +widower, lives there with his mother, the Dowager. The old lady is now +up at their country place, in Yorkshire, and the Marquis went on to +Aldershot last night after having dined with Edestone at Brooks's and +dropping him at Claridge's at 12:15 A.M. The house is only partially +opened; there are only a few of the old servants there." + +"And do you think these trunks contain the instrument which you +reported to us from America was always kept in the safe at the Little +Place in the Country?" snapped the hotel proprietor. + +"I don't know," whined Smith. "Mr. Edestone probably has it with him." + +"Well, we must get hold of it before he shows it to Underhill," +frowned the proprietor, "that is, if it has not been shown already, +and in that case we must get hold of Edestone himself." + +"Now that is exactly what is troubling me," Smith's voice rose +hysterically. "I'm not going to stand for any of that rough stuff, +Mr. Rebener. Mr. Edestone and his father have both been mighty good to +me, and if anything happens to him I'll blow on the whole lot of you." + +"So?" The proprietor's pale fat face was convulsed with a look of +hatred and contempt. "Then we are to understand, Smith, that if we +find it necessary to do away with Edestone you wish to go first? You +dirty little half-breed," he growled in an undertone. "Your mother +must have been an English woman." + +"Here, here, you two fools!" Rebener broke in with sharp authority, +"there is no question of 'doing away' with Edestone, as you call +it. What we're after is the invention and not the man himself, and +we'll not get it by 'doing away' with him. I am, like Smith here, +opposed to murder, even for the Fatherland." + +"But it is not murder, Mr. Rebener," interrupted the proprietor, "if +thereby we are instrumental in saving thousands of the sons of the +Fatherland." + +"That would not only not save the sons of the Fatherland, but would +put an end to our usefulness, both here in London and in America, +especially if Edestone has already turned the whole thing over to +England. The very first thing for us to do is to find out how the +matter stands. If the Ministry knows nothing, we must work to get him +to Berlin, and then even you fire-eaters may safely trust it to the +Wilhelmstrasse. If it should happen, however, that the British +Government has the invention, His Royal Highness tonight will try to +get enough out of Edestone to enlighten Berlin, and in that way we +shall at least get an even break. That is, always provided that +Edestone has not a lot of the completed articles, whatever they may +be, at the Little Place in the Country. That would put us in bad +again, and it will be up to Count Bernstoff to attend to it from the +New York end." + +"Of course, Mr. Rebener," said the proprietor, "we can do nothing +until we hear from His Royal Highness, but I am satisfied that he will +say Edestone must not be allowed to go to Downing Street tomorrow to +continue his negotiations, unless in some way we can get hold of this +secret tonight." + +"Well, I'll be damned if I'll--!" started Rebener angrily, when he was +interrupted by the proprietor, who holding his finger to his lip, +said: + +"Please, Mr. Rebener, please! Always remember that the service on +which we are engaged has no soul and a very long arm." Then dropping +into the persuasive and servile tone of the _maitre d'hotel_: "I +propose, Mr. Rebener, that you allow me to send you up a nice little +lunch, some melon, say, a _salmon mayonnaise_ or a _filet du +sole au vin blanc_ and a _noisette d'agneau_ and a nice little +sweet, and you must try a bottle of our Steinberger Auslese '84. + +"And Smith," he turned to the humbler agent, "you had better get in +touch with 4782, who is reporting to His Royal Highness every hour. +His last message was that Edestone is still with Underhill, so you get +down to the Admiralty and report to me here as often as you can. +Edestone will probably lunch quietly alone somewhere, as I know that +all of his friends are at the front, but don't lose him until you turn +him over to Mr. Rebener tonight at 8 o'clock." His eyes narrowed as +they followed the skulking figure of the architect out of the room. + +"That fellow needs watching," he muttered to Rebener. "He has lost his +nerve. He is not a true German anyhow. But if he makes a false step, +4782 knows what to do and you can depend upon him to do it. We do not +know who he is, but he is a gentleman, if not a nobleman, and he will +kill or die for his Emperor." + +Smith, in the meantime, had gone down the service stairs and out at +the rear of the hotel. He was thoughtful, and when he was settled in +his taxi, after having directed the chauffeur where to drive, he said +to himself: + +"They are going to kill him tonight unless they get that machine, or +else can fix it so that Rockstone doesn't get it tomorrow, that is if +Underhill hasn't got it already. I wish I'd never started this +business; I never thought it would go so far, and what do I get out of +it? A German decoration which I can't wear in America, and God knows I +don't want to live in Germany, and seventeen dollars a week. I'm not +going to stand for it, and that's settled." + +Arriving in front of a little restaurant he entered and sat down at a +table near a window looking out on Whitehall Place. The proprietor, +who was another German, came over to him, and while ostensibly +arranging the cloth spoke to him in an undertone in his own language. + +"Edestone is still with Underhill," he said. "The taxi driver on the +stand opposite, the one who looks as if he were asleep, is 4782. In +that way he keeps the head of the line, you see, and when Edestone +comes out, if he doesn't take that cab, 4782 can follow him until he +alights again, and then he is to telephone His Royal Highness. So you +sit here and have lunch, where you can see what is going on." + +Then, turning to a group of his regular customers at another table, +the jovial host in a loud voice and in perfect English took a violent +pro-Ally part in the war discussion that was going on. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + + +Edestone had met the Honorable Herbert Underhill before, both in +America and in the country houses of England. The two were about the +same age, and as Underhill's mother was an American, Edestone had +hoped that he would not have quite so much trouble in getting him to +look at the matter from an American point of view. + +Underhill, however, was just on that account a little bit more formal +with the cousins from across the sea than were most of the men of high +position in Europe. He was undoubtedly taken aback and thrown off his +guard when he found that Edestone was the dangerous American lunatic +of whom he had been warned. In the first place, he knew that there was +not the slightest chance of his being an impostor, and he also knew +exactly how much of a lunatic he was. He knew, in fact, that he was a +hard-riding, clear-thinking, high-minded Anglo-Saxon of the very best +type to be found A Rusty Old Cannon-Ball anywhere, and he smiled as he +thought of Rockstone's advice not to kick him out of the Admiralty. + +With considerable show of cordiality, he invited his visitor into a +small room adjoining his large office, and sat him down at the +opposite side of a wide table. + +"Lord Rockstone told me you were coming, but did not mention your +name. He is quite a chap, that Rockstone. Not what you Americans would +call a very chatty party, however. Now what can I do for you? Lord +Rockstone tells me that you have some new invention, or something of +the sort, that will help us to finish up this little scrimmage without +the loss of a single Tommy. Well, that is exactly what we are looking +for, and you American chaps are clever at thinking out new ideas. He +tells me, however, that you do not wish to sell it. Now I can +understand better than he why that part would be of no especial +interest to you; but can't we deal with a Syndicate, or a Board of +Underwriters, a Holding Company, or some of those wonderful business +combinations that you Americans devise in order to do business without +going to jail? Is the poor starving inventor some billionaire like +yourself, who works only for honour and glory? In that case we might +get an Iron Cross for him. In fact, we might get one blessed by the +Emperor himself, by Jove!" + +Edestone laughed. "Well, Mr. Underhill, you cannot deny inheriting a +certain amount of American wit. I have so often heard the older +members of the Union Club tell stories of Billy Travers's witty +sayings. He must have gone the pace that kills. One of the old +servants used to tell that whenever Travers and Larry Jerome and that +set came in for supper, they expected the waiters to drink every fifth +bottle; it made things more cheerful-like--but _revenons a nos +moutons_. Lord Rockstone is right, I do not want to sell my +discovery, for mine it is. I am the penniless inventor. I only want an +opportunity of showing it to the heads of the Powers that are now at +war, and of demonstrating to them the stupendous and overwhelming +force that is now practically in the hands of the greatest of the +neutral governments, and thus try, if possible, to convince them of +the uselessness of continuing this loss of life and treasure. + +"If I could demonstrate to you, Mr. Underhill, that I could, sitting +here in your office, give an order that would set London on fire and +send every ship in the English navy to the bottom in the course of a +few weeks, would you not advocate opening negotiations for peace? And +were I to show the Emperor of Germany that his great army could be +destroyed in even less time, would he not be more receptive than we +now understand him to be?" + +"Why, Mr. Edestone, I most certainly should," the First Lord of the +Admiralty granted with a smile, "and I think that perhaps the German +Emperor would be amenable under the circumstances, but as they say in +your great country, 'I am from Missouri, you must show me.'" + +He changed his position and glanced at Edestone as if he were +beginning to think that possibly Rockstone might be right in his +estimate after all. + +"Very well, Mr. Underhill; it is now five minutes to noon, and I think +that I will be able to show you in exactly five minutes." + +He took from his pocket a leather case, such as a woodsman might use +to carry a large pocket compass, and removing the cover set out upon +the table an instrument that was entirely enclosed in vulcanized +rubber. On the top, under glass, was a dial, with a little needle +which vibrated violently, but came to a standstill soon after being +placed on the table. Two small platinum wires, about twelve inches +long and carefully insulated, issued from opposite sides of the hard +rubber casing. + +Underhill's face at first bore only an expression of mild amusement, +but as Edestone evidenced such a deadly earnestness, he showed more +interest and said with a rather nervous laugh: "Look here, old chap, +don't blow the entire English navy out of the water while you're +closeted here with me. I must have some witness to prove that I didn't +do it or I might have to explain to the House of Commons." + +Edestone, a hard and drawn look about his mouth, paid no heed, but +taking his watch out of his pocket fixed his eye on the little needle +of the instrument and waited as the last few seconds of the hour +ticked off. As the second hand made its last round, and the minute +hand swung into position exactly at twelve, he leaned over the table +as if trying by mental suggestion to make the instrument respond to +his will. But it remained perfectly quiescent, and with a half sigh +and a tightening of the lines about his mouth, he closed his +watch. Could it be possible, he thought, that "Specs" had forgotten +his instructions always to use Greenwich time? + +He was about to replace the instrument in its case, when he was +startled by a clock on the mantel, which began to strike the hour of +twelve. Involuntarily he counted the strokes as they chimed slowly, +and as the vibrations of the last stroke faded away the little needle +swung an entire circuit of the dial, returning to its original +position. This was repeated three times. + +Underhill, although still interested in what was going on, seemed a +bit relieved when nothing more startling happened. + +"Oh, I say, you know, you gave me quite a start," he jested. "I +thought that you were going to set London on fire, and you simply seem +to be taking your blood-pressure." + +Edestone still paid not the slightest attention to him, but after +glancing about the room walked over to the mantelpiece where he picked +up an old twelve-inch cannon-ball, which with considerable difficulty +he brought back and placed on the table by the side of his +instrument. His eyes once more roved about the room as if he were +seeking something, and stepping deliberately to a passe-partout +photograph of King George V., he ripped off the binding with his +pocket-knife and tore from it the glass. + +"Oh, I say, now, Mr. Edestone, those cow-boy methods don't go here in +London, and if you cannot behave a bit more like a gentleman, I'll +have you shown to the street." + +"We have more important matters on our hands just now, Mr. Underhill, +than whether or not I am a gentleman," snapped the American, his face +set and serious as he with nervous fingers laid the glass on the +table. + +Rolling the cannon-ball to him, he lifted it very gently on to the +glass plate, and then taking a key from his pocket he appeared to wind +up on the inside of the instrument some mechanism which gave off a +buzzing sound. Next he drew on a pair of rubber gloves with vulcanized +rubber finger tips, and moistening with his lips the ends of the two +platinum wires, pressed them to either side of the ball, first the one +and then the other. A spark was given off when the second contact was +made, and the room was filled with a pungent odour as of overheated +metal which caused both men to cough violently. + +Following this, with great care, and using only the tips of his +fingers, he lifted the glass plate with the ball on it. When he had +raised it his arm's length above the table, like a plum pudding on a +platter, he took the glass away, leaving the ball hanging unsupported +in the air. + +He sat down and smiled across the table into the astonished, almost +incredulous, face of his companion. + +"And now, Mr. Underhill, I hope you will pardon my rudeness," he +apologized lightly; "but I get so interested in these little tricks of +mine that sometimes I forget myself. If you will permit me, I shall, +when I go to Paris, order from Cartiers's a more befitting frame for +His Majesty, and shall beg you to accept it from me as a little +souvenir of our meeting today." + +Underhill made no reply. His whole attention was riveted on that +amazing ball, and Edestone, a trifle mischievously, added: "If you +have a perfectly good heart, and think you can stand a bit of a shock, +touch that ball lightly with your finger." + +"My heart's all right, and I am prepared for anything," Underhill +surrendered, as he reached up and touched the innocent looking rusty +old cannon-ball, whose only peculiarity seemed to be its willingness +to remain where it was without any visible means of support. + +The room was suddenly filled with a greenish light, as if someone had +just taken a flash-light photograph. Underhill was thrown violently +back into his chair, and the ball crashed down on the table, splitting +it from end to end. + +Without moving a muscle of his face, and taking no notice of the +gestures of pain made by Underhill as he sat rubbing his arm and +shoulder, Edestone resumed: + +"Mr. Underhill, I will not take any more of your valuable time to show +you my drawings and photographs, but I beg you to say to Sir Egbert +Graves that you do not think with Lord Rockstone that the American +Secretary of State has been deceived, and that you hope he will, when +he sees me tomorrow, try to forget for a while that he is an +Englishman and be a little bit human. You know, Underhill, confidence +and pigheadedness are not even connected by marriage; much less are +they blood relations. By Jove," he grinned, "you can tell him I'll +stick him up against the ceiling if he insists upon handling me with +the ice tongs and leave him there until you take him down; that is, if +you care to take another little shock." + +Underhill, although he might have thought at another time that it was +his duty to resent such light and frivolous reference to the heads of +His Majesty's Government, was now, however, occupied with more serious +reflections, and overlooked the offence. + +"I am sure," he said, rousing himself, "that if Sir Egbert is +convinced that you are working for the sake of humanity he will be +most happy to make use of your talents." + +"That is exactly what I want him to do," returned Edestone, "but not +in the way in which you mean. I wish to be given authority to open +negotiations for peace with the Emperor of Germany. Now, +Mr. Underhill, do we understand one another?" + +He rose to leave with this, but Underhill, stepping quickly forward, +laid a hand upon his arm. + +"You don't suppose for a moment, Mr. Edestone, that we will allow you +to leave England and go to Germany to sell them your invention and +have it used against us?" + +"You have my word, Mr. Underhill, and that of the American Secretary +of State, that it is not my intention to sell to any government. With +that assurance, unless your Ministry wishes to risk the chances of war +with the United States, I think it will allow me to leave England and +go anywhere I please. Good-morning, Mr. Underhill. I am sorry to have +taken up so much of your valuable time, even more sorry to have broken +His Majesty's beautiful old oak table." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DIPLOMACY WINS + + +Underhill, left alone, sat for some moments looking from the broken +table to the cannonball and then back again. Finally he picked up a +fragment of glass, for the Royal face protector had likewise been +broken, when the good old English oak had met its defeat at the hands +of this Hun of the world of science, and with it, very gingerly, he +tapped the iron ball--this rusty old barbarian which had set at naught +the force of gravity, had violated all the established laws of nature, +and had like the Germans in Belgium smashed through. + +Finding that nothing happened, he hesitated for a moment, and, then, +bracing himself against the shock, he touched his finger gently to +this rude old paradox. There was no shock, and, reassured, he leaned +across the table and tried with both hands to lift the cannon-ball. + +"That part is genuine there is no doubt," he granted. "That old +cannon-ball must have been here since--?" He gave a start as his eyes +caught the inscription pasted upon it, which was: + + "A freak cannon-ball, made at the Forge + and Manor of Greenwood, Virginia, 1778. + Presented in 1889 to Lord Roberts by + General George Bolling Anderson, Governor + of the State of Virginia." + +"How extraordinary!" he exclaimed. "These Americans are popping up at +every turn." + +He passed out into the large outer office, and, glancing at his watch, +summoned an undersecretary. + +"It is now just a quarter after twelve," he said, "and the Cabinet +lunches at Buckingham Palace at two. Present my compliments to Lord +Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves, and say that I should like to see +them both here for a few minutes on a matter of the greatest +importance, and that much as I regret to trouble them it is absolutely +necessary that this meeting be held in my office and before they go on +to the Palace." + +To another attendant who, moved by curiosity, was going in the +direction of the smaller room, he said: "Place a sentry at that door +when I leave. No one is to be allowed to enter that room until I give +further orders." + +A telephone orderly came in a few minutes later to say that his +message had found Lord Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves together, and +that they both would be with him within the half-hour. + +Underhill was now fully convinced that Edestone possessed some +wonderful invention or discovery which the United States intended to +use as a final argument for peace, and, with the aid of this +discovery, render untenable any position in opposition to its will +taken by England or any of the other Powers. Had he dreamed that the +United States was as ignorant as to the nature of this invention as he +himself was, the history of the world might have been changed. + +When Graves and Rockstone arrived, he greeted them with serious face +and at once drew them into private conference. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "I am sorry to have to trouble you to come to +me, but I am confident that you will forgive me when you understand my +reasons for insisting upon a meeting here." Keeping both men still +standing he continued: "I have a strange story to tell, so strange in +fact, that you gentlemen would be justified in doubting not only my +word but my sanity, had I nothing to show you in corroboration." + +Both men stood like graven images; one like a soldier at attention; +the other, his hat and cane in his right hand and the tips of his two +first fingers resting lightly on the table behind which Underhill was +standing, his thin, clean-shaven, mask-like face as expressionless as +if it belonged to a head that had been stuck on the end of a pike and +shoved out across the table for Underhill to look at, instead of to +one well placed on his broad athletic shoulders. They both knew that +Underhill was young and had inherited from his beautiful American +mother a nervous and temperamental disposition. They also knew that +this was tempered by the crafty cleverness of the blood of the hero of +Blenheim. They had come prepared for one of his excitable outbursts, +although they knew he would not have been so insistent had there not +been good cause. + +"Will you be so kind as to walk into this room with me?" He pointed +toward the door of the small room. + +Still with that show of utter imperturbability the two complied, +continuing to gaze stolidly as their associate, closing the door +behind them, called their attention to the cannon-ball and broken +table. + +"Exhibits A and B"; he waved his hand toward the two objects. "I +wanted you to see these in order to convince you that I have neither +been dreaming, nor am I the victim of an aberration." + +Then with great care and endeavouring to maintain a semblance of +self-possession, he described his recent experience, omitting no +single detail that he could recall. He showed them exactly where and +how he had been sitting, and followed every movement made by Edestone, +even to the ripping of the glass from the portrait of the King, until +finally, as if overcome by the strain that he had put upon himself to +appear perfectly calm, he ended with a nervous little laugh. + +"Will you look at the inscription on that blooming old cannon-ball? It +really seems quite spooky." + +Graves moved forward and thoughtfully examined the split table and the +rusty old relic of Valley Forge, but Rockstone did not offer to stir. +With what was almost a sneer on his face he met the challenging glance +of his younger confrere. + +"I would not have believed, Underhill," he said impatiently, "that you +with your experience with the fakirs of India could have been taken in +by so old a trick." He half-closed his eyes as if to indicate that for +him at least the incident was closed. + +Underhill frowned. "You are wrong, Rockstone," he exclaimed +impulsively. "This man is no faker, nor am I so easily imposed upon as +you seem to think. I tell you that we are called upon to deal with a +new agency that can neither be disputed nor sneered away, and unless +we can contrive some way to oppose it, the United States will step in +and force a peace upon us--a peace that will leave Europe exactly +where it was before the war--and keep it so, while she herself can go +ahead unchecked and take possession of the whole Western +Hemisphere. Don't you see the scheme?" + +"Where is this extraordinary individual?" inquired the Foreign +Minister, completing his inspection of the table. "What has become of +him?" His thin voice was as evenly modulated as if he were asking +where he had put his other glove. + +"Oh, probably at Boodle's or Brookes's lunching with some of his +friends," Underhill answered indifferently. "He left here only a short +time ago. And you need not be afraid, Sir Egbert," with a significant +glance. "A very careful eye is being kept upon his movements. We can +get him at any moment if we want him." + +Graves nodded, and then went on meditatively. + +"It is of course entirely irregular," he said, "but from what both of +you gentlemen tell me as to the nature of his credentials, there can +be little doubt that the man is here with the approval of his +Government, if not as an authorized representative. The sole question, +therefore, is whether or not he does possess such an invention or +discovery as he claims----" + +"But can you doubt that?" demanded Underhill hotly. + +"And whether," proceeded Sir Egbert without change of tone, "granting +that the contrivance is of value, the United States will permit its +purchase for use in the present war. + +"On the first proposition, I can only say that if he has this +invention, as my young friend of the Navy stands so firmly convinced, +it is tantamount to admitting that the United States has a new and +terrible instrument of war, in which case it would be most unwise to +offend her. If he has not, there certainly can be no objection to +allowing him the opportunity of offering to our enemies something that +is of no value. Therefore, that seems to settle the question as to the +advisability of detaining him, as has been suggested. I should +strongly favour letting him go when and where he pleases. + +"Assuming that he has in his possession facts or mechanisms that would +give to one nation such stupendous advantages over the others as he +claims, we must not forget that the United States has had these facts +and mechanisms for some time. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to +detain him forcibly, for the United States' answer to this would be a +declaration of war in which the superiority of her position would be +overwhelming. + +"I'm inclined to believe that the reason he does not wish to sell his +discovery is because he has not obtained permission from his +Government to do so. They intend to dispose of it to the country with +whom they can make the most favourable bargain. I think indeed that +under all circumstances the best policy for this Government is to +treat this man with the greatest possible consideration. If he has the +power to do us harm, we must put him in such a position that he will +not wish to do it; and if he has not, our treatment of him will have a +tendency to draw the United States nearer to us than she is at +present. We must, at least, pretend to take the American Secretary of +State at his word. Whereas I do not think that there is any doubt that +America is influenced entirely by selfish motives, she is now our +friend, and as long as this war goes on it is to the interest of Great +Britain to keep her so." + +"A very good idea, Sir Egbert," agreed Underhill. "That is absolutely +the only way to deal with this man. He says that he is almost a pure +Anglo-Saxon, you know, and he is as proud of it as if he were an +Englishman. He is the ninth in direct line from the original old chap, +or rather young chap, who went from England to Virginia in 1642. Think +of it! Say what you may, blood is thicker than water. That fellow is +at heart an Englishman; he has been away from home nearly three +hundred years." + +Graves gave a little bow of comprehension. "When Mr. Edestone calls on +me tomorrow," he said, "I shall not even touch on the question of the +purchasing of this alleged invention, but shall offer to facilitate in +every way his mission as peacemaker. I shall take him at his word that +he does not intend to sell to any one, and try to persuade him that, +if he is bent on coercing any people, the English are not the ones +that require this, as they are in perfect accord with him, and that he +would accomplish his purpose much more quickly if he would bring force +to bear upon the German Emperor." + +"But, Sir Egbert," broke in Underhill excitedly, "he says that he +wants us to authorize him to open peace negotiations with the Kaiser, +and I think he rather intimated that if we should refuse he would use +force, which of course means the United States." + +"Well upon my word!" Rockstone's eyes flashed, and an indignant +expression took the place of the rather bored look with which he had +been listening. "That is pretty strong language to use to His Imperial +Majesty's Government, and for my part I think that this young +gentleman and his little trick box should be shipped back home with a +very polite but emphatic note to the effect that when England wishes +the good offices of the United States in bringing this war to a close, +she will call for them. As to the young man himself, I should say to +him that if he were caught trying to get into Germany he would be +looked upon as a spy endeavouring to render assistance to the enemy, +and would be treated accordingly." + +"But wait a moment, Rockstone," said Sir Egbert. "You are forgetting +that this Mr. Edestone is in some measure at least the representative +of his country. We cannot afford to offend the United States of +America, even though his manners are bad." + +"To the contrary," muttered Underhill, "his manners are surprisingly +good." + +Sir Egbert slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment of the +correction. "There is the point too," he went on, "as to whether or +not he is an impostor. If he is, why should we allow the American +comic papers to put us in the same category with their own Secretary +of State, at whom they have been poking fun for years, when they +discover that this exceedingly clever young man has taken us in also? + +"No, no, to me the matter seems very simple. Uncle Sam has got +something he wants to sell. Good or bad it makes no difference; he +wants to sell, and sell it he will to the highest bidder. Why refuse +to consider his offer on the one hand, or why appear to be too anxious +to close with him on the other? Let him offer it to the enemy; he will +certainly come back for our bid before closing with them." + +"Do you know, Sir Egbert," Lord Rockstone somewhat reluctantly allowed +himself to be won over, "since you put it that way I think that +perhaps you are right. Diplomacy is probably the strongest weapon with +which to deal with this young man. He did not impress me as one to be +easily bluffed by show of force." + +"Nor should I be bluffed, even by you, Rockstone," said Underhill +somewhat ruefully, rubbing his arm, "if I had the power that this chap +has locked up in that little rubber box and stored away in that long +head of his." + +"Well, let us make a decision: does His Majesty go to Washington or +shall the Chautauqua lecturer extend his professional tours to include +London?" Graves gave his sly secretive laugh. Then as if ashamed of +his momentary levity, and changing his entire manner, he said: "Well, +gentlemen, what do you propose?" + +"I rather think we are unanimous," said Underhill, "in considering +that Mr. Edestone should be given a fair hearing. The final answer to +his proposition can be given, of course, only after it has been +discussed in full cabinet." + +"That would perhaps be the best way to leave the matter," approved +Rockstone. + +"We are agreed then, it seems," said Graves, and they left together +for Buckingham Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI + + +On coming out of the Admiralty, Edestone, a trifle preoccupied, was +about to take the taxi with the rather sleepy driver which stood at +the head of the line. But the thought came to him, where shall I go? +As he had told Rebener, none of his pals were in town and he had +absolutely nothing to do until dinner at eight o'clock. Why not take +lunch at some quiet little place in the neighbourhood? + +"I say, cabby, is there any sort of a decent restaurant around here +where one can get a very nice little lunch?" + +"Yes, sir, thank you, sir"; the chauffeur rather abruptly came into +full possession of his faculties. "There is a very neat little place +right across the road, sir, thank you, sir," and he pointed in the +direction of the window at which Schmidt was sitting. + +"Ah, thank you, cabby," said Edestone in his usual kind manner with +people of that class. He was rather struck by the handsome face of the +man, although it was covered over with grease and grime. "Here is a +shilling. Don't you think I might be able to walk that far this +beautiful day?" + +"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." The man showed no appreciation of the +humour. "Would you be wanting a cab later on, sir? If so I'll just +hang about, sir. Times is hard in these war times, sir." + +"Certainly, wait by all means," said Edestone with a jolly laugh. "Set +your clock. Now open your door and drive me to that restaurant over +there, and then wait for me till I have had my lunch. By the time that +I get through with you I think you will find that you have done a good +day's work." + +"I am sure of it, sir." The chauffeur hid a surreptitious chuckle with +his very dirty hand. + +On entering the restaurant the first person Edestone saw was Schmidt, +and he gave a little nod of recognition. + +"Well, Mr. Schmidt, we seem to be meeting quite often this morning. I +hope that I am to infer from your presence that I will be able to get +some of your delightfully greasy German dishes." + +But at this point he was interrupted by the proprietor, who came +bustling up, trying to force him to take a seat at a table in another +part of the room. + +"German dishes?" stammered the restaurant keeper. "Not at all. That +was when the place was run by Munchinger, but he went back to Germany +last July, and this place is run by me, and I am a Swiss. Still, sir, +if you are fond of the German dishes I think I might be able to +accommodate you, sir." + +"Well, suppose I leave that entirely to you. I can't by any chance get +a large stein of Muenchener beer?" + +"No, sir, I am sorry. I can get you some French beer though, which we +think is much better. You know that Admiral Fisher has got those +Dutchmen bottled up so tight that they tell me the beer won't froth +any more in Germany." And he burst into a roar of laughter in which he +was joined by a chorus of adoring customers sitting about at the +different tables. + +Edestone sat down while the proprietor in person took his order to the +kitchen. In a very short time, the man returned and put down before +him a _gemuese suppe_, following this with _schweine fleisch, +sauerkraut_, and _gherkins_--a luncheon which might have been +cooked in a German's own kitchen--and set before him a glass of beer +which Edestone would have sworn had not been brewed outside of the +city of Munich. + +The proprietor bustled about, laughing and cracking clumsy jokes with +everyone who would listen to him, and his jokes seemed to Edestone to +be almost as German as his beer. In this way he finally worked over to +where Smith was sitting, and as he pretended to arrange something on +the table whispered sharply: "Go to the lavatory." + +Smith, unable to eat, sat toying with his food. He gulped his beer as +if it choked him. He turned around several times to look at Edestone, +but the latter after his perfunctory greeting took no further notice +of him. At last, paying his check, the man walked to the rear of the +restaurant and into a small, dark, badly ventilated room under the +stairs. The place was so dimly lighted that he could scarcely see in +front of him a wash basin, but as he was wondering what he was +expected to do next he heard a voice that seemed to come from a little +partially opened window that looked out into a dark ventilating shaft +to the left of the basin. "Pretend to wash your hands," the voice +whispered cautiously. Smith did as he was directed and found that he +thus brought his left ear close to the window opening. + +"Now listen," said the voice, speaking rapidly in German. "God is with +the Fatherland today! 4782 has been engaged to wait. Hottenroth has +telephoned that our man undoubtedly has his instrument with him. The +order is for you and 4782 to get it from him this afternoon at any +cost. 4782 knows what he is to do." And the window closed softly. + +Smith broke out into a cold perspiration. He knew that he was looking +death straight in the face, and in a twinkling his mind carried him +back over his entire life. He clutched at his throat as he realized +his horrible situation. His present position in the grip of this +relentless but invisible master had come about so gradually that he +had not realized how firmly he was caught until now it was too +late. Not being borne up by the hysterical exaltation of the true-born +Prussian, he resented that he should be the one selected to do this +ghastly thing. + +He staggered back into the restaurant where the proprietor, laying a +hand upon his arm, and laughing loudly and winking as if he were +telling a risque story, muttered some further directions into his ear. + +"He is preparing to go now. Join him and don't leave him until--" he +broke off and rushed over to Edestone who had risen from the table and +was taking his hat and cane from the waiter. + +"I hope, sir, you found everything perfectly satisfactory?" he bowed. + +"Very nice indeed," said Edestone, handing him a half-crown. "I am +glad to have discovered your place and I shall come again." + +At the door he encountered Smith, who was lingering about as if +waiting for him. + +"Oh, Mr. Edestone," he forced himself to say, swallowing and fumbling +with his mouth. "I remember when I was fixing up your Little Place in +the Country for you that you took a great deal of interest in old +English prints. Well, I have just found an old print shop over in the +Whitechapel district with some of the most wonderful old prints, and +if you have the time to spare I would like to take you over and have +the old man show them to you." + +"I should like to very much," said Edestone. "I have just been +wondering what I should do with myself this afternoon." + +"The Kaiser and God will bless you for this," the restaurant keeper +whispered into Smith's ear, after he had bowed Edestone out to the +sidewalk. + +"Mr. Smith, will you please give the address to the driver," said +Edestone as he stepped into the taxi. Smith leaned over and gave some +mumbled instructions to the chauffeur, who had remained upon his box; +then he took his place at the side of his friend and patron. + +But no sooner had the motor started than he turned to +Edestone. "Mr. Edestone,"--his voice trembled so violently that he +could scarcely speak,--"please do not move or seem surprised at what I +am going to say." + +Edestone drew back slightly and looked at him. He thought at first +that the man had suddenly lost his reason. Smith was perfectly livid +and his little eyes were starting from his head. His mouth was open +and he seemed to be vainly trying to draw his blue lips over his great +dry yellow teeth on which they seemed to catch, giving him the +appearance of a snarling dog as he cringed in the corner of the +cab. One hand was pulling at his collar while with the other he +clutched at the seat in a vain effort to restrain the tremors which +were shaking him from head to foot. "Don't speak. I must talk and talk +fast," he said. + +Edestone leaned forward as if to halt the car, but the fellow caught +him by the knee in a grip almost of desperation. + +"For God's sake don't do that!" he pleaded. "He will kill both of +us. Oh, don't you understand? He is a German spy. I am German, Rebener +is German, we are all Germans--all spies. We have been watching you +for the past six months. This man is now driving you to a place where +they will certainly kill you unless you turn over that instrument +which you have in your pocket." + +At this Edestone started. Although he could scarcely control himself +and felt like strangling the chicken-hearted wretch, he recovered +himself in time to say with a look of disgust, "You poor miserable +creature." + +"I know, Mr. Edestone, but please keep quiet. I may save you if you +will do as I say. I don't know about myself. I am a dead man for +certain, though, if you let him once suspect," and he motioned in the +direction of the chauffeur. Then continuing he gasped out: "Stop the +taxi anywhere along here: get out and go into some shop. When you come +out again say to me that you have decided you will look at the prints +some other day, and that you will walk to the hotel. Discharge and pay +him. I will re-engage him and as soon as we get out of sight you take +another taxi and drive straight to your hotel. But you must be +careful; he knows that you have the instrument with you. They are +desperate enough to do anything. Your life is in danger." + +Edestone, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the situation, had +absolutely no fear either for himself or for the instrument, since as +a matter of fact he knew that he could destroy that at any moment. He +felt sorry for Smith, however. He pitied him for his weakness but +realized that he was risking his life to save him, so he did as he was +urged. + +While he was in the shop 4782 got off the box, and, looking into the +cab, said sternly to Smith in German: "If you are playing me any of +your American tricks, you half-breed, you will never see the sun set +again." + +Also, when Edestone returned and discharged him with a very handsome +tip, he did not seem especially gratified, and when poor Smith in a +trembling voice re-engaged the taxi, the driver almost lost control of +himself. Had he done so, Edestone, who was watching him closely, would +have been delighted, since he would have liked nothing better than to +have forced the fellow to show his hand then and there. He was again +struck with the chauffeur's appearance as he stood talking to Smith +for he had the air of a gentleman and even through his dirt looked +above his position. Leaving them there, the American strolled along, +and, after a block or two, hailed another cab and ordered it to drive +to Claridge's. He really did not think to look about him, but had he +done so he might have discovered that he was being followed by the +first taxi with its woebegone passenger and its handsome chauffeur. + +Arriving at the hotel he was interested to see standing in front of +the door a carriage with men in the royal livery, and he was met at +the entrance by the proprietor himself in a frightful state of +excitement. + +"Mr. Edestone, one of the King's equerries is waiting in the reception +room to see you. I have been calling you up at every club and hotel in +London." + +Edestone went into the reception room where he was met by an officer +in the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards, who after going through the +formality of introducing himself delivered his message: + +"His Majesty, the King, instructs me to say that he will receive you +and inspect your drawings, photographs, etc., at Buckingham Palace +this afternoon at half-past four o'clock." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE + + +To nearly every man, especially if he happened to be an Englishman, +the fact that he had received a Royal Command would have been +sufficient to make him, if not nervous, at least thoughtful. Edestone +was, however, so incensed at Rebener and so disgusted with Schmidt and +so angry with the entire German Secret Service, that it came to him as +a relief, like an invitation, from a gentleman older and more +distinguished than himself, to dine, or to see some recently acquired +painting or bit of porcelain, after he had been all day at a Board +meeting of avaricious business men. It was no affectation with him +that he felt he was going into an atmosphere in which he belonged. "I +always assume that Royalties are gentlemen," he would say, "until I +find that they are not; and as long as they conduct themselves as such +I am perfectly at ease, but as soon as they begin to behave like +bounders I am uncomfortable." + +He was not one of those Americans who insist at all times and under +all circumstances that he is as good as any man, simply because in his +heart of hearts he knows that he is not, but hopes by this bluster to +deceive the world. On the contrary, he was a firm advocate of an +aristocratic form of government, and did not hesitate to say that he +considered the Declaration of Independence, wherein it refers to the +absolute equality of man, as a joke. + +He was a most thorough believer in class and class distinction and +said that he hoped to see the day when the world would be ruled by an +upper class who would see that the lower classes had all that was good +for them, but would not be allowed to turn the world upside down with +their clumsy illogical reforms and new religions, Saint-Simonianism, +humanitarianism, or as a matter of fact with any of the old +established _isms_. They already have several hundred forms to +choose from, he would say; they should not be allowed to make any more +new ones until one single one of these has been universally +accepted. The glamour of royalty had no effect upon him. Its solidity, +dignity, and gentility did. + +When he saw the royal livery standing before the hotel, he had rather +surmised that it was being used by some Indianapolis heiress who had +married a title which carried the privilege of using it and was +getting her money's worth. He therefore took no interest in looking +into the carriage, but he would have been glad to have gone up to the +men and said: "A nice pair of horses you have there. How well they are +turned out, and how very smartly you wear your livery." + +The equerry, Colonel Stewart, was very simple and direct. He treated +Edestone with consideration, but did not forget to let him understand +that the King was showing great condescension in inviting him so +informally. + +"A carriage will be sent for you at four o'clock, and if there is any +apparatus and you have men to install it they will be looked after by +an officer of the Royal Household who will call in about an hour." + +He said that the King wished to have it understood that he was not +receiving Edestone in any way as representing the United States of +America, since no credentials of any kind had been presented, but +simply as a gentleman of science whose achievements warranted the +honour. + +In the course of their conversation, Edestone referred to his recent +unpleasant experience in the spy-driven taxi, and he was assured by +Colonel Stewart that he need entertain no further apprehensions on +that score as thorough protection would be given him and every single +one of these men would be and already were under espionage. Bowing +then, the equerry left as quietly as he had come. + +Edestone went up to his apartment and issued his instructions to +James, his valet. + +"Send Mr. Black and Mr. Stanton to me at once. Then fix my bath, send +for the barber, and lay out my clothes. I am going out to tea"--he +paused--"with His Majesty, King George V. of England," while he +enjoyed the effect on his snobbish English servant. + +"Mr. Black," he said when his electrician and operating man came in, +"will you and Mr. Stanton go to Grosvenor Square and bring over the +boxes with the apparatus and films. They will have to be back here by +3:15, as there will be an officer of the Royal Household here at that +time. Go with him to Buckingham Palace and install the instrument and +screen where he directs you; then wait there until you hear from me." + +While he was dressing and being shaved he ran over in his mind what he +should say to the King. He knew that either Rockstone or Underhill had +engineered this audience, and he wondered whether it foreboded good or +evil. At any rate it was progress, and that was all-important. + +Colonel Stewart had certainly been most cordial, and the fact that he +was to meet the King without the delay of presenting credentials +through the American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the +necessity for prompt action. + +The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact +than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr. +Black and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the +apparatus and films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say +through the lather: "Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and +shall want everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest," the man +gave such a start that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it +down with a bang on the marble washbasin. + +"I go," he said. "My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber." And +he rushed out of the room. + +"What is the matter, James?" exclaimed Edestone indignantly. "Why +didn't you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that +fool? Come finish this thing up yourself, I can't wait." Recovering +his equanimity he added: "Time flies and the King waits." + +James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished +shaving him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English +valet can, glanced with satisfaction at his work. "I think, sir, when +His Majesty sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor, +sir. A buttonhole, sir?" + +And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down, +when word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the Colonel, "I am glad to tell you that your +apparatus has arrived safely and has been installed in the Green +Drawing Room. The King is deeply interested, and judging from a +mysterious pair of curtains in the gallery I think that other members +of the Royal Family intend to see this wonderful American with his +wonderful invention. As to your friends, the German spies, I made due +report of the matter and shall probably have something to tell you +later." + +It was a beautiful spring day and as Edestone was driven through +Berkeley Square, up Piccadilly, and down Grosvenor Place he saw London +at its best. Then, as he crossed the park with its beautiful old trees +and lake and flower-beds, approaching Buckingham Palace from an +entirely different angle than he had ever seen it before, he realized +for the first time that it was in the midst of a beautiful sylvan +setting. The Buckingham Palace that he knew had always suggested to +him one of the Department Buildings in Washington in their efforts to +look as much like a royal palace as possible. + +When he stopped under a porte-cochere simple little entrance, he felt +that he might be making a call at some rich American's country home +rather than on the King of England in the middle of London. There were +no soldiers and no extraordinary number of servants. He had seen as +many and more at some of the houses at Newport. He was shown into a +long, low, and rather dark room on the ground floor, where a lot of +young officers were lounging about. Colonel Stewart introduced him to +several of them and a smarter lot of young fellows Edestone had seldom +seen. + +He had not been waiting more than fifteen or twenty minutes when he +heard Colonel Stewart's name called. His pulse quickened for he knew +that this was a signal for him. Colonel Stewart, bowing to the other +officers, said to him: "Will you please come with me, Mr. Edestone?" + +Passing out of the room and up a short flight of stairs they came to a +broad corridor about twenty feet wide which ran around three sides of +a court, opening out upon the gardens to the west. They were conducted +around two sides of the square and taken into a large reception room +in the opposite corner where there were perhaps a dozen officers of +high rank, ministers and statesmen, standing about in groups. They +spoke in voices scarcely above a whisper and when the door on the +left, which evidently led into a still larger room, was opened there +was absolute silence. + +Colonel Stewart, who up to this time had been quite affable, now +seemed suddenly to be caught by the solemnity of the place, and stood +like a man at the funeral of his friend. + +In one of the groups, Edestone saw Colonel Wyatt, who gave him a +little nod of recognition. In a few minutes the door to the larger +room opened and Lord Rockstone coming out walked straight up to where +he and Colonel Stewart stood. + +"His Majesty wishes to waive all form and ceremony, and has ordered me +to present you to him at once," he said. But when he saw the cool and +matter-of-fact way in which Edestone received this extraordinary +announcement his expression said as plainly as words: "These Americans +are certainly a remarkable people." He merely bowed to Colonel +Stewart, however, and continued: "Will you please come with me," and +leading the way to the door, spoke to an attendant who went inside. In +about five minutes the man returned, and announced to Lord Rockstone: +"His Majesty will receive you." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HE MEETS THE KING + + +The room into which they were shown was large and well-proportioned, +but was furnished and decorated in the style of the middle of the +nineteenth century--that atrocious period often referred to as the +Early Victorian, a term which always calls forth a smile at any +assembly of true lovers of art and carries with it the idea of all +that is heavy and vulgarly inartistic. But on the whole the room had +an air of comfort, flooded as it was with warm sunlight that streamed +through the four great windows on the right and those on each side of +the fireplace at the opposite end. + +Around the large table, sat a gathering of the most distinguished men +of the Empire drawn from the Privy Council. They had evidently +finished the work of the day, as was shown by the absence of all +papers on the table and the precise manner in which the different +cabinet ministers had their portfolios neatly closed in front of them. +One would say that they had settled down to be amused or bored as the +case might be. They looked like a company of well-bred people whose +host has just announced that "Professor Bug" will relate some of his +experiences among the poisonous orchids of South America, or like a +lot of polite though perfectly deaf persons waiting for the music to +begin. Some were talking quietly, while others sat perfectly still. +The servants were removing writing materials, maps, etc., and a cloud +of clerks and undersecretaries were being swallowed up by a door in a +corner of the room. + +At the end of the table opposite the door through which Edestone had +entered, sat the King. He looked very small as he sat perfectly still, +his hands resting listlessly on the arms of his great carved chair of +black walnut picked out with gold. His face with its reddish beard, +now growing grey, bore an expression of deep sadness, almost of +melancholia. His expression became more animated, however, when +Edestone entered, and he sat up and looked straight at the American as +he stood at the other end of the table. + +"Your Majesty," Lord Rockstone bowed, "I beg to be allowed to present +to you Mr. John Fulton Edestone of New York of the United States of +America." + +The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the +nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him. +Extending his hand he said: + +"Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It +has been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to +visit your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay +of several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming +Americans whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of +York," he sighed. + +His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, +assuming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown +toward one of his own subjects of the middle class--the one great +class to which the nobility, gentry, and servants of England assign +all Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this +while the last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it. + +"I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of +your wonderful achievements in science," the King went on, adding with +rather a sad smile: "It seems a pity to take you from some charming +English girl with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring +afternoon and bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of +death and destruction." And his face seemed very old. + +After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce +Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered +the rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who +had been taken back to the other end of the table where he stood +perfectly still. Not once had the American spoken since coming into +the room. He had acknowledged the King's great kindness with a bow +which showed plainer than words in what deep respect he held the head +of the great English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good +impression on some of the older men, who up to this time had not +deigned to look in his direction. One of the younger men murmured in +an undertone: "Young-looking chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, +isn't he? He has deuced good manners for an American." + +Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of +the company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining +that Mr. Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His +Majesty and explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made. + +The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible +for the American, chose to supplement this formality. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said with a smile, "since this meeting is to be, as +you say in America, 'just a gentlemen's meeting,' you may sit down +while you tell us about your wonderful discovery." + +Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined. +"Your Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand," +and, then, without the slightest sign of embarrassment, he continued: + +"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can +explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful +discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to +you my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty's subjects. +Should I in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established +rules of court etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my +ignorance and not to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that +affection which I and all true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as +representing the head of that great people and the King of 'Old +England.'" + +A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One +old gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of +Edestone, turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large +eyeglasses, said: "Hear! Hear!" + +The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. "I am an American +and I am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my +country, nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the +nations of the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, +and the bag of the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will +amalgamate into a _cafe au lait_ conglomerate, but because I am +proud of that small group of Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of +the free air of our great country, have developed such strength that +they have up to this time put the stamp of England upon all who have +come in contact with them. And while it is not my intention to sell my +invention to England, I will give you my word that it shall never be +used except for the benefit of the English-speaking people." + +He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: +"In your presence and that of Almighty God, I dedicate my life to my +people, the Anglo-Saxons!" + +This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there +were a few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses +who seemed uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of +unemotional men and against their will had swept them along with him, +and it was only with an effort that some of the younger men could +refrain from giving him three cheers. + +Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, +applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his +pleasure. There was something about this man that left in no one's +mind any doubt of his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that +he was not the kind of a man who would so solemnly and in the presence +of the King and all of the greatest men of England dedicate his life +to a purpose if he did not know that therein lay a real gift to +mankind. His sublime confidence was as convincing as his simplicity +was reassuring. + +Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business +of the afternoon. + +"Mr. President," he commenced, "now that I have shown you how I stand +on international politics, I shall proceed----" + +He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while +the rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily. + +The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was +blankly searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and +not altogether lightly said: + +"The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon +people!" + +"I beg Your Majesty's pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so +soon: what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, +physics, and mechanics to explain to you my invention?" + +"Mr. Edestone," said the King, "we understand perfectly. Go on." + +Recovering himself quickly and assuming a thoroughly businesslike air, +snapping out his facts with precision, speaking rapidly without notes +or memoranda, he said: + +"The physical properties of electrons form the basis of my invention, +and it cannot be understood except by those who have studied the +electron theory of matter, according to which theory the electron or +corpuscle is the smallest particle of matter that had, up to my +discovery, been isolated. They are present in a free condition in +metallic conductors. Each electron carries an electric charge of +electrostatic units and produces a magnetic field in a plane +perpendicular to the direction of its motion. This brings us to the +atom, which may be described as a number of electrons positive and +negative in stable equilibrium, this condition being brought about by +the mutual repulsion of the like and attraction for the opposite +electrification so arranged as to nullify each other. Having thus +established the law of the equilibrium of electrons, corpuscles, +atoms, and molecules, I found that the same law applies to the +equilibrium of our solar system, and, in fact, of the universe, and, +by the elimination of either the positive or the negative electron, +this equilibrium is altered or destroyed. + +"I then sought to nullify the attraction of gravity by changing the +electrical condition of the electrons of an object, which until that +time was attracted by the earth, as is shown by the formula, +_V equals the square root of (s times 2g)_ for falling bodies, +and by using the formula _Y equals the square root of mx divided by +(pi times g)_ I found----" + +But at this point he was interrupted by the King, who said, with a +gesture of supplication: "Please! Please! Mr. Edestone do not go so +deeply into science, for, for my part, I regret to say that it would +be entirely lost on me. Save that for my men of science," and he waved +his hand in the direction of his rough and rugged old Sea Lord, Admiral +Sir Wm. Brown. "Just tell us what you have accomplished and then show +us some of these marvellous things that Mr. Underhill has told us you +can do. Besides, I understand that you are to show us moving pictures +of the actual working of your machine, boat, or whatever it is." + +The inventor was disappointed; for he had wished to set all minds at +rest and to establish the fact that he was no trickster but a +scientist. With a deprecating smile he said: "As Your Majesty +pleases." + +Then, without the slightest sign of condescension, and selecting with +the greatest care only words that the man in the street could +understand, he proceeded with his exposition. + +"I have discovered that gravitation is due to the attraction that two +bodies in different electrical condition have for each other, and that +by changing the condition of one of these bodies so that they are both +in the same electrical condition this attraction no longer exists. I +have also discovered that the earth is, so to speak, as far as the +laws of gravity are concerned, in a state of what we might call for +lack of a better name, 'positive electrical condition,' and that all +objects on the earth, as long as they are not in contact with it, are +in what we may call 'negative electrical condition.' These remain in +this condition so long as they are not in actual electrical contact +with the earth and are separated from it by a non-conducting medium +such as the atmosphere, glass, hard rubber, etc., and are attracted by +it, as is shown by the formulae which I will gladly explain to your +gentlemen of science." And he turned with a bow to Admiral Sir William +Brown, who was leaning across the table frowning at him and who with +his scrubbing-brush hair, long upper lip, and heavy brows looked more +like a Rocky Mountain goat than ever. + +"I have invented an instrument," continued Edestone, "which I call a +_Deionizer._ With this, so far as regards any phenomena of which +we are conscious, I am able to change the electrical condition of an +object, provided this object is insulated from electrical contact with +the earth. That is, I can change it from the so-called minus +condition, which is attracted by the earth, to the plus condition, +which being the same condition as the earth, is therefore not +attracted by it. The object in that state can be said to have no +weight, although frankly for some reason which I have not yet +discovered it does not lose its inertia against motion in any +direction relative to the earth." + +He then took from his pocket the leather case which Underhill readily +recognized, and, turning to Lord Rockstone, he said with a slightly +quizzical expression: + +"If your Lordship will be so kind as to stand on a glass plate or +block of hard rubber I can with this little instrument which I have in +my hand alter your electrical condition from its present minus to that +of plus. I can then place you anywhere in this room and keep you there +as long as you do not come in contact with any object that, +electrically speaking, is in contact with the earth." + +This caused Lord Rockstone to give a grim but thoroughly good-natured +smile, and Edestone, feeling as if he had somewhat settled scores with +the "Hero of the Nile," continued: "As a less valuable object than one +of the most brilliant stars in Great Britain's crown will answer my +purpose just as well, may I ask that one of the servants fetch the +glass plate that was brought to the Palace this afternoon with my +apparatus." + +The glass plate having been brought in by a flunkey, he repeated the +experiment with which he had so astonished Underhill at the Admiralty, +using the flunkey however in place of the cannon ball, and leaving the +poor unfortunate creature suspended in mid-air while he himself +replied to the many questions that were put to him. + +Finally he touched the man's hand, and taking the shock through his +own body let him drop to the floor. The fellow remained there in an +almost fainting condition, but, recovering and finding that he had +sustained no injuries except to his dignity, which in his state of +great excitement had fallen away from him, he rushed out of the room +without asking for or receiving permission to do so. His +panic-stricken exit would at any other time have been most amusing, +but the audience just then was in no humour for levity. + +Edestone next repeated the same experiment, utilizing different small +objects that were handed to him by the gentlemen about the table, and +soon had suspended above the glass plate an assortment of +pocket-knives, watches, and a glass of water, while he chatted with +those who were nearest to him, and handed to the scientific members of +the council diagrams and mathematical formulae which he hastily +scribbled on bits of paper. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE DEIONIZER + + +After the different objects had been returned to their respective +owners, the King by a slight gesture called the meeting to order, for +all had left their seats and were crowding around Edestone in what, +for Englishmen, was a state of violent excitement. Even the more +self-contained were unable to conceal the fact that they were +impressed by these experiments as well as by the quiet dignity of this +young man. They seemed to realize that he had them figuratively if not +literally in the palm of his hand. The dullest and least imaginative +saw the endless possibilities in the application of his discovery to +the arts and sciences. During all of this time the young American had +kept himself under perfect control and had answered all questions in +the most deferential and respectful manner; and now, having received +from the King permission to continue, he went on: + +"The secret of my discovery lies in this little instrument, the +construction of which is known only to myself. The application of this +newly-discovered principle can be best understood by viewing my moving +pictures, which show it in actual operation. Now, with your most kind +permission I should like to inspect my apparatus to see that +everything is all right." + +And then, as if some sudden impulse which pleased him had flashed +across his mind, like the big healthy-minded boy that he was, and with +an irresistible smile on his face, he dropped into a more familiar +tone than he had allowed himself up to this time. + +"And to show you what I think of Englishmen," he said, "I will leave +this Deionizer in your keeping until I return. A gentle tap or two on +that hard-rubber shell and you will know its secret." He laid the +instrument with its little case beside it on the table in front of the +King and left the room escorted by a member of the Royal Family, young +Prince George of Windthorst, who insisted upon acting as his guide to +the Green Drawing Room. + +As the door closed upon them, the King rose, saying as he did so, +"Please remain seated." He walked into one of the windows and stood +for some minutes looking out over the park. Whatever it was that was +passing through his mind, it was not a pleasant thought, as was shown +by his hands, which were clasped behind his back so tightly that the +fingers were perfectly white; and the veins of his neck swelled, while +the muscles of his jaws were firmly set. No one dared to move. The +silence in the room was so intense that the men about the table, as if +caught by a spell, sat with unfinished gestures, like the figures in a +moving picture when the film catches. The clock on the mantel seemed +suddenly to have waked up and to be trying by its loud ticking to fool +itself into thinking that it had been ticking all the time. When the +time came for it to strike five o'clock, it went at it with such +resounding vim that Admiral Sir William Brown, who had served his +apprenticeship in the turrets, seemed to think that he had better open +his mouth to save his ear-drums. + +"War is war! All is fair! War is war! All is fair!" it seemed to say. + +The King finally turned, and walking back to the table picked up the +innocent-looking instrument. He turned it over and over in his hand +and then slowly and carefully wound the platinum wires about it as a +boy winds a top and placed it back into its leather case. As he put it +down on the table, he said, almost as if to himself: + +"We have come today to one of the turning points in the history of the +world. This is a remarkable man." + +After a moment, he turned to Underhill: "I think you have done your +country a great service today in averting what might have been an +appalling catastrophe. Do you not agree with me, Sir Egbert?" he +glanced toward the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + +"I do, Sire," the minister acquiesced thoughtfully. "If this man +represents the United States of America, it will not be long before +she will insist that this war be brought to an end upon her own terms, +and it would have been almost suicidal on our part to antagonize him. +She doubtless controls this instrument whose practical application +will probably be shown us by his pictures." + +"But what this man has just said to you, Sire," suggested Underhill, +"does not seem to bear out the idea that he is acting under +instructions from the present State Department at Washington." + +"If it please Your Majesty," interposed one of the statesmen of the +old school, "should we not make some formal representation to the +United States of America before this man be allowed to go to Berlin?" + +"I should not approve of that," dissented the King. "In the first +place, as far as we know, Mr. Edestone may have already communicated +with Berlin, Paris, and Petrograd. I do not think he would put himself +so completely in our power if he thought he was risking the +destruction of his entire scheme." + +"I believe, Your Majesty," said another sneeringly, "that this +melodramatic exit is just another Yankee bluff. You will probably find +in looking into it that the fellow has palmed the real instrument and +has forced this one on us by clever sleight of hand." + +"I disagree with you entirely," said the King, frowning and bringing +his hand down on the table as if to put an end to the discussion. "I +believe this man to be a gentleman and a thoroughly good sportsman." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + + +On entering the room, when he returned, Edestone, although he was +aware that the King had been notified and the attendants been given +orders to admit him, did not advance, but took his stand near the +door, looking neither to the right nor to the left. He permitted the +young Prince, his escort, who had discovered that they had many +friends in common, and whose sister it was that had been his +fellow-passenger on the _Ivernia_, to inform His Majesty that +everything was in readiness for the exhibition of the moving pictures. + +The King immediately beckoned the inventor forward and, picking up the +little instrument from the table, thrust it into Edestone's hands, +almost with an air of relief. + +"We appreciate the compliment you have paid us in believing that we +still play fair." There was in both his tone and action a touch of the +bluff heartiness of the naval officer, which was natural to him, and +showed that he had thrown off all restraint. "But do not, I beg of +you, do this again, even in England. These are desperate times; and +nations, like men, when fighting for their very existence, are quite +apt to forget their finer scruples. + +"My cousin in Berlin, I am convinced," and there was perhaps a hint of +warning in his smile, "would give the souls of half his people to know +what that little box contains; and, in his realm, it is the religion +of some of his benighted subjects to give him what he wants." + +Bowing slightly, Edestone took the little case, and, without even +looking at it, slipped it carelessly into the inside pocket of his +coat. + +"I knew that Your Majesty would understand me," he said in a tone +intended for the Royal ear alone, and with more emotion than he had +yet displayed. As he spoke, too, he lifted his hand in obedience to an +involuntary and apparently irresistible impulse. + +The King met him more than half-way. Reaching out, he grasped the +extended hand in his own, and standing thus the two men looked +straight into each other's eyes. + +The suppressed excitement which the scene created was so intense that +some of the spectators seemed to be suffering actual pain; and when, +after a fraction of a moment which seemed an age, the King released +the American's hand and spoke, there was an audible sigh of relief +that pervaded the entire room. + +"We will now look at the pictures," said His Majesty simply, and, +leading the way, he set out in the direction of the Green Drawing +Room. + +Edestone fell back and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment of the +pleasant glances which were thrown in his direction, as the Lords, +Generals, Admirals, and Ministers of State took their places in line, +clinging with an almost frantic tenacity, in response to the teachings +of the Catechism of the English Church, to their position "in that +state of life unto which it had pleased God to call" them. + +Thoroughly amused at the situation which compelled him to bring up the +rear of the procession like the piano-tuner or the gas-man, Edestone +marched along at the side of an attendant in livery, who evidently +looked upon him as a clever vaudeville artist that had been brought in +to entertain the company. He told the visitor, with a broad grin, that +he had frightened the other flunkey almost out of his wits with his +magic tricks. Edestone, his sense of humour aroused, thereupon gravely +offered to give a show in the servants' hall at two shillings a head, +half the receipts to be donated to the Red Cross, provided he was +given a guarantee of ten pounds; and when the fellow promised to +consider the proposal, pretended carefully to take down his name. + +The King, who, in the meantime, seemed to be in a sort of brown-study, +passed down the corridor with the long file of dignitaries following +him in order of precedence. But when His Majesty reached the Green +Drawing Room and, looking around, saw nothing of the American, he gave +a slight frown of annoyance. Immediately he directed that Edestone be +brought up and placed in a chair near himself, while the attendants +drew the curtains and extinguished the lights. + +After the room had been made perfectly dark, and the buzzing of the +cinematograph in its temporary cabinet indicated that everything was +in readiness, Edestone's operator, in response to a word from his +employer, threw upon the screen two or three portraits of the King and +various members of the Royal Family. This was not only by way of +compliment, but also to give assurance that the machine was in proper +working order. Edestone proposed to run no chances of a bungling or +incomplete presentation of his pictures. + +Satisfied at length, he rose and faced about toward his audience. + +"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said, after addressing the King,--for from +the gallery had come sounds which showed that, as Colonel Stewart had +suggested, some of the ladies of the Court were taking an interest in +the exhibition,--"I shall not trouble you to listen to a long, +scientific discourse on the theory of my discovery, nor how I have +made practical application of it. I shall simply throw the pictures on +the screen, letting them speak for themselves; and then, with His +Majesty's kind permission, shall be glad to answer any questions that +may be put to me. The first picture I shall show you is one of my +workshop in New York." + +There appeared on the screen a dark, somewhat indistinct interior, +which seemed to have been photographed from high up and looking down +through a long, shed-like building lighted from the roof. The immense +height of this roof was not at first apparent until it was compared +with the pigmy-like figures of the workmen who were busily engaged +about a great, black, cigar-shaped object, which had the general +appearance of a Zeppelin. In the dim light, there was nothing about +its aspect to distinguish it from the latest models of the German +air-ship, save that it seemed to be of heavier construction, as shown +by the great difficulty with which the men were moving it toward the +farther end of the shed, which was entirely open. + +"I would especially call your attention to the track upon which moves +the cradle that carries the large black object in the centre of the +picture," said Edestone. "The tires are made of hard rubber, and the +rails which are of steel rest on glass plates attached to each of the +tires. Thus, any object placed in the cradle becomes absolutely +insulated, and has no electrical connection with the earth, which, as +I have explained, are the requisite conditions to permit of +'Deionizing' by the use of an instrument similar to the one I have in +my pocket. Of course, though in actual operation we use a much larger +'Deionizer' than the little model I have shown you, and run it with a +hundred horse-power motor, instead of with a small spring and +watchworks. This track and cradle at which you are looking, although +they weigh many tons, can be easily taken apart and transported in +sections, as I stand ready to demonstrate." + +The film ended as he finished, and for a moment the screen was blank; +then with a little splutter from the cabinet, another picture +appeared. + +This was of a great open space, the most desolate and lonely stretch +of country that could well be imagined, a broad, open plain that +stretched on for miles and miles, perfectly flat, treeless and +uninhabited. The wind apparently was blowing violently, judging from +the way it tossed Edestone's hair about as, hatless, he walked back +and forth in the near foreground, shading his eyes from the sun with +his hand while he looked into the lens and called his directions to +the man who was working the camera. + +"That disreputable-looking individual is myself," he confessed. "My +hat had blown away, a circumstance quite inconvenient at the time, but +not without a certain element of present interest, as showing that a +high wind was blowing at that time." + +Behind him in the middle distance was a track and cradle similar to +the one shown in the first picture. The machine in the cabinet buzzed, +and clicked, and made a noise like that of a small boy rattling a +stick along a picket fence. A draught from some open window blowing +against the linen screen caused the flat, deserted plain to undulate +like the waves of the sea. The horizon bobbed up and down, showing +first a great expanse of sky, and then the foreground ran up to +infinity. The cradle was seen first at the right, and then at the left +of the picture. The clouds in the sky kept jumping about, as if the +operator was trying to follow some object aloft, but was unable to get +it into the field of his camera. + +The audience began to grow impatient. Had the apparatus got out of +order, they wondered, and were they to be cheated of the promised +sensation? But just then the screen steadied, and there appeared in +the upper left-hand corner of the picture a faint, far-away dot which +gradually assumed the form of a dirigible. Across the desolate +landscape it sailed, growing more and more distinct as it drew nearer. +It circled, turning first to the right and then to the left, rising +and descending, as if responding willingly to the touch of its unseen +pilot, until with a majestic swoop it hovered like a great bird +exactly over the cradle, and came to a standstill. + +To those among the spectators who had witnessed the evolutions of the +great battleships of the air over Lake Constance, there was nothing +notable about either the vessel or its performance, except that it +seemed larger, more solid, and had four great smoke stacks. In the +gale which was blowing, the volumes of inky smoke which poured from +the four great funnels were tossed about and flung away like long, +streaming ribbons; yet the ship itself was as steady as a great ocean +liner on a summer sea. + +On closer inspection, too, it was seen that on the upper side of the +craft there was a platform or deck running its full length, where men +were working away like sailors on a man-of-war, and from portholes and +turrets protruded great black things which looked like the muzzles of +guns. + +All at once, as if acting under an order from within, these were +trained on the spectators and simultaneously discharged, belching out +great rings of smoke. There was a stifled scream from the gallery at +this, but immediately the room grew quiet again, and the audience sat +as if spellbound awaiting further developments. A small door in the +starboard side now opened, and the figure of a man came running down a +gangway to a platform suspended under the ship, where, silhouetted +against the sky, he occupied himself in signalling to some one on the +ground. He was joined from time to time by others of the crew as the +vessel settled slowly toward the earth. + +When it was about one hundred and fifty feet above the cradle, +Edestone was seen to walk out with a megaphone in his hand, and +through it communicate instructions to the man on the bridge, in +evident obedience to which the airship settled still lower, until it +was not more than twenty feet above the top of the cradle. + +A ladder having then been lowered to Edestone, he climbed up it, +ascended the gangway, and disappeared into the interior of the great +cigar-shaped object, it all the time remaining absolutely stationary. +But he was not long lost to view. In a few minutes he re-appeared on +the top deck and a man by his side energetically waved a large flag. + +And as the two stood there, the airship began to move. + +Slowly at first, but gradually gaining momentum, it soared away across +the wastes, and soon was lost to sight. + +There was a moment after that when the room was dark, while horizontal +streaks of light chased each other from bottom to top across the +screen, and disappeared into the darkness from which they had come. + +Another picture followed, taken from the same viewpoint as the last. + +"Here she comes!" cried Edestone, seeming to forget for the moment +where he was, as a small speck which represented the approaching +airship disclosed itself. "This time in the upper right-hand corner of +the picture. See! I am on board, and I am driving her at one hundred +and ten miles." And he followed with his pointer the swift course of +the vessel, as it shot down the screen like a great comet, leaving a +long tail of smoke behind it. To the overwrought nerves of the +audience, the buzz and splutter of the moving-picture machine seemed +to increase in volume, and thus lend a semblance of reality to the +monster as it swept nearer and nearer. + +Straight for the camera it was headed, grim, threatening, +irresistible, as if it were preparing to rush out of the screen and +destroy Buckingham Palace. The spectators with difficulty kept their +seats, and when the formidable thing dashed by and disappeared at the +side of the picture, they settled back in their chairs with an +unmistakable sigh of relief. + +It appeared again, after making a great circle, returning slowly now, +and dropping lightly as a feather to the cradle, where it remained +perfectly still, while the black smoke enveloped it in a veil of +mystery. + +The machine in the cabinet stopped, and some one was heard to say in a +loud whisper, "Lights!" Admiral Brown was the first of the assembly to +recover. He sprang to his feet and like a wounded old lion at bay +stood glaring at Edestone. His rugged weather-beaten face convulsed +with suppressed rage, which but for the presence of the King would +have exploded upon Edestone after the manner of the old-fashioned +sea-dog that he was, but holding himself in check he said loudly and +challengingly: + +"If there is no objection I will ask the young man to repeat the last +picture, and I would also like to inquire with what material the +framework of this ship is covered, and what is the calibre of those +large guns--if they are guns?" + +"Will you please be so kind as to answer the Admiral's questions, Mr. +Edestone?" said the King. + +"The material which I used through her entire length of 907 feet, both +top and bottom, is Harveyized steel, six feet thick; and the largest +gun is sixteen inches," replied Edestone slowly, enjoying the look of +blank amazement which spread over the Admiral's face as he dropped +back into his chair gasping and mopping his brow. + +"This is the end of everything. I wish I had never lived to see the +day!" The old sailor sat like a man who had seen a vision so appalling +that it robbed him of his reason. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!" + + +The King, of all the company, seemed to be the only one who had +remained perfectly cool. He was like a man who realizing the gravity +of the situation yet had nerved himself to meet it. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, as if speaking to one of his own naval +officers, "you will please show the last two pictures again, and for +the benefit of Admiral Brown you might give us some further details in +regard to the ship's equipment and armament. May I also ask you where +these pictures were taken?" + +"On the flat plains in the centre of the island of Newfoundland," +Edestone informed him, "between the White Bear River and the east +branch of the Salmon, and from fifty to seventy-five miles from the +seacoast on the south. If Your Majesty will look into the middle +distance when the second picture is again thrown on the screen you +will see some small, dark objects; these are one of those immense +herds of caribou, which happen to be moving south over this vast +barren at the time of year that these pictures were taken--that is, in +October." + +He observed that the face of the King took on an expression blended +partly of astonishment and partly of resentment when he mentioned the +name of one of the Colonial possessions of the Empire, and hastened to +add: + +"You will find, Sire, if you inquire of the Governor of that Province +that I was there with the full knowledge and consent of Your Majesty's +Government to carry on certain scientific experiments. I selected this +deserted spot, so far removed from all human habitation, because there +I should not be disturbed. Until I showed these pictures here today no +one outside of my own men knew the nature of these experiments. The +guns were loaded with nothing more harmful than several hundred pounds +of black powder to produce the display of force which you have just +seen. I will admit," he granted with a smile, "that if the newspapers +had got word of what was going on there they might have made some +excitement; I can assure you, however, that no act of mine could be +construed even by our most susceptible and timid State Department as a +violation of neutrality." + +"But where is your ship now?" asked the King, while the rest of the +company held their breath, awaiting the answer. + +"That, Your Majesty, for reasons of state, I regret I cannot at this +time tell you, but you have my word and that of our Secretary that +wherever she may be, her mission is one of peace." + +"Peace!" snorted Admiral Brown. "With a six-foot armour-belt and +sixteen-inch guns! It is a ship of war, Your Majesty. We have the +right to demand whether or not it is now on or over British soil, and +if it is, to make such representations to the United States Government +as will cause her to withdraw it at once and apologize for having +violated the dignity of Great Britain." + +"And if they should refuse, Sir William," asked the King, with a weary +smile, "would you undertake to drive it off? + +"No, Admiral," he continued, "up to this time we have no official +knowledge of this airship's existence. Until we have, we will take Mr. +Edestone's assurance that his own and his country's intentions to us +are friendly." + +A wave of hot indignation had swept over the entire assembly, and it +was with some difficulty that the King was able to restore order. + +"Please continue with your pictures, Mr. Edestone," he said in a tone +of authority. + +The lights again went out, the machine in the cabinet began to turn, +and as the dramatic scene was re-enacted before them his audience sat +in perfect silence while Edestone, as though he were recounting the +simplest and most ordinary facts, gave out the following information: + +"This ship has a length over all of 907 feet. Its beam is 90 feet. Its +greatest circular dimension is described with a radius of 48 feet. She +would weigh, loaded with ammunition, fuel, provisions, and crew, if +brought in contact with the earth, 40,000 tons. Her weight as she +travels, after making allowance for the air displacement is generally +kept at about 3000 tons, which automatically adjusts itself to the +density of the surrounding atmosphere, but can be reduced to nothing +at pleasure. Its full speed has never been reached. This is simply a +matter of oil consumption; I have had her up to 180 miles. Her +steaming radius is about 50,000 miles, depending upon the speed. She +carries twelve 16-inch guns, twenty-two 6-inch guns, sixteen 4-inch +anti-aircraft guns, eight 3-pounders, four rapid-fire guns, six aerial +torpedo tubes, and six bomb droppers, which can simultaneously +discharge tons of explosives. She has a complement of 1400 officers +and men. She required three years and eight months to build at a cost +of $10,000,000. In action her entire ship's company is protected by at +least six feet of steel, and there is no gun known that can pierce her +protection around the vital parts. As you have seen, she can approach +to within a few feet of the surface and remain perfectly stationary in +that position as long as she is not brought in electrical contact with +the earth." + +The machine in the cabinet had stopped. As the lights were again +turned on, Edestone, glancing in the direction of the gallery and +seeing that there was no one there, bowed merely to the company before +him. "I thank Your Majesty, Lords, and Gentlemen for your very kind +attention," he said. He then stood quietly, waiting respectfully for +the King to speak. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the King as he rose, "you have certainly given us +a most instructive afternoon, and you must be exhausted after your +efforts." He turned to Colonel Stewart, "Please insist upon Mr. +Edestone taking some refreshments before he leaves Buckingham Palace." + +He grasped the inventor firmly by the hand. "Good-bye, Mr. Edestone. I +shall probably not see you again," and bowing to the rest of the +company he left the room deep in conversation with Sir Egbert Graves. + +Edestone immediately became the centre of attraction. + +"The King is dead; long live the King!" expresses the eagerness with +which man adapts himself to a new order of things. The older men were +stunned and seemed unable to throw off the gloom that had settled upon +them. They bowed to the inevitable fall of the old and its replacement +by the new. They were not buoyed up by the elasticity and confidence +of youth; they seemed to realize that their race was run and that it +were better that they step aside and give to younger men the task of +solving a new problem in a new way. They sat perfectly still with +dejected faces that seemed to see only dissolution. + +The younger men were quicker to recover, and as they felt the old +foundations crumbling under their feet, saw visions of a new and +greater edifice. They gloried in the development of the age as they +did in their own strength to keep abreast of it, and rushed to meet +progress, to join it, and to become one with it. They did not stop to +think what the future might have in store for them, but seemed to be +intoxicated by its possibilities. + +Crowding around Edestone they probed him with questions which he +answered with the greatest patience and in the most modest, quiet, and +dignified manner. When asked a question almost childish in its +simplicity, he appeared to acknowledge the compliment in the +assumption that he knew the answer, and gave it with the same +precision as one which called for the most complicated mathematical +calculation and reference to the most intricate formulae of the laws +of mechanics and physics. He was rescued and borne away by Colonel +Stewart who announced that, acting under His Majesty's order, he was +obliged to give him some refreshments, whether he wanted them or not, +and if he did not come at once to his quarters and have a drink he +would be forced to order out the Guards. Drawing him aside the Colonel +whispered, "I must see you alone before you leave the Palace." + +Edestone turned and slowly left the room, bowing to each of the +separate groups. + +"Now," said Colonel Stewart, "come to my quarters first, as I have +something rather confidential to tell you. You can come back and join +the others afterward, if you care to." + +When they were comfortably seated in the Colonel's private apartments, +and had provided themselves with drinks and cigars, the equerry leaned +toward his charge a trifle impressively. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, "you do not look like a chap who would lose +his nerve if he suddenly found himself in a position that was more or +less dangerous. Indeed I rather gather that you are like one of your +distinguished Admirals--ready at all times for a fight or a frolic." + +Edestone smiled. + +"The facts are, Mr. Edestone, that you are in a pretty ticklish +position, and had not Mr. Underhill notified Scotland Yard when he +did, I do not know what might have happened. These German spies who +have been following you all day are well known to them, and when our +men picked you up, which was when you left the Admiralty and were +talking to the taxi-chauffeur, they were convinced that you were in +real danger. Then when you were directed to the German restaurant and +afterward left it in the taxicab with this man Smith they had your cab +followed, at the same time notifying Mr. Underhill, and covering your +hotel." + +"This is most interesting," said Edestone; "but if the business of +these men is known why are they not arrested?" + +"Mr. Edestone," said Colonel Stewart, "we Englishmen are not credited +with any sense by our friends the enemy, and relying upon our supposed +stupidity their work, which they take so much pride in, is by no means +as secret as they suppose it to be. There have been in London +thousands of what the Germans term 'fixed posts.' These are men who +have established places of business and have lived in the community +from ten to fifteen years. They receive a salary from the German +Government running from two pounds to four pounds a month and all +incurred expenses. The 'fixed post' men report to men higher up, who, +in turn, report to the Diplomatic Service. Under them, too, are all of +the patriotic emigrants from Germany, who act as spies without being +conscious of the fact that they are doing so. These receive no pay for +bringing in the bits of scandal or other information which is all +carefully noted and kept on file in Berlin under a system of card +indexes. + +"That man Munchinger who keeps the restaurant where you lunched, and +the barber Hottenroth at your hotel, are both of them 'fixed post' +men. This American architect was new and had not been quite placed as +yet. The chauffeur also seems to be one of them, although he is +entirely unknown to Scotland Yard. + +"When you discharged your first taxi and took another, Smith and the +chauffeur spy followed you until they were frightened off by seeing my +carriage with the royal livery in front of your hotel. They drove off +then with such a rush that the chauffeur must have lost control of his +car, for it plunged into the Thames with Smith inside it, and before +he could be reached and rescued he was drowned. The chauffeur was +either drowned or ran away, as nothing has been seen of him since." + +Edestone rose, his face stern as he learned the news of Smith's fate. +"Colonel Stewart," he declared sharply, "that poor devil was +murdered." And to support his accusation he told briefly of Smith's +confession and behaviour in the cab. + +The Colonel bowed. "I shall see that these facts are turned over to +the authorities," he said, "but at present I am more concerned in +regard to you. These men are fanatics, you must understand, whose +faith teaches them to do anything that is for the benefit of the +Fatherland. We know most of them. We do not arrest them because they +are more useful to us as they are. As soon as one is arrested he is +immediately replaced by another, and it takes some little time before +we can pick up the new one. We have received reports to the effect +that a small army of them have been around Buckingham Palace all +afternoon, as well as at your hotel; so it is evident that Smith's +story was no fancy and that these men are after you in desperate +earnest. Would you mind telling me, Mr. Edestone, what are your plans +for the future?" + +"Not at all. My movements are extremely simple. I shall return to my +hotel, where I expect to remain until I retire. A friend of mine, an +American, Mr. Rebener, whom I have known for a great many years, will +dine with me there this evening." + +"An old friend of yours you say?" The Colonel's eyes narrowed +slightly. + +"Yes," replied Edestone. "I have known him for fifteen years." For +reasons of his own he had made it a point not to include Rebener's +name among those mentioned by Smith in his confession, nor did he +refer to it now. + +Colonel Stewart hesitated a moment. "Of course, Mr. Edestone," he said +finally, "you Americans are neutrals and are at liberty to select your +friends where you please, but my advice to you would be not to take +London as the place to entertain people with German names. You will +probably understand that we cannot take any chances." + +"I have known Mr. Rebener," repeated Edestone, "for years. He is one +of our most prominent men, and I am confident that he would not lend +himself to any of these Middle-Age methods." + +"You can never tell," said Colonel Stewart darkly. "Germany holds out +to the faithful the promise of great rewards at the end of this war, +which she has convinced them cannot fail to end successfully for her." + +"No," the American insisted stubbornly. "Mr. Rebener might readily +sell to Germany a few million dollars' worth of munitions of war, and +likewise tell his friend, Count Bernstoff, anything that he might +hear. I will even go so far as to say that he might make an especial +effort to pick up bits of gossip here in London; and he will almost +certainly endeavour to use his influence with me in favour of Germany. +But that he would take part in a plot to kill, kidnap, or rob me is +incredible." + +"I see you are determined to have your own way, Mr. Edestone," the +Colonel smiled, "so I come now to the most difficult part of my +mission. What do you propose to do with that instrument which you now +carry so carelessly in your coat pocket? You can readily understand +that it is not safe in your hotel, or, in fact, at hardly any other +place in London outside of the vaults of the Bank of England. We are +put in the delicate position of having to protect it without having +the privilege of asking that it be put in our charge." + +"I appreciate all that you say and have considered destroying it, but +have now come to the conclusion to keep it always with me, for, after +all that you tell me, I think that I am in pretty safe hands in +London." + +"But think, my dear fellow," cried the Colonel jumping up, "what might +happen if this thing falls into the hands of the Germans! To prevent +that it would be my duty to shoot you on the spot." + +"Good work! Right-o!" laughed Edestone. "You have my permission to +shoot whenever it goes to the Germans. Don't worry. They'll not murder +and rob me in the middle of dear old London with all your fellows +about, and I do not expect to leave the hotel tonight." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + + +As Edestone and Colonel Stewart were leaving the Palace, they were met +by the young Prince of the Blood, who seemed bent upon renewing his +acquaintance with his American friend. + +"I say, Edestone," he greeted him, "you really must not leave before +giving me an opportunity of presenting you to some of the ladies of +the Court. You are the lion of the day and they are anxious to meet +you. My sister, Princess Billy, is almost in tears and hysterical. She +insisted upon seeing your pictures because she said that you were an +old friend of hers she had met on the steamer coming over from +America." + +Accepting, Edestone smiled as he thought of the undignified manner of +their meeting, and was taken in charge by the young man. + +Colonel Stewart made his excuses when the invitation was extended to +him, saying: "Mr. Edestone, I shall wait for you in the Guards' Room," +and, turning to the young man, he added: "I deliver him into your +hands, and I hold you responsible for his valuable person which must +be delivered to me there." + +Edestone was then taken in charge by the young Prince, who proudly +bore him off to deliver him into the hands of the ladies. He was +rather bored with the idea, and would have preferred to have gone +directly to his hotel, as he had had an eventful day and he did not +feel in the humour for the small talk of the tea-table. + +He was taken into one of the smaller rooms where several ladies and +young officers in khaki were just finishing their tea. The atmosphere +of the room was offensively heavy with the strong odour of iodoform. +His pity was aroused when he suddenly realized that almost every man +in the room bore the unmistakable mark of service in the trenches. It +was the first time that he had been brought violently into contact +with the far-reaching and horrible devastation of this cruel war. One +pitiful figure, a young man of about twenty-two who sat apart from the +rest, so affected him that he scarcely recovered himself in time to +acknowledge the great kindness of the Duchess of Windthorst, who was +receiving him in the most gracious manner. This boy was totally blind. +Edestone was filled with admiration for these descendants of the +Norman conquerors, who in their gallantry and patriotism responded so +quickly to the call of their country, while the miserable swine whose +homes and families were being protected by these noble men were +instigating strikes and riots under the leadership of a band of +traitors who hid their cowardice behind labour organizations, or +attempted to mislead the disgusted world by windy speeches on the +subject of humanitarism into which position they were not followed by +the very women that they were giving as their excuse for their +treasonable acts. + +The Duchess presented him to Princess Wilhelmina and the others. In +the soft and rich voice of the Englishwoman of culture and refinement, +which always charmed him, she said: + +"Mr. Edestone, my daughter tells me that you came over on the +_Ivernia_ with us." + +"No, no, mamma!" interrupted the Princess, with a frown and nervous +little laugh. "I said that Mrs. Brown said that she thought that Mr. +Edestone was on board." + +The Duchess acknowledged this correction, and with the cool effrontery +that only a woman can carry off to her entire satisfaction, she then +pretended that this was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on +him, when as a matter of fact she and the Princess had discussed this +remarkable, independent individual, who had so quietly and alone +occupied the large suite adjoining theirs. + +"Do sit down, Mr. Edestone," she smiled, "and tell us about your +wonderful electrical gun or ship. I really know so little about +electricity that I could not understand what my daughter has just been +telling me." And then, as if to save him from the great embarrassment +of speaking, which she felt that he must have in her presence, she +hastened to continue: "I am really so sorry that I did not know you +were a fellow-passenger or I should most certainly have had you +presented. I am very fond of you Americans, I find them most charming +and so original, you know." + +Edestone bowed. + +"I really became quite attached to your Mr. Bradley, who was on board. +I think you call him 'Diamond King John.' He was most attractive," +and, with a charming smile, "he showed me his diamond suspender +buttons; and he dances beautifully, my daughter tells me. I understand +that Mr. Bradley is one of your oldest Arizona families--or was it +Virginia?--I am so stupid about the names of your different counties. +But I agree with him that family is not everything, and that clothes +make the gentleman. He tells me that he gets all of his clothes from +the same tailor as the Duke. Do you get your clothes in London, Mr. +Edestone?" And then, seeing an expression on Edestone's face which +indicated to her that he was going to be bold enough to attempt to +enter into the conversation, hastily added: "No, of course not, you +would naturally get yours in New York, where Mr. Bradley tells me that +the finish of the buttonholes is much better on account of the +enormous salaries that you very rich Americans are able to pay your +tailors. No tea, Mr. Edestone? How foolish of me to ask! You would +like to have one of those American drinks; what is it you call them? +Cockplumes? My son could make one for you. Madame La Princesse de +Blanc taught him how to make one." + +Edestone smilingly declined. + +The Duchess, who by this time was beginning to feel that perhaps Mr. +Edestone would not insist upon taking off his coat or squatting Indian +fashion on the floor, continued: + +"My son tells me that it was at her house in Paris that he had the +pleasure of making your acquaintance." + +"Yes, Duchess," nodded Edestone. + +"She is a most delightful little American," continued the Duchess. "So +bright, natural, unconventional, and original. And she chews tobacco +in the most fascinating manner." + +Edestone all this time had been debating in his mind whether this +silly prattle was the result of real ignorance, snobbishness, or +kindness of heart. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, however, and, +wishing to show her that she might put her mind at rest as to his +ability to overcome any embarrassment that he might have had, said +with a perfectly solemn face: + +"You should have asked your friend, Mr. Bradley, to show you his +suspenders themselves, Duchess. They are, I am told, set with rubies, +sapphires, and diamonds, and cost, I understand, $10,000." + +"How very odd," said the Duchess. + +"And I am sure," he continued, "that he feels as proud of having +danced with the Princess as she could have been at having been the +recipient of so much attention at the hands of 'King John,' who +apparently is also a Prince Charming." + +And then ignoring their pretence of having just seen him for the first +time, in a most natural manner Edestone referred to the episodes of +the crossing. + +Turning to the Princess, who all this time had vainly endeavoured to +check her mother, and changing his manner out of deference for her +youth and inexperience, and assuming a more humble demeanour, he +continued: + +"I sincerely hope, Princess, that I did not hurt you when I was forced +to handle you so roughly, but it was blowing almost a hurricane." + +"I forgive you, Mr. Edestone," she said with a charming smile, "for +hurting my arm; but," with a little pout, "I don't think I can forgive +you for hurting my feelings. Why did you not ask Mr. Bradley to +present you? He said that he knew you very well." + +"Oh, I was rather afraid," laughed Edestone, "to suggest this to him. +You know we do not move in exactly the same set, and I did not wish to +give him an opportunity to snub me. Now that he does speak so +familiarly of his royal friends, I thought that he might consider me a +bit presumptuous." + +"You don't mean to say," snorted the Duchess, "that that creature +would dare to speak of me as a friend?" + +"Well," said Edestone, "I shall do him the justice of saying that I am +quite certain he would not if he did not believe that you were, and +did not think that it was perfectly natural that you should be." + +The Princess, who was looking at Edestone with an intense look, of +which however she was absolutely unconscious, broke in impatiently: + +"Oh, mamma, do stop talking about that dreadful man and ask Mr. +Edestone to tell us something about his wonderful work." A light came +into her eyes which would have alarmed an American mother had she seen +it in the eyes of her daughter at a mixed summer resort. + +Edestone was anxious to get away as he took absolutely no interest in +this particular phase of life; yet he did not wish to appear +unappreciative of the great honour that had been conferred upon him by +these ladies of such high rank. However, an opportunity soon presented +itself which permitted him to retire, and he bowed himself out of the +room, but not, it must be admitted, until he had answered a number of +questions which the Princess insisted on putting to him. He did this +with perfect deference, yet in such a businesslike way that she was +convinced, should a year elapse before he next saw her, he would +probably not recognize her. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + + +As Edestone left the Palace in company with Colonel Stewart, and the +two took their seats in the waiting carriage, he was amused to see a +troop of cavalry, which had been drawn up before the entrance, fall in +about them as an escort. The men were all dressed in khaki, and, +judging from their equipment, they were fixed for business more than a +mere guard of honour. A smart, young officer rode up and, saluting the +Colonel, asked: "Where to, sir?" + +"To Claridge's." The Colonel saluted in return. + +The carriage started, and the troopers, clattering out of the +courtyard, closed up about it in a fashion which showed that they were +going to take no chances with their valuable charge. + +Edestone laughed at himself with his high hat and frock-coat as a +centre for all this military panoply. It recalled to him an +old-fashioned print he had seen when a boy, representing Abraham +Lincoln at the front. + +"You don't mean to tell me that you really consider this necessary?" +he chaffed his companion. + +Colonel Stewart nodded gravely. "They will make no attempt on your +life, Mr. Edestone," he added reassuringly, "except as a last resort; +but they are determined to have your secret. They prefer to get it +with your co-operation and assent. If not, they want it anyhow. +Finally, they stand ready to accomplish its destruction and your own +rather than permit England to obtain it." + +Arriving at the hotel, the soldiers were drawn up in line while he +entered the door. To his surprise, moreover, the Colonel and two of +the cavalry-men accompanied him to the door of his apartment. + +"Mr. Edestone," said the Royal Equerry, "I am sorry, but my orders are +to place a sentry at your door. You are not of course to consider +yourself in any sense a prisoner, but an honoured guest whose safety +is of paramount importance. Should you at any time wish to leave your +apartment, notify Captain Bright by telephone at the hotel office +where he will be stationed, and he will act as your escort. My advice, +however, is that you remain in the hotel." Giving a military salute, +he retired, leaving the two soldiers posted in the corridor. + +A moment later, Edestone was summoned to the door to find that the +sentries had halted Black and Stanton whom he had directed to report +to him immediately on his return to the hotel. + +A word from him proved sufficient to secure the admission of his +moving-picture experts; nevertheless, the three gazed at one another +uneasily as they stood within the room. + +"What is it, Mr. Edestone?" Black's eyes rounded up. "They haven't +placed you under arrest, have they?" + +Edestone shook his head. "Apparently not. At least they tell me I am +under no restraint, and, as they might say to a little boy about to be +spanked, that this is all for my own good. Whether or not this is +merely a polite subterfuge, and they intend to postpone my departure +from London from time to time in a way that can give no offence to our +Government, yet would spoil all my plans, I am still uncertain." + +"By Jove, it might be worth while trying to find out," flared up +Stanton, bristling at the very suggestion of an indignity to his +adored chief. "If they've got anything of that kind up their sleeves, +we could soon show them that----" + +"No." Edestone spoke up a trifle sharply. "I have decided to let the +situation develop itself." + +His manner indicated that he wished the subject dropped; but, after he +had given the two men the orders for which he had summoned them, and +dismissed them, he fell into a rather perturbed reverie. + +After all, might it not be well, as Stanton had urged, to assure +himself in regard to John Bull's honourable intentions? His mind +reverted to an expedient which he had already considered and cast +aside. It was to communicate with the American Ambassador, get his +passports, and start for Paris at once. Then, if he were halted, the +purpose of the British Government would be made plain and its +hypocrisy exposed. + +But, to tell the truth, he rather shrank from such a revelation. +Suppose he forced their hand in this way, and they should retaliate, +either by attempting to detain him in England, or insisting upon his +return to his own country? Was he prepared to----? + +As Underhill had said, blood is thicker than water; and there were in +his nature many ties that bound him to the mother-country. + +No, he concluded; if there was cause to worry, he would meet the +emergency when it arose. Anyhow, he was not of the worrying kind. He +threw himself down upon the sofa, since even for him it had been a +rather strenuous day, and soon was fast asleep. + +He was awakened by James. "It is 7:30, sir, and you are dining at 8 +o'clock." Then with a perfectly stolid face: "I beg pardon, sir, what +clothes will you take to the Tower, sir? The hall porter says, sir, +that with all these soldiers around, they are certainly going to stand +you up before a firing squad. And Hottenroth, the barber, says as how +every American that comes to London is more or less a German spy. But +he is a kind of a foreigner himself, sir. A Welshman, he says he is, +and he talks in a very funny way." + +"No, they are not going to stand me up before a firing squad," +Edestone halted this flood of intelligence, as he sprang up from the +sofa; "but I shall turn myself into one, and fire the whole lot of +you, if you don't stop talking so much. Now hurry up, and get me +dressed. I don't want to keep Mr. Rebener waiting." + +Yet even with James's adept assistance, he found the time scant for +the careful toilet upon which he always insisted; and it was almost on +the stroke of the hour when at last he was ready. + +Snatching his hat and cane from James, he started hurriedly out of the +door, but found himself abruptly challenged by the sentry just outside +whose presence he had for the moment completely forgotten. + +"Excuse me, sir," the soldier saluted, "but my orders are to notify +Captain Bright, if you wish to leave your rooms." + +He blew a whistle, summoning a comrade who suddenly appeared from +nowhere. + +"Notify Captain Bright," he directed; then, in response to Edestone's +good-humoured but slightly sarcastic protests: "I'm sorry, sir, but +those are my orders." + +"Has England declared war on the United States?" said Edestone. + +"I don't know, sir," the sentry grinned. "We seem to be taking on all +comers." Then standing at attention, he waited until the soldier, who +had returned from telephoning, came forward to announce that the +Captain presented his apologies and would be right up. + +A moment later Captain Bright himself came panting down the corridor. +He expressed profound regret that any inconvenience should have been +caused, but explained, as Colonel Stewart had already done, that he +was held personally responsible for Edestone's safety, and had +instructions to accompany him wherever he might go. + +"Very well, Captain; I bow to the inevitable. May I trouble you to +conduct me to the dining-room?" And he strolled toward the lift at the +side of the tall cavalryman. + +But in the office they encountered Rebener himself writing a note on +the back of his card. + +"Oh, there you are, Jack?" he hailed Edestone. "I was just sending you +a note asking you if you wouldn't come and dine with me at the Britz +instead of here. It is too damn stupid here. Not that it's very bright +anywhere in London at present, but at least there's a little bit more +life at the Britz." + +"Who is stopping here anyhow? Royalty?" he interrupted himself. "There +are soldiers all over the place." + +"Yes; I am the recipient of that little attention," laughed the young +American. "Let me introduce Captain Bright here, who is acting as my +especial chaperon." + +"What? You surely haven't run afoul of the War Department?" Rebener +rolled his eyes. "That sounds more like our friends, the barbarians, +than Englishmen. But, say, you are joking of course; you're not really +in trouble? Seriously is there anything you want me to do for you? I +have quite a little pull over at the War Offices, you know." + +"No, thank you; I am leaving for Paris tomorrow." He looked straight +into Rebener's eyes, without giving the slightest hint in his +expression of the disclosure which had been made to him by the +unfortunate Smith. "It is simply that Captain Bright thinks there are +some people who might do something to me. I don't know exactly what it +is, but he insists on preventing them anyhow; so there you are. How +about it, Captain? Am I permitted to dine with Mr. Rebener at the +Britz? I think the Britz is a perfectly safe place for two American +business men." + +"As you please, Mr. Edestone." The Captain drew himself up. "My orders +are to escort you, though, wherever you go." He raised his hand toward +a sergeant who was standing just inside the door. + +"What! You are not going to take all the 'Tommies' along too?" +expostulated Rebener. "Oh, I say; you come along yourself, Captain, +and dine with us, but leave the men behind. I will see that Edestone +doesn't come to any grief." + +"Sorry." The officer's tone ended any further argument. "I shall keep +my men as much out of sight as possible; but it will be necessary for +them to accompany us." + +"You see." Edestone smiled somewhat ruefully. "I can't even go out to +buy a paper, without turning it into a sort of Fourth of July parade." + +On going to the door they found that one of the royal carriages was +waiting for them, and after the two men were seated, and the Captain +had given the directions to the coachman, they dashed off in the midst +of a cavalcade. + +"By the way," Rebener vouchsafed as they drove along, "I have taken +the liberty of inviting Lord Denton and Mr. Karlbeck, two friends of +mine, to dine with us tonight, and as Lord Denton is in mourning, he +has asked that I have dinner in my apartment. I hope that is all +right?" + +"Certainly," assented Edestone. "Lord Denton, you say? I don't think I +have ever met him, have I? And isn't he just a little supersensitive +to raise a scruple of that sort? It seems to me that practically +everybody over here is in mourning. Fact is, I don't feel like going +to a ball myself." His face saddened, as he thought of the many good +fellows he had met on former visits to London who now lay underneath +the sod of Northern France and Belgium. + +But by this time they were at the Britz and the proprietor was bowing +them inside, apparently so accustomed to receiving men of distinction +with military escort that he did not even notice the lines of trim +cavalrymen which drew themselves up on either side of his entrance. + +"Will you gentlemen dine in the public restaurant?" asked Captain +Bright, stepping up to Edestone. + +"No," Rebener took it upon himself to answer. "We are going to have a +little _partie carree_ in my apartment." + +"In that case," said the Captain, "I regret that I shall have to +station men on that floor." + +Rebener frowned as if he were about to voice a protest, but at that +moment the proprietor called him over to consult with him in regard to +the menu. + +For a moment or two they discussed it calmly enough; then as the +proprietor began to gesticulate and wax vehement, Rebener spoke over +his shoulder to his guest. + +"Excuse me, Jack," he said, "but M. Bombiadi insists that I hold a +council of war with him over the selection of the wines. He declines +to accept the responsibility with such a distinguished personage as +you seem to have become." Then lowering his voice, he added with a +wink: "He is evidently impressed with that military escort of yours, +for all that he pretended not to notice it. I won't be away a minute." + +He was hurried by the proprietor through the office and into one of +the small duplex apartments on the main floor. Passing through the +pantry and dining-room of the apartment out into the little private +hall with its street door on Piccadilly, and up a short flight of +marble steps with an iron railing, he was ushered into a handsomely +furnished little parlour. + +There, standing in front of the mantelpiece was a man who did not look +like an Englishman, but more like a German Jew. He was perfectly bald +and had a black beard which was rather long and trimmed to a point. +His nose was unmistakable, and taken with his thick, red lips showed +pretty well what he was and whence he came. Talking to him very +earnestly was another man, who was much smaller, and who was also +German to the finger-tips. + +Pausing on the threshold, M. Bombiadi with the servile and cringing +tone always assumed by those frock-coated criminals, European hotel +proprietors, asked humbly: "May we come in, Your Royal Highness?" + +But Rebener, with the air of a man who was not accustomed to, or else +declined to consider, such formalities, unhesitatingly brushed the +proprietor aside, and walked up to the two men. + +"I am sorry to be late," he said in a thoroughly businesslike manner, +"but Bombiadi here has doubtless explained the reason for it." Then, +as if he purposely refused to acknowledge the high rank of either of +the two men by waiting for them to speak, he said brusquely, even with +a slight touch of contempt: "Bombiadi tells me that you want to speak +with me, before we meet at the table." + +"Yes, Mr. Rebener," said the smaller man, bowing with exaggerated +ceremony. "If it is not asking too much of you, I am sure that His +Royal Highness will appreciate your kindness." + +The silky smoothness of his manner seemed to disgust Rebener. + +"Now, look here, Karlbeck, don't try to get friendly with me," he drew +back as the other attempted to lay a hand upon his arm. "I am not in +love with this business, anyhow. I am German, and I am proud of the +Fatherland, as she stands with her back against the wall, fighting the +entire civilized world--and some of the barbaric;--but you two fellows +are Englishmen, and----" + +"Pardon me, Mr. Rebener," the man with the beard broke in angrily. +"You seem to forget to whom you are speaking." + +"No, that is just the trouble," cried Rebener with a loud laugh. "I +can't seem to forget it. And if Your Royal Highness insists upon +keeping on your crown, you had better let Mr. Edestone and myself dine +alone." + +"Please, Mr. Rebener. Please not so loud," cautioned the proprietor, +pale with terror. "One never knows who may be listening." + +"I have a word for you too." Rebener turned, and shook a threatening +finger in his face. "If I find that you cut-throats have murdered +Schmidt, I will turn you over to the London police, and let you be +hanged as common murderers without having any of the glory of dying +for your country. I distinctly told you, that I would not stand for +that sort of thing. He was a miserable creature, but he was an +American, and we Americans, even if we have got German blood, are not +traitors to the country of our adoption." And he looked with a sneer +at the two Englishmen. "Now, if any of you are planning to indulge in +any of your pretty little tricks with Mr. Edestone tonight, I give you +fair warning. I will call Captain Bright in, and turn the whole lot of +you over to him. I think he would be rather surprised to find His +Royal Highness in such company." + +The man with the beard was literally white with rage. The thick veins +swelled along his neck, and his lower lip was trembling. But he +controlled himself with an effort, and endeavoured to speak calmly. + +"Now, now, Mr. Rebener," he said, "you are unnecessarily excited, and +I therefore overlook your disrespect toward me. There is no intention +whatever of doing any violence to Mr. Edestone. We hope merely to +prevail on him to talk." + +"What good will his talking do?" cried the smaller man before his +associate could silence him. "We know all that he said today at +Buckingham Palace. What we want is his instrument, and if we're not +going after that, what use is this dinner, I would like to know?" + +"I can't tell you," rejoined Rebener, "unless His Royal Highness would +be willing to show his hand, and try to persuade Edestone to take our +view of the matter." + +A sharp retort trembled on the lips of the Jewish-looking man, but +just then he caught sight of Bombiadi out of the corner of his eyes +gesticulating and making signs to him from behind Rebener's back. + +"I suppose that is the only chance left us," he pretended to consider. +"We can try it at any rate. I suppose, too, we had better come to your +apartment immediately. Remember, though, we are to remain incognito +until I give the word. In the meantime, we are simply 'Lord Denton' +and 'Mr. Karlbeck.'" + +On that agreement, Rebener left; but the proprietor, after following +him far enough to make sure that he was out of earshot, returned to +the little parlour where the other men waited. + +"We will have to leave him out of our calculations," he shook his +head. "He is not heart and soul in the cause as is your Royal +Highness. However, it can be managed without Rebener. + +"Hottenroth has telephoned me that he thinks Edestone has the +instrument on his person, but cannot make sure, as his rooms at +Claridge's are too closely guarded to permit of a search. We must go +upon the assumption that he has it with him, however, and get it away +from him. That plan of Your Royal Highness's will work perfectly, I am +sure. I will call Edestone to the telephone while you are at dinner, +and since the rest of you will all remain at the table, how can +Rebener suspect either of you gentlemen any more than he would suspect +himself. + +"Now, I will return in a few minutes, and take you up to Mr. Rebener's +apartment. No one knows of your presence in the house so far, I can +assure you, and the servants on that floor may be thoroughly depended +upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + + +When Rebener got back to the entrance hall he found Edestone standing +talking with an American newspaper correspondent, and as he came up +heard the inventor say: "Well you can say that if I sell my discovery +to anyone it will be to the United States, and that rather than sell +to any other nation I would hand it over to my own country as a free +gift." + +"Here, here," Rebener joined in laughingly as he came up, "don't you +offer to give away anything. Just because your father left you +comfortably well off is no reason that you shouldn't sell things if +people want to buy. Sell and sell while you've got the market, and +sell to the highest bidder. Look at me, I am selling to both sides; +that is my way of stopping this war." He turned to the young newspaper +man. "Is there anything new, Ralph?" + +"Nothing, Mr. Rebener, except that there is a story out in New York +that Mr. Edestone here has been sent over to act as a sort of +unofficial go-between to bring England and Germany to terms; but he +denies this. Then there is another story that he is trying to sell +this new invention of his to England and that the German agents are +trying to get it away from him before he does. You've just heard what +he has to say on that subject, so I seem to have landed on a 'Flivver' +all around. + +"Say, Mr. Edestone, you'll give me the dope on this lay-out won't you, +before the other boys get to it?" he wheedled. "We all know that +something is going on, and she's going to be a big story when she +breaks, and it would be the making of me with the 'old man' if I could +put it over first. + +"I saw you, sir, this afternoon coming home from the Palace," he +chuckled, "and the President, going out to the first ball game of the +season, surrounded by the Washington Blues, to toss the pill into the +diamond, certainly had nothing on you." + +"You've struck it," said Edestone, with a good-humoured laugh at +himself. "I have been trying all day to think what I looked like, and +that's it." + +Rebener laid his hand upon his arm. "Well, Jack," he said, "hadn't we +better be getting up to my place? I don't want to keep the other +gentlemen waiting, and these Europeans have an awful habit of coming +at the hour they are invited, and do not, as we do in America, in +imitation of the 'Snark,' 'dine on the following day.' + +"Good-night, Ralph," he waved his hand to the correspondent. "Drop +around tomorrow; I may have something for you." + +Then as they were going up in the elevator he confided to Edestone: "I +am not so crazy about these two chaps that are coming to dinner +tonight, but you know most of the good sort are at the front, or, if +they happen to be in London, are too busy to waste their time on us +Americans. Do you know, Jack, there is at this time quite a bit of +feeling against us in England? Exactly what it is they resent it is +hard to say. I certainly do not understand how they can expect us to +take any part in this war with our population composed of people from +every one of the countries that are engaged." + +They had scarcely had time to take off their coats when Lord Denton +and Mr. Karlbeck came in through the private entrance. Edestone was +introduced, and after the two Americans had had their cocktails, both +Englishmen having declined to indulge in this distinctly American +custom, the four sat down to dinner. Rebener put "Lord Denton" on his +right, Edestone on his left, while "Mr. Karlbeck" took the only +remaining seat. The conversation was general, and Edestone found that +both the Englishmen were evidently making an effort to be agreeable. + +"You are quite like an Englishman," said "Lord Denton" addressing him. +"I have known so few really nice Americans that I must say it is a +most delightful surprise. When I was told that you were a great +American inventor, I was prepared to see a fellow with the back of his +neck shaved, who, while chewing gum, would seize my lapel and hold on +to it while he insisted on explaining how I could save time and money +by using his electrical self-starting dishwasher or some such beastly +machine. When I visited New York two years ago, a committee had me in +charge for three days. Their one idea seemed to be to force large +cigars and mixed drinks on me at all hours of the day and night. One +of these charming gentlemen, a particularly objectionable fellow, +although he seemed to be very rich, was covered with diamonds and wore +the most ridiculous evening clothes topped off with a yachting cap +fronted with the insignia of some rowing club of which he had been +admiral. He always referred to his one-thousand-ton yacht as his +'little canoe,' and took delight in telling exactly what it cost him +by the hour to run, invariably adding that this amount did not include +his own food, wines, liquors, and cigars. 'We always charge that up to +profit-and-loss account,' he would say with a roar of laughter, in +which he was joined by a group of his satellites." + +"I'll bet I can call the turn, eh, Jack?" Rebener glanced across the +table to Edestone, with a twinkle in his eye. "Didn't the chap also +tell you with great seriousness, 'Lord Denton,' that he had pulled off +more good deals in his 'little canoe' than in all the hotel corridors +put together?" + +"Well, I sincerely hope it's the same," said 'Lord Denton'. "You can't +have two such creatures in your country?" + +"Was that the chap, 'Denton,'" broke in "Karlbeck," "who said to you, +the day that he slapped you on the back, that he was not so strong for +making all this fuss over Princes and things, as in his opinion it +wasn't democratic?" + +"Yes, that was when I was on board his yacht, but he said I was all +right and he didn't mind spending money on me. 'This is my pleasure +today,' he said, 'although the Boss did say he wanted you treated +right, and his word goes both ways with me. See!'" + +"Tell them about your experience with the New York newspaper men," +suggested "Karlbeck." + +"Oh, that was very amusing! The whole committee would stand around and +laugh while the 'boys,' as they called them, had a chance, which +consisted in my being asked the most impertinent questions by a lot of +objectionable little bounders whom they constantly referred to as 'the +greatest institution of our glorious country,' at times allowing also +that the country was 'God's own.' + +"When I objected, some of your most powerful men would say: 'You had +better tell the reporters something or they'll get sore on you and +print a lot of lies about your women-folk.' + +"The particularly offensive gentleman of whom I have spoken, after +telling me what he thought of the British aristocracy, which was not +always flattering, though I seemed to be exempt, said as he bade me +good-bye: 'By the way, don't forget that my wife and two daughters +will be stopping in London next spring.'" + +"Well," inquired Edestone with a faint smile, "you did forget that his +wife and two daughters were stopping in London in the spring, I am +quite sure, and sure that he is convinced you got the best of it." + +"Oh, I say, Mr. Edestone, that was a nasty one! You really would not +have expected me to introduce that fellow at my clubs, would you?" +"No," said Edestone, toying with something on the table to hide the +smile that played across his lips. "No, no, not at all. The Lord Mayor +of London would have satisfied him." + +He would have dropped the subject there, but pressed by the other man +he continued rather seriously: "Since you ask me, 'Lord Denton,' I do +think that you should not have accepted that man's hospitality unless +you were prepared to return it to a certain extent." + +"Well, what would you have expected His Royal Highness to do--I mean +'Lord Denton?'" "Karlbeck" corrected himself hastily. Edestone set his +glass down, and looked at the man for a moment. When he finally spoke +it was with a touch of asperity. With a sarcastic smile he said: + +"The quiet way in which you Europeans accept everything from us and +return nothing, is being resented, not by the lower classes for they +read in our papers how the King shook hands with Jack Johnson; not by +the _nouveaux riches_, for they are perfectly satisfied with the +notoriety they get at the hands of your broken-down aristocracy who +spend their money,--no not by these classes, but by our ladies and +gentlemen." + +"Then why do you entertain our Princes so lavishly?" sneered +"Karlbeck." + +"It is our sense of humour, which allows us to be imposed upon. That +sense of humour is often mistaken for hysterical hospitality by the +distinguished stranger. We--and when I say we I mean people of +breeding which does not include the vulgarian who knows nothing and +may be the son of your father's ninth gardener--we know that the more +ridiculous we appear to you, the better you like it. Not to appear +ridiculous offends you, as it arouses a feeling of rivalry to which +you object, but with your lack of that same sense of humour, this you +deny." + +Again he would have willingly dropped the subject, but "Lord Denton" +once more insisted upon keeping up the discussion. + +"You must remember," said he, "Prince Henry's visit to America. You +don't mean to tell me the Americans were not complimented and pleased +at a visit from a Royal Prince?" + +Edestone laughed. "You mean when Prince Henry of Prussia came over to +bridge the chasm which had formed between the German and American +nations over the Manila episode, by the interchange of courtesies +between the two ruling families, the Hohenzollerns and the Roosevelts? + +"I was surprised that the Kaiser was so poorly informed as not to know +our attitude toward him and his Divine Right and mailed fist. Why, +everybody laughed except the Kaiser and the President--they were the +only ones who were fooled: the Kaiser, because he could not help +himself, it was in his blood; and Roosevelt, because he was at that +time in a most septic condition and was suffering from auto-intoxication +at the hands of that particular form of microbe." + +"Edestone entertained Prince Henry himself at his Little Place in the +Country," said Rebener, who saw that "Lord Denton" was losing his +temper. + +"Yes, I did," said Edestone. "Not that I thought he would enjoy it, +but somebody--and now when I come to think of it, you were the man, +Rebener--insisted that he would like to visit my machine shops. And he +did seem to enjoy seeing them very much, and Admiral Tirpitz and his +staff took all kinds of notes while asking all kinds of questions." +The reminiscence seemed to make the three other men a trifle +uncomfortable. + +"Oh! what difference does it make after all?" said Rebener. "Let's get +down to business. + +"Now, Edestone," he turned to the inventor, "you know me, and I'm not +much for beating about the bush. When I want something, my motto is, +'Go to it.' My object in inviting you here to meet these gentlemen +tonight was to see if we can't get together. As I understand the +situation, Jack, you have something that you think is pretty good. You +have lots of money, and you don't want to sell it. You don't have to, +but you want to get England to use it, and if she won't, you will try +Germany. Now is not that just about the size of it?" + +"To a certain extent, yes," replied Edestone. + +"Then why in the name of common sense don't you let 'Lord Denton' and +me have it and we will guarantee to have it used where it will do the +most good. He has more pull with the Government than any man in +England. I think you know pretty well now who he is," he added with a +wink. "If it is the war you want stopped, he is the best man outside +of the King or Kaiser." + +"Well, yes, Mr. Rebener," said Edestone, "I do know who 'Lord Denton' +is and had the pleasure of seeing him this afternoon at Buckingham +Palace, but I thought perhaps he would prefer that I should preserve +his incognito and, following the example of his most charming Duchess, +permitted myself to forget. I shall be most happy to----" + +He halted and turned as a waiter stepped up behind his chair to +interrupt him. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but the Marquis of Lindenberry wishes to speak to +you on the telephone. + +"I am sorry, sir, but you will have to go to the booth in the room +behind the stairs. Mr. Rebener's telephone is out of order." + +"What do you mean, 'my telephone is out of order'?" Rebener glanced up +sharply. "I used it not twenty minutes ago." And going into the +adjoining room he tried to speak to the floor switchboard. + +"The fellow's right," he admitted on returning to the table. "You'll +have to use the booth, Jack. Waiter, show Mr. Edestone where to go." + +"This way, sir," said the waiter, and he conducted Edestone down the +long corridor, passing one of Captain Bright's cavalrymen at almost +every turn. Just around the foot of the stairs the waiter showed him a +door. + +"There it is, sir," he pointed. + +Edestone went in and found himself in a room that was almost dark. It +was lighted only by a shaded electric bulb used by the man at the +switchboard, who sat facing the door but hidden from anyone entering +by the high instrument in front of him. Edestone walked over to him, +finding him almost obscured by the huge green shade pulled down over +his eyes, and seemingly very much occupied with both incoming and +outgoing calls. + +"Is there a call for Mr. Edestone?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir," said the man without looking up from his plugs. "The +second booth from this end, No. 2." + +Edestone, turning, saw in the dim light a row of booths against the +wall over beyond the door. It was quite dark in that corner, but he +could see that the door of the second booth was open. He went inside, +muttering as he did so, "I think they might give a fellow a little +more light." + +As he sat down and took up the receiver, he put out his hand to stop +the door from slowly closing, apparently by itself. It was one of +those double-walled, sound-proof, stuffy boxes, and he did not want +the door shut tight, so he put out his foot to hold it open. But he +was just a moment too late. The door shut with a little bang, and when +he tried to open it again, he found that it seemed to have jammed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + + +Edestone waited. He thought he heard, or rather he felt, a vibration +as if someone were moving in the next booth. He tried the door again, +but found that it held fast. + +He was about to signal the switchboard operator and tell him to come +and open up the booth, when an, "Are you there, Mr. Edestone?" came to +him from across the wire, and caused him for the moment to forget the +refractory door. + +"Hello!" he answered. "Yes; I am Mr. Edestone. Who is this?" + +The voice, instead of replying directly, spoke as if to another person +with an aside. "Mr. Edestone is on the wire." + +A moment, and then a second voice spoke. "Are you there, Mr. +Edestone?" + +It was not the voice of his friend, and he answered a trifle +impatiently: "Yes. Who are you? Are you speaking for the Marquis of +Lindenberry?" + +"No, I am not," came the reply. "And I must apologize for having used +his name." + +The voice bore the unmistakable intonation of an English gentleman. + +"I am the Count Kurtz von Hemelstein. I regret that circumstances +compel me to force myself upon you in this caddish manner. But my duty +as a soldier in the service of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, +demands it. I shall not delay you long, however, if you will only do +what I ask." + +There was a moment's pause. Involuntarily Edestone drew back slightly +from the instrument. + +"Count Kurtz von Hemelstein, did you say?" He spoke with a touch of +sternness. "I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of +meeting you, sir. I did meet a Count Heinrich von Hemelstein last +summer." + +"Yes; that was my brother. He has often spoken of you, Mr. Edestone. +If I am not mistaken, you were rivals for the attention of a pretty, +young matron with a good-natured husband?" + +"Not rivals, Count von Hemelstein." Edestone laughed, but under the +laugh he was doing some rapid thinking. "Your brother was the favoured +one, and when the war broke out, and he had to leave for the front, +the lady was almost inconsolable. + +"But, Count von Hemelstein," he continued, "what can I do for you? We +Americans, you know, do not always insist upon a formal introduction. +As we say, 'Any friend of a friend of mine.'" + +"Also, you are wrong on one point," said the Count, with a little +chuckle. "I have had the pleasure of meeting you. It was a trifle +informal, I must admit, but you were just as charming as you are now, +and I think I am indebted to you to the amount of several shillings. +In the end, you did leave me rather abruptly, and seemed offended at +something I had done; but I trust you have recovered from that by this +time." Edestone could hear him laughing heartily. + +"You have met me?" repeated Edestone, completely mystified. "When and +where?" + +"Today; in London. Indeed, I am in London now." + +"In London, Count von Hemelstein?" Involuntarily Edestone lowered his +voice. "But I say, isn't that taking a bit of a chance for a German +officer? Where are you speaking from now, may I ask?" + +The Count was laughing so, that just at first he could not answer; but +after a moment he managed to control his amusement. + +"I am in the next booth to you," he said. + +When he spoke again, his tone had lost all trace of levity and become +hard and direct like that of a man charged with a distasteful duty, +yet with which he was determined not to let his feelings interfere. + +"In regard to our meeting today," he said; "I was in disguise. In +short, I was the taxi-driver whom you gave the slip this afternoon by +the aid of that cur, Schmidt. And now, Mr. Edestone, you must realize +what it is I want." In a more conciliatory tone, he added: "I can see +no reason, however, why we should not settle this matter as between +gentlemen." + +"Please be more explicit," returned Edestone, quietly. + +"In brief, then, I am authorized by my Government to meet, and even +double or quadruple any offer for your invention made by the English +Government. I will take your word of honour. All that you have to do +is to say now, on your word as a gentleman, that you will sell it to +my Government, and you can return to your friends. My Government will +then communicate with you, and close with you at your own price." + +"And if I decline the proposition?" said Edestone. + +"Then I fear I shall be compelled to use force; and much as I may +regret to do so, I will tell you that I am prepared to stop at +nothing. + +"You are now," he went on, "locked in that solid oak booth, with its +strong double doors, perfectly sound-proof. The operator at the +switchboard is my man. He can by pulling a wire uncork a bottle which +is concealed in your booth and asphyxiate you in one half minute." + +But if he had expected the American to show any trepidation as a +result of his threats, he soon found out his mistake. Edestone's reply +was as insouciant as if he had been merely commenting on the weather. + +"Really, this is quite interesting, Count von Hemelstein," he said. "I +might almost call you a man after my own heart. That bottle trick is +so simple and yet effective that I, as an inventor, cannot help but +compliment you. I am wondering just what chemical you have employed. +There are of course a dozen or more that would answer your purpose; +but as their action varies greatly in the effect upon the victim, I am +naturally curious." + +"Does that mean that you are about to decline my offer?" demanded the +Count sharply. "Have a care, Mr. Edestone. I am not merely trying to +frighten you, as you may suppose. The facts are just as I have stated +them, and I shall not hesitate to----" + +"Assuredly, my dear Count," Edestone broke in. "I have never doubted +that for a moment. Nor am I going to refuse your proposition--that is, +not definitely. Instead, I have been so pleased by the charming manner +in which you have presented this little matter that I desire to submit +a counter-proposition. Only, I must beg you to urge your modest friend +with the weak eyes out there at the switchboard to be a little careful +with that wire. Judging from the atmosphere in this booth, his bottle +has been leaking for some time." + +"Come, come, Mr. Edestone." The Count's voice rose nervously, showing +the strain under which he was labouring. "I have already told you that +this is no joke. If it is your game to play for time, in the hope that +some one may come to release you, or that you may discover the manner +in which the bottle is secreted, you are going to be disappointed. I +must do my work quickly. If I do not have your answer at once, I will +give the signal and take your instrument away from you by force." + +"It is not time I want, but air." Edestone gave a little gasp. "You +yourself have spent more time than I, with your kind explanations as +to how I may avoid what would be to me a most distressing accident. +However, since celerity is what you want, I hasten to say that I have +not my instrument, nor indeed any instrument with me." + +"Not with you?" snapped the Prussian angrily. "Where is it, then?" + +"Ah! That is my counter-proposition. Count von Hemelstein, if I +promise to tell you, on my word of honour, where you may find this +instrument of mine that contains the entire secret of my +invention--and it is near at hand where, if you are a brave man, you +can easily get it,--if I do this, will you, on your side, give me your +word as a gentleman, that you will immediately open this booth? + +"I may add," he went on, as von Hemelstein seemed to hesitate, "that +this is my last and only proposition, and you can take that or +nothing. I will die here in this box before I will sell my invention +to any European Government; but you may have it as a free gift, Count, +if you have the nerve to go after it. There is a challenge to your +boasted Prussian valour! Are you a sport, Count von Hemelstein, or are +you not?" + +Von Hemelstein wavered no longer. From what Edestone told him, he +argued that the inventor must have left his instrument with some of +his subordinates, probably Black and Stanton, and relied upon them to +protect it; and it stung him to think that the American should believe +a German officer would falter at such odds--a couple of electricians, +mere Yankee artisans. + +"Yes," he growled hoarsely. "I accept your terms. It is a bargain." + +"On your honour?" + +"On my word of honour as a Prussian officer and a gentleman." + +"Well, then, hurry up and open this door. It is getting stifling in +here; and, besides, Rebener will be growing anxious about me." + +"But, first, your information. Where is the instrument?" + +"Oh, the instrument?" It was now Edestone's turn to laugh. "Why, that +is lying on the floor under the table in Mr. Rebener's dining-room. I +dropped it there, when I came out to answer your telephone call, and I +also gave instructions to the sentries on guard at the door of the +apartment to shoot any one who attempted to pass in or out during my +absence. You are doubtless a brave man, but I do not think you are +prepared to tackle a whole company of British cavalry. + +"And now," he concluded, "I have kept to my bargain. Will you kindly +open the door?" + +A muttered German imprecation, like a snarl of baffled chagrin, was +his only answer. But a moment later the door to his booth swung open, +and he was free. + +As he stepped out, he found the lights in the room turned on, and the +man at the switchboard gone. He also noticed that the door to the +adjoining booth was shaking, as if someone had just jerked it open and +had passed out hurriedly, and, as he came out into the corridor, he +thought he glimpsed the figure of a man hastily disappearing down the +staircase. So far as any other evidence went, except for his wilted +collar and heaving lungs, the whole experience might have been a +dream. + +He returned quietly to the dinner table, and stooping over, as if to +pick up his napkin, recovered the instrument and slipped it into his +trousers pocket. + +"Lord Denton" and "Karlbeck" kept staring at him with puzzled, almost +incredulous faces. + +"Did you find your friend on the wire?" finally ventured "Lord +Denton," leaning across the table toward him. + +"No; it was another gentleman speaking for him," smiled Edestone, "a +mere visitor to England like myself. I took the liberty of asking him +to join us, but he declined. He is, I fancy, leaving the country very +shortly--probably going to Berlin." + +A little gasp from behind him caused him to turn in his seat. It came +from the hotel proprietor who, entering the room by the rear door, +stood rooted in amazement at the sight of Edestone, his jaw dropping, +his eyes as big as saucers. + +Edestone regarded him a moment; then turned to his host. + +"What silly-looking waiters you have in this hotel, Rebener," he said. +"That fellow yonder doesn't appear to have brains enough to be even a +German spy." + +The real waiter, overhearing this compliment to his employer, clapped +his hand over his mouth and dived for the pantry, just managing to get +through the swinging door before he exploded. + +The self-satisfied Bombiadi also overheard, and although he +endeavoured to appear unconscious, a dull red flush crept up over his +cheeks, and after shifting for a moment from one foot to the other, he +left the room. + +"Lord Denton" and "Karlbeck" exchanged glances out of the corners of +their eyes; and Rebener, although he made out to grin at the speech, +shifted a little uneasily in his chair. + +But Edestone, who, under his quiet exterior, possessed a rather +mischievous spirit, was not yet through with them. + +"As I was saying when I was called to the telephone," he leaned across +the table toward the _incognito_ Royal Duke, "the desire of Your Royal +Highness--pardon me, I mean, of 'Lord Denton'--is of course to see +England victorious in this contest; but that may mean years of +fighting and an appalling loss of men and money. Such true patriots as +yourself and 'Mr. Karlbeck' must see that it would be far better to +end the war now, provided that a lasting peace can be ensured, and +that I think I can guarantee with my discovery. I should be delighted, +therefore, to co-operate with you gentlemen to that end, and if you +would advocate the proposition that England allow me to go to Berlin +with something to show that she is willing to enter into _pour +parlers_, I shall bring pressure to bear on Germany to make some +liberal answer." + +"Lord Denton," however, seemed no longer interested in the matter, and +was unable to concentrate his attention; while "Mr. Karlbeck" made no +attempt to hide the fact that he was disgusted gusted with the +evening, and wished to see it end as soon as possible. + +Rebener, seeing his dinner a failure, although not quite understanding +the cause, like many a nervous host compelled to face a tableful of +distinguished guests who do not hesitate to show that they are bored, +did the silliest thing possible under the circumstances, and drank +more than he should. + +Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fashion that "Mr. +Karlbeck" looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His +Royal Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone's +attention from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were +thrown out. + +They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown +open, and some one announced in a loud voice, "The King's Messenger!" + +"Karlbeck" and "Lord Denton" sprang to their feet, their faces ashy +pale, as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment +later, Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they +both crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the +starch-pot. + +The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown +gathering between his eyes. + +"Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was +dining with Mr. Edestone tonight," he drew himself up stiffly. And it +was in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had +inveighed against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and +had loudly urged that no attention be paid to him or his claims. + +Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been +in circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen +with the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them +here in the apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, +and in conference with the possessor of the secret which Germany was +seeking so eagerly to obtain? + +Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, +but turned to Edestone. + +"I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, +has ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, +and I should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your +time." + +Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener's permission, had +withdrawn with him into the salon, he explained that the King had +instructed Sir Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine +o'clock and to state the decision of the Government in answer to the +inventor's proposition. + +"Will that hour be convenient to you?" asked the Colonel. + +"Perfectly," Edestone assented. Then on an impulse, he added: "I do +not leave for the Continent until eleven." + +The Equerry extended his hand. "In that case, I shall probably not see +you again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant +journey and good luck when you reach Berlin." + +It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a +prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of +gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart's parting salute, and +returned to the dining-room. + +There he found the two discomfited members of the nobility just taking +their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was +playing the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and +over-loud manner urging them to stay and "have another." Wouldn't they +try one of his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous +brandy? + +But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and +turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although +"Mr. Karlbeck" did consent to gulp down a large glass of Rebener's +very fine brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal +associate. + +Edestone left almost immediately, and his "guard of honour," to which +he was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly +assembled, he was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + + +The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the +occurrences of the evening before at Rebener's dinner, and Edestone +was surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed +concerning all that had transpired. + +"His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole +distasteful episode," Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash +of contempt in his eye. "His Royal Highness has been relieved of his +commission and is in retirement, and the Duchess of Windthorst +together with Princess Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess +Adolph, in Berlin. By these means, and of course with your silence, +upon which he counts, His Majesty hopes to keep England in ignorance +of the fact that such rottenness exists in his immediate household." + +"And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the +_Ivernia_ is in the mire too," thought Edestone; for it seemed to +him that the King's order of exile against the Duchess and herself +could mean nothing else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and +aversion for the traitor did not extend to the feminine members of the +family. For them he had only sorrow and sympathy. + +Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a +subject, had taken up the direct purpose of his call. + +He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of +settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, +His Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the +United States, and after her spies had reported the nature of +Edestone's reception in London, and especially after the inventor +should have had an interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government +might suggest something which could serve as a basis upon which to +open negotiations. In such a case, His Majesty was of the opinion that +Edestone, if he were willing to undertake the delicate task, would be +the most suitable person to act as a go-between. + +The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing +at that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, +and that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any +proposition he might bring back. + +He brought letters to the President of France, General French, General +Joffre, and others, which would guarantee Edestone's safety up to the +German line; but suggested that it would be well not to show the +French too much, since they were such a volatile nation that they +might readily decide to retire from the field and allow the United +States and England to settle the matter. On account of the long and +sincere friendship which had existed between the French people and +those of the United States, France might feel that she could depend +upon the United States to recover her lost territory, together with +Alsace and Lorraine, and that was all she wanted. + +In leaving, Sir Egbert, upon behalf of the King, insisted on placing a +torpedo boat at Edestone's disposal. Then, with the assurance that +anything he might have to communicate to the British Government would +be given most careful consideration, the Foreign Minister bowed +himself out. + +Edestone could not but compare this interview with the one he had held +with Lord Rockstone--the opening gun of his campaign. Verily, +twenty-four hours had made a vast change in the attitude of the +British Cabinet. + +His journey to Paris was uneventful except for one incident. + +In the middle of the Channel, as he leaned against the rail, gazing +back toward the white cliffs of Dover, he drew the Deionizer from his +pocket and quietly dropped it overboard. With scarcely a splash the +little instrument, for which the warring nations were willing to +barter millions and commit almost any crime, disappeared beneath the +waves. + +He did not, however, intend giving any further demonstration until his +arrival in Berlin, and there he thought he might have a larger and +better one; while, in the meantime, and especially since his encounter +with Count von Hemelstein had shown him how far the Germans were +prepared to go, he did not feel like taking any unnecessary chances. + +At Calais, he was received by the representative of the President and +other high officials, and when they had seen some of his photographs, +and had heard an outline of his plans, they readily followed the lead +of England in accrediting him as a sort of unofficial peacemaker. +Indeed, the Frenchmen looked upon Edestone as someone almost +superhuman--a being who had come to establish on earth the dream of +their philosophers, "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite"--and they gloried +in the good fortune of their sister Republic in having produced and +sent to their rescue such a son. + +When he left for Berlin, he was conducted to the Swiss frontier like a +conquering hero, and, with prayers that he would be careful while in +the land of the Huns, was turned over to the Swiss Government. The +latter also accorded him every consideration and courtesy; but when he +finally left their outposts behind and arrived on German soil, he +found a different story. + +Here, he was immediately taken in charge by the frontier military +authorities, and practically held a prisoner for three days under the +excuse that instructions in regard to him had to be asked for from +Berlin. + +He was incensed at the petty annoyances to which he was subjected by +his jailer, a fat old German martinet. + +Under one pretext or another he and his men were constantly being +interrogated, and his baggage, which they insisted upon opening, was +thoroughly and repeatedly searched. + +When they discovered among other things something that suggested a +miniature wireless plant, they would not let him or any of his men out +of their sight. His letters were so strong, however, that they would +not dare to do anything with him without instructions. + +He let it be known that he had absolutely nothing hidden on his person +by taking off all of his clothes and going to bed, and would +apparently sleep while watching the spies go through them. They seemed +to enjoy this little game so much that he would sometimes play it once +or twice a day, varying it by taking a bath or having James give him +massage. + +They never seemed to suspect that he was playing with them, but would +stand around and pounce down on his clothes, each time searching them +thoroughly as if they had discovered something entirely new, when they +had just turned the same things inside out within an hour. + +While waiting here, too, he came to learn how intensely bitter was the +feeling against Americans among Germans of all classes. They regarded +themselves as superior beings, he found, and when they first noted his +splendid physique, would not believe but that he must have German +blood in his veins. When he convinced them, however, that he was of +pure Anglo-Saxon stock, Virginia bred--a thorough-paced "Yankee," as +they called it--even the peasants treated him as the dirt beneath +their feet. + +But at last word came from the German General Staff. He was "sealed, +stamped, and marked, 'not to be opened until after delivery in +Berlin.'" He was shown greater consideration now; but it was a +consideration which rather unpleasantly reminded him of that shown by +the keeper to a condemned prisoner in presenting him with his new +clothes in which to be executed. + +He and his men and all his belongings--the latter carefully listed in +triplicate--were put into a private car, and locked in, like a rich +American with the smallpox whom they were sending out of the country; +while, to add to his comfort, he was told that Count von Hemelstein +was to act as his escort. + +As they started on the journey, Edestone had an opportunity of seeing +in his true character for the first time the man whom he had so +cleverly outwitted in the telephone booth, and he found it hard work +to identify the smart cavalry officer as the grimy London taxi-driver +of a few days before. + +The Count was a big, splendid-looking fellow, who rather affected an +American manner in order to hide the fact that he had been educated +both at school and college in England. Without his uniform, he would +have been taken anywhere for an Englishman, blond, blue-eyed giant +that he was, with as beautiful a moustache and as winning a smile as +was ever given to the hero of a love story. He wore the uniform of a +Colonel of Uhlans, which well set off his handsome figure. In fact, he +was as noble-looking an Uhlan as ever, either before or after +marriage, broke the heart of a rich brewer's daughter. + +"Delighted to meet you again, Mr. Edestone," he grasped the American's +hand, with a hearty laugh. "Ever since our last encounter, I have been +wanting the opportunity of asking how you knew that I would keep my +word and release you, when you divulged to me the whereabouts of your +instrument there in the telephone booth? Didn't you realize that, by +'putting you out,' and then having the switchboard man raise an alarm, +I could in the resultant confusion, easily have secured the +instrument?" + +"But I also realized that I was dealing with a soldier, not a burglar; +and I took a chance," said Edestone with a smile. + +"Well," said the Colonel, "now that you are safe in Germany what +difference does it make? We mean to keep you here." + +"The United States might have something to say to that," suggested +Edestone. + +"The United States? Bah! One more country to fight; what difference +would it make to Germany, especially one that could make so little +showing? You have no army. Your navy could do no more than England is +already doing. We are at present cut off from your supplies as much as +if we were at war with you. Finally, the German-Americans would put +the brakes on you, now that another Presidential election is +approaching. + +"No, Mr. Edestone," he shook his head triumphantly; "you are making a +bad mistake, if you are relying on the protection of the United +States, now that you have stuck your head into the tiger's mouth." + +"Do I understand, Count von Hemelstein, that Germany proposes to hold +me a prisoner? Are you telling me that she would dare do such a +thing?" + +"Ah, do not put it so crudely." The Count raised his hand a trifle +mockingly. "Let us say, rather, that we expect you to become so +convinced of the righteousness of our cause that you will gladly turn +over your instrument and render us any other aid you can toward the +crushing of our enemies." + +The smile faded from his lips, and for a moment he, "showed his +teeth." + +"Take my advice, my friend," he said sharply. "Don't try to frighten +the Wilhelmstrasse with your moving pictures and your covert threats +of intervention by the United States as you did at Buckingham Palace. +We are made of sterner stuff here. We know the nature of your +invention, and just what you can accomplish with it; and our gifted +men of science are now hard at work in the effort to duplicate your +achievement. + +"My brother brought back word a year ago," he disclosed, "that you +were building a super-dreadnought 907 feet long, 90 feet beam, 35 feet +draught, 40,000 tons displacement. We also know that you are now +working full blast night and day at your 'Little Place in the +Country.' We know about the tricks you played with that flunkey in +your audience with the King. A hint to us Germans is all that is +needed. + +"We know further," he went on in a sterner voice, "the sentiments of +love and devotion toward England that you expressed to the English +King, and we know the tenor of the answer that was returned to your +proposition. + +"But do you imagine that you can come here, sir, and dictate terms to +our Emperor, or arrange a peace for us, which would mean anything less +than the absolute humbling of England? Do you think we would run the +slightest risk of letting this invention of yours fall into England's +hands? + +"Your question was expressed very undiplomatically, Mr. Edestone, for +one who is arrogating to himself the prerogatives of an envoy and +ambassador. Nations in speaking to one another use language that is +lighter than fairy's thought, and sweeter than a baby's dream, but +more deadly than a pestilence. But I will answer you on this occasion +just as bluntly and baldly. + +"We do propose to hold you virtually a prisoner on German soil until +such time as our men of science have completed their labours. If they +succeed in solving the secret of your discovery, we shall be ready to +try conclusions with the United States, and shall deal with you +personally as may seem most advisable, dragging you by force from the +very Embassy itself, if you attempt to take refuge there. If, on the +other hand, our men of science fail, your position will be in no way +preferable. We will simply compel you to disclose your secret to us, +and, as I told you once before, we stop at nothing to gain our ends. +Your best plan, therefore, and I believe I am your sincere friend when +I tell you this, is to sell to my Government at once." + +A slightly amused smile flitted over Edestone's lips from time to time +as he listened; but when he spoke it was quite seriously. + +"I have no doubt," he said, "that everything you tell me is absolutely +true. Germany is undoubtedly thorough, whether her thoroughness take +the form of the destruction of Louvain, or of sewing two buttons where +only one is needed on the trousers of her soldiers. But I pity her for +not finding a larger way to gain her ends in the first place, and for +her conceit in thinking that a lot of little thoughts and extra +buttons when added together make a great nation. Germany may know +exactly how many gold and how many amalgam fillings there are in the +teeth of the German army, but she does not know that thousands of men +leave Germany and come to the United States simply because they do not +want their teeth counted. Germany may know what I have done and am +doing at my place on the Hudson, but she does not know that she has so +incensed me by her methods of obtaining this information that it were +better for her if she had never known, or you so boastful as to have +told me of it. + +"Yes," and he spoke almost with the fervour of an inspired prophet; +"Germany may know her alphabet of war from end to end, forward and +backward, but she does not know that she and it are doomed to +destruction, because she thinks that she can drive the intelligent +modern world with a spear, as her forefathers did the wild beasts of +the Black Forest." + +Von Hemelstein started and laid his hand indignantly to the hilt of +his sword. His instructions to bring Edestone safely to Berlin alone +prevented him from punishing then and there such insult to his country +and his Emperor. + +"My orders prevent me from killing you!" he said hoarsely, as he +straightened up and, drawing his heels together with a click, turned +and stalked away. + +He took a seat at the other side of the car, and as if utterly +oblivious that such a creature as Edestone existed, produced and +deliberately adjusted the two parts of a very long and handsome +cigarette holder, and with much straining of his very tight uniform +restored the case to the place provided by law for its concealment on +his glittering person. He then took out his cigarette case, and after +selecting a cigarette, he gently tapped it on the gold cover, glaring +all the time quite through and beyond the unspeakable American. With +more absurd contortions the cigarette case was disposed of, and +matches produced. Then, stretching out his beautiful patent-leather +boots, he finally lighted his cigarette. + +He took a deep inhalation, and blew from the very bottom of his lungs +a thin cloud of smoke in Edestone's direction, while with much +rattling he unfolded a newspaper, and pretended to read it. + +Edestone, who was with difficulty keeping a straight face, sat all +this time solemnly watching him with the expression of a schoolgirl +looking at her matinee idol at about the juncture in the last act when +that hero puts on his kingly robes which have been hidden for a +hundred years in the moth closet of his twenty-story apartment house +on upper Riverside Drive. + +When the Count finally peeped cautiously over the top of his paper to +see what effect he was producing, he felt almost tempted to applaud +and blow him a kiss. + +"Count von Hemelstein," he said lazily, when finally the Prussian had +put down his paper, and was sitting glaring in front of him, "I was +just thinking what a stunning book-cover you would make for a cheap +novel, or how many thousands of bottles of beer your picture would +sell in Hoboken. Hoboken, you know, is the headquarters of the +German-American standing army, and your second largest naval base. Or +you might serve as----" + +He halted in some anxiety, for it seemed as if the Count were about to +choke to death. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + + +They sat this way for some time, Edestone looking thoughtfully out of +the car window and rather disgusted with himself for having lessened +his dignity in the eyes of the other man. + +He was broad enough to be able to put himself in von Hemelstein's +place. He knew that by birth, education, and example the man's attitude +to him, in fact to the rest of the world, was that of a superior being +looking down upon those immeasurably beneath him. For him, a Prussian +nobleman, to be spoken to in this way by one of a lower sphere was bad +enough, but when that one was of the very lowest of spheres, an +American, it was acute pain. He looked upon Edestone as a low comedian +rather than as a gentleman in the hands of a chivalrous enemy, which +the officer considered himself to be. + +Edestone himself felt no resentment but the sort of pity that he would +feel for one who was born with an hereditary weakness that he could no +more control than the colour of his eyes. He was as sorry as he would +have been, had he been guilty of laughing at the irregularity of +another man's teeth which were not so perfect as his own. + +He got up and walked slowly over toward his travelling companion. The +handsome warrior quickly let his hand fall to his loaded automatic as +if he expected to be attacked, but when he saw Edestone standing +quietly before him, and with a rather sad smile on his face, he turned +back to his reading and refused to look up, even after Edestone had +begun to speak. + +"I am sorry, Count von Hemelstein," said the inventor, "to have +offended you, and I beg that you will accept my most humble apology. We +Americans, I fear, are too much inclined to let our sense of humour run +away with us." + +The soldier raised his eyes with a threatening look, not knowing but +that Edestone was still poking fun at him, or else, fearing the +consequences of his rashness, was trying to ingratiate himself with his +jailer. But after that glance at Edestone's face he felt confident that +his apology was sincere. The Prussian's pride was too deeply wounded, +however, for him to give in at once. + +"I am glad, Mr. Edestone," he replied stiffly, "that you realize that +it is not customary to speak lightly of Germany in the presence of one +of her officers." + +"I know," exclaimed Edestone, "it was extremely bad taste for me to +criticize a civilization so much older than my own, but you will," he +smiled, "forgive the cowboy I am sure when he tells you he is sorry." +Then seeing by the expression of the officer's face that he had won the +day: "Come now, Count von Hemelstein, let's be friends. I would not +have liked you had you not resented my remarks, and I was a cad to take +advantage of your absolutely defenceless position." + +The Count broke out into a hearty laugh, and jumping up took Edestone's +extended hand. + +"You Americans," he vowed, all traces of his ill-feeling gone, "are the +most remarkable chaps. I never saw a cowboy, but if they are anything +like you they must be descended from some branch of the Hohenzollern +family." + +"No, I cannot claim that distinction," laughed Edestone; "but I think +perhaps there are many cowboys who if they knew and knowing cared to +could boast of as distinguished a lineage. Did you ever breed dogs, +Count? Well, if you have, you would know that the good points of the +champion do not always appear in the oldest son of the oldest son, but +spring up where we least expect to find them. And so it is I think with +men; the good points are in the blood and will appear long after the +man has lost his family tree. Sometimes they appear in individuals who +show so strongly the traits of the champion that they scorn the +existence of musty documents to tell them who they are." + +"Then, Mr. Edestone, you do not believe in our method of keeping our +best blood where it belongs--at the top?" + +"Yes, I do most thoroughly approve of some of your methods. They are +perhaps the best that have yet been devised, but you have not yet found +the true method of following the centre of the stream. You sometimes +dip from an eddy, simply because you believe that at some time it might +have been in the middle, and you allow the deep dark red torrent to +carry its saturated solution by you." + +"Well, Mr. Edestone," the Count smiled, "whether you are descended from +a cowboy king or a business baron, you are deuced good company. I am +glad that if I am to be cooped up here for two days it is with you +instead of some conceited English duke, whose English grandfather was a +fool and whose American grandfather was a knave--oh, I beg pardon. I am +like poor little Alice in Wonderland when she was talking with the +mouse. I seem always to insist upon talking about cats." + +Edestone laughed. + +"And now, Mr. Edestone, that you have been such a brick and apologized +to me, I shall have to admit that I was rather rude in what I said to +you. I think that the German Government has every intention of treating +you fairly, and if you will only listen to reason, you will find that +they are as anxious to bring this war to a close as is the United +States. I know, however, that Germany intends to have her fair share of +the earth; we are righting for our national existence, and we will not, +and in fact we cannot afford to, stop at anything. If you really do not +intend to sell your invention to any of the countries of Europe, you +can at least use your influence with the United States to keep out of +this muss, and let us settle our little difficulties in our own way." + +Edestone became serious. "My sole object, Count von Hemelstein," he +said, "is to stop this war and settle these 'little difficulties,' as +you call them, without further loss of life. If your Government will +allow me to take back to England some assurance that it is now willing +to discuss a settlement, I know that my Government will keep out of the +discussion." + +The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stopping of the +train at a station where the Count said he expected to take on the +lunch baskets. With a comfortable lunch between them, and a bottle of +wine to divide, they soon forgot their differences and laughed and +joked like old friends. + +"It is a great pity, Mr. Edestone," said the Uhlan, "that you are not a +German. I am sure the Kaiser would like you. He might even make you a +Count, and then you could marry some woman of rank and with all your +money you could be one of the greatest swells in Europe. He might make +you an officer, too, so that you could wear a uniform and carry the +decorations which he would confer upon you. Then when Americans came +over to Kiel in their big yachts, you could tell the Emperor which were +the real cowboy families and which were the Knickerbocker noblemen." + +"Well, that is exactly what I was thinking about you, Count von +Hemelstein," Edestone chuckled. "If you would only come over to America +I would get you a nice position in one of our large department stores, +where your knowledge of German would be of the greatest assistance to +you and soon put you at the top. Your German-Jew boss would invite you +to his palace at Long Branch to dinner some night before a holiday and +you would meet his beautiful daughter. She would take you into the big +parlour, which would be open that night, and say to all her friends: 'I +want you to shake hands with Count von Hemelstein, who is head salesman +in Pa's M. & D. Department.' And she would be corrected by Ma, who +would say: 'No, dearie, you mean the M. & W. Department.' + +"With your military training you would, by this time, have undoubtedly +become a second lieutenant in one of our exclusive National Guard +regiments, and after marrying 'Dearie,' you would come over to Germany +and visit me at one of my castles on the Rhine. I would now have +gambled away my entire fortune, and my son, the Baron von Edestone, +would marry 'Dearie's' daughter." + +So they passed the time with good-humoured chaffing, carefully avoiding +more serious subjects, and when they reached Berlin they had become +fast friends. + +But as the train pulled into the German capital the Count leaned forward +a trifle persuasively. "Now, Mr. Edestone," he said, "we have had a +deuced good time together, and to tell the truth I am sorry to turn you +over because I do not believe these old fellows on the General Staff will +understand you as I do, but don't be an ass, I beg of you, and stand up +against these wise old chaps. Do what they want you to do--they know +better than you how to handle this complicated European situation. You +will get no thanks for your trouble if you do not, and you may get your +fingers rapped or even pretty severely pinched. My orders are to see you +to some comfortable hotel, any that you may select. I would suggest the +Hotel Adlon as perhaps the most comfortable. + +"After that I am to take you to call on General von Lichtenstein, who +will hear what you have to say, and if in his judgment you should go +higher he will pass you on." + +"I am to see nothing more of you?" asked Edestone. + +"My duty finishes when General von Lichtenstein takes you up. You will, +of course, be watched and your every movement will be recorded, but +that will not be my duty, nor here in Berlin will you be at all annoyed +by it. Now that you are in Germany, you will be looked upon as a friend +and treated accordingly, unless you are found not to be. I have given +you my card, and I will take great pleasure in introducing you at the +clubs or helping you in any way so long as it is consistent with my +duty." + +"You are extremely kind, and I appreciate it very much, Count von +Hemelstein." + +"Now above all things," warned the Count, and his tone was very +impressive, "if by any chance you should be ordered to appear before +His Imperial Majesty, please be careful what you say. You have said +things to me in the last two days which, understanding you as I do, I +could overlook, but I would no more think of repeating them while you +are in Germany than I would think of flying. They were not of a nature +that would make it my duty to report them, but they might get you into +no end of trouble. For instance, you would not be so foolish as to +intimate that the Hohenzollern family is not in the middle of the 'big +stream.'" He smiled in spite of himself. + +Then as the train rolled into the station he took Edestone's hand and +said: "_Auf wiedersehen_, my friend. I must now assume my other role of +your escort of honour. Speak German," he suggested quickly as the +guards came into the car; "you will be less apt to be annoyed." + +Edestone was conducted hastily through the station, where automobiles +waited to whisk him and his entire party off to the hotel. At his +request, the trunks containing all his apparatus were sent to the +American Embassy. He was not as familiar with Berlin as he was with the +other capitals of Europe, but if he had not known that Germany was +engaged in a most desperate war, and millions of her sons were being +sacrificed, there was nothing that he saw as he rushed through the city +that would have suggested it. + +He was received at the hotel with extreme politeness, but it was the +politeness that was insulting. The proprietor, waiters, and even the +bell-boys treated him with poorly concealed contempt, and though he +spoke to them in perfect German, would always answer in English, as if +to show him that they knew he was of that despised race. + +Count von Hemelstein left him with the understanding that he would call +for him in the morning and conduct him to General von Lichtenstein. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + + +That afternoon, Edestone took occasion to call at the American Embassy, +where he found that Ambassador Gerard, broken down by the strain of the +first few months of the war, during which he had accomplished such +wonderful work, had been forced to go to Wiesbaden for a rest. + +The Ambassador had left in charge Mr. William Jones, First Secretary of +Legation, who with his wife was occupying the Embassy and representing +the United States. The doctors had warned the Secretary that the +Ambassador's condition was such that he must have absolute quiet, and +that he should under no circumstances be troubled or even communicated +with in regard to affairs of state. Jones was, therefore, to all +intents and purposes the Ambassador. + +This suited Edestone's plans perfectly, for Jones was only a few years +older than himself and he had known him intimately since boyhood. + +His friend received him with almost the delight of a man who has been +marooned on a desert island and was pining for the sight of a friendly +face. + +"Well, well, Jack," he said, "what foolish thing is this that you are +up to now? We have received the most extraordinary instructions from +the State Department--I gather that the Secretary of State has either +lost his mind or that you have got him under a spell, and then with +your hypnotic power have suggested that he order us to do things which +we could not do in peace times and which are simply out of the question +now. Don't you people over home understand that these Germans, from the +Kaiser to the lowest peasant, are all in such an exalted state of +Anglophobia that they regard everyone with distrust, and are especially +suspicious of us. My advice to you, as Lawrence would say,"--referring +to one of his under-secretaries, a college mate and intimate friend of +Edestone's,--"is to 'can that high-brow stuff' and come down to earth." + +"Now, speaking for myself as your friend, I advise you to go and see +General von Lichtenstein, whom you will find a delightful old gentleman +but as wise as Solomon's aunt. Talk to him like a sweet little boy, and +then come back to the Legation and stop with us while you see something +of the war. I can take you to within one hundred and fifty miles of the +firing line and show you the crack regiments of Germany looking as +happy and sleek as if they were merely out for one of the yearly +manoeuvres. I would have difficulty, though, in showing you any of the +wounded, as they are very careful to see that we are not offended by +any of the horrors that one reads of in the American papers." + +"Berlin is being forced to fiddle, eh, while Germany is burning?" + +"Yes, she suggests the hysterical condition of Paris just before the +Reign of Terror, while I, like Benjamin Franklin, in 'undertaker's +clothes' in the midst of barbaric splendour, wait for the inevitable." + +"Is your face, like his, 'as well known as that of the moon'?" asked +Edestone. + +"Yes, but a thing to be insulted, not like his to be painted on the +lids of snuff-boxes, as souvenirs for kings. + +"Or if that does not amuse you, Mrs. Jones can introduce you to some of +the prettiest girls you ever saw." + +"Big, strong, fat, and healthy, I suppose, with red faces looking as if +they had just been washed with soap and water." + +"Well, then we might have some golf, and if you will give me half a +stroke, I will play you $5 a hole and $50 on the game. Or if that is +too rich for your blood, I will play you dollar Nassau. In fact, Jack, +I will do anything to get this foolish idea out of your head. These +people can't see a joke at any time, but to try one now might put you +into a very serious if not dangerous position. Now you go along and see +Lawrence, as I have to look after some American refugees who are +waiting in the outer office. You will dine with us tonight, of course." + +Lawrence Stuyvesant, to whom the Secretary had referred, appeared at +the door at that moment and beckoned to Edestone. He was one of those +irrepressible Americans, born with an absolute lack of respect for +anything that suggested convention, at home in any company and showing +absolutely no preference. He would be found joking with the stokers in +the engine room when he might be walking with the Admiral on the +quarter-deck, flirting with a deaf old Duchess when he might be supping +with the leader of the ballet. With a sense of humour that would have +made his fortune on the stage, he spoke half-a-dozen languages and a +dozen dialects. He could imitate the Kaiser or give a Yiddish dialect +to a Chinaman. Light-hearted to a fault, he would make a joke at +anyone's expense, preferably his own. An entertaining chap, but a +rolling stone that could roll up hill or skip lightly over the surface +of a placid lake with equal facility. He had already run through two +considerable fortunes, and had been almost everything from a camel +driver to a yacht's captain. Now he imagined himself to be a diplomat. + +"Behold the dreamer cometh," he said in Yiddish dialect as Edestone +approached, and grasping the inventor by both hands, dragged him into +the other room, and began to ask questions so fast that a Chicago +reporter, had he heard, would have died of sheer mortification. + +After he had gotten all the information that he could pump, pull, and +squeeze out of Edestone, he shook his head discouragingly. + +"I am darn glad to see you, old chap," he said, "but I am sorry to hear +that you have come over to try and reason with this bunch of nuts. +Don't you know they are so damn conceited that if you were to tell them +that every time you look at a German you see two men, they would +believe you; and then as if they hated to lie to themselves, they would +say perhaps it was an optical illusion. Tell them that God did not +create anyone but the Germans and that he left the rest of the world to +the students in his office, and they will give you a smile of assent." +Edestone smiled indulgently. "Tell them that when the Kaiser frowns +every wheel in the United States stops and refuses to move until +reassured by the German papers that it is but the frown of an indulgent +father and not the thunder of their future War Lord, and they will give +a knowing look. Tell them that only German is taught in our public +schools, and that any child who does not double-cross himself at the +mention of the name of any of the North German Lloyd steamers is taken +out and shot, and they will say, 'Ach so?' + +"But just you pull something about what a hit Brother Henry made in the +United States, especially with the navy, and what a swell chance he +would have of being elected Admiral when Dewey resigns, then look out! +Get under your umbrella and sit perfectly still until the storm passes. +Keep well down in the trenches and don't expose anything that you do +not want sent to the cleaners. For when one of these Dutchmen begins to +splutter, there is nothing short of the U-29 that can stand the tidal +wave of beer and sauerkraut which has been lying in wait for some +unsuspecting neutral in their flabby jowls like nuts in a squirrel's +cheek. They back-fire, skip, short-circuit, and finally blow up, and if +you don't throw on a bucket or two of flattery quick, you've got a duel +on your hands, which for an American in this country means that you get +it going and coming." + +Edestone, knowing Lawrence well, took what he said largely as a joke; +but from his own observations and from what Jones had told him he felt +convinced that there did not exist the kindest feeling for Americans in +Berlin. Brushing all this aside, he turned to Lawrence with a +businesslike air: + +"Where are the trunks that I sent to the Embassy?" he asked. "Have they +got here yet?" + +"Down in the basement," Lawrence nodded. + +"I'd like to get something out of them." + +"Well, why look at me?" inquired Lawrence. "I'm no baggage smasher." + +"It's a pity you're not," rejoined Edestone. "You would be better at +that than you are at diplomacy. However, all I want is for you to have +someone show me where they are." + +"Fred, show the King of America where his royal impedimenta await his +royal pleasure," Lawrence directed a young man with the manners of a +Bowery boy, who appeared in answer to his summons. + +With him Edestone went down to the trunks and took from one of them a +small receiving instrument with a dial attachment similar to the one on +top of the Deionizer, which he had dropped into the Channel. Then after +a few words with his other friends in the Embassy, he went back to the +hotel. + +The next morning Count von Hemelstein called, and it was quite like +meeting an old friend. Edestone was really sorry when, the Count +leaving him at the door of General Headquarters said: "This is where I +turn you over to my superiors. These are times that try men's souls, +and you are now dealing with men who must win." + +They had arrived on the stroke of the hour, and Edestone was quickly +taken in charge and shown without a moment's delay into the presence of +General von Lichtenstein. The General was a man whose age was +impossible to tell. He was over sixty, but how much over one found it +hard to estimate. He was erect and rather thin, and he wore his uniform +with the care of a much younger man. The lines about his mouth and +chin, which are such a sure index, were hidden by a full beard, white +as snow and rather long. His high forehead was half covered by a huge +shock of hair, also perfectly white, which was parted neatly on the +side. His steel-blue eyes, looking out through a pair of gold-rimmed +spectacles, were bright, but were set so far back under his heavy brows +that they looked very old, very wise, and almost mysterious. + +When Edestone was brought into the room without any form of +introduction, the General rose and greeted him in the most kind and +fatherly manner. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Edestone," he said in English with a marked accent. +"I am very glad to see you," and, putting out his hand with an air of +simple kindness as if to lead him to a chair, he said: "Won't you sit +down, sir? + +"You must not mind if I treat you like a boy," he went on with a gentle +smile; "you are about the age of my own son who was killed at Ypres. I +am too old to fight any more, so they keep me here to entertain +distinguished strangers like yourself," and he laughed quietly to +himself, looking at Edestone as he might at a little boy whom he had +just told that he had on a very pretty suit of clothes. + +He picked up from his desk, a box of very large cigars, selected two, +and, after looking very carefully at one to see that it was absolutely +perfect, handed it without a word to Edestone. After he had watched +with great interest to see that Edestone had lighted his cigar +properly, he lighted his own. + +"I see by the way you smoke that you are a good judge of tobacco. I +have always understood that you Americans like very fresh cigars and +smoke them immediately after they are made. I like them old myself." + +"You are thinking of Cuba, perhaps," suggested Edestone. + +"Oh, that is true," admitted the old gentleman. "The Americans live in +the United States and you do not allow the other inhabitants of the +hemisphere to the north or to the south of you to use that name. You +are perfectly right; you are--what do you call it?--the boss," and +again he smiled his gentle smile. + +"I get all my cigars from England," he continued. "The English and I +have very similar tastes--in cigars. I have a very old friend, +Professor Weibezhal, who lives in England, and he sends them over to +me. I just received these a few days ago. He is not having a very good +time over there now, he writes me. He can't get what he wants to eat, +and he says he misses his German beer." + +Edestone could scarcely realize that he was sitting in General +Headquarters, the very heart of German militarism, talking to General +von Lichtenstein, the most powerful and astute man in all Europe. But +for the German accent and magnificent uniform it might have been in the +Union Club in New York, and he himself talking to a very nice, rather +simple-minded old gentleman, who was flattered by the attention of a +younger man. + +After the General had inquired about a friend of his who lived in +America--he said he did not know exactly where, not in New York, but +some town near there, Cincinnati or perhaps St. Louis. This struck +Edestone as strange when he thought of the springs on his father's old +place which were marked on a German map that he had seen, although he +himself did not know of their existence, and he had spent his entire +childhood roaming all over it. + +Finally, when he had told him one or two stories about an American +woman whom he had been quite fond of when he was a young man, the +General said in a most apologetic manner: + +"Now I must not keep you. I suppose you would like to go out with some +of the younger officers and see something of this war, now that you are +over here. Or, by the way, it was about some discovery or invention you +have made that you called to see me, was it not? What is this +invention, tell me, and exactly what is it that you want the German +Government to do? If you will explain to me and I can understand, I +will be glad to help you in any way I can. Of course you know that I am +a very small part of the German Empire. I am, however, in a position to +bring your wishes to those who are above me and are all-powerful." + +Then, while Edestone explained to him everything in regard to his +mission except the actual construction of the Deionizer, the old +General sat quietly smoking, smiling occasionally and listening with +the attention that a man might show who was being told of an +improvement in some machine in which he had no personal interest but +was glad to be enlightened, although up to that time the matter had +been something he had never thought much about. + +He would now and then say, "How very interesting!" "Can that be +possible?" "Is that so?" Not even when Edestone described the pictures +shown to the King of England did he manifest any feeling except that of +kindly interest in a most charming young man, who was taking a great +deal of trouble to explain his youthful hopes to a rather slow-thinking +old one. + +He allowed Edestone to talk on, not even interrupting him, to ask a +single question, and when the visitor had finished by expressing the +hope that he might be instrumental in bringing the war to a close, +General von Lichtenstein replied with apparent sincerity: + +"I really see no reason why you should not. You are a brilliant +inventor, apparently a hard worker, and above all you seem willing to +give your talents to the world for the benefit of your fellow-men. The +only thing that you lack is age and experience. I am not an inventor, I +cannot work hard any more, and I am not known as a philanthropist, but +I have age and I have experience, so I think that you and I might make +a good combination. Leave this to me, and I think I can show you how +all that you wish to accomplish can be accomplished, if not exactly in +your way, in a way which I think you will agree with me is a better +way. Whereas I should not dare to speak for His Imperial Majesty, the +Kaiser, I believe I am perfectly safe in saying that he will see you +and inspect your photographs, drawings, and anything else that you may +wish to show him. I will see him and let you know when and where." + +He laid his hand on Edestone's shoulder and walked with him as far as +the door. + +"You are a fine young fellow," he said with a hearty grasp of the hand +as he bade him goodbye, "and all you want is an old head on your broad +young shoulders. Let the old man help you, and everything will be all +right." + +When Edestone was on the outside and thought over all that the General +had said, he would have been delighted with the turn things had taken +had he not been warned by Jones and did he not recall what Count von +Hemelstein had said. + +Being so straightforward himself, he could not understand deceit in +others, and when he recalled the almost inspired expression on the kind +old gentleman's face when he spoke of his son so recently killed in +battle, he could not bring himself to believe that this was the trained +diplomat of iron who covered with that gentle exterior a determination +to crush and kill anything that came between him and the accomplishment +of the great purpose, the great cause to which he had gladly sacrificed +his first-born and the heir to his name and title. + +It was nearly noon, Greenwich time, now, so Edestone hurried back to +his hotel to receive from "Specs" the daily signal: "Awaiting orders. +All is well." + +With the forethought of a good general he wished to be prepared for any +emergency, and when the needle of the receiver, which he had taken from +the trunk at the Embassy, recorded the reassuring message, Edestone +thoroughly satisfied with the work of the morning returned to the +Embassy to keep his appointment with Lawrence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + + +Lawrence was on the lookout for him when he arrived at the Embassy, and +conducted him at once to his own private quarters, where they could be +absolutely alone. + +"Now, Lawrence," said Edestone, when they had made themselves +comfortable, "I want your assistance. Are you game?" + +"Well I ask you, you old simp! Did you not initiate me, in my freshman +year, in the Ki Ki Ki, and do you think that I have forgotten the oath +that I took while sitting with my naked back within a foot of a red-hot +stove, my fingers in a bucket of red ink, and you branding me with a +lump of ice?" He went through with some ridiculous gesticulations to +prove the honours that had been bestowed upon him. + +"I know, old man, but this is no college boy performance. Before you +commit yourself I want you to understand that you are running great +danger. Besides, I don't think that the Acting Ambassador would exactly +approve, as it might involve the United States. Desperate situations, +though, have to be met sometimes with desperate measures." + +"Yours is a noble heart, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and the child is +safe in the hands of Jack Hathaway, the Boy Scout. Go on, I listen. +Your story interests me strangely," said Lawrence. + +Edestone paid no attention to this, but went on in the same manner: "I +can assure you that, except as a last resort, you will not be called on +to do anything that will be an actual violation of our neutrality, and +not even then until I have obtained the permission of the Secretary of +the Embassy. But from now on, Lawrence, you will be looked upon with +great suspicion, and you may have trouble explaining yourself out of a +German prison, if not from in front of a firing squad." He eyed the +younger man keenly as if questioning whether or not he could rely upon +him, and upon seeing this, Lawrence altered his light tone and for once +spoke soberly. + +"Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, +while I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the +level, so what's the use of saying anything more. I'm with you. What is +it you want?" + +"Well, take me up on the roof," said Edestone. + +"Say, Bo, is that all?" + +"Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run +for your money, so for Heaven's sake do be serious." + +The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, +and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the +elevator shaft, was unencumbered. + +Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care. +He found as he expected a small free space over the machinery which was +entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of +the car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by +climbing over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly +dark inside and one could remain there for days without being +discovered. + +After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined +the tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were +waving from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the +edge of the roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at +the city below. He seemed to be establishing his bearings, but seeing +one of the soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Embassy, +he stepped back quickly. + +"Come below," he drew Lawrence back. "We must not be seen." + +Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be +some real excitement, led the way back to his apartments. + +"Little did I think," said Edestone with a smile when they were once +more settled, "when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on +board the _Storm Queen_, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of +the information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument +and one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am +calling on you now." + +"Good," cried Lawrence. "I am the best little sparker that ever sent an +S. O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on +my back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as +for a catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of +toast." + +"All right," said Edestone with a laugh; "as your references from your +last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my +trunks, did you not?" + +"Yes," replied Lawrence. + +"Well, in the one marked 'Black,' there is a small wireless instrument. +The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get +through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do +not know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be +both of but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they +are welcome. Still, on Jones's account, I want them not to know that I +am sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this +instrument is in the Embassy. I want you to install it in the penthouse +above the drum, and I will assure you that if I ask you to send out my +two messages, it will not be until after Jones has given his consent. +Do you think that you can do this?" + +Lawrence pondered for some moments. "Of course I can send the messages, +and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting +the Secretary know or keeping the damn German servants from catching on +I don't quite see." + +"I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any +person can run it by pushing the button. All you have to do then is to +unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have +adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of +the elevator car?" + +"Yes," Lawrence nodded. + +"Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians +in America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you +how. In the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine----" + +"Oh, I say, come now!" said Lawrence. "I suppose you are going to tell +me next that you've got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are +going to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that's no merry +jest; we haven't seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months." + +"No, Lawrence, I'm not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a +moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, +and I propose to give a show right here in the Embassy. I will ask the +Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I +can keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get +Black, who will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run +him up to the top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the +rest, and all you will have to do after that is to see that he gets +down before I turn up the lights, when your absence might be remarked. +Isn't that simple enough?" + +"But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time +comes?" asked Lawrence. + +"I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages +at all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps +it's just as well that you can't get up there without my assistance." + +Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his +strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful +machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said: + +"You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go 'round, +or else you'd be sending messages off to a lot of girls. + +"Now, make haste," he directed, "send for the trunk marked 'Black.'" + +With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and +Edestone having tested Lawrence's knowledge, and explained to him again +exactly what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for +him to know about the code that was to be used. + +A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Ambassador, he +wanted to know what they had been up to. "Has Lawrence been giving you +the telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides," he +asked, "or does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You +know, Jack, Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart +army set. It appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the +military governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he +is teaching the entire royal family the latest American dances." + +"Well, if you care to know what we have been up to," said Edestone, +"I don't mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little +moving-picture entertainment here at the Embassy. Have we your +permission to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for +the people here in the house." + +"Certainly," consented Jones. "Go as far as you like. I myself will be +glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name +of common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way +over from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I +suppose, of course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, +as long as it doesn't get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds +off this war, I haven't any objection. When do you propose to have your +show?" + +"I can't exactly say as to that," Edestone answered. "It all depends +upon Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date." +He looked at the other conspirator with a questioning glance. + +"We'll have it tonight then," said Lawrence. "I think I can get up my +part by that time." He made significant faces at Edestone behind the +Secretary's back. + +"Tonight's the night, eh?" said Jones with a smile. "Very well, we'll +all be on hand." + +Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days' +journey shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings +with his old friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some +of Mrs. Jones's young friends, who were delighted when they heard of +the moving-picture show. + +Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, +Lawrence having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture +machine, Jones turned to his guest. + +"I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon," he said. +"He seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young +man, and will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes +to present you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will +be in a few days. When I told him that you had not told me what your +invention was he merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems +to think that the United States has something to do with sending you +over here. He is a sly old fox and I tell you to look out for him." + +He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating +a barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the +performance. + +The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some +scenes from America which he had brought over to amuse the +distinguished audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures +showing him tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the +servants, but the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not +hesitate to say that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, +travelling all around the world with such silly things. + +But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to +him that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the +penthouse, and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour +longer the work would be finished. + +Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, +taking tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some +especially fine pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little +nervous though as he found his supply of films running short, but at +that moment he spied Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal +"All is well." + +The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him +something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head. + +"I am purposely keeping you out of this, William," he said, "for if I +get into trouble I don't want to drag you and the Missus in with me." + +Then with the promise that he would move around to the Embassy in the +morning, he left for his hotel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +KAFFEE KLATSCH + + +Edestone had now been at the Embassy for about a week and was wondering +what would be the next move on the part of the German General Staff. + +He knew that General von Lichtenstein was not waiting for the return of +the Emperor, for he was in Berlin. In fact he had seen him driving past +the Embassy in his big automobile with the General. Edestone was just +coming out, and although he was not certain, he thought that the +General had recognized him, for he leaned over and spoke to the +Emperor, who looked straight at the American. + +He had heard nothing, but from what the different officers at the clubs +had dropped, he was confident that he had not been forgotten. These had +all received him with great show of cordiality, and among Count von +Hemelstein's friends there had sprung up a certain friendliness, which +he knew was due to the Count's influence. The Count himself, on the +other hand, seemed now to be a little bit ill at ease when in his +presence. He said to Edestone one night after he had been drinking +quite heavily: + +"Mr. Edestone, it is a great pity that you have come over here and +mixed up in our troubles. It is too late now, however; you could not +get out if you tried," and then with a sneer, "not even if you called +to your assistance Princess Wilhelmina, who seems to take so much +interest in you." + +Edestone decided that the German General Staff were preparing their +answer to the new condition that had been brought about by his +invention, and that they were waiting for additional information before +delivering it. He knew that they must realize that some action must be +taken, but with the forethought for which they were so celebrated they +were preparing the way. When they had satisfied themselves that they +were in possession of all of the facts that could be gotten without his +assistance, and had looked at these from every possible standpoint, he +would be sent for, and not until then. + +Several days after his sight of the Emperor, Edestone, in passing +through the halls of the Embassy, was approached by one of the German +servants, who in a rather mysterious manner handed him a note, which +read as follows: + + "Dear Mr. Edestone: Please have Mr. Stuyvesant bring you to tea + on Tuesday afternoon. It is a matter of the greatest importance. + I must see you. + + "PRINCESS WILHELMINA." + +He knew that Princess Wilhelmina was in Berlin. Lawrence had seen her +at the house of Princess Adolph, and in his joking way had said that +she had inquired very particularly after the American inventor, and +that Count von Hemelstein, who thought he was the "candy kid," was very +jealous. + +But why had she sent for him? he thought. When he spoke to +Lawrence, he in his usual jocular manner exclaimed: "Ah, so now you are +to have Kaffee Klatsch with the Princess. I told you so. The lady is in +love with you, and the Emperor is going to offer you her hand in +marriage after he has bestowed on you an Iron Cross in return for one +of your quack medicines." + +Edestone, who declined to take any notice of this, thoughtfully said: +"Can it be possible that she also is a traitor? She cannot imagine for +one moment that she will be able to accomplish what her father was +unable to do, but God gives women confidence in themselves to +compensate them for the fact that nobody else has." With an impatient +gesture, "No, no, Lawrence, that is impossible! That sweet little +child!" + +"Ah!" said Lawrence, "so little Willie Westinghouse has fallen for the +baby stare?" + +"You are absurd, Lawrence," said Edestone with a rather embarrassed +expression. "It is perfectly clear. She feels deeply her father's +disgrace, and perhaps she thinks that I might do something to help her +to exonerate him." + +"Well," said Lawrence, "I don't think there is any satisfaction in +being a hero in Berlin while being locked up in the Tower in London +like her father, but you are the limit. You talk as quietly of using +your influence for a Prince of the Royal Blood with the King of England +as if she were asking you to get her brother a position on the New York +police force. God certainly gave you confidence in yourself." + +"There is nothing very strange about that," replied Edestone. "As I +understand it, the only thing that they have against the Duke of +Windthorst is that he was dining with Rebener and myself, and were I to +state that at no time during the dinner had he shown any disloyalty to +his King and country, it might do a little good. But whatever it is, we +will go and see this afternoon." + +About half-past five they were driven to the handsome residence +occupied by Princess Adolph when in Berlin. + +They were immediately shown into a large and beautiful room in the +style of Louis XVI., which had evidently been designed and executed by +a French artist. It was free from the brutal touch which the Germans +show in their attempt at the refinement of the French Renaissance of +that period. + +They were received by Princess Adolph, a very striking young woman, who +shocked all of Berlin by affecting French clothes, French language, and +a French mode of life. She was surrounded by some of the dashing young +officers of the very exclusive army set. These glared through their +monocles when the Americans were announced and did not try to hide +their annoyance. + +Lawrence, without taking the slightest notice of these "Knights of the +Butchered Face," as he called them, with his usual careless and +frivolous manner, went over to the Princess and immediately began to +shower upon her in the most effusive manner compliment after +compliment, which she received with laughter. She rather prided herself +on shocking Berlin by pretending to be tremendously interested in this +wild young American. + +The Princess turned to Edestone and extended her hand. He had +hesitated; he resented the manner of her young gallants, and feared +that they might, with their usual rudeness to Americans in the presence +of women, put him into an embarrassing position. Smiling she said: + +"I welcome you, Mr. Edestone, as the greatest lion of them all in this +den of lions," and with a reproving frown she waved her hand at the +officers who were so poorly hiding their annoyance. + +She then turned to Princess Wilhelmina, who was seated behind a large +table and was pouring out a cup of coffee, which she continued to do +when she saw Edestone until it was called to her attention that the cup +was full as well as the saucer. + +"Billy," she nodded, "you and Mr. Edestone are old friends. Give him a +cup of tea; I know he does not like _Kaffee und Schlagsahne_." + +The little Princess, who was very much embarrassed, extended her hand, +which Edestone took and seated himself beside her. + +This scene might have been enacted in an English country house if it +had not been so entirely different. The Germans, in their effort to +affect certain charming English customs and Germanize them, in the +process lose the charm. Tea time for the Englishman is the hour of +relaxation after a day in the open, when he can in his easy clothes +receive the homage of the ladies in their beautiful tea-gowns. Whereas +here, these men in their tight-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms, were +attitudinizing and indulging in that military form of gallantry, which +may be picturesque but certainly looks most uncomfortable. + +The entrance of the Americans had thrown a chill upon the entire +company. The officers simply refused to open their mouths, and sat +glaring at the two intruders. + +Edestone, after having made several attempts to relieve the situation, +relapsed into silence. The feeble efforts of the Princess Wilhelmina +but added to the atmosphere of restraint which she was unable to +dispel. + +Princess Adolph up to this time had been entirely monopolized by +Lawrence, but catching an appealing look from her English cousin, came +to the rescue at last. She was apparently in the secret, and in a most +natural manner called upon Princess Wilhelmina to show Mr. Edestone her +new French garden, which she said had been laid out by a young American +studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. + +Princess Billy, who by this time was in such a state of excitement that +she could scarcely get up from where she was sitting, and as if to +postpone as long as possible the meeting which she had brought upon +herself, managed to say: + +"I don't think that Mr. Edestone is interested in such simple things as +flowers," but catching the glance that was thrown at her by Princess +Adolph she continued with a nervous little laugh: "Come, Mr. Edestone, +I hope I shall be able to explain everything to you properly." + +When the timid little figure led the way and was followed by that of +the big man with his dignified bearing, one might almost imagine that +it was an indulgent father taking his very frightened little daughter +out to give her a lecture. + +When they were on the outside and alone, as she stopped and grasped the +balcony to support herself she said, looking up into his face with eyes +in which tears were gathering: + +"Oh, Mr. Edestone, I don't know what to say! I don't know what you will +think of me. I know you hate all of us and especially me." + +"Oh, don't say that, Princess!" interrupted Edestone, moved to pity for +the poor little child who seemed to him, as he looked down into her +sweet little face, almost young enough to have been his own daughter. + +"Oh yes you do; I know you do! But I am not what you think I am," and +in a very hurried manner, looking about her, she continued, lowering +her voice: "I am no traitor to my country, and I know that what my +father did he did because he believed it was his duty." + +"Oh, Princess Wilhelmina!" said Edestone, as if to stop her on this +most disagreeable subject. + +"Please do not call me Princess in that sarcastic manner. I hate being +a Princess! I know you hate all of our class, and believe that we are +all as heartless as we are sometimes forced to appear. But it is not of +that that I wish to speak. My sole object in sending for you is to tell +you that I know you are in great danger, and to beg--I mean advise--you +to leave Berlin at once. I know that you believe I am working for them, +and in fact I could not have arranged this interview unless I had left +them under the impression that I was, but I don't care. Please go +before it is too late." + +Edestone, who at first thought that she might have been playing a part, +was now convinced of her sincerity. "My dear little Princess Billy," he +said, leaning over and with great effort resisting his inclination to +take her hand, "is that why you sent for me?" + +"Yes," she blushed and smiled when he used the familiar form of +address, "I have heard that you were going to be killed, and I was +determined to warn you, so I pretended to be working for them. Now +please go before it is too late." + +"But, Princess, why did you take all of this risk for me?" + +"Oh, I don't know; but I must show you the garden. I hope that you +won't think I am very forward." + +She then hurriedly passed into the garden and gave him in a very rapid +and disconnected manner a description of the different plants, +fountains, statues, etc. She hurried back into the drawing-room, but +just before reaching the other group, she said in an undertone: + +"Now, won't you promise me that you will leave Berlin at once?" + +Before he had time to answer they were joined by Princess Adolph. + +The Americans remained for a few moments and then took their leave. The +little Princess, as she put her icy cold hand in his, gave him an +appealing look. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + + +The Secretary came in with a very grave face one morning after having +had a long talk with the German Chancellor. + +"Do you know, Jack," he said, "I think the German Government intends +to declare war on us, and I would not be a bit surprised if she +proposes to strike first and declare afterwards. Their newspapers, +and they are all inspired by the Government, you know, are working +up a strong anti-American feeling, and this I think is done in order +that when they do strike the Government may have the entire country +back of it. Have you noticed, too, that they are constantly increasing +the guard around the Embassy, which is either to save us or to catch +us? Is it possible that your nonsense has got anything to do with all +this? By Jove, Jack, I think it is about time that you told me what +you are up to." + +Edestone considered for a moment. "When you tell me that you are +absolutely certain that they are going to strike, I will tell you, +William, and not before. You know enough now, however, to realize that +those soldiers outside are to catch and not protect. It is me that they +want, though, and not you. Your position is perfectly safe and +unassailable so long as you do not know too much." + +That ended the discussion for the time, but Lawrence came in one night +in a state of great excitement. He had just seen some woman who, he +rather intimated, was a little bit fond of him, and who was also very +closely connected with certain high officials. She had told him, he +said, apparently joking although he knew she was in earnest, that she +hoped her pretty boy would not mix up with this man Edestone, or he +might get into trouble too. + +"'They are only allowing us to stay in Berlin,' she said, 'until they +get you, Jack,'" declared Lawrence, "and then we will have to go, the +whole lot of us." + +In the meantime things were going from bad to worse. The Secretary was +getting more and more anxious. Reports of all kinds kept coming in from +all sides. Americans were being insulted in the street. The officers at +the clubs were a little more arrogant in their studied politeness +toward Edestone and his associates, the younger officers even taunting +Lawrence with having to leave his girl in Berlin and go back to +cow-punching. + +Finally one of the papers reported that the entire American fleet was +collecting at Hampton Roads, that all the German boats in New York had +been dismantled by force, and broadly suggested that the Yankees were +about to strike first and apologize afterward. + +However, there came a slight rift in the clouds. Coming back one +morning after a conference with the Chancellor, Jones was all smiles. + +"Well, we are all right for a little while at least," he announced. +"The Chancellor has just informed me that the Emperor has decided to +see you, Edestone, and he wishes to inspect here, at the Embassy, +anything that you may like to show him. The Chancellor intimated that +it would depend entirely upon your attitude on this occasion whether or +not your mission to Europe was a failure or a brilliant success." + +"And when is he coming?" asked Edestone quickly. + +Jones grinned. "With his usual impetuosity, he has selected tonight, +and will pay the Embassy a formal call at nine o'clock, after the +celebration at the Palace in honour of the birthday of one of the Royal +princes." + +Edestone was delighted with the prospect of some action at last, but he +had long since lost all hope of an amicable settlement. They had waited +too long. He felt that they were preparing to strike, and should they +do so it made him sick to think of the awful consequences. He was +almost tempted to tell Jones of the wireless instrument in the +penthouse and his daily communications with "Specs," but he remembered +that he had no right to involve him as a representative of the United +States, and that, as the matter stood, he and Lawrence were the only +culprits. + +He did not care to destroy the roseate hopes of the Secretary after his +conference with the Chancellor, and contented himself with saying: +"William, I hope that you are right, but I have an impression that we +are in for it. I am prepared to meet any game that they may play, but I +do sincerely hope that I shall not be forced to it." + +By seven o'clock that evening the streets for blocks around the Embassy +were filled with soldiers, and Edestone smiled when looking from the +window he noticed that the Germans were bringing up anti-aircraft guns. + +"They are taking no chances," he thought to himself, his curiosity +aroused as he noticed several large mortars being brought up and +so placed that each battery of four could throw their shells in +parallel lines over the Embassy to the north, south, east, and west. +This struck him as very strange, but he became even more interested +when he perceived that besides the ordinary ammunition wagon each gun +was provided with a trailer that looked like a big wheel or drum on a +two-wheeled carriage, although it was so carefully covered over that +he could not make out exactly what it was. + +"I have got to find out what those things are," said Edestone to +himself, and taking his hat and cane, he left the Embassy as if for a +short stroll before dinner. + +The soldiers took no notice of him as he sauntered along, and allowed him +to inspect everything at his will until he approached the strange-looking +mortars. Then he was stopped by a young officer, who told him in a very +polite but firm tone that he would have to pass on and could not go by +that way, at the same time showing him where he could walk around the +block. + +"I would give a good deal to know what those things are," muttered +Edestone to himself. "In fact, I must know before the night is over." + +He went back into the house, after strolling about for a quarter of an +hour, and for the first time since he had left the Little Place in the +Country, he became really anxious. + +"These are wonderful people. They evidently are satisfied now that they +have the answer, and who knows but they may have. All may yet be lost." + +He sat down and drove his brain as he had never driven it before. He +wondered if he could get the Secretary to demand what all this +preparation meant, and what these new death-dealing instruments might +be that were threatening the Embassy of the United States; but that was +useless, he knew. They would reply that it was to protect the Emperor, +or would simply refuse to answer, or answering would lie. + +After waiting until it was time to dress for dinner, in a fit of +desperation he sent for Lawrence. + +"Lawrence," he said, "have you seen those mortars out there?" + +"Yes," replied Lawrence, "I did. They take no chances with the 'Big +Noise.'" + +"Don't joke, Lawrence. This is serious; very serious. Did you notice +those two-wheeled wagons that are so carefully covered with canvas just +behind each of the mortars?" + +"No, to tell you the truth, I did not. They have so many travelling +soup wagons and ice plants that I don't pay any attention to those +things any more." + +"Well, Lawrence, I've got to know what they are tonight in order that I +may be prepared; otherwise we may find ourselves in a very serious +situation, and what is much more important, my whole life's work may be +absolutely lost." + +"Now, since you put it that way," said Lawrence with a broad grin, "I +will step out and in my most polite Deutsch inquire." + +"They will not let you get within a block of them. Do you think it will +be possible to persuade one of the German servants to find out from the +soldiers? I would pay any price." + +"Well, I will dress myself like the cook and go out and flirt with one +of the soldiers for $2. I'm a little badly off for money myself just +about this time." + +"Lawrence, you must stop joking. I tell you, something must be done." + +"Leave me think, leave me think," said the irrepressible. +"_Donnerwetter_, I have it! What time does the Hohenzollern Glee Club +arrive?" + +"At nine o'clock." + +"And you come on immediately after the 'First Part,' succeeding which I +suppose Lohengrin will sing his Duck Ditty, while the Boy Scout, +dressed as Uncle Tom's Cabin, after biting the triggers off all the +guns, and pulling his wig well down over his eyes"--imitating the +action--"will sally forth into the limpid limelights, and after he has +been shot once in the face by a 16-inch howitzer and has been played +upon in the rear by a battery of machine guns, he will limp on with the +regular limp of the old Virginia servant and die at your feet, but not +until I have whispered their secret into the heel of your boot." + +Edestone had known Lawrence long enough to understand that all of this +nonsense meant that his really bright mind was working, and that he had +some definite plan in view. The best way to handle him, he had found +out, was to let his exuberance of spirit have free swing, so he replied +in the same melodramatic manner: "Good, my faithful District Messenger +Boy. Now in what way can I assist you in your wonderful scheme?" + +"Leave all to me, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and before the clock on +yon 'back drop' strikes eight bells, you will know what is hidden +beneath these veils of mystery." + +"I can depend upon you," Edestone eyed him searchingly, "and no +mistake?" + +"On the life of me mother who lies dead beneath the sacred soil of dear +old Idaho!" With a wave of an imaginary sword, and jumping astride an +imaginary stick horse, he saluted and galloped from the room, singing +"It's a Long Way to Tipperary." + +"I wonder what that dare-devil is up to," thought Edestone. +Nevertheless he believed that Lawrence would accomplish his purpose. + +Presently his attention was attracted by the beams of a searchlight +crossing the window, and looking out he saw those great white arms +stretching up from every part of the city. + +"They expect me to show my teeth tonight," he said. + +The distant tapping of drums showed that troops were moving in all +parts of Berlin, and they were beginning to form in the streets below. +It was easy to see by which route the Emperor was coming, or at least +by which route he wished the people to think he was going to arrive. + +Edestone dressed hurriedly, although James seemed to think that +something extra should be done. + +"Beg pardon, sir," he pleaded in an accent which would have meant +imprisonment for him if heard on the streets outside, "but these here +barbarians likes a bit of colour, sir. I understands as how the Emperor +calls the Ambassador the 'undertaker,' sir, and it's all on account, +sir, of his not a-having any lace on his coat, sir. Don't you think you +might wear some of your Colonial Society medals and decorations, sir?" +and he tried hard to hide his contempt for these American signs of +alleged aristocracy. "There is some as is bright in colour, sir, and he +wouldn't know, sir, but as how you is a duke in America, sir." + +"None of that nonsense, James, unless," he said with a quizzical look, +"you give me the copy of the Golden Fleece, which shows that I am a +member in good standing of the South Chicago Aero Club." + +"Not that one, sir," protested James, "if you will pardon me, sir, I +think it is a bit large, sir, for the waistcoat opening, sir. I think, +sir, that the Order of the Cincinnati is very neat, sir. It is very +much like one of the Greek Orders, I don't recall which, sir, but Lord +Knott wore it once, I recall, sir, when the King of Greece was in +London, sir." + +"No, James," Edestone shook his head. "My father was a blacksmith, and +I would not like to deceive the Emperor." + +"How you do like your little joke, sir," said James, putting his hand +to his mouth. "Won't you just use that button, sir, instead of a +buttonhole? It ain't so frivolous like, sir, begging your pardon, sir." + +"Oh well, yes; just to keep you quiet." + +"Thank you, sir." + +And Edestone left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DER KAISER + + +Downstairs, the household was in a state of suppressed excitement. The +German men servants, without the usual protection of a brilliant +uniform, looked as if they would like to drop everything and hide +themselves in the coal cellar. The maids were almost on the verge of +tears. Mrs. Jones, with all the jewelry on that she possessed, was +moving about with a flushed face seeing that everything was in order. + +"For Heaven's sake, hurry up, Jack," she said. "We must have a short +dinner and be ready when the Emperor arrives. As for myself, I never +can touch anything for hours before I meet him. He scares me almost out +of my wits." + +Her husband was walking up and down with the expression of a man who is +the speaker of the evening, watching the waiters serving coffee and +passing cigars. The only persons who seemed perfectly at their ease +were Lawrence and his Bowery boy valet, Fred, who were holding a very +serious conversation in the corner of the hall. + +Dinner, it must be confessed, was very like the gathering of the +distant relatives the night before the funeral of the rich old maid of +the family. Lawrence's jokes were either not heard or were received +with sad-eyed contortions of the face that were less like a smile than +the premonition of a sneeze. The strain was so great that as they were +having their coffee a sudden clatter in the street came as an immense +relief. + +The air was instantly filled with the subdued noise of the different +members of the household taking their various places. The Acting +Ambassador and Mrs. Jones went out of the dining-room and took a +position near the door of the large reception room, leaving Edestone +and Lawrence alone. They had previously explained to Edestone what he +must do when they notified him that it was time for him to come in and +be presented. + +"Lawrence," he said when the servants had all gone, "won't you tell me +what you have decided on? I am rather curious to know your plan." + +Lawrence, who had grown quite serious for him, came around from his +place and lighting a cigarette sat down close to him. + +"You know Prince Fritz Funk?" he leaned over to whisper. + +"Of course," said Edestone. + +"Well," continued Lawrence, "I'm supposed to look something like him. I +am just his height. He has, as you know, certain striking mannerisms, +which when he is drinking are accentuated. I have all last year been +amusing the officers at the clubs by giving imitations of him, and they +do say I am better than he is himself. + +"Now all the soldiers stationed in and about Berlin know Fritzie's +peculiarities, so I propose to impersonate him tonight while he is in +here drinking the Ambassador's champagne. My man is to get his helmet, +'_avec le grand panache_,' and his long gray-blue military cape, and +with my riding boots and spurs and a sword, I shall be able to fool +those boobs out there; that is, if they don't throw on me one of those +damned spot lights. If they do, G-o-o-d-n-i-g-h-t! Then I can only say +that I am doing it on a bet. But I hardly think that would save me in +these times. The least I could expect would be a term in prison for +insulting the uniform. I will go down in history as 'Little Boy Blue up +in the air.'" + +"It's a big risk you're taking," frowned Edestone, "and were there any +other way I would not allow you to do this. But if you do succeed, you +will go down in history in a way you could never dream. Lawrence, if +you get back safely with this information, I will make you a present of +$1,000,000." + +Lawrence looked at his friend as if he thought that he had lost his +mind, but when he saw the look of determination on Edestone's strong +face, which seemed to have aged within the hour, and when he felt the +grip of his powerful hand, he knew that he meant every word he said. + +"By God, old man," he said with a little break in his voice, "you +should be the Emperor instead of his nibs out there." + +"I may be yet," said Edestone smiling, and a look came on his face that +Lawrence had never seen there before. + +The servants were moving quietly about the room, but it was plain to +see that they felt the presence of the Lord's Anointed. Through the +house could be heard the clatter of many swords and the tramping of +booted heels along the marble hall. It sent a thrill through Edestone +that he would have had difficulty to explain. It was like the echo of +some far distant past seeming to recall to life a sleeping spirit, +which with great exultation was throwing off the fetters of its long +slumbers. He seemed to be impelled by an almost irresistible force to +rush into their midst and take his rightful position at their head. + +He was recalled to himself by the sudden silence that had fallen on the +entire house, as though some great army had been halted and was +standing at rigid attention. Then he heard the silvery tinkle and +metallic clink of sabre and spurs as of a single figure striding with +military precision over the softest of carpets, and he could picture +that majestic form advancing well in front of his glittering escort as +they stood in breathless silence while he made his dramatic entrance. + +Then the silence was broken by a voice which said slowly and +distinctly: "His Imperial Majesty." An almost simultaneous click +followed as if all had come to a salute and were waiting for the sign +to relax and from automatons become human beings again. + +Edestone was all alone in the dining-room. + +The servants had left the room after removing the table decorations, +covering it with a dark cloth and setting a large bowl of flowers in +the centre; and Lawrence had gone out quietly on hearing the noise in +the hall. + +And so he sat, this young man in a strange land, thousands of miles +away from his home, waiting to be called to a death struggle, without +help from anyone, with the most powerful, arrogant, and relentless man +on the face of the earth, an adversary surrounded by the most perfect +fighting machine yet devised by man, with all the confidence, that +tradition, success, and a brilliant mind could give. An Emperor with +the sublime dignity of his position which he sincerely believed he held +by Divine Right, and who had always lived surrounded by an atmosphere +of absolute submission to his will. + +Yet Edestone was not afraid. He was not even nervous. He was merely +anxious to be up and doing. This show of force, those mysterious +two-wheeled wagons, had roused his fighting blood. So assured was +he of his own sincerity in his efforts for the good of all that he +resented the attitude which they had taken. He knew they would try +to get his invention peaceably, if possible, but would stop at nothing +if they failed, and he expected some overt act of violence tonight that +would mean war with the United States. + +So when he was called by one of the under-secretaries of the Embassy he +went with little charity in his heart, but with head erect and +determination shown in his every movement, bearing on his face, which +seemed to have grown very hard, a look that left no doubt of the +fearlessness of the spirit that was behind it. + +He was taken in at one end of the large room that vibrated with light +and colour. Around three sides of it was banked the most brilliant +array of uniforms that he had ever seen. There were white-headed +generals ablaze with decorations and medals; there were young princes +with simple uniforms and with but one handsome decoration to show their +distinguished rank. There were Cuirassiers and Uhlans, and now and then +he could pick out the sombre black and silver uniforms of the +celebrated Death's-Head Hussars. + +But the one figure which dominated all and held his attention was that +of the Emperor. + +He stood in the centre of the room with the Secretary and General von +Lichtenstein, Mrs. Jones having retired as soon as she had received her +distinguished guest. + +He was a man of medium height but with a bearing which made him appear +larger than he really was. He was dressed in the wonderful white +uniform of the Garde du Corps, which carried with it the celebrated +silver eagle helmet. + +As this figure dominated and held the centre of this brilliant picture, +so his face drew the attention from his magnificent uniform and held it +as with a magnetic power. It was handsome, intelligent, strong, but +above all it was commanding. There was little kindness but there was a +merry twinkle in his sharp blue eyes which showed a human side and was +most attractive. + +These eyes could change, however, and when he saw Edestone and they +were met by his perfectly fearless but respectful glance, they seemed +to try by force to penetrate his very soul. + +Edestone advanced alone until he came to within a few paces of the +central group, and then stopped, standing with one knee slightly bent, +his right hand held lightly in front of his body, which was inclined in +a graceful and easy attitude of reverence, while his other hand hung +naturally at his side. + +After his first quick glance, Edestone dropped his eyes to about the +Emperor's knees and held them there until the Secretary, with a slight +gesture, called him to his side. The young man then straightened up and +went slowly to the Ambassador's left, and there stood perfectly erect +looking straight at the Emperor, while Jones with some show of +embarrassment was saying: + +"Your Majesty, may I present Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York." + +The Emperor, with the hearty and easy manner which he always assumes +with those he has been told are distinguished Americans and with that +quizzical expression in his sharp eyes which, though attractive, is +described as most disconcerting, replied. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, in a loud voice, "your fame has gone before +you, and we are always glad to welcome distinguished men of science in +Berlin, which we think is the centre of science and culture. Your name, +that of a great lighthouse and suggesting the greatest of your +inventions, electric lights, convinces me that you were born to blaze +the way for us," and he laughed, in which he was joined heartily by his +well-trained courtiers, who knew that nothing pleased him more than to +appreciate his little jokes of which he was so fond. + +With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn +by Edestone, and said: + +"I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a +greater claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor's rank?" + +"He was a general, Your Majesty," replied Edestone with a firmness that +seemed to attract and slightly offend him. + +He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him +that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. +"General von Lichtenstein tells me," his face brightening up again, +"that you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great +service to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had +expected this cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those +grasping English. He tells me that you have motion pictures of this +invention in actual war practice, which the representative of the +American Ambassador has so kindly invited me here to see." + +Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: "I thank +you, Mr. Secretary." Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather +a sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: "I will gladly see your +pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I +will, if I like it, buy your invention at a good price." + +And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to +applaud his every sentiment, he said: "Germany expects and is able to +pay large prices for American goods now." And then, as if to cut short +any possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his +back upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: "Where are these +pictures?" + +"In the next room," replied the Secretary, "and if you please, Mr. +Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone," he said, +"has everything been arranged?" + +"Yes," nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly +calm exterior. + +The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into +another room where Black had installed the apparatus. + +Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing +up the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his +place in front of the screen when his attention was called by General +von Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of +speaking to him apart from the others. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, drawing him aside, "one would think that you +had spent your entire life among us," and with a quizzical smile he +added: "I think you rather astonished the Kaiser by your _sang-froid_. +I have seen men of the highest rank stand speechless in his presence, +while you are as finished as a courtier of the Grand Monarque and as +cool as the Iron Chancellor. + +"I admit," he said in his fatherly manner, "I had no authority from you +to do so, but thought it best to leave upon the Emperor the impression +that you would sell your invention. Had I not done so he certainly +would have demanded the reasons for your presence in Berlin, and had I +dared to suggest that you had been sent by the United States to coerce +him he would have been thrown into such a rage that he might have +declared war on your country, which I understand is the last thing that +you want." + +"I regret that you did this, General von Lichtenstein, if I may be +pardoned for seeming to criticize a statesman of your experience and +distinction; for I do not intend to sell and my country has not sent me +to coerce. I have come instead to appeal to your reason, after showing +you the uselessness of continuing this loss of life in the face of the +great power in the hands of those who know the secret of my invention +and intend to put a stop to it." + +A cloud seemed to pass over the General's face, but he soon recovered +his bland, almost Oriental smile. + +"But, Mr. Edestone, you seem to forget that whereas others _may_ have +the secret, we know that you certainly have it, and you are still our +most honoured guest in Berlin." + +"Where I am also the guest of my own country, so long as the Acting +Ambassador is so kind as to allow me to remain under his roof and our +flag," replied Edestone pointedly, intending if possible to force the +General's hand. + +In this he failed as the old man only smiled through his glasses. + +"A great statesman was lost when you turned inventor, Mr. Edestone," he +said in a most complimentary tone. "But come, I fear His Majesty +waits." And then changing his manner, he said with a knowing wink: + +"Here is a note which Princess Wilhelmina asked me to deliver to you. +She seems to be very much interested. Can it be possible that you are +raising your eyes to a Princess of the Blood? + +"Still, stranger things than that have happened," he half mused, "and +His Imperial Majesty is always glad to recognize talent and reward it +in a befitting manner." + +They went into the other room where the Emperor sat waiting. Evidently +impatient that Edestone was not at his position of parlour entertainer +in front of the screen with his pointer in hand as soon as the Imperial +eye should deign to be cast in that direction, he rose with exaggerated +politeness when the American appeared and said in a most sarcastic +manner: "Must the whole world wait while inventors dream?" + +Then sitting down he added in a harsh and irritable tone: "With your +very kind assistance, Mr. Edestone, we will now inspect these much +talked of pictures." + +There was a silence in the room that was like a gasp of horror, and +the company all standing looked as if they expected to see Edestone +sink to the floor with mortification; that is, all except Jones, who +slow-moving had only gotten half-way to his feet when the Kaiser sat +down, and who now dropped back into his chair with a quizzical little +smile playing about the corners of his mouth. + +But Edestone, with the respectful manner of a grown man answering his +father, who still looked upon him as a boy, and who had reproved him +unjustly, said with an indulgent smile that bore no trace of +resentment: + +"I beg that Your Majesty will forgive me, but I was held prisoner by +General von Lichtenstein, and not until I waved the Stars and Stripes +would he let me go." + +The General hurried over to the Emperor. "Pardon me, Sire," he said, +for he saw that the Emperor would fly into one of his fits of rage and +might upset all of their well-laid plans if something was not quickly +done to quiet him. "Pardon me, Sire, it was my fault. I did not know +that I was keeping Your Majesty waiting." + +"Go on with the pictures," said the Emperor, with an impatient gesture +of his enormous right hand, and he sat glaring at the screen as the +lights went out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE MASQUERADER + + +Lawrence waited until the room was dark and then slipped out unnoticed. +He would have liked to remain and see the rest of Edestone's most +interesting pictures which had started off with those taken in +Newfoundland and included a series not shown at Buckingham Palace. But +he had an exciting task before him. The idea of posing as a Royal +Prince in the magnificent uniform of the Imperial Hussars with nodding +plumes and flowing military cape, his coat-of-arms emblazoned on his +left shoulder, appealed to his dramatic instincts, as did the danger to +his passion for adventure. + +He was brave, but unlike Edestone his was the bravery of an unthinking +recklessness rather than that of a perfectly balanced mind which, +contemptuous of the body that carries it, forces that body to do its +bidding. + +The fact that Edestone had offered him an unheard of reward had made +little impression, going in one ear and out of the other. He would +accept it as lightly as it had been offered because he himself would +have made exactly the same offer under the same circumstances. Whenever +he wanted anything he paid the price, even if it took his last cent. It +was no incentive to action now, as he would have gladly paid for the +privilege of playing this big part in this wonderful melodrama--a +melodrama which he was prepared at any time to see change into a +tragedy, with him the dead hero. + +He found that his Bowery boy Fred, under the pretext that it was +customary in the best New York "high society," had bullied the German +flunkeys into bringing all of the officers' helmets and cloaks upstairs +and laying them out on a bed in one of the chambers on the second +floor, from which place it was easy for him to smuggle all he wanted +into Lawrence's room. Lawrence found him there waiting to help him +"make up." + +Turning up the collar of his dress coat so as to hide his white shirt +front, the masquerader buckled on the sabre that Fred handed to him. +Without changing his trousers he put on his riding boots and spurs, +which with the busby and cloak, a pair of white kid gloves, and a small +blond moustache completed his disguise. Standing thus in the middle of +the room with the door open, he waited until Fred signalled that the +coast was clear. He then stepped quickly across the hall and into the +elevator, closely followed by Fred, who closed the door. When they were +perfectly safe from interruption, he adjusted his costume and his false +moustache to his entire satisfaction, pinning the cloak securely +together with large safety pins to prevent it from flying open. Then as +the elevator passed the main floor on its way to the basement, he made +a gesture of derision. + +Fred got out of the car and again carefully reconnoitred. Finding that +the passage leading to the garden was clear and that there was no one +in the billiard room, which was between the elevator and the outside +door, he signalled and Lawrence walked out into the garden at the side +of the Embassy. + +It was quite dark there, but not dark enough to prevent the soldiers, +who were stationed about to watch this door, from seeing him as he +stood perfectly still as if hesitating which way to turn. + +Observing that he was an officer, they saluted and stood at attention. +Then as he moved forward and they saw the insignia on his cloak they +signalled in some mysterious manner to the next post, who in turn +passed it down the line that Royalty was at large and that they must be +careful not to be caught napping. + +Accordingly, as Lawrence emerged from the semi-darkness and came around +to the front of the Embassy, every soldier was standing at attention +and the different officers, after looking searchingly but most +respectfully at him to satisfy themselves who he was, stepped back and +allowed him to pass, while they stood like pieces of stone. + +Lawrence did not deign even to notice them, but, reeling unsteadily in +his gait, passed them without even acknowledging their salute. + +His presence having been reported to the Captain who had charge of the +company that was stationed in the street immediately in front of the +Embassy, this officer hastened up to him. + +"Is there anything that you require, Your Royal Highness?" he saluted. +Lawrence, carrying out his pretence of intoxication, gave a perfect +imitation of the Prince when in that condition. + +"I am making a tour of inspection to see that everything is all right," +he said thickly. + +The Captain saw his condition and showed an inclination to follow him, +but Lawrence waved his hand with what was intended to be a regal +gesture, although in fact it seemed to throw him almost off his +balance. + +The Captain stepped back most respectfully and saluted, but smiled as +he followed with his eyes the young Prince. + +Lawrence strutted quickly but unsteadily until he came to within about +a hundred yards of the mortars, where a sentry challenged him. + +"Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but my orders are to permit no one to +pass. If you will allow me, I will call the Corporal of the Guard, who +will send for the Captain." + +Lawrence interrupted him by bellowing: + +"Get out of my way, you stupid blockhead, or I'll kick you out of my +way! I have not time to wait for the lot of fools that you all are." + +Then as the man did not move he gave him a tremendous upper-cut, +catching his chin with the base of his open hand and sending his head +back and lifting him off his feet. He fell sprawling about ten feet +away against an iron railing, where he lay perfectly still with a nasty +cut in the back of his head. + +The Captain, who had been slowly following to see that nothing happened +to his Royal charge, ran up quickly and, ordering another soldier to +take the place of the fallen sentry, had the wounded man hurried +quickly out of sight. + +In the meantime Lawrence was strolling along, without even looking back +at the poor fellow where he lay. + +"I caught him just right," he muttered with a touch of compunction. "I +hope I did not hurt him badly." + +When he finally came to the mortars with the mysterious two-wheeled +wagons attached to them, he walked around from one to the other, as if +he were making a careful inspection to see that everything was all +right. It was impossible for him even now to make out what was hidden +under the canvas covers. One thing he could see, however, and that was, +that from under each there ran a carefully insulated electric cable to +the nearest fire hydrant where it was carefully attached. + +After inspecting all four, Lawrence turned around and went back to the +second wagon, the cover of which he had noticed was not on exactly +straight. He hoped to be able to see what was underneath, but he found +that the cover was strapped down so tightly that he could get no +inkling. + +During all this time the officers and men were standing at attention in +their proper places, although they followed him with their eyes, an +amused expression on their faces. + +Finding that it was impossible for him to discover anything while the +covers remained on the wagons, he bellowed in a loud and commanding +voice, not forgetting to imitate Royalty in its cups: + +"Lieutenant!" + +And to the young officer who ran up to him he said: + +"Why is not that cover on straight? Did you not receive orders that +these--" and as Lawrence had not the slightest idea what "these" were, +he substituted a loud hiccough for the unknown name, and contented +himself with pointing with an unsteady hand. "Did you not understand +these had to be perfectly concealed? Now that one is not perfectly +concealed, for I can see perfectly what it is, so take that cover off +and put it on straight. And be quick about it or I will report you for +untidiness." + +The Lieutenant, who was one of the very young recruits now officering +the German Army, feeling overpowered by the presence of Royalty, had +given the order, and the men were unstrapping the cover when the +Captain came up. + +"What are you doing there?" he demanded. Then turning sharply to the +young Lieutenant he said in the most brutal manner: + +"Don't you know that the orders are not to take these covers off, not +until the very last minute, not until everything else has been tried +and has failed to bring her down." + +"But His Royal Highness," stammered the younger officer, "has ordered +this cover off because it is not on straight." + +"But, Your Royal Highness," expostulated the Captain, although in the +most deferential manner, "don't you think that this cover is on +straight enough?" + +"What! Do you mean to contradict me?" Lawrence almost screamed. "I say +that the cover is not on straight, and I have ordered this fool to take +it off and put it on straight, perfectly straight." + +"But that is impossible," said the Captain, warily keeping out of reach +of His Royal Highness's fists. "The orders are that these covers are +not to come off until the American flying machine makes its appearance, +and if it does not appear, the covers are not to come off at all. These +are the orders of the General Staff, and Your Royal Highness must +realize that they have to be obeyed." + +"Well," said Lawrence with the persistency of a drunken man, talking at +the top of his voice, "if you do not put that cover on straight I will +report you, and you will be court-martialled for insulting a Prince of +the Blood." + +All the while he kept swaying as if he were about to fall. + +Straightening himself up with much difficulty and assuming a drunken +dignity he started to go away; but as if he were unable to free his +intoxicated mind from the one idea that obsessed it, he turned and +changed his tone to a persuasive one. + +"I don't insist that you take the cover off," he laughed, "I only +insist that it be straightened, because you can see as well as I that +it is not on perfectly straight, and your orders were to put these +covers on straight, perfectly straight." + +The Captain, now thoroughly amused, and deciding that the best way was +to humour him, thought, since his orders were only not to remove, that +he would be able to satisfy the Prince without directly disobeying his +instructions. He therefore ordered the men to unstrap the cover and +pull it around. + +Lawrence seemed entirely satisfied with this, and took such interest in +seeing that the cover was adjusted to exactly the right position, that +he leaned over and took hold of it himself, as if to give his help. As +he did so he gave a lurch, and grabbing at the cover as if to save +himself, he went down in a heap with it on top of him. + +The men helped him quickly to his feet and as quickly readjusted the +cover, but not before he had seen that the drum-shaped objects were in +fact great wooden spools on which were wound thousands and thousands of +yards of large copper wire. + +Having seen all that he wanted, he now turned his attention towards +getting back to the Embassy, so taking the Captain's arm, and seeming +either to have lost all interest or to have been overcome by his fall, +made his way along. He swung and lurched so that it was with difficulty +the officer kept him on his feet. + +Then when they arrived at the front steps and the Captain was assisting +him up, Lawrence, as if suddenly awaking from sleep, stopped. + +"I am too dirty to go in by the front door," he protested, "I will go +in by the garden. I am much obliged to you, Captain; don't come any +farther." + +Then laughing and shaking his finger in the Captain's face, he said in +a tone of exultation: "I got that cover on straight, anyhow--perfectly +straight." + +Swaying as he rounded the corner of the house, he went in through the +side door, where he found Fred waiting for him, who pulled off his +boots and gave him his pumps. + +He took off his busby, and handed it to Fred, unpinned the long +military cloak, unbuckled his sword, turned down the collar of his +evening coat, and "Richard was himself again." + +Stepping into the elevator and letting himself off at the main floor, +he went hurriedly into the room where Edestone was still showing his +pictures, while Fred, after brushing and cleaning the royal +paraphernalia, put them back in their place. + +Lawrence moved quickly over to the cabinet where Mr. Black was working +the machine and stepped inside. "I must speak to Mr. Edestone," he +whispered. "Can't you stop the machine as if something had gone wrong? +Then Mr. Edestone will come back here and see what is the matter." + +"Not on your life!" Black shook his head violently. "The Emperor now is +in a perfect fury. He and Mr. Edestone have had one or two 'set-tos,' +and Mr. Edestone is beginning to put it back at him pretty strong, and +if anything should happen to the machine I think it would end in a +fight. I rather wish we were back in New York. If it is necessary for +you to speak to Mr. Edestone before the lights go up, this reel that I +am running off now will take just about eight minutes more, so if you +will slip quietly back of the screen you can whisper to him from there +without attracting much attention. I will make a little extra noise to +help you out." + +Lawrence worked his way unobtrusively through the room, and standing +just to the side of the screen in a dark corner, called in a low voice: + +"Jack, can I speak to you?" + +Edestone, who had been deeply concerned about him, felt that a load was +lifted from his mind when he heard the dare-devil's voice. He knew at +least that Lawrence was back safely, and he was confident that he would +not have come back without the information until he had made a good +fight for it. So as everything was quiet on the outside he was +reassured. + +Lawrence very quickly explained to him exactly what he had seen, and +Edestone, squeezing his arm, said quietly: + +"Ah! That is their little game!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TWO REMARKABLE MEN + + +When the lights finally went up and the entertainment ended, perhaps +the most surprised, almost dumbfounded, man in the room was Jones. He +now had his first insight into the stupendous amount of work that had +been done by his friend, and was completely overcome by the seriousness +of the situation. He understood at last many things which had been lost +on him before, as for instance the insinuating remarks of the +Chancellor at their various conferences and why he had suspected the +Secretary of lying to him. + +Jones wondered also if his own Government had purposely kept the +Embassy in the dark as to its relationship with Edestone. Not knowing +the whereabouts or even the ownership of this frightful instrument of +war, he was at a loss to know what he should say when certain pointed +questions which were inevitable were put to him. + +He realized now for the first time that the German General Staff was at +work and would stop at nothing either to obtain the use of this great +monster of the air or, by seizing Edestone himself, control its +movements; that is, if Edestone and not the United States were +operating it. + +He could not blind himself to the air of confidence that pervaded the +entire company, composed as it was of the highest men in the German +Government, and this led him to believe that they knew Edestone held +the key of the situation, and as long as they held him they occupied +the strongest position. + +But why, he could not help asking himself, had Edestone been such a +fool as to put himself so completely in their power. Still, being a +very astute man, and having the greatest confidence in his old friend, +who he knew would do the straight thing in a strong position and the +wise thing if he found himself in a weak one, he awaited developments. + +Edestone, who had walked over to the Secretary of Legation, leaned down +and said in a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear: + +"Will you please say to His Imperial Majesty that if there is any +question he would like to put to me, or if he would care to have me +repeat any of the pictures, I should appreciate the great honour." + +The Emperor, who was just waking up to the fact that he had in this +young American a very strong and clever man to deal with, was to a +certain extent at a loss to decide just how he would treat him. + +Without waiting to have the request conveyed to him in due form, and +speaking directly to Edestone he said in an affable voice: + +"I should like to see again the picture showing the working of the +bomb-dropping device, and I would like to have the film stopped exactly +at the moment that the projectile leaves the tube. I wish to examine +the action of the ejector." + +"I shall be most happy," replied Edestone, "to run that film again very +slowly and repeat it as often as Your Majesty may desire. I can also +run it backward very slowly, but I cannot stop the machine that I am +using tonight without ruining the film, and I am quite sure," he bowed +most respectfully, "that Your Majesty will not wish me to do that." + +"Stop that machine as I order you to do, and ruin the film if it is +necessary!" said the Emperor in his most commanding tone. + +At last Edestone had the chance he had been looking for. He knew that +he was perfectly in his rights, and if he refused and the Emperor still +insisted upon his most unjust demand, it would open the eyes of his +country's representative to the situation and the true attitude of the +German authorities. Besides, he was incensed at the wanton destruction +of other people's property to satisfy the whims of this absolute +monarch. + +"I am very sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot do that, and for state reasons +that it is impossible for me to explain." + +The Emperor turned perfectly livid. His face was painful to look at. He +tried vainly to speak, but could not. It was plain that he was +labouring under an emotion greater than his physical condition could +stand. His mouth worked and each hair of his moustache seemed to stand +on end, giving to his trembling lips an almost ghastly expression. He +was seized with a violent fit of coughing which on account of the weak +condition of his throat caused his doctor, without whom he rarely +moved, to step forward, as if alarmed, to his assistance. + +General von Lichtenstein leaned over as if to restrain him and +whispered something in his ear, but this seemed only to infuriate him +the more, and he waved his Councillor aside. + +The Acting Ambassador, a lawyer of ability, felt strongly the justice +of Edestone's position in defending his property rights, and had he +been sitting on the bench instead of on the edge of a raging volcano +would have ruled in his favour. As it was, he watched with intense +interest this contest between these two remarkable men. + +When the Emperor had recovered sufficiently to speak, in a way that +showed his uncontrollable rage was battling with an inherited physical +weakness, his voice, starting in a whisper, rose and broke, and, in his +violent efforts to control the convulsive spasms of his throat, turned +into a scream. + +"Show that film!" he shouted, "and stop it where I command or I will +confiscate everything you have and throw you into prison." + +At this Jones rose quickly to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes, +and he was about to speak, but General von Lichtenstein rushed over and +stopped him. + +"His Majesty is beside himself," he urged in a low voice. "He does not +mean what he says. When he is himself again he will regret the +indignity that he has offered your country and will make reparation." + +The Emperor had also arisen and was standing in the midst of as furious +and warlike a looking lot of men as had ever grouped themselves around +his wild barbaric ancestors, ready to pile their dead bodies about +their master and give the last drop of blood for his protection. + +They looked as if they approved and only waited for the word to rush in +and avenge the insult to their beloved lord, and while waiting for this +word they stood and glared at Edestone with a look of absolute contempt +and undying hatred. + +"Well, which shall it be?" said the Emperor, in a voice which was more +under control but none the less determined. "Will you stop your film?" + +Edestone, who all this time had stood perfectly still looking at the +Emperor with eyes out of which had gone every vestige of deference and +respect, showed in every feature a fixed and determined but absolutely +cool defiance. The only time that his face had changed or his position +altered since he last spoke was when the Emperor was apparently +suffering, and then it had taken on an expression of deep pity and +sincere sympathy and he too had made a step forward as if to render +assistance. + +This had quickly changed, however, when his glance caught the look of +hatred that was riveted upon him. Declining even to glance at the +Emperor, he addressed himself directly to the Secretary of Legation, +speaking in a perfectly clear voice, which was a relief after the +Emperor's painful and rasping efforts. + +"Mr. Secretary," he said slowly, "I resent the insult to you, and +through you to our country, which you represent, but if I thought that +by complying with the unjust demands which the Emperor of Germany has +seen fit to make I could prevent war between the United States and his +country, I naturally would comply. When I see, however, that the +Emperor of Germany refuses to respect the rights of an American citizen +in the house of his Ambassador, I realize that the destruction of my +film will not save the situation." He turned to the Emperor. "I regret +that I cannot comply with your commands. The matter is now between our +two Governments." + +The Emperor laid his hand upon his sword and made a movement as though +he intended to strike, at which every sword in the room flashed from +its scabbard, save only that of old von Lichtenstein, who pressing +forward laid a dissuasive hand on the Emperor's arm. + +"Don't let him draw you on," he whispered to his master; "this may be +some trick." Then to the rest he said in a contemptuous tone: "Don't +make fools of yourselves and make Germany ridiculous." + +The Emperor turned to the Secretary. "Sir," he said in a voice +trembling with agitation, "you have heard the insult that has +been offered to my Imperial person, and if you do not deliver +this man over to my police, I shall at twelve o'clock tomorrow +night declare war against the United States of America, and until +that time"--threateningly--"I shall hold you personally responsible +for him." + +Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly +twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock, a proceeding which almost +caused the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once +more held in check by General von Lichtenstein. + +"I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty," he declared. + +The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor's last attack. "I +shall report to my Government all that has passed," he replied, "and +exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I +receive an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty." He finished, and +stood waiting as if to force the Emperor's immediate departure. + +Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of +their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the +Emperor and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the +slightest further notice of Edestone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + + +The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and +Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the +return of General von Lichtenstein was announced. + +The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He +greeted the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone. + +"Young man," he said, "you needed my old head on your young shoulders +badly tonight. I have returned to have a talk with the Acting +Ambassador, and I think that if he can prevail upon you to be +reasonable I may be able to settle this little difficulty between you +and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. If you will only lead us into +some smaller room, Mr. Secretary, we can sit down and over our cigars +discuss this matter quietly." + +"I am sorry that my machine--" began Edestone, but he was quickly +interrupted by the General. + +"Tut, tut, that is nothing at all. That was simply two young men losing +their tempers, and ought to be soon settled. One being an Emperor makes +it a little more difficult, I will admit, but I have seen Emperors +angry before and they are just like any of us. They cool off when they +realize that they have," and he lowered his voice with a quizzical +look, "been a little bit foolish." + +When they were all comfortably seated around the table in the library +of the Embassy, and the General and Edestone had lighted cigars, while +Jones, who never smoked, looked on, the old General, statesman, +philosopher, and writer opened the conversation. + +"We have now come to the last hand in this game which we have been +playing," he said, "and I think it would be just as well for all cards +to be laid on the table." + +Edestone looked at him in surprise, for instead of the simple, smiling +old gentleman, with the soft gentle voice and fatherly manner, he saw a +crafty, dangerous, and determined man of steel. His voice was cold and +harsh, his winning smile had gone. He had come to fight and to fight +desperately to the finish. + +"In the first place," he continued, "we do not know exactly what is the +relationship between you," looking at Edestone, "and the United States +of America," with a wave of his hand toward Jones, "and as there can +now be no reason for further concealment, since we are virtually on the +verge of a declaration of war--a step which I am here to prevent if +possible--I will say that it makes no difference to His Imperial +Majesty's Government what that relationship may be, so long as Germany +gets the use of Mr. Edestone's invention. But we will declare war upon +the United States tomorrow night unless we get an assurance from you +that we shall have the exclusive right to the one and only flying +machine in which this invention has been installed." + +At this Jones looked over at Edestone with a glance of inquiry. + +"Yes," said Edestone in answer to this, "there is only one." + +"Germany understands, of course," proceeded the General, "that the +United States will construct others, but so will Germany. Germany is +willing and prepared to pay well for this, although she knows that by +holding Mr. Edestone she controls this machine and could have it +without paying for it. We admit that we do not know where it is, but we +are confident that Mr. Edestone does,"--he turned upon Edestone the +look of a wild beast who has his prey and loves to torture it,--"and we +intend that he shall communicate with the commander and see that this +ship is sent to some place where we can take possession of it." + +And then with a grim smile he leaned forward on the table, looking +first at the Secretary and then at Edestone. + +"You are both virtually prisoners in this Embassy," he said. "That is +my hand." + +"Then we are now at war," said the Secretary with a quiet smile. + +"No," replied the General, "it has not come to that yet. And it does +not necessarily have to come to that. We should be able to arrange this +matter here tonight. As I have said, Germany will pay well. She is +willing to start on even terms with the United States, who can build +just as fast as we can. Germany will bring this war to an end within a +week, and then she and the United States can come to an agreement as to +how they will divide up the rest of the earth." + +Edestone smiled and made no answer. + +The Secretary said: "I can do nothing until I have communicated with my +Government." + +"I am sorry," said the General impatiently, "but we cannot wait until +we get an answer from your very slow and inefficient State Department. +We must have a reply before tomorrow night at 12 o'clock. Have you +nothing to say, Mr. Edestone? You are perhaps personally the most +deeply interested, because I tell you," he grinned cruelly, "we will +get your secret if we have to put you on the rack and go back five +centuries in the eyes of the rest of the world, should it be necessary +to do that in order to give it the blessings that can only be gotten +under German rule. I ask you again, have you nothing to say?" + +"Nothing, General," replied Edestone. + +He was slowly blowing rings of smoke, seeming almost to fascinate the +General, who would often stop speaking to follow them with his eyes +until they broke or were lost in the darkness in the corners of the +room. This was an old trick of his to divert the attention of his +adversary, therein improving on Bismarck who always used his cigar to +gain time when driven to a corner. + +"That is your final answer?" said the General. + +"My final answer," Edestone bowed. + +"And you, Mr. Secretary?" + +"I am but the mouthpiece of my Government, and she has not spoken yet." + +"Well, gentlemen," said the General rising, "I think we understand each +other." + +"I think so," replied Edestone. "Good-night, sir." + +The Secretary accompanied the visitor out into the hall, leaving +Edestone, who as soon as he was alone rang for a servant and sent for +Lawrence. In the meantime he just had opportunity to glance at the note +which General von Lichtenstein had given him. It was a mere scrap of +writing asking him to come to the Princess Wilhelmina immediately after +the departure of His Imperial Majesty. + +When Lawrence came in he hastily slipped this into his pocket. + +"Lawrence," he said, "I want you to send a message for me as soon as +Jones has given his consent. I will ask him in regard to it as soon as +he returns, so you had better wait and hear what he has to say." + +A moment later the Secretary came into the room with a very worried +expression on his face. "Edestone," he said impressively, "this +undoubtedly means war." + +"And if so," rejoined Edestone, "we will win." + +He then explained to Jones how he was in daily communication with +"Specs" and was now only waiting for the Secretary's consent to send +for him and he could have him over Berlin in seven hours. He also +explained to him about the instrument that was in the penthouse on the +roof of the Embassy. + +"But what do you propose to do, Jack?" frowned the Secretary. "Do you +intend to fight these people single-handed and thereby drag your +country into a cruel and disastrous war? That seems to me to be +unnecessary." + +"No, I propose to save you and the members of the Embassy from a very +disagreeable experience and from what may develop into a very dangerous +situation; for I am convinced that these Germans will not hesitate to +fire upon the Embassy if you do not deliver me up to them. The only +hope of stopping war without loss of life is through me and my +invention. I therefore ask your permission to send the following +message," and he handed the Secretary a scrap of paper upon which he +had written: + +"Be exactly over American Embassy Berlin tomorrow night at nine +o'clock. Take station at 5000 feet and there await instructions. + +"E." + +The Secretary took the paper and read it through twice very slowly. + +"I fear," he said with a sigh, "that is the only way." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WHERE IS IT? + + +The Secretary left the room after practically turning the entire matter +over to Edestone. He feared that the time had come to show force. The +Germans, in what they felt might be a desperate strait, had thrown to +the wind caution, tradition, and the usages of civilized warfare. They +were preparing some desperate move which he felt that he was powerless +to stop. Diplomacy with them now was as useless as pure logic on a +charging elephant. + +How they expected to stand against Edestone and his diabolical mystery +of the air, he could not comprehend, but he had lived long enough with +this nation to know them. Simple, kind, and lovable in their ordinary +lives, they were nevertheless, on the subject of war, individually and +collectively mad and they were ready to die fighting. + +Whereas any sane man could see that their fight with Edestone was +hopeless, they with their absolute confidence and conceit were +preparing to pit themselves against him and some unknown secret of +nature. While he, with his discovery, was apparently in a position to +let loose upon their defenceless city an engine of destruction too +terrible to think of. Edestone, like the pilot who has come aboard the +ocean liner, had now taken entire charge. + +The first thing was to get off this message, so he sat down to work out +the cipher known only to himself and "Specs." He said to Lawrence: + +"My initials J. F. E. are the call which must be repeated three times, +then twice, and then finally once. This must all be repeated with one +minute intervals until answered by the single letter 'E,' which will be +repeated eight times, once for every letter in my name, and after an +interval of five minutes, once again only. + +"After you have satisfied yourself that you are in touch with Mr. Page, +my head man, 'Specs,' I call him, send him this." He handed Lawrence +one word of twenty-two letters, or rather twenty-two letters which he +had apparently taken indiscriminately from a small pocket dictionary. +"Have him repeat, and see that there is no mistake," and continuing, he +said: "We are certainly being watched by the German servants; the +condition of my trunks shows that, so the first thing to do is to get +them out of the way. Call them all down into the ballroom, and say that +I wish to speak to them. See that everyone is there, and if there is a +single one missing, search the house from garret to cellar until you +find them all. I will give them a little talk which will give you and +Black time to get off this message. I will, incidentally, show them +that I propose to put up with no nonsense whatever." + +As Lawrence was leaving the room he said to him with a jolly laugh: +"Oh, by the way, how does it feel to be rich again? I have been so +occupied with other things that I have not had time to thank and +congratulate you on your splendid work. What a fine story it will make +when we get back to New York, which will be very soon, I hope." + +When the servants came in he first gave them a little insight into the +real state of affairs from a standpoint that they had never known. He +then explained to them that the Embassy was practically in a state of +siege, and that he was in command, and that if he heard of any one of +them having any communication whatever with anyone on the outside, he +would treat them in the way that he had treated the people in the +pictures which he had shown them, only he would put them out of the +window and they would keep going up and up and never come down again. +So when Lawrence returned and signalled that he might let them go, a +more thoroughly scared set of domestics never waited on the word of +"Ivan the Terrible." + +"Well, Bo," said Lawrence as he threw himself into a comfortable chair, +after slopping whisky and water all over the tablecloth and dropping a +large piece of ice on the floor which he kicked violently at the +retreating servant at whom he had bellowed, giving a perfect imitation +of a Prussian officer in a public restaurant when American ladies are +present, "this has certainly been 'some day.' Will you please be so +kind as to put me wise on a few of your dates? + +"In the first place, who was the 'wise guy' who rushed out from nowhere +and swallowed up my J. F. E. like an old trout from under a bank who +had never seen a Silver Doctor before? Where is he? How is he to get +here, and what is he going to do when he does?" + +Edestone quietly finished the lighting of his cigar, and after he was +thoroughly satisfied that this was perfectly done and it was going to +draw to his entire satisfaction, he said: + +"Well, now that you are to be my fellow-partner in crime, and Jones is +our associate, I will tell you. Do you remember the summer way back in +the 90's that you and I spent in Switzerland mountain climbing?" + +"Yes, perfectly," said Lawrence, "but that was a long time ago. We were +nothing but kids then." + +"Do you remember that you, kid-like, insisted upon going over a very +flimsy-looking snow bridge, simply because the old guide told us that +he had never seen that crevasse bridged before, and that the tradition +down in Chamonix was that it had only been bridged once or twice in the +memory of man? + +"And do you remember," went on Edestone, "that at first he refused to +go, saying that if it broke after we got over, there was no possible +way of our getting back?" + +"Yes," acknowledged Lawrence, "the old 'chump,' and I remember that we +went over and got back all right, and those guides are talking about it +yet." + +"Well, do you remember," continued Edestone, "that when we scrambled +up over the next rock ridge we looked into a regular bowl-shaped +valley that had the appearance of a crater of an extinct volcano?" + +"Yes," said Lawrence. + +"Well, 'Specs' is there in that valley, where perhaps no human being +has ever been before. I sent him there for that reason. He has been +there for the last two months and a half, unknown to anyone on the face +of the earth and thoroughly protected from the storms that sweep over +that portion of the French Alps." + +"Well, I'll be damned," said Lawrence. "Is 'Specs' the skipper of that +pretty little toy you were showing on the screen?" + +"No, Captain Lee is the skipper," laughed Edestone. "Dear old 'Specs' +is my boss. He is the Admiral." + +"Well, for the love of Mike," exploded Lawrence. "What a swell chance +those mortars out there with their long distance telephone attachments +will have with that Queen of the Milky Way. You don't mean to say that +he is coming over here with his forty thousand tons and float around up +there five thousand feet above the Embassy?" he exclaimed as he looked +up at the ceiling with a look of alarm, as if he expected to see it +come crushing down on him at any moment. And jumping out of his chair +he ran about the room, making the most ridiculous gestures, crying: +"Air, I want air!" while Edestone laughed until the tears rolled down +his cheeks. + +"But say, Bo," said Lawrence, "there is nothing to it. What do you +suppose those crazy Dutchmen are thinking about? Why I thought that sky +pirate belonged to the United States, and was now probably tied to a +dock in some mud flat, with a crew of two brass polishers and a Sunday +School teacher, while the Virginia creeper and the North Carolina +milkweed twined about it to make nests for the Dove of Peace." + +"No," said Edestone, "it is what you have just called it, a Sky Pirate, +and I am the buccaneer." + +"Did the Emperor know that when he got so gay with you tonight?" asked +Lawrence. + +"No, he does not know that, but he knows everything else." + +"Well, what is his game?" + +"Well," said Edestone, after thinking for a while, "as far as I can +make it out it is this: They do not want to kill me; they are using me +to bait the trap with which they hope to catch the 'Queen of the Milky +Way,' as you call her. They will take her dead, now that they cannot +get her alive, and they hope to be able to put new life into her after +they have taken all life out with the 'long distance telephone +attachments,' as you call them." + +"Why is he so certain that you will not drop bombs on his city?" asked +Lawrence. + +"I do not know," replied Edestone, "unless he knows that I am more of a +gentleman than he is. Or perhaps he thinks that I will not allow any +damage to be done until I am safely on board, which may or may not be +perfectly true." + +"_Tu as raison, mon vieux_," shrugged Lawrence. + +"They will do nothing to me until they are certain that they are going +to lose me. They want me alive, but would rather have me dead than in +the hands of the other fellow. Now do you understand?" + +"Not exactly," replied Lawrence, pretending to look very wise. "What do +you mean about taking her dead if they can't get her alive, and what +have those wires got to do with it?" + +"I mean by taking her alive," said Edestone, "buying her from whoever +she belongs to, and keeping me here to show them how to run her. And +when I spoke of taking her dead, I had forgotten that you had not heard +what I said tonight while showing the pictures. I will explain this to +you sometime when we get on board and we have more time, but you will +understand enough when I tell you this." + +Lawrence listened attentively as Edestone continued. + +"They know that she floats by virtue of an instrument that I have; they +know that she will not float if brought in contact with the earth or if +connected with it by means of some electrical conductor. They propose +to establish an electrical connexion between her and the ground by +throwing those wires over her with mortars, just as the life-saving men +throw a life-line to a ship in distress." + +"Oh, that was why they were so carefully connected with the water +main," interrupted Lawrence. + +"Yes," replied Edestone, "and when they get her down they will expect +me with my instrument to float her off again." + +"Well, what do you think of their chances of pulling this off?" asked +Lawrence. + +"I think," said Edestone thoughtfully, "their chances are small, but +you can never tell what these very resourceful people may do. They are +buoyed up by a hopefulness that is almost uncanny and they can't all be +crazy!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + + +Edestone and Lawrence sat quietly for a few minutes, Lawrence watching +him with a merry twinkle in his eye while Edestone was unconsciously +fingering the note that General von Lichtenstein had given him. Finally +he said: + +"Well, I'm off for bed. I have a hard day before me tomorrow." + +"Yes, you are, you old fox!" said his companion. "I'm on to you. There +is something up, and you can't hide it from me. You have been sitting +there fingering that note from--well, I guess I can pretty well call +you, because your lady friends in Berlin are limited--with the silliest +expression I have ever seen on your face. Now, out with it! You had +better get it off your chest by telling your troubles to papa." + +Edestone put the note quickly into his pocket, and was about to force +through his bluff when Lawrence stopped him by saying: + +"You can trust me, old man; now out with it." + +"Well," said Edestone in an embarrassed tone, "General von Lichtenstein +did give me a note from Princess Wilhelmina," showing it to Lawrence. + +"My dear fellow," Lawrence said, "what do you propose to do? If you are +going to take a chance for the pleasure of seeing a beautiful woman, I +am with you heart and soul; but if you are taking a chance because you +believe she is sincerely in distress and calling on you, an American +here in Berlin, when she's got all of those becorseted Johnnies around +her, you had better allow me to advise you." + +"I am perfectly willing to take a chance," cried Edestone in an angry +tone, "if you choose to call it that, because I have absolute confidence +in her." + +"Say, Jack, I think you are beginning to get a little bit soft on the +Princess. You may be all right when it comes to straight electricity, +but I think you will admit that I have had more experience in this kind +of animal magnetism than you. She is certainly a snappy little +induction coil." + +"Lawrence, please don't," said Edestone. + +"Well, you don't know perfectly well, Jack, that General von +Lichtenstein would not have delivered that note from a Princess of the +house of Windthorst to you, a low-born American plebeian, unless it was +part of their scheme. Why it's as much as his life is worth, if it is as +you believe it to be," and he gave Edestone a knowing look. + +"Now, cut that out, Lawrence," said Edestone in a decided tone. "Do not +think for one moment that I have any illusions as far as that young lady +is concerned. She is evidently in trouble of some kind, and the fact +that she is so young offsets that of her being a Princess." + +Lawrence shrugged his shoulders, and occupied himself smoking while +Edestone continued: + +"I think that General von Lichtenstein thinks she is working for them, +but I am just fool enough to think that she is not. In fact, I know she +is not, but even if she were, I would like to show those people that I +will not allow them to sacrifice her dignity and compromise herself in +her own eyes even for them, so I am going, if for no other reason than +to keep her from doing something which she may some day deeply +regret. I'm off. If you want some excitement, why you might drop into +some of the clubs and feel out the officers." + +"Ah," said Lawrence, "that is a good idea. I will be just about as +popular as a baby rabbit in a litter of foxes." + +"And you can enjoy watching them as they sit around, licking their +chops," interjected Edestone, "as they think of the dainty morsel you +will make when they eat you alive tomorrow. Be careful. We want no +false steps, and there are some pretty skittish ponies in the Emperor's +stable. He can hold in check his plough horses, but these young +thoroughbreds are getting nervous at the post." + +"Well," said Lawrence, "I never was very strong for these Prussians, but +they made a hit with me tonight in the way in which they started for +you. They were a pretty fine looking lot of handsome young chaps," and +curling an imaginary moustache, he continued: "Almost as good as our +eleven of 1903," and they both stood and toasted grand old Harvard, and +he was leaving the room singing, "Here's to dear old Harvard, drink her +down!" when Edestone called him back and said: + +"Lawrence, get one of the Embassy automobiles and I will drop you on the +way." + +Edestone, whereas he knew that his movements were being watched and that +this meeting had been arranged, if not by the German General Staff, by +some of its female lieutenants, was determined to show them that he did +not intend to compromise this little Princess by calling upon her at +that hour of the night in a secretive manner. + +All was perfectly quiet in the streets, and the automobile was allowed +to pass without interruption. When he arrived at the Palace he imagined +that the coast had been cleared for him, for on entering he discovered +that there was some sort of an entertainment going on, which would have +necessitated the presence of waiting automobiles on the outside, which +were conspicuous by their absence. + +He was evidently expected, and was immediately conducted to a small +room. He could hear music and laughter in another part of the Palace, +but saw no one except the flunkeys in the hall. + +The room into which he was shown was evidently one of those used by the +family in their home life, as was shown by the papers, books, and fancy +work lying about. + +The situation would ordinarily have been most amusing to him, and had he +not been so occupied with such serious matters, and had there been less +of a difference in their ages and social positions, he would have +enjoyed the excitement of a mysterious rendezvous with this extremely +charming and attractive young woman. + +He was thoroughly conscious of her attractions, and though he might have +denied the necessity of this, in thinking of her he always kept before +his mind the fable of the fox and the sour grapes. + +He was kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, and he began to wonder if +the whole thing had not been arranged, and would not have been surprised +if when the door quietly opened he had seen von Lichtenstein or even the +Emperor himself instead of a very much frightened little woman. + +She was apparently supported by sheer will power and the pride of the +Princess, which she had inherited from her long line of ancestors, +extending back into the unwritten pages of history. + +She was dressed so simply that the lines of her most graceful little +figure were perfectly revealed, but with such modesty that though she +followed the dictates of the modern fashions, which leave little to the +imagination, the effect upon Edestone was that of reverence in the +presence of such youth and innocence. + +To him she seemed to be draped in some soft silky material, and though +her neck and arms were bare, they were enveloped in a shimmer of tulle, +which she held about her as if for protection. Her hair, parted in the +middle, was flatly dressed, and held close to her small head by a little +band of jewels which encircled it and crossed her low white brow. + +She was perfectly calm, dignified, and had herself well in hand. There +was an expression upon her face of resolution, and as if to help, she +assumed a more royal and dignified bearing than he had ever supposed she +was capable of. + +She had evidently been crying, but her voice was steady and rather +haughty in its tone as she said, giving him her hand: + +"I am glad that you have come." + +Edestone took it gently in his own, and bowing, scarcely touched it with +his lips, but when he felt its icy touch, and caught the faint perfume, +he felt a thrill, and for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence +of a Royal Princess, who looked upon him as something a little bit +better than a servant, and not as good as the most miserable Count that +ever wore a paper collar or passed a fraudulent check at the Newport +Reading Room. + +Recovering himself quickly, however, he dropped her hand and stood in an +attitude of deep respect, but not until she had caught the look that he +had given her. + +Not daring to look up at her for fear of her indignation at his +presumption, he busied himself arranging the cushions in a seat for her. + +Raising her hand to her throat, which had moved convulsively, she +watched him with a quiet little smile, as if waiting to finish the +deadly work which she, young as she was, knew that she had started. Like +a great ring general, she did not intend to allow her adversary time to +recover before she administered the _coup de grace_. + +When he recovered sufficiently to allow himself to look at her, although +he resolved to keep strictly to the object of their meeting, he was so +struck with her great charm that he could not resist saying: + +"I sincerely hope, Princess, that you will pardon me if I take the great +liberty of saying to you that you are looking extremely beautiful +tonight." + +She answered with a smile. + +And then in a light and frivolous tone, and looking at her in a manner +which she could not misunderstand, with the deepest respect he added: + +"If I were a Prince and a few years younger, I would humbly kneel and +worship at your shrine, Princess." + +A cloud passed over her face, but recovering, with a look which if +Edestone had been younger and less sensible would have finished him: + +"Well, Mr. Edestone," she smiled coquettishly, "I understand that you +were tonight a match for an Emperor; and I am feeling very old myself." + +With a smile acknowledging her condescension in allowing this slight +exchange of repartee, he assumed a fatherly air, and said, having +recovered himself entirely: + +"Now, my dear and very sweet little Princess, your very old and most +humble servant awaits your orders. The only reward that he expects is +that he be allowed to see you one or two times before he dies of old +age, or you are seated on a throne." + +With an impatient gesture, and an almost imperceptible stamp of her +little foot, she said: + +"Please don't talk that way. I hate being a Princess, and the way you +say it makes me hate myself," and with a quick glance and a tone of +great seriousness: "I don't think you are so old as all that. + +"I have sent for you," changing her voice, "to warn you again. It was +absolutely necessary in order to arrange this meeting to lead them to +believe that I was willing to do that which you must hate me for--use my +power as a woman to persuade you to give up the position which you have +taken, and though I hate them all for it, in order to save you from +certain death I have compromised myself in my own eyes, and have done +that which will cause you to hate me." + +"That I could never do," said Edestone, which brought a faint smile to +her lips. "Princess, I appreciate more deeply than I can say your great +kindness, and if there is anything that I can do which will save you +from these people when they find that you have failed in your +undertaking, you can command me. Your warning, however, comes as no +surprise to me; but I appreciate it none the less." + +"Could I not hold out to them," she anticipated, "that you had agreed to +reveal this secret to me, and in that way gain time, and you might be +able to get out of Berlin?" + +"But what would become of you when they discovered that you had played +them false?" asked Edestone. And then, as if hesitating to refer to the +delicacy of her position, an English Princess in Berlin, he added: "They +are relentless, and they might suspect you of playing into the hands of +England. No, Princess, there is but one thing for you to do, and that is +to say that I declined absolutely and entirely to consider any +proposition of any kind. + +"If you were in any way associated with me in what I have already done +and what I propose to do, I should not be willing to leave you in +Berlin, and though I know you are absolutely sincere in your intentions +to assist me in my work, there is no possible way for me to protect you +other than by taking you with me, which is absolutely out of the +question. You would not be safe even in the American Embassy." + +She thought for a while, and then, as if an idea had struck her, she +said blushingly: + +"My mother, like myself, is perfectly loyal to England, and if as I +understand it is the intention of the American Government to come out on +the side of the Allies, would there be any impropriety in my going with +her to the Embassy and taking my chances with the Secretary's family?" + +"That would be impossible," said Edestone. "They have taken you into +their confidence, and would not allow you to leave the country. I think +mine is the only plan. Say to them that I would listen to no +proposition, and allow me to go and take my chances." + +He could not trust himself, and he knew his only hope of keeping her +esteem was in getting out before she discovered his real secret, and +rising in a most dignified manner he kissed her hand, and then allowing +himself to press it gently to his cheek for a moment, left the room +abruptly, while she sank into a seat and covered her face with her +hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + + +The next morning everything was perfectly quiet on the outside of the +Embassy. The soldiers had apparently settled down for a siege. They +contented themselves with singing hymns and drinking songs, and with +mock reverence rendering the "Star Spangled Banner," closely followed by +the "Marseillaise," and "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." + +But there was mutiny within the walls. Mrs. Jones had flatly refused to +leave the Embassy. She said that she had not the slightest idea of +going up in Jack's foolish flying machine, to be shot at by the soldiers +or dropped into the middle of the ocean; that for her part she intended +to stay exactly where she was. The Secretary might go if he wished to +risk his life in a balloon or if it was his duty, but she thought she +was safer in the Embassy. She was perfectly sure that the Germans would +not dare to shoot at it while the United States flag was flying over it, +and there were women inside. + +The Secretary seemed to agree with her, and said: "It was only on your +account, my dear, that I was going. As long as the flag flies above this +roof, my duty is here, and I sincerely hope that you are right." + +"But we are now at war with these people," said Edestone, "and they may +take it into their heads to shoot that flag away, and they have plainly +shown that they will kill and burn women and children if in their +judgment one single point, however small, can be gained in their +national game of war. It is a ruling passion with them, and they think +that all of the nicer feelings of honour, humanity, and even religion +must be crushed, and that these sentiments are foolish and are for women +and weaklings only." + +At which Mrs. Jones seemed worried. She preferred, however, she said, to +stay and take a chance rather than go to certain death with Edestone. + +"I think," said he, "that if we were dealing with any of the other +civilized nations, the Embassy would be perfectly safe, even if war had +been declared or forced upon us without any formal declaration, but with +the Germans in their present state of nerves, it is quite +different. They have a strange method of retaliation, not for an injury +to themselves, but for the failure on their part to inflict one upon +others, which can only be accounted for by their savage passion for +revenge. The real danger, however, will be before this while they are +trying to prevent my escape." + +The Secretary was anxious to remain at his post as long as possible, so +he was glad to side with Mrs. Jones. Lawrence begged for and obtained +permission to go with Edestone. + +"You can take absolutely nothing in the way of luggage," said +Edestone. "I can fit you out when we get on board. I have just told +Black, Stanton, and James the same thing, and I suppose your boy would +like to go with you also." + +"Certainly," said Lawrence. + +With no preparations to make, there was nothing to do but wait. Lawrence +was the only one who was willing to go out on the streets and stand the +ugly looks that were given by all those who in some way or another knew +that they were Americans. + +On his return he reported that the papers were silent on the subject of +the Kaiser's call at the Embassy the night before. One of the afternoon +papers, he said, did report that a very large Zeppelin had been seen +flying over Berne at 9 o'clock in the morning, at about 5000 feet, +judging by her size. At first it was thought that she was on fire from +the clouds of smoke that she was emitting, but she continued on her way +in the direction of Berlin at about fifty miles an hour. She was up too +high, the papers stated, to be identified, but as the Swiss Government +knew that none of the Allies had Zeppelins, it was suggested that a +protest would soon come from Switzerland for a violation of her +neutrality. + +Lawrence said that evidently the German General Staff had received some +information, for he found no officers at the Club, and troops with +anti-aircraft guns and mortars with their two-wheeled trailers were +moving in all directions. + +The general public, however, as usual, seemed to have no information, +and were going about their duties in their usual stolid manner. + +The troops around the Embassy had been reinforced and were showing great +activity. He thought that the Kaiser was making a personal inspection +judging by the number of high officers he saw going and coming. + +The soldiers were most insulting in their manner and kept him moving, +and would not allow him to go anywhere near the mortars which were +stripped for action. The covers over the two-wheeled drums were +unstrapped so that they could be thrown off at a moment's notice. + +"You are right," said Edestone, as he and Lawrence stood looking out of +one of the windows of the Embassy at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. +"They have heard something. I am surprised that we have heard nothing +from them today. You can depend upon it, they will try to get me without +an actual fight. They know that they can bamboozle our Government, but +fear the temper of our people will not stand for any killing, which they +certainly intend to do if necessary. I do wish Mrs. Jones was not here. + +"If 'Specs' was over Berne at 9 o'clock," he went on, "and he wanted to, +he could have been here hours ago. He is evidently jogging along +slowly. He cannot now be more than fifty miles away; he is perhaps just +about at Leipsic. I think we had better speak to him and tell him to go +higher up and not to come over Berlin before dark. You know he does not +know what is going on here. I am afraid to warn him about the wires, +for if by chance they should intercept our message they would know that +they had struck a very good answer to my 'Little Peace Maker.'" + +"You don't mean to say," cried Lawrence, "that there is any chance of +their pulling you down with those wires?" + +"It all depends," replied Edestone. "It would take me some time to +calculate the amount of metal it would require to take the current that +would wreck us, but if they do get that amount in contact with us and +the earth at the same time we will come down." + +"My God!" said Lawrence. + +"Well, that is the reason that I do not want to take any chance by +mentioning wires at all. They don't know now that one wire will not do +the trick, and if they get the idea that it is a question of the largest +possible number, they will double up on us. As it is, they have sixteen, +and we have a fighting chance. At any rate, I will speak to 'Specs' and +tell him not to come over the Embassy until after dark." + +"Won't he have some difficulty in finding the Embassy?" asked Lawrence. + +Edestone laughed. "You do not know old 'Specs.' In the first place he +studied for six years in Berlin and knows it from end to end. Besides, +he has all of the cities of Europe plotted, and he can get his bearings +from a dozen different points. He will feel very badly unless Capt. Lee +puts him within a few inches of where his calculations tell him he +should be. Why, you should see him calculating! He used a 6 H pencil, +and he can cover a large sheet of paper with microscopic figures before +you have even sharpened yours! It will be just like 'Specs,' if it is a +still night, to drop a plumb line and check himself. When you see him +coming down slowly, you can be sure that he is going to drop his ladder +at exactly the right spot. + +"You see to it that the servants are all out of the way. If necessary, +lock them all down in the basement. I will work out the message." + +When Lawrence returned and stated that everything was clear, Edestone +said to him: "Send this. It says: + + "Stand by at 50, up 10,000. After dark follow orders. If called + come quickly.'" + +They then took the elevator and went together to the roof, where with +powerful glasses they searched the south-western sky. On all sides they +could see Taubes, which like great birds were circling in all +directions. + +Edestone was startled by seeing something that looked like the "Little +Peace Maker," but it turned out to be one of the largest German +Zeppelins. + +"Why, my boy," laughed Lawrence, "Captain Lee could make that fellow +look like an _ante bellum_ picnic in a thunderstorm, all hoop +skirts and bombazine, before Count Zeppelin could get it under the +shelter tent. + +"It is circling now," he exclaimed; "he must have his eye on a Belgium +baby, the old buzzard!" + +After Edestone had gotten Lawrence to his wireless instrument by first +running the car down until the top was at the level of the roof, and +after Lawrence had stepped on running it up to the top of the penthouse, +he then dropped the car down and came out on the roof again. + +He looked about with his glasses; and was not surprised to see soldiers +on the roofs of the other buildings where they had stationed powerful +anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. + +"I am rather glad Mrs. Jones is not coming with us," he thought. "It is +going to be pretty hot here for a little while. We shall be under fire +for about ten feet; Captain Lee will not dare come down any closer." + +When Lawrence came down, he said: "I got him and he answered me. I am +sure someone was trying to cut in. I could not tell whether he could get +us or not, but he was trying to mix us up." + +Edestone worked with his little book for a few minutes, and then read +aloud: + + "Passed over Leipsic up 5000. Have been seen. Will stand by at 30, + up 10,000." + +"That means that he is about over Dessau, and could get here in fifteen +minutes easily if called. So far so good. But those machine guns are +worrying me. I did not want to make any show of force, but self +protection may drive me to it. + +"Run the elevator down, Lawrence, and come back by the stairs. We can +walk down. I want to look over my ground and plan my campaign." + +"How foolish," he thought, "not to have remembered the machine guns on +the roofs. The only protection we have on the Embassy are the chimneys +and the penthouse, and they will protect only halfway up the landing +ladder. There is always that ten feet in which we will be exposed on all +sides to a fire under which nothing could live for half a minute." + +He then examined the door to the bulkhead at the head of the stairs. It +was strong, but there was no way to fasten it on the outside. There was +another door at the bottom of the stairs that could be locked, but it +was an ordinary door and could easily be broken down. He found only one +place on the entire roof where there was what might be called a zone of +safety, and that was by no means perfectly safe. + +He carefully worked out the plan of defence, giving to his enemy the +part to play which he thought they would naturally take. + +When Lawrence came up he explained his plan to him. He said: "When they +see that we are attempting to escape by the roof, they will rush us by +coming up those stairs. I do not intend to allow my men to fire unless +it is absolutely necessary." + +"Oh, just shoot me one little one," begged Lawrence. + +Edestone frowned disapprovingly. "When they have broken through the +lower door, we can stand here between the penthouse and the chimneys, +and by keeping down below the parapet be comparatively safe. I will then +tell them that I have a machine gun trained on the bulkhead door, and +that it will be certain death for them to attempt to come out that +way. If they fire on the Embassy, I will order my large guns to silence +every gun that bears on it." + +As they went downstairs the sun was just setting. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +"SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!" + + +As Edestone and Lawrence were coming down the stairs they were met by +one of the German servants, who told them in a rather excited manner +that the Secretary wished to see them both in his library. + +Hastening down they were surprised as they arrived in the main hall to +see through the iron and glass grille a squad of German soldiers +standing at the front door. + +"This is their last card," said Edestone in an undertone, "and if it +fails there is nothing left for them to do but kill me. They have +received word from Leipsic and they know that there is no time to lose, +so we can look out now for anything. You had better get our party +together, Lawrence, and see that every man has a pistol. There are two +automatics in my room. When you get back, if you find me standing, or if +I rise, or if I light a cigar, make some excuse and get up to the roof +as quickly as you can and send your S. O. S. call to 'Specs.' He can be +here in fifteen minutes after he receives it. Then, lock that grille and +station someone there you can trust." + +"I wonder what they'll charge me with?" he thought as alone he entered +the room where the Secretary was sitting calmly, although Edestone could +see that he was making a great effort not to show his indignation to the +German officer who was standing in front of him. + +Edestone knew him so well that when he saw his mouth fixed as though he +was whistling quietly to himself, the forefinger of his right hand at +his lips as if to assist him in his musical efforts,--he who could not +turn a tune,--he knew that Jones had himself well in hand. In his left +hand the Secretary held a formal-looking paper with which he was quietly +tapping the table in front of him as though keeping time to his +soundless and imaginary ditty. With his chin well down, he was looking +from under his heavy eyebrows with eyes that were dangerously cold. + +The officer who had delivered these papers was apparently waiting for +his answer and stood very erect, looking straight ahead of him. He did +not change his position or notice Edestone as he entered the room. + +"Good-morning, Count von Hemelstein," said Edestone on seeing who it +was, and the soldier then condescended to acknowledge the greeting with +a slight bow. + +The Secretary leaned forward, and putting both hands flat on the table +while looking straight at Count von Hemelstein, said in a rather +judicial tone, as though delivering an opinion from the bench: + +"Mr. Edestone, Count von Hemelstein has just delivered to me an order +for your arrest on the charge of giving assistance to the enemies of +Germany. He also charges Lawrence Stuyvesant with insulting the +Emperor's uniform and his dignity by impersonating a Prince of the Royal +Blood and rendering that Prince ridiculous. He states, however, in your +case that the Emperor will accept your explanation if you will accompany +Count von Hemelstein quietly and make it to His Imperial Majesty in +person. In the case of Lawrence Stuyvesant, he demands an apology and +has paroled him in my custody until this is received, and as in the +first case he makes a further condition, which is that the Emperor will +accept an apology made by Lawrence Stuyvesant to the Prince himself, +provided only that you agree to accompany Count von Hemelstein quietly +and at once." + +Then turning as if addressing a prisoner on trial before him he said, in +that soft and quiet voice always assumed by a judge in speaking to a +criminal, even though he knows that the culprit has just boiled his +mother: + +"In the case against you, Mr. Edestone, in your absence I have flatly +denied the charge. In the case against Lawrence Stuyvesant I deny all +knowledge of, and decline to express an opinion until I have had an +opportunity of looking into, the circumstances of the alleged offence." + +Edestone who had stood during this went over and took a seat at the +Secretary's side of the table. "It is just as you said it would be," he +observed to the Count with a mocking laugh as he passed him. "You +Germans are so thorough." + +The Count made no reply, only stiffening up, if it were possible to give +any more of that quality of German militarism to a ramrod in human form. + +He stood as if expecting the Secretary to continue, or to hear further +from Edestone, but both men sat perfectly still looking at him. The +Secretary, as if having delivered his ruling, he was waiting for the +case to go on, settled back into his chair, while Edestone, with the +look of a lawyer who is perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the +court, was grinning at his opponent, toying with both hands with a small +bronze paper-weight made in the shape of a ploughshare, recently +received from Washington with the compliments of the Secretary of State. + +As neither man seemed to have the slightest intention of breaking the +silence, after a moment which seemed an age, Count von Hemelstein +brought his hand with a snap to a salute. + +"My orders are to bring Mr. Edestone with me," he said, "and if you +decline to deliver him to me, Mr. Secretary, I must use force." + +"That I have no power to prevent you from doing," said Jones. "You are +now in the Embassy of a friendly nation, on soil dedicated by His +Imperial Majesty to the use of the representative of that nation, whose +safety and that of those he may see fit to protect are guaranteed by the +most solemn promise that it is possible for one nation to make to +another. If His Imperial Majesty intends to break his solemn word, I am +as powerless as the lowest peasant in his domain. As to my word of +honour as to the safe-keeping of Mr. Lawrence Stuyvesant, you have by +your act reduced me to the rank of a simple American citizen, and as +such, and not as representing the Ambassador at the Court of Berlin--for +after this there can be none--I tell you that I will not give my word to +those who do not keep theirs. As to Mr. Edestone, I can simply, for his +own sake, advise him to go with you, but not before I tell him that his +country will resist with all its power the indignity which His Majesty +has seen fit to offer it." + +Lawrence, who had come in during this speech, was standing looking in +amazement from one to the other. + +Then Edestone rose. "Mr. Secretary," he said, "I regret to have been the +cause of putting you in this most trying position, and before I decide +to accompany this officer or detective I must think, so with your +permission I will light a cigar." He walked over to a table and very +slowly selected one from a box that was there. + +Lawrence, as if he had forgotten something, left the room hurriedly. + +Edestone very deliberately took his cigar and very slowly lighted it. He +then as slowly walked back to his seat and sat blowing ring after ring, +holding all the time the box of matches in his right hand. + +In the meantime Lawrence had walked to the front door, as if looking out +to see why the soldiers were there, and turned the key of the grille so +noiselessly that it failed to attract any attention from the men on the +outside. Then turning to Fred, the Bowery boy, who was waiting for him, +he spoke in an undertone. + +"Don't let any of the servants open that door or even go near it," he +said, and, satisfied that his order would be obeyed, stepped inside the +elevator and closed the door with a bang. + +Edestone, who had meanwhile been doing anything simply to kill time, +heard this. He knew that Lawrence would work quickly, and had had ample +time to carry out the first part of his instructions. As if about to +drop into his pocket the box of matches he was holding, he drew with a +quick motion a .38 automatic, and leaning across the table covered the +Count with it. + +"Hold up your hands!" he said without raising his voice. "It is safer." + +There was on his face that unmistakable look of the man who intends to +kill. The other man saw it and understood, and reluctantly raised his +hands above his head after making a half-gesture as if to draw his own +pistol from his belt but thinking better of it. + +"This is very foolish, Mr. Edestone," he said with a disdainful +sneer. "Will you fight single-handed six million men?" + +Jones, who when a young man had spent a good many years in a frontier +town, was too accustomed to this method of punctuating one's remarks and +calling the undivided attention of one's listener to them, to be much +surprised. At any rate, he showed none, and besides he knew Edestone to +be a perfectly cool man whose trigger finger would not twitch from +nervousness. + +"Be careful, Jack," he contented himself with saying very quietly; "I +suppose you know what you are about." Then he settled back to wait for +Edestone to explain what he would do next. + +"Yes, William," said Edestone, "I know exactly what I am doing, and in +order to relieve you and your Government from any responsibility, I +here, in the presence of the Emperor's representative, renounce my +allegiance to the United States of America and to all other countries, +and I now become a law unto myself, accountable to no one but myself--in +other words, an outlaw, a pirate." He turned then to the emissary of +the Kaiser. + +"Count von Hemelstein, as I intend to keep you in that position for some +little time unless you will allow me to remove your arms--not your +sword," he explained quickly on seeing the look of horror that came over +the Prussian's face. "I will allow you to keep that barbaric relic of +the Middle Ages and modern Japan, to which you and the Knights k of the +Orient attach so much importance. But that very nice automatic I must +have. I beg that you will allow me to take it without any unnecessary +fuss." He walked around the table and, gently pulling the pistol out of +its holster, put it into his own pocket, keeping the Count carefully +covered all the while. + +"Now you can take down your hands. I know that you can hide nothing more +dangerous in that tight-fitting uniform of yours than a long cigarette +holder and a very pretty box. I am delighted that you have been so +quiet, as no one could come to your assistance. Your soldiers are locked +outside of the iron grille and would have some difficulty in breaking it +down, even if they could hear you; so sit down. I wish to explain a few +things to you. + +"It is now exactly a quarter before eight o'clock. By eight the Little +Peace Maker will be over the Embassy, and you with your boastful +knowledge of other people's business must realize what that means. You +have heard what I just said to the Secretary representing the United +States at the Court of Berlin, and my object in making that statement +before you was to relieve him and the United States of America of the +responsibility of any of my acts. The Little Peace Maker is my own +personal property, and before she fires a gun or drops a bomb I shall +haul down the flag of the United States and run up my own private +signal, which on my yacht, the _Storm Queen_, is well known in all +yachting circles. In short, from now on I declare myself an outlaw. + +"If your Emperor will allow me and my men to go abroad peaceably, I will +do so and all may be well, but at the very first act of violence I will +take the necessary steps to protect them. I intend to keep you here +until I am notified that the airship has arrived, and when I leave this +room, my advice to you is not to follow me, but go at once and notify +your superior officer and thereby save the great loss of life that will +otherwise ensue. + +"Now, Count, as we will have about ten minutes longer together, I am +quite sure that the Secretary will not object to your joining me with +one of the Ambassador's extremely good cigars," and he winked at his +friend Jones. + +He walked over to the table as if to get the box, but the moment his +back was turned the Count jumped and started for the door like a +flash. With a quick side step, however, Edestone threw himself between +him and the only exit from the room, and giving the fugitive a good poke +in the stomach with the muzzle of his gun, said: + +"I allowed you to do that to show you that you are absolutely in my +power. Sit down, Count von Hemelstein, and if you will give me your word +of honour that you will not move I shall not tie you. Do you accept +these terms?" + +The Count nodded his head and sat down, and the Secretary, who all this +time had been sitting perfectly quiet, said with a very little bit of a +smile on about one-half of his mouth: + +"Count von Hemelstein, if I were you I should sit still. You must see +that you are powerless to do anything, and whereas I know that +Mr. Edestone does not intend to kill you unless it is absolutely +necessary, I am equally certain that he intends to if it is. In fact, I +do not know that he might not kill me if I stood in his way. He has just +declared himself to be an outlaw, and it is my duty to turn him over to +the authorities, but I should hate to have to try to do it now that he +seems so bent on leaving us." + +Edestone, who quickly caught the idea that the Secretary was trying to +convey to him, turned on his friend. + +"If you, my friend, whom I have known for years, desert me now," he +declared in a loud and apparently much excited tone, "or attempt to +deliver me over to these wild people to kill, I will kill you, if it is +the last act of my life." He faced about so that one eye was hidden from +the flabbergasted German and gave another significant wink. Then +turning back to the Count he resumed: "I will kill any man who prevents +me from going on board the Little Peace Maker tonight. Now let us talk +about more pleasant things for the few remaining minutes that we are to +have in each other's company." + +But the Count was in no mood for conversation. He sat staring at the +floor, while Edestone with his watch in his hand waited for word from +Lawrence. It was now eight o'clock and still no response. Could there +be some mistake? Had the Germans been able to prevent his message from +going through? Or was Lawrence waiting to be sure that the airship was +coming before leaving the roof to notify him? + +On the outside all was quiet, and as long as the soldiers did not +suspect, everything would be all right. But suppose that the Emperor +should grow impatient and send another messenger? He was just +congratulating himself that the Count did not know what time it was or +that the Little Peace Maker was now overdue, when a clock somewhere +struck eight. + +The Count straightened up and his look of k interest changed to hope, +and finally a smile broke over his face as the minutes slipped by. + +"Well, Mr. Edestone, your little dream will soon be over," he taunted, +after sitting for about five minutes longer. + +Even the Secretary was growing fidgety. He knew that something would +have to happen soon or the German General Staff, with its usual +thoroughness, would ask the reason why, and this question would be put +in their usual forcible manner. + +It was now ten minutes after eight, and Edestone expected every minute +to hear a ring at the front door. Besides, the dusk was coming on and +the servants would soon be in to light the lights. He had decided that +if they did he would retreat to the roof, forcing the Count to accompany +him, and there make a last stand. He formed a mental resolution never to +leave that roof alive except on board of the Little Peace Maker. He had +always said that he had rather be dead than a failure. He did not want +to live to see his life's work, his beautiful ship, which must finally +come down, used for war, death, and destruction, his dream of universal +peace gone forever; or by his own discovery remove still farther from +the grasp of the long-suffering world that relief which it was vainly +reaching out for in its present desperate plight. + +Was this the end? If so, he would meet it calmly, but not until he had +made a fight. Then he would meet Fate with a smile, for she had been +good to him. Perhaps an all-wise Providence had decreed that man must +fight on to the bitter end, and to punish him for his presumption in +attempting to alter an unalterable law had led him on only to destroy +him just as he, with his petty little mind, thought he had reached the +goal. + +The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to +happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and +Jones was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth +in what he was saying. + +It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front +door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph. + +"Mr. Edestone," he said, "don't you think that it is just about time to +ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I +hate to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary." + +The ring was followed by another longer than the first. + +Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a +light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring. + +"I return the compliment," he said. + +There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell +was rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door +was followed by the breaking of the glass in the iron grille. Above this +din, which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought +nerves of the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last +forty minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which +at first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity +increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up +from the southern part of the city. + +Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have +been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window. + +The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces +within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made +a jump for the door. + +"Sit down, you dog!" cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and +he sent a bullet crashing through the door just above the Count's hand +where it rested on the knob. + +Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the +ball that he thought must certainly follow. + +"Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word +without help, I will help you next time." + +But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their +efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and +trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came +down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor +who announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the _Maine_, said: + +"Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been +sighted on our starboard bow." Then throwing off his assumed character +he added: "Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a +minute! + +"And what are you going to do with this?" he asked on seeing the +Count. "Don't you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka +bibble." + +"No." Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: +"Good-bye, William," he called over his shoulder. "I am sorry to have +given you so much trouble." + +When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started +for the roof. + +"Where are all of those who are going with us?" asked Edestone. + +"They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!" Lawrence interrupted himself, +"Fred is still down in the front hall." + +"We must go for him," said Edestone, halting the car and starting it +down. + +"Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him." + +"No, they won't stop at anything." Edestone shook his head. + +By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone +flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, +while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was +running up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to +the soldiers who had their guns through the grille: + +"Shoot that man!" + +There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the +Bowery boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell +dead. His body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +L. P. M. + + +Almost beside himself, Lawrence resisted all of Edestone's efforts to +get him back into the elevator. + +"You damn' dirty Dutchman, I'll pay you for this!" he yelled over his +shoulder, as he struggled to break loose from the firm grip which held +him, and get at the Count. + +It was not a time to permit of argument. Overpowering him with his great +strength, Edestone simply dragged him back, and flung him into a corner +of the car, where he sat crying like a baby with uncontrollable rage. + +After he had started the lift, however, Edestone went over and patted +him soothingly on the shoulder. + +"I am sorry, old man," he said regretfully, "awfully sorry! He thought +it was I, and I almost wish it had been." + +This brought Lawrence back to himself. He knew that Edestone meant every +word he said and, jumping to his feet, he threw his arms around his +friend's neck. + +"Bo!" he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-sobbing, "you are a king among +men!" little dreaming of the amount of truth there was in what he said. + +A moment later he dropped back into the vernacular, where he was more at +home. + +"You are the best sport I ever knew," he said, "and I am nothing but a +rotten squealer! Forgive me, and I will try to be good. But, Bo! that +did hurt!" The tears came to his eyes once more. "He was such a nervy +little chap!" + +By this time they had gotten to the roof, where they found Black, +Stanton, and James eagerly awaiting them. + +"Where is Fred?" asked Black, noting his absence as the other two +stepped out to join them. + +"Dead by God!" Lawrence started again to become hysterical. "That devil, +Count von Hemelstein, killed him!" + +"Shut up, Lawrence!" broke in Edestone sharply. "Cut out that swearing +and get to work. We have no time to lose." + +In the same quick, authoritative tone, he issued his orders to the +others, as they stood staring at the news, each in his different way +showing his breeding. Black was commencing to whine; Stanton with a +scowl of rage was in sympathy with Lawrence; while James, demonstrating +his years of training, stood statue-like with hand behind his back, +leaning forward as if to catch his master's next order, and carry it out +with perfect decorum. + +"Have you locked the door at the foot of the stairs? Ah! That is good!" +he exclaimed, as he saw that they had barricaded the door of the +bulkhead by putting a piece of timber between it and the coping around +one of the skylights. + +It had grown quite dark in the interval, but in the glare of the great +searchlights which were playing upon her he could plainly see above him +the Little Peace Maker which had swung into a position directly over the +Embassy, and was now slowly descending. + +She was not over a thousand feet above the roof as she hung there, three +of her great searchlights bearing steadily on three different points in +the city, and giving to her the aspect of an enormous spyglass standing +on its gigantic tripod, and by its own weight forcing the feet of the +tripod into the soft earth, as the ship slowly settled. + +Shrapnel shells were exploding all about her, and at times she was +almost entirely enveloped in smoke. Between the reports of the heavier +artillery could be heard the staccato spatter of bullets on her iron +sides as the machine-guns sprayed her from end to end. Now and then one +of the gunners would reach one of her searchlights, and as the ray was +extinguished, one almost expected to see her topple in the direction of +her broken support, but in each case it was quickly replaced by another, +and she continued to drop nearer and nearer to the earth. + +Excepting for the searchlights there was no sign of life on +board. Silently and without response of any kind, she came. But as she +approached nearer, and the angle of the German guns was still further +reduced, although they must already have been doing frightful damage in +all parts of the city, the shrapnel and small bullets could be heard +screaming over the heads of the little party on the roof. + +"It is getting pretty hot here, and we had better lie down," Edestone +said. But the words were hardly out of his mouth before Stanton fell +with a bullet in his head, and James sat down, probably more abruptly +than he had ever done anything before in all his life. + +"I beg pardon, sir," he observed with a little gasp, "but I think, sir, +as how they have got me in the leg, sir." + +They all dropped down. Stanton was dead, and James was bleeding badly +from the flesh-wound in his leg. + +"That was the fellow in that tower over there." Lawrence made a +reconnoissance. "He is now shooting straight at us." + +"This has got to stop." Edestone frowned. "Lawrence send this +message. No cipher; I would rather have them catch this. + +"Tell 'Specs' first to haul down the U. S. flag and run up my private +signal. Then he is to silence every gun he can find that is bearing on +us, and train a machine-gun on the door of the bulk-head, ready to fire +when I give the signal by throwing up my hat. + +"Take Lawrence up to the instrument, Mr. Black," he directed, turning +to Black who was giving "first aid" to the unfortunate valet. "I will do +what I can for James." + +When the elevator with Lawrence and the electrician had gone up above +the level of the roof, leaving the shaft open down into the house, he +could distinctly hear the soldiers running up the stairs. At any moment +now they might be hammering on the door at the foot of the stairway +leading to the roof. + +He hated the idea of killing those innocent Germans, mere machines, as +they were, in the hands of a Master, who with his entire entourage had +become sick with a mania which took the form of militarism, imperialism, +and pan-Germanism. But after the death of his two fellow-countrymen--for +at heart he was still true to the land of his birth, although to save her +he had just renounced the flag--he felt that he was justified in what he +was about to do. + +With a silent prayer for the peasant mothers who were soon to lose their +dear ones, he commended their souls to God, and not as these mothers, +poor benighted creatures, had done, to their Emperor. + +He was startled from these sorrowful reflections by the white glow of a +searchlight from the Little Peace Maker sweeping across the roof, and +playing hither and thither. Evidently, "Specs" had received his order, +and was now feeling about for the bulkhead door. + +A moment later he located it. Immediately the night was made hideous +with the roar of the guns from the airship, as they sowed bursting +shells in all directions, and carried death and destruction to the heart +of this great and wonderful city, built up stone by stone, and standing +as a living monument to one of the greatest people on the face of the +earth--a people that science teaches are the very last expression of +God's greatness shown in His wonderful evolution of matter into His own +image. And for what? That one family might maintain the position given +to one of their ancestors in the remote, dark, and grovelling ages of +the past for prowess of which a modern prizefighter might be proud, but +for acts to which he with a higher standard might not stoop. + +The telling response of the Little Peace Maker soon put an end to the +storm of shrapnel and bullets which had been singing, whistling, +buzzing, and screaming about them, and Edestone might have been able to +stand up, but for the pertinacity of the snipers, those serpents of +modern warfare, who were searching every dark corner of the roof. + +Matters were fast coming to a climax, however. By the time that +Lawrence and Black had returned from sending the wireless message, and +had crawled over to where Edestone lay, the soldiers had broken down the +lower door, and were pounding at the upper, which "Specs" was holding as +with a rapier point at the heart of a fallen foe, ready to strike at the +slightest movement. + +Crawling over to the elevator shaft, Edestone called down a warning in a +loud voice to those below: + +"I have a machine-gun trained on the top of the stairs! If you order +your men to break that door down, I will order my guns to fire, and will +kill them faster than you can drive them up!" + +For a moment the only response to his challenge was silence. Then a +voice rang out which he had heard before, arrogant and commanding: + +"As God has ordained that I and none other should rule the earth, with +Him alone, I shall. By my Imperial order, and with His assistance, +bring that man to me, dead or alive!" + +A brief pause ensued. Edestone could hear the officers urging on their +men. Suddenly pistol-shots rang out, and with a mad rush they came on. +The door swayed and shivered under the impact. It split and +shattered. Finally it fell. + +"May God have mercy on his soul!" murmured Edestone, and he tossed his +hat high in the air. + +"Specs" from his look-out caught the signal; and instantly the doorway +became a writhing, shrieking mass of wounded humanity. Like vaseline +squeezed out of a tube, it was forced out of the opening by the pressure +of those behind and spread in wider and wider circles across the roof, +until the aperture itself was choked and stopped with bodies. + +But Edestone and his companions were spared the full measure of this +sickening sight, as the rapid manoeuvres of the Little Peace Maker +compelled them to devote their attention to her. + +As the great ship descended to within about ten feet of the +chimney-tops, men appeared on her lower bridge and dropped over the +insulated ladder which extended almost to where the refugees lay. + +Picking James up and putting him on his back where he clung like a baby, +Edestone ran for the ladder, quickly followed by Lawrence and Black. He +reached the bridge just in time to turn James over to one of the crew, +and extend his assistance to Lawrence, who had received a shot in one +hand, and was rather dizzily holding on to the ladder with the +other. Eventually, though, they all gained the bridge, and with their +rescuers already there raced up the gangway under a perfect hail of +bullets for the open doorway at the top. But before the last man had +passed through, two of the sailors had been shot, and had fallen to +their death on the roof. + +As they entered the ship, they were met by "Specs," Captain Lee, +Dr. Brown, and other officers in uniforms which at the first glance +might have been taken for those of the New York Yacht Club, except for +the insignia on their caps which was a combination of Edestone's private +signal and the letters L. P. M. Edestone, however, interrupted their +attempt to salute him. + +"Please waive all ceremony," he said. "We have wounded men here that +must be attended to." + +At this, Dr. Brown immediately came forward, and after ordering Lawrence +and James to the hospital gave a start as his glance fell upon Edestone. + +"You did not tell me that you yourself were wounded, sir," he exclaimed; +and then for the first time Edestone discovered that his face, hands, +and clothing were covered with blood which was streaming from a wound +above his temple. + +He was about to permit himself also to be examined, when there was heard +from below the detonation of one of the Kaiser's big mortars; and +pulling away from the Doctor, he called an excited order to "Specs": + +"Throw on your full charge, and lift her as fast as you can!" + +He ran to the gangway in time to see the wire carried up to a great +height by the ball from the mortar settling down across the Little Peace +Maker about midships. It was falling now, and would soon come in contact +with the ship. + +When it did, there was a slight jar perceptible, but no such result as +the enemy had hoped. The wire was so quickly fused, accompanying an +explosion giving out an intense light, that it seemed to shoot to the +earth like a streak of lightning, setting fire to or knocking down +everything that lay in its path. + +Another and another mortar shot followed until the sky seemed to be +filled with falling wires which were swinging, twisting, and snapping +above him. The Little Peace Maker was the centre of an electrical +storm, and was sending back by every wire messages of death to those who +were striving to bring her down. + +The ship was rising very rapidly now, however, and almost before +Edestone had time to sing out, "Steady now, as you are," she was 3000 +feet above the German capital, and out of range of the wire-throwers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +YACHTING IN THE AIR + + +While Lawrence's hand was being dressed by one of the assistant +surgeons, he had an opportunity of observing how perfect were the +appointments of the operating room to which he had been taken. The +orderlies and nurses moving about were all dressed in spotless white +gowns and caps. The doctor and those assisting him in cleaning and +dressing the slight flesh-wound which had been inflicted looked at their +patient through holes in a cap that completely covered their heads and +faces. Every appliance was provided for perfect cleanliness and +sanitation, and the apparatus was on hand to permit of any operation of +modern surgery, no matter how complicated. + +From where he sat, he could see into another room exactly similar where +James was having the injury to his leg attended to with the same +scrupulous care; and he had passed, as he was brought in, a long room +which he was told was one of the surgical wards, and where he had seen +several men on hospital cots. The surgical wards, he was further +informed, were on the starboard side of the ship, and not connected in +any way with the sick bay which lay over on the port side. + +With his great love for ships and machinery, Lawrence was impatient to +get away and make a tour of inspection of this strange craft upon which +he had embarked; but while he was waiting he occupied himself in his +usual fashion by giving vent to his high spirits and making a joke out +of everything. + +"Well, Doc," he remarked to the surgeon, "you certainly have got one +nifty little butcher shop, but I want to tell you, before one of those +Ku-Klux throw me down and slap the gas bag in my face, that I have no +adenoids, and that my appendix was cut out by an Arabian doctor who +threw a handful of sand into me to stop the bleeding. If you would like +to study German sausages, though, there is a pile of it down there on +the roof." And even he shuddered as he recalled that awful carnage. + +A bright-looking chap, dressed in the smart uniform of a steward on a +gentleman's yacht, appeared at the door, but was not allowed to come in +by Lawrence's aseptic guardians. He had been sent down by Edestone to +inquire as to the condition of the wounded, and to announce to Lawrence +that if he felt well enough to join him, dinner would be ready as soon +as he was. He begged, the messenger said, that Mr. Stuyvesant would go +directly to his room and dress, and allow him to have the pleasure of +showing him over the ship after dinner. If he would let the +quarter-master's department have his measure, he would be fitted out. + +Wild horses could not have restrained Lawrence from such an invitation, +much less a little scratch on the hand; and his injury having been +dressed by this time, he was about to set out with the messenger, when +James appealed to him from the next room, begging to be allowed to look +after his master's clothes. + +"Beg pardon, sir," he urged, showing his embarrassment at not being able +to stand, "but I am the only one who knows how Mr. Edestone likes his +dinner clothes laid out, and his whole evening will be spoiled without +me, sir. I only ask to be allowed to break in the new man, sir, as +starting right in laying out a gentleman's clothes is half the battle, +sir." + +"Don't you think, you have had enough of a battle for one day, you dear +old fighting fossil?" asked Lawrence in a tone of real affection, for +there is nothing which draws men together, regardless of rank, more +quickly than to fight on the same side, and he could not help but admire +the cool manner in which the valet had borne himself under fire. + +"Thank you, sir, but mightn't I be allowed to see to his bath, sir? A +drop of hot water in it turns his stomach for a week. Just let me do +that, and I will come straight back to these very kind persons." He +glanced about at the men of science with the condescending manner of the +English upper servant in dealing with the shopkeeper class. + +But Lawrence shook his head. "I'm sorry, James, but--" he bowed low to +the grinning circle of doctors and nurses, and assumed his most +grandiloquent air--"you are now in the hands of the only acknowledged +ruling class of the twentieth century, who hold you with a grip of +steel, but whose touch is as gentle as a mother's kiss. So get out your +knitting, Old Socks; you are doomed." + +He turned with a laugh and a new impersonation to the surgeon as he left +the room. + +"Thank you, Doc. You've cert'nly been kind to me, a poor working +girl. Just send the bill to Mr. Edestone. He is my greatest gentleman +friend." + +In his room, which was reached by an elevator, he found the ship's +tailor waiting for him; but after this functionary had taken his measure +and gone, he had an opportunity to look around. + +He was in a room, he found, a parlour or sitting-room, about fifteen by +twenty, neatly but handsomely furnished, and suggesting to him in its +general appearance the owner's apartments on the largest and most +perfectly equipped yachts. There was this difference, however, that +nothing about it indicated that it was ever off an even keel. There +were no racks or other contrivances to suggest that it was prepared to +turn in any direction at an angle of forty-five degrees, and which to +the land-lubber causes qualms even while the ship is still tied to the +dock. + +It might indeed have been a handsome living-room in a bachelor's +apartment, but for the windows, which at the first glance seemed to be +of the ordinary French casement form, running down to the floor, and +looking as if they might open out onto a balcony; but to his surprise, +he found, when he pulled aside the heavy curtains, that they looked into +a perfectly blank white wall about two inches from the glass. + +Adjoining the living-room was a bedroom furnished in similar style with +the same sort of windows, and beyond, Lawrence found as attractive a +bath-room as ever welcomed an American millionaire after a hot day in +his office, or a game of polo. + +After a boiling tub and a freezing shower, in the pink of condition--and +nothing else--he went back into the bedroom. + +"Now what," he had wondered, "will the Fairy Godmother have for me in +the way of a union suit, and a pair of jumpers?" + +But he had not wondered very hard. He found, as he knew he would, for he +had yachted with Edestone before, a complete outfit, not forgetting the +cocktail, which was standing on the table as quietly and innocently as +if it had always been there, although in reality it had just been placed +there by a man who, with years of experience in listening to the sounds +that come from a gentleman's bathroom, had timed its arrival to the +second. + +Nor was it one of those cocktails that are poured from a bottle, and +served hot out of a silver-snouted shaker on a sloppy waiter, but a +masterpiece from the hands of an artist, who took pride in his +handiwork. + +With the modesty of a chorus girl with a good figure on a "first night," +he toasted the valet with much ceremony. + +Soon he was dressed in the mess jacket of a petty officer, and putting a +yachting cap jauntily on his head, he went out to seek his friend. The +valet told him he would find Mr. Edestone in the breakfast room, and he +was shown thither by an officer who was waiting for him. + +As he passed along, he could not divest himself of the idea that he was +on board Edestone's yacht, the _Storm Queen_ again, only that everything +here was on a larger scale. The breakfast room, he discovered, was on +the same deck but farther forward, and was reached by passing through a +large room furnished as a general living-room. + +Edestone came forward to greet him with a rather melancholy expression +on his face. He was dressed in a yachtsman's dinner jacket which fitted +him perfectly, and with his bandaged head, he looked more than ever the +sea lord. His rank of Captain was shown by the stripes on his arm. + +The room was, as one would expect Edestone to have in his New York or +country house, simple but handsome. + +He had just been giving some orders about the windows which were of the +same form and size as those Lawrence had remarked in his own room, and +like them opened against a wall; but at Lawrence's appearance, he +interrupted these instructions. + +"I am glad to see you aboard." He presented his hand, which Lawrence +took with his left. "I had looked forward to your first trip with me +with so much pleasure. But how different it is from the way I had +pictured it. I cannot get Fred, Stanton, or my two sailors out of my +mind." + +Lawrence's own face saddened, but for Edestone's sake he endeavoured to +speak philosophically. + +"The fortunes of war, old man. Why grieve? You certainly were not to +blame." + +For a moment there was silence between them; then Edestone, as if +attempting to shake off his gloomy reflections, struck a lighter note. + +"How do you like being a pirate, Lawrence?" he smiled. + +"Great! The dream of my life, with you for a captain!" + +So they sat down to dinner. The men attending to their wants moved about +unheard and almost unseen in the shadow outside the circle of soft light +which fell only on the table. The room was filled with an indescribable +aroma of comfort and good cheer. A newly-lighted fire crackled on the +hearth, for it had suddenly become quite cold. Indeed, it was with +difficulty Lawrence could realize that but a few hours before they had +been in the midst of battle and sudden death, and that, as they sat, +down there five times the height of the Eiffel Tower below them was the +Embassy from which they were still removing the dead, or aiding the +dying. + +As he looked at Edestone with his sad, brooding eyes, he felt all at +once as if his friend had been taken away from him, and had been lifted +to a place so exalted, that for the life of him, he could not have taken +the liberty of speaking until he was first addressed. + +The dinner went on, and though the food was delightful and the wines +perfect, both men merely toyed with what was on their plates, while +Lawrence gulped his champagne as if he were trying to get its effect +quickly in order to throw off this strange new diffidence and restraint +which he now felt in the presence of his oldest and dearest friend. + +He tried to imagine that they two were cruising alone on the _Storm +Queen_, as they had so often done, and that this was just one of many +evenings that they had spent in this way together; but + + Where was the lap of the water at her side, + Or the pounding of the launch as she rode at her boom? + The groan of the anchor as she swung with the tide, + Or the blowing off steam, which demanded more room? + +All was perfectly quiet. If there were storage batteries on board, they +had been charged. There was no shovelling of coal; no shrieking and +banging of doors in the boiler room, nor banking of fires. The only +thing that remained true to tradition was the ship's bell. It had just +sounded out five bells. + +The silence was at last broken by Edestone; but, although he spoke, it +was more as if he were merely letting his pensive thoughts run on. + +"How different this has been from the way I had planned it. How +different, too, has been your home-coming, old man--for the _Storm +Queen_ was like home to you in the old days." + +But Lawrence by this time was beginning to feel the effects of +champagne, and was certain that unless he very soon did something to +lift the pall that had fallen on them, he himself would be dissolved in +tears. + +"I don't know what your plan was," he said; "but don't you worry about +my home-coming. The thing that ought to worry you is my leave-taking. +The L. P. M. has got the _Storm Queen_ beat a mile, and I am booked for +life. And, by the way, what is my rank on this ship? My old position of +room clerk on the _Storm Queen_ won't go here, as I don't suppose you +intend to have any 'cuties' on board, not even for the New London week." + +"No." Edestone consented at last to smile. "I am afraid, Lawrence, +those days are all over for me. My little house of cards has fallen +about me, and I have serious work before me, if I wish to build it up +again. I have been thinking, and thinking very hard. From the moment +that I saw poor Fred roll down the stairs of the Embassy, I knew that my +first plan had failed. When Germany discovers that the United States is +not back of me, she will apologize, and you know how quickly our present +Administration will accept the apology, and how quickly they will +disclaim any responsibility for my acts, if it means a fight?" + +Lawrence nodded. + +"Germany," went on Edestone, "will then call on all the neutral nations +to join her in bringing me, an outlaw, to earth. This will give her a +common cause with them, and she will hope in that way to strengthen her +position relative to the Allies. She does not know my relationship with +England, but she will undoubtedly declare that I am one of the means +England is using to subjugate the world." + +"And is there nothing you can do?" asked Lawrence. + +"My last and only hope is that tomorrow, after they have realized the +uselessness of opposing me, they will listen to a proposition of +peace--without honour, from their old standard; but with great honour, +from the standard that I intend to establish. I propose to send what is +practically an ultimatum; and that is, that if they do not immediately +open negotiations looking toward peace, I will sink every German +battleship that floats, and destroy every factory in which guns, +explosives, or any of the munitions of war are manufactured." + +"Me for the junk business," exclaimed Lawrence with an inspiration. "Oh, +you Krupps!" + +But Edestone paid no heed to the frivolous interruption. "It is my +intention," he continued, "to give sufficient notice, so that if they +are willing to admit my supremacy, there need be no loss of life." + +He halted, as an officer had just come in, and was standing after +saluting, waiting for Edestone to stop speaking. + +"The look-outs report, sir, that there are several Taubes climbing up +toward us. What are your orders, sir?" + +"Close everything down, except one of these." Edestone pointed to a +window. "Expose no lights." + +After the man had retired, he said to one of the servants in the room: +"Put out the lights, and bring us two cloaks." + +When the lights had been put out, Lawrence saw for the first time that +during dinner the solid cubes of steel, the size of the windows, had +noiselessly rolled back, leaving a square aperture or passage-way +through the six-foot thickness of the armour-plate, and forming a sort +of _loggia_ into which they stepped. It was a beautiful night, and +through the clear, rarefied atmosphere the stars seemed to Lawrence +brighter than he had ever seen them before, while down below them he +could just see the lights of Berlin. + +The explosions of the motors of the Taubes could be plainly heard, but +as yet nothing could be seen of them. + +"What do you suppose those mosquitoes expect to do against us with their +pop-guns and tomato cans?" asked Lawrence. + +"I do not know." Edestone shook his head. "Perhaps they are just coming +up to look us over. They will keep out of sight, and as they may not +know that we are protected on top, will perhaps try to drop one of their +tomato cans on us. That is, if they can get close enough. I hardly think +that they will risk a miss, and drop bombs on their own capital, so long +as the Only One Who Seems To Count In Germany is in the midst of his +beloved people." + +The Taubes could be heard on all sides, as if they were climbing in +great circles around the Little Peace Maker. There seemed to be at least +a dozen of them, although owing to the confusion of sounds as they +crossed and re-crossed, it was impossible to count them. + +At last, though, when judging by the noise they were about on the same +level as the ship, Edestone turned to an officer who was standing by +him. + +"Tell Commander Anderson to load all of the big guns with a full charge +of black powder only, and fire them all off at the same time. + +"And, Lawrence," he advised his friend, "when you hear a bell ringing, +stand on your toes, open your mouth, stick your fingers in your ears, +and if you've never been in Hell before, prepare yourself for a shock." + +Hardly had he gotten the words out of his mouth, when bells began +ringing all over the ship. In just exactly one minute, Lawrence thought +he had been blown into bits, as he was lifted and thrown from side to +side against the steel walls of the passage. The noise was so great that +his ears seemed unable to record it, and it was made known to him by the +air pressure which seemed to be crushing him to death. The rush of air +down his throat was choking him, while his very insides seemed to be +turning over and over in their effort to escape. A dizziness and nausea +followed, and he had to lean against his friend, trying to catch his +breath in the thick, black smoke with which they were enveloped. + +"This is Hell all right," he managed to gasp. + +"That is the worst you will ever get," said Edestone. "It was noise that +I was after, and black powder makes it. Your experience would not have +been half so bad had the guns been loaded or had I used smokeless." + +The ship which had trembled from stem to stern under the tremendous +concussion was floating now as quietly as a toy balloon, while the wind +was rolling up and pushing before it a great cloud of smoke which +obscured the sky. On all sides there was perfect stillness, broken only +now and again by the last explosion of gas caught in the cylinders of +the Taubes by the sudden stoppage of the engines. The airmen were +volplaning to earth as fast and as silently as they could. + +"Well, that ought to hold them for a while," commented Lawrence in a +tone which showed that he was almost himself again. + +"And make them a little bit more amenable to reason in the morning," +added Edestone, and he laughed, for action with him always drove away +the blue devils. + +"With that settled, too, we will just have time before turning in, to +inspect my quarters," he continued. "Tomorrow I will introduce you to +'Specs' and Captain Lee, and you can go with them at eleven o'clock on +their tour of official inspection. They will show you the fire drill, +the life-balloon drill, the gun drill, the kitchen, and the cows. But +now I want you to see a different side of the ship. We will look at my +quarters, then at my guest rooms, and finally at my royal suite or state +apartments as I call them." + +He then took Lawrence through room after room, which were arranged in +the form of a horseshoe, starting on the port side with his breakfast +room, and working around to the starboard side with its opening toward +the stern of the ship. + +On the port side were Edestone's apartments--living-room, library, +or den, bedroom, dressing-room, bath-room, and gymnasium. On the +starboard were a number of guest rooms arranged in suites of parlour, +bedroom, and bath, while at the crown of the arch was a large dining-room +in which fifty persons could sit down to dinner comfortably. + +The centre of the horseshoe was the large room through which he had +passed, and like the general meeting room of a large country house was +filled with all known kinds of games--instruments and devices to amuse +that most unfortunate class of human beings who have no resources within +themselves, and must play some foolish game, or do some foolish puzzle +in order to get through the life which seems to hang so heavily on their +hands. + +From this they passed to a lower deck about amidships, to a room about +eighty feet by one hundred and twenty feet, which extended the full +width of the ship and up three decks. At one end of this large and +handsome room was a raised platform arranged like the Speaker's desk in +the House of Representatives at Washington with the desks at lower +levels for stenographers, clerks, and attendants, while around the room +in concentric circles were large comfortable seats and desks, also like +a Senate Chamber, only more luxurious in appointments, as though it were +to receive a more distinguished body of men than the Senate of the +United States, if that were possible. + +"This," said Edestone, "is where I intend to hold my Peace Conference, +and when you see the names of the distinguished men who are to sit here, +and the apartments that I have arranged for them and their suites, you +will perhaps be glad to take your old position of room clerk." + +Then after showing his companion through these magnificent "royal +suites," as he called them, all furnished and equipped in the most +sumptuous fashion, he suggested that they had better turn in. + +"We will hope and pray for the best in the morning," he said, as he bade +Lawrence good-night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE ULTIMATUM + + +The sun was streaming through the windows when Lawrence awoke the next +morning. The valet had come in shortly before to throw back the +curtains with a slam, and by moving about the room, slapping up shades +and dropping boots, make the usual noises of a well-trained valet at +that time of the morning. + +"Mr. Edestone is already up, sir," he said when he saw that he had +succeeded in waking Lawrence, "and is having his breakfast in his own +apartments. Will you have yours here or will you go to the breakfast +room?" + +"Breakfast room," elected Lawrence sleepily. "What time is it?" + +"Eight o'clock, sir. What will you have for breakfast, sir?" + +"Anything and eggs," said Lawrence, and was about to turn over and go to +sleep again when he realized where he was, and leaping out of bed to the +window in one bound stepped out into the _loggia_. + +The Little Peace Maker had dropped down and was now only about a +thousand feet up; and when he looked down from his balcony, he could see +that she had changed her position so as to float exactly over the +Palace. It almost seemed to him as if he could step off and onto the +roof of this great pile of masonry. The airship, too, must have just +moved into this position, as was shown by the excited way in which the +little people below him were running away in every direction. + +He had his bath, and hurriedly dressing went into the breakfast room, +where he found Edestone, who had finished his breakfast and was waiting +for him, while reading from a lot of slips of paper which he was turning +over in his hand. The master of the ship was dressed all in white and +looked refreshed after a good night's rest. + +"Good-morning, Lawrence," he greeted him. "Did you sleep well?" + +"Like a top." + +"And how is your hand?" + +"I had almost forgotten it, only I did get the dressings wet while +taking my bath, but that will give me an excuse for passing the time of +day with the doctors. How is your head?" + +"Oh, that does not amount to anything," said Edestone. "It will be well +in a week. Have you seen the morning papers?" With a smile he handed him +a sheet on which was printed all the news of the day which the wireless +man had picked up during the night. + +"The United States has not been heard from," he commented as he glanced +it over. "I wonder what the Southern Baptist Union School Children will +think of me now? You know the Secretary of State thought I was a +Baptist. And as for him, why he will leave the State Department and stay +away until it gets too hot in Florida, or the lecturing season is all +over, while the President will write a most scholarly note to all of the +Powers telling them how much he loves them, and what a glorious thing it +is to be an American. He will then give an unqualified invitation to all +of the dark-skinned downtrodden criminals of Europe to come over and be +sprinkled with the holy water of citizenship, after they have made their +mark to their naturalization papers which have been read to them by +their interpreter. + +"London reports that the news from Germany has filled the entire country +with new confidence," he went on, "and that the Londoners have given +themselves over to the most un-English and thoroughly Latin +demonstrations by parading the streets and singing songs and indulging +in another Mafeking. I see, too, that Lord Rockstone is reported to have +said that he thought now the war would not last as long as he had +expected. The King has called a special meeting of the Cabinet for today +at 4 o'clock. + +"Reports come from Rome that Italy will enter the war immediately, and +the papers point out the fact that now since her friend America has +joined the Allies it is high time that Italy should take her position. + +"Petrograd reports that they have lost 100,000 men but have captured +250,000 Austrians. + +"Constantinople," he went on reading, "declares that the Dardanelles are +impregnable and that the city is perfectly quiet, but the Sultan and +half of his harem have moved to his summer residence." + +He laid down the printed sheet. "I have had no communication yet from +down there," he said as he pointed down in the direction of the Palace. +"My international law department is drawing up a proclamation which I +will send as soon as it is finished. It will be along the lines that I +spoke of to you last night, but framed in more diplomatic +language. These are the latest bulletins I was just reading over when +you came in." + +Then while Lawrence sat eating his breakfast, Edestone continued to read +now and then bits of the different press notices. + +"Listen to this," he said with a laugh. "'The twenty Taubes sent up to +make a night attack on the American airship inflicted great +injury. After using up all their ammunition and bombs they were forced +to retire before the large guns of the enemy. They all reached the +ground in safety. The tremendous explosion that was heard in the city +is thought to have been caused by the exploding of one of the large +magazines.'" + +"What's that from?" Lawrence glanced up from his "anything and eggs." +"_Die Fliegende Blatter?_" + +But Edestone did not smile, he was glancing at another of the slips. + +"Ah," he said in a sad voice, "I seem to have killed about one thousand +people last night." + +"Still," argued Lawrence, "that was not as large a percentage of the +German Empire as they killed of your little kingdom." + +"No," granted Edestone; "and as long as they insist upon treating me as +an outlaw I will be one so far as they are concerned. I will now go and +see if my ultimatum is prepared. I am undecided as to whether I will +send it by wireless or by a messenger." + +Lawrence finished his breakfast and while he sat in the _loggia_ smoking +his cigar and looking down over the city, he decided to ask permission +to carry the message to the Emperor himself. The idea delighted him, +and he pictured exactly how he would walk and speak his lines like the +prince in the story book. He only regretted that he was not to be +dressed up in spangles, like the heralds of old, and have the triumphal +march from _Aida_ played by trumpeters from the Metropolitan Opera +House who would precede him in their brand-new Cammeyer sandals and +badly fitting tights but he decided that if said trumpeters were obliged +to read sheet music he would not allow them to wear glasses. He was just +making up his mind what he would say to the Emperor when Wilhelm fell on +his knees and begged him to intercede for him, as Edestone came in, and +blasted all these glowing dreams with a word. + +"Well, it is done," he said, "and I have given them until one o'clock to +answer." + +Lawrence was then formally introduced to "Specs" under his title of +Admiral Page, to Captain Lee, and the officers, and he spent one of the +most delightful days of his life, so much interested in what he saw that +he entirely forgot that he was a pirate, waiting to destroy a peaceable +city if it did not do his bidding. + +Edestone had settled himself down for a quiet day of waiting, and +Lawrence amused himself by inspecting every part of the ship and talking +with all on board from the oil men to the Admiral. + +"Admiral Page," he inquired, "where do you keep the Deionizer?" + +At which "Specs" peeped at him with a suspicious glance through his +thick glasses. "Has Mr. Edestone spoken to you of that?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Lawrence, "but he did not explain to me its working." + +"Specs" hesitated to take even Lawrence into the holy of holies until he +had obtained permission from Edestone to do so. Having by telephone +communicated with him, and receiving his permission, he conducted +Lawrence up into the bow of the ship. After passing through several +heavy doors, which "Specs" unlocked, saluting the sentries at each, they +came to a great iron grille and he motioned to Lawrence to look through, +saying, "This is as far as I can take you." + +Lawrence looked through, and he saw what appeared to be the door of an +enormous safe-deposit k vault. "That," nodded "Specs," "is the door to +the safe in which the Deionizer is kept. No one on earth excepting +Mr. Edestone knows the combination that will open those doors. That is +run by a one hundred H. P. motor in the engine room, and from it run the +deionizing cables which run down the port and starboard sides of the +vessel." + +"Do you mean to say," said Lawrence, "that I have no weight?" as he felt +his large biceps with an expression of pride. + +This caused "Specs" to laugh, and in response to the numberless +questions put to him by the young man, he explained the different +mechanisms by which the weight of the ship and its contents was kept at +the weight of the amount of air displaced by it. + +"So," said Lawrence, "we are floating not by virtue of gas bags filled +with gas lighter than air, but by the amount of air displaced by all +metallic substances on this vessel, which for all practical purposes are +rendered lighter than air?" + +"Yes," replied "Specs," with a look of pity for the other man's +ignorance, "I suppose that is the way you would express it. If you +really want to understand, and are willing to give the time to it, come +to my quarters, and I will give you the scientific explanation." + +"No, thank you," said Lawrence; "I'll take your word for it, but I am +glad to know that when I get back to earth I'm not liable at any time to +be blown away like a thistledown." + +At lunch Edestone appeared very thoughtful and seemed to feel great +anxiety about the outcome of his note. They had observed that soon after +the message had been sent automobiles were coming and going from the +Palace in great numbers, and gathered that the Emperor apparently was +holding a council of war. They had also seen with powerful glasses that, +in certain parts of the city there was great activity of some kind, but +they were unable to ascertain exactly what it was. + +"I cannot understand," frowned Edestone, "how they can possibly decline +a proposition _pour parler_. I asked them to agree to nothing. I +assured them that I would use my influence in favour of a just +settlement of all the claims arising out of the war and of the incidents +leading up to it. I appealed to their humanity, and guaranteed as far +as lay within my power to protect the lives and property of Germans all +over the world if they would only stop all actual fighting until I could +make an exactly similar appeal to the other Governments that are +involved." + +Just then an officer came in and handed Edestone a wireless message +which had just been received. + +Edestone read it hurriedly, but as he glanced up it was easy to see from +the expression on his face that he was pleased. + +"Well," he exclaimed elatedly, "these Germans are not so bad after all, +and if they will only give up the idea that they are the only people on +the face of the earth, the sooner will they get what they want. That is, +if they are telling the truth when they state they are fighting only to +bring religion, science, and culture to the entire world. They do +sincerely and honestly believe, I think, that this can be obtained only +under the German form of government, and many of the other nations would +be willing to admit this in part were they absolutely convinced of their +sincerity and did not suspect them of greed on the part of the merchant +class and ambition on the part of the war party. + +"They have apparently received my note in the spirit in which it was +sent," he explained, "and have agreed to consider carefully the +proposition which I have made. They only ask to be given until five +o'clock this afternoon to draw up in proper form their reply to me and +their message to the other countries. I am expecting every minute now to +see a white flag displayed somewhere on or around the Palace, which was +the signal agreed upon and is to be acknowledged by a similar flag +displayed by me. This is not to be considered as an indication of any +weakness on their part, or any surrendering of their rights or the +acknowledgment of my power, but as a truce which will last only until +five o'clock, or until such earlier time as I shall answer them. They +stipulate that I, as an indication of good faith, withdraw to some point +outside of the city, where it will be well out of range of my largest +guns, and in order to fix some location which will be perfectly +satisfactory they have suggested that I lie over the Gotzen See and have +established my exact position by the ruins of an old castle on its +north-eastern bank. There I am to remain until I receive their answer, +which if not satisfactory terminates the truce. They have indicated very +justly that they do not think they should be called upon to open +negotiations for an amicable settlement with me while the Little Peace +Maker is lying so close to the Emperor's Palace and threatening it with +instant destruction." + +As it was impossible for them from where they were to see the Palace, +Edestone suggested that they go up on the upper deck. + +"I hope that by the time we arrive on deck," Edestone said as they +hurried along, "the white flag will be flying, and I sincerely hope that +this will mark the beginning of the end of this cruel war and the +realization of my hopes, the accomplishment of my life's work. + +"Ah," he exclaimed as they arrived and looked down, "there she is! You +can see it on the large flagpole out in front of the Palace, while the +Imperial standard is still floating over His Majesty's residence." He +called an officer to him and gave him his orders: + +"Dip my colours and then run them up to the peak again. Display a white +flag. Tell Captain Lee to call all hands, and get under way at once. +Drop to within four hundred feet, man the rail, and circle the +Palace. Haul down my colours and run up the German Imperial Ensign and +fire a national salute of twenty-one guns, and then run at top speed and +take a position over the Gotzen See at a point which I shall indicate." + +The ceremony was executed faultlessly, as he directed, and when the +Little Peace Maker, just skirting the tops of the buildings, cast the +shadow of its nine hundred feet of steel as it came between the sun and +the Imperial city, its big guns booming the national salute, the people +of Berlin must have been impressed, for when she circled at about four +knots they cheered. But when she changed her speed, and at one hundred +and eighty knots disappeared from sight, they must have been relieved. + +At such speed it was only a few minutes before they were hovering +quietly over the old ruin on the banks of the lake, and they settled +down to spend the afternoon as they would have, had they been anchored +in Frenchman's Bay off of Bar Harbour in the month of August on board +the _Storm Queen_. + +It was a beautiful and quiet summer scene, and like a big trout in a +limpid pool the Little Peace Maker lay perfectly still basking in the +warm sunshine. Most of the ports were open and the men were lying around +enjoying the relaxation of the first dog-watch. + +Although it was with difficulty that Edestone could keep Lawrence still +long enough, he forced him to join in a game of chess, which was +Edestone's favourite form of relaxation. Lawrence, however, kept +continually breaking in with the suggestion that they go below and take +a walk among the ruins of the home of one of the ancient Barons of +Prussia. + +From time to time, while waiting for Lawrence to move, Edestone would +consult his watch, and as the fatal hour of five approached, although +perfectly calm he was anxious. + +With the finish of the game, Lawrence, who had chafed under the +confinement, insisted upon going on deck and talking with the officers +and men. + +When next he saw his friend, Edestone was walking up and down the +general living-room with an expression of great anxiety on his face. It +was half-past five o'clock, and although Lawrence had entirely forgotten +it, he suddenly thought of the ultimatum. + +"Well what did they answer?" he asked. + +"Nothing," said Edestone. + +"And what are you going to do?" + +"I am going to Kiel to sink one of their largest battleships, and see if +that will wake them up. We shall be under way in ten minutes and should +be there by eight-thirty o'clock. I have ordered 'Specs' to get under +way as soon as possible." + +Lawrence was delighted; this was the best yachting that he had ever had, +and he wanted to be in so many places at the same time that he ran about +like a boy on his first ocean trip. He was just going up the +companionway to the pilot house, where he knew he would find Edestone, +when he was almost knocked off his feet by the impact of something +against the side of the ship which felt as if it would tear out every +rivet and buckle every beam. At the same instant there was an explosion +which was worse than the black-powder explosion of the night before, and +he was just thinking how unkind it was of Edestone not to have warned +him before indulging in another one of his pyrotechnical demonstrations, +when it was followed by another and another. + +He had managed by this time to get into the pilot house, where he saw +Edestone with an expression of rage on his face giving sharp peremptory +orders while the life was being pounded out of the Little Peace +Maker. In response to these orders, the ship suddenly shot up with such +rapidity that it seemed to Lawrence as if his legs would be driven +through the floor. + +He was suffering great pain in his head and his nose was bleeding. He +could scarcely hear what Edestone was saying to him, but finally he +caught these words: + +"So that is their answer, the liars! They have taken advantage of my +willingness to remain here quietly, and with their thoroughness in all +matters and their usual method of working in the dark, they have placed +me where they have carefully worked out the range of their +forty-two-centimetre guns. They hoped to be able to capture us, but +seeing our smoke, and realizing that I was going to move, they took this +unspeakable method of putting an end to the Little Peace Maker." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + + +It seemed for a time as if Edestone had completely lost control of +himself. Lawrence, "Specs," and Captain Lee, who had all known him for +years, stood back staring at him in blank amazement. He was perfectly +livid. Out of his face had gone every semblance of the man that they had +known, loved, honoured, and respected for his kind, big, and forgiving +nature, willing to stand an insult rather than use his great power where +a smaller character would have demanded the last ounce of flesh. In its +place was an expression of rage which would have been frightful to see +on the face of a weaker man, but on his, with all the power and +determination of his strong character behind it, it was appalling. It +made them feel that they were held helpless by a powerful demon who +would destroy and kill any who might stand in his way. Pushing everyone +aside in a manner that was entirely foreign to him, he sprang to the +wheel and taking it rang for full speed ahead. He swung the ship around +so quickly that she banked and turned over at an angle of thirty +degrees. + +She was then at an altitude of from 7000 to 8000 feet and he put her +head down as if he intended to drive her steel-pointed bow into the very +heart of the city of Berlin. But when he had gotten her at about 400 +feet he straightened her out and sent her at 150 knots. Without taking +his eyes off his goal, which seemed to be the Palace of the Kaiser, he +said in a cold and emotionless voice: "See what damage has been done and +report to me quickly, and as there is a God in Heaven if a single one of +my men has been killed I will hang the Kaiser after I have destroyed his +city!" + +While the different officers were busily telephoning to every part of +the ship carrying out this order, Lawrence stood paralysed waiting for +the answers. He sincerely hoped that none of the men had been killed, +but as one officer after another reported all well in his department, +and as the number of departments yet to be heard from grew less and +less, he could not control a distinct feeling of disappointment, for he +had silently said "Amen!" to Edestone's last sentiment. When all had +been heard from, and it was found that none had been killed, and that +the injuries to the ship were, so slight that they could be repaired +within a week, Edestone said to the officer of the deck: + +"Take the wheel. When you are over the city and have made the Palace, +circle it at eight knots. I wish them all to see me. After you have +rounded the Palace, run at full speed for Kiel." + +And without a word to Lawrence he turned and left the bridge. On his +face was a look that showed that the demon within him was under perfect +control, but he had no desire to hide the fact that it was still with +him. Lawrence would no more have thought of following him than he would +have thought of following a wounded Manchurian tiger into its cave. + +"I would have hated to hear that any one of our fine fellows had been +killed," he said with a nervous laugh, "but my, what a swell little +afternoon hanging that would have been! Nathan Hale with the original +cast wouldn't have had a speculator in front of his doors. His front-row +seats would be selling at box-office prices, while we would have sold +out the house at ten thousand times the cost of the production before +the first-nighters had even seen a press notice. There would not have +been a piece of paper in the house except the Press and the Princes. By +the sacred substance of John D. Rockefeller's hair-tonic, I hate to +think of the money we would have made with the movies! The Crown Prince +giving the Papa Wilhelm kiss, while the trap man plays on the melodeon +'It's the Wrong Way to Tickle Mary,' and the Ghost of the Hohenzollern, +who ate up her two babies when she found they disturbed her gentleman +friend, hovering over the scene like Schumann-Heink in the +_Rheingold_,--I would not release that reel for less than a billion +dollars down! + +"But why talk about pleasant things when we have such serious matters on +our hands." + +"Mr. Edestone looked as if he meant serious business all right," said +one of the officers. "Listen! I hear the wireless sending a message +now." + +Lawrence listened, and repeated as he heard: "The Little Peace Maker is +now running for Kiel, where she will arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 I will +begin to drop tons of lyddite and dynamite on the decks of all German +ships of war, and in order that there may be no unnecessary loss of life +I give this notice." + +The instrument stopped, but Lawrence continued, as if still catching and +translating the message: + +"And realizing the extreme supersensitiveness of the German sailors, we +are sending ahead by Parcel Post baskets for the cats and cages for the +canaries. The women and babies, being contraband, must go down with the +ships." + +They were now slowly swinging around the Palace, and as the people of +Berlin knew nothing, they took the accepted German position, which was +that Edestone was afraid of the Kaiser's wrath, and they therefore came +flocking out into the streets to see him dip his flag to that of the +all-powerful German Empire. + +Lawrence noted that the Imperial standard was no longer flying over the +Palace. "It looks," said he, "as if we would have to put in an +under-study for the leading man." + +And then as if some sudden idea had struck him, he rushed from the +bridge, and while the Little Peace Maker was slowly passing over the +plaza in front of the Palace, the men on the bridge saw with a mingled +feeling of horror and delight a large black object, which resembled a +submarine mine, dropping from the port side of the ship, and they stood +in breathless expectation of seeing the hideous Renaissance monument, +erected by Schluter, blown to atoms. When the sinister-looking cylinder +struck the pavement it exploded, but instead of death and destruction +the flaggings were strewn with egg-shells, coffee-grounds, and garbage. + +"I always did like that French chef," said Lawrence when he returned to +the bridge, gasping for breath. + +"I am sorry," he added, "that we didn't have our little lynching bee +this afternoon, but the sinking of a billion dollars' worth of +battleships must be almost as much fun as hanging a 'kink.'" + +They were now going at top speed, and after waiting about for some time +and finding that Edestone did not return to the bridge, he went to his +room and dressed for dinner. + +At dinner Edestone appeared, but he was very quiet. + +"Lawrence," he said, "you must forgive me, but I really am not myself. I +cannot recall at any time in my entire life when I was ever so angry as +I was this afternoon. I think they call it 'seeing red.'" + +"You were 'seeing red' all right," said Lawrence, "and you certainly got +my goat." + +"If one of the men on this ship had been killed, after that pledge had +been given for their safety, I do not know what I would have done." + +"Exactly what do you propose to do?" + +"I intend to wreck and destroy everything in this country that will be +of the slightest use to them for military purposes. Today it is Kiel +with its ships, shipyards, and dry-docks; tomorrow, Krupps; and so on +until they will have to stop fighting for the lack of munitions of +war. I shall endeavour as far as possible to avoid loss of life, but," +with an ironical smile, "if these people wish to indulge in a fanatical +display of heroism and patriotism, I shall allow them the privilege of +sinking with their ships, or dying with their pet inventions." + +With everything closed down tight they were fast approaching Kiel, and +going up into the conning tower Edestone and Lawrence were able to see +the entire German fleet. His message had evidently been received, but +the commanders, instead of accepting his warning, had steam up, were +stripped for action, and with flags flying were making for the open sea. + +Edestone, as quietly as if he were standing on the bridge of the +_Storm Queen_ giving instructions for the next day's cruise, turned +to "Specs." + +"Go out and circle them," he said, "meet the leading ship, and then with +every gun, aerial torpedo, and bomb dropper destroy them." + +The air was soon filled with the most frightful conflict that had ever +taken place in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters +under the earth. Every ship in the fleet was, as far as possible, +training all of her guns on them, while they, moving at the rate of +thirty knots, were sailing around and around, dropping bombs on those +under them, bombarding with their great 16-inch guns the distant ships, +while the smaller guns rendered the middle distance untenable to any +ship yet built by man. + +In the course of an hour not one of the German ships could be seen above +the water, and Edestone, with none of his usual kindness of heart and +sympathy for others, leaving to their fate the dead and dying that +filled the sea beneath them, gave the orders to destroy the shipyards +and dry-docks before it was too dark. + +For a week this rain of destruction was continued day after day until +his prophecy had been fulfilled, and Germany, driven to her knees, was +suing for peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + + +Edestone, in the meantime, through Sir Egbert Graves, had communicated +with the King of England, politely calling His Majesty's attention to +what he was doing, and begging that he would call upon his Allies to +stop all hostilities, and intimating that the same treatment would be +meted out to any who declined to comply with His Majesty's request. + +He also suggested that it was his sincere hope that His Majesty would +call to a conference the representatives of the nations of Europe to +discuss the settling of all questions that had caused the war, or had +grown out of it, as well as the possible methods of securing for the +world perpetual peace. + +He stated that he would put at His Majesty's disposal the Little Peace +Maker if it were necessary in order to accomplish this. + +He intimated that, if it were perpetual peace that was sought, much time +and many lives would be saved if all would, of their own accord, each +for himself, do what he was doing for Germany as fast as possible, +namely, destroy all ships and implements of war. + +This raised a storm of protest, and international notes burned the ether +of space as they flashed back and forth. Even the United States entered +the controversy, seeming to have at last found something sufficiently +threatening to her interests and insulting to her dignity to cause her +to take her place with the other nations of the world. + +Edestone was inundated with communications from the different nations, +drawn in the most bombastic manner; for although they must have by this +time realized that they were absolutely in his power, they were unable +to set aside the boastful method of addressing their fellow-men which +they had inherited from their savage ancestors, who, standing half-naked +around the council fire, tried by this method to throw terror into the +hearts of their listeners. + +To all this he made but one reply, which was that nations which came +together for the purpose of sincerely discussing universal peace must +come absolutely unarmed, and those who refused so to do should be +disarmed by force. When these protests finally took the form of an +approaching coalition of the nations of the earth for the purpose of his +destruction, his answer was to take possession quietly of two or three +of the largest plants in Europe, which he forced to run to replenish the +Little Peace Maker with munitions of war. + +After a diplomatic correspondence had gone on, extending over several +weeks, and Edestone had punctuated his demands with an occasional +sinking of a battleship or destruction of a powder plant belonging to +the nations who stood out against him, after he had visited all of the +principal capitals, and representatives of the Governments had come on +board to discuss with him, his terms were finally agreed upon, and the +date for this great meeting was fixed. He declined to negotiate with +any, other than the absolute heads of the respective Governments, and +after much discussion all precedent was set aside, and it was agreed +that the conference should be held on board of the Little Peace +Maker. Franz Josef I., Emperor of Austria; Wilhelm II., Emperor of +Germany; George V., King of England; Nicholas II., Czar of Russia; the +President of the French Republic; Mr. Cockadoo of the United States of +America, together with a company of lesser lights, all with suites in +keeping with their rank, were there received and entertained by him. + +Lawrence, accepting the position of Room Clerk, took great pride and +pleasure in seeing that everyone was properly installed. This was not, +however, his official position, as Edestone had turned over to him the +task of answering the great volume of communications that he had +received from amateurs, fanatics, ladies, and criminals, and it devolved +upon him to answer these and also to provide for the entertainment of +the representatives of the Anarchists, Socialists, Organized Labour, and +Suffragettes. + +To the Anarchists, in answer to their inquiries as to where they were +now to obtain their explosives with which to continue their campaigns in +the future, and without the use of which they could secure for their +arguments no attention, he made no reply. + +To the Socialists, he said that the best that he could do for them was +to provide an overflow meeting at the foot of the stairs; the Emperor of +Germany had refused to sit down with the traitors, as he called them, +and for once Edestone agreed with the Imperial contention. There, +Lawrence assured them, their point of view would be given serious +consideration; in fact, he himself expected to have the great honour +of addressing them and the Prohibitionists, the Anti-Vivisectionists, +the Cubists, the Futurists, the Post-Impressionists, and the Reds. + +To Organized Labour, Edestone wrote that he would represent their +cause. Descended as he was from a long line of honest labouring men, who +had succeeded without the assistance of an organization of lazy and +inefficient ones combined under dishonest leaders, he assured them that +he would insist upon their rights, and that under the new regime, +honesty, efficiency, and sense of responsibility to those who employed +them would be recognized and rewarded in a manner beyond their wildest +dreams. This could not, however, be accomplished, he said, except by +forcing the dishonest, lazy, and inefficient into their rightful +position, that of a worthless by-product in this great world of +recognition of true merit. + +To the Suffragettes, Lawrence extended a most cordial invitation, but +stipulated that no representative would be received who had not borne +and raised twelve children, or were willing to appear at the meeting +without their hats, with hair cropped close to the head. + +The date selected by Edestone was the Fourth day of July; the place, in +order to offend no one, was the beautiful valley of St. Nicholas in the +neutral country of the Swiss, and the Little Peace Maker, painted and +polished, was floating about twenty-five feet from the ground. About +one-quarter of her length from her stern, leading from an opening in her +bottom, ran a great flight of stairs which rested on a platform at their +foot. This was constructed in a manner similar to the cradle upon which +she was seen to rest by the King of England and his Cabinet. In this +manner she was connected with the earth but absolutely insulated. + +To reach this platform one had to walk up four or five steps, which were +made of hard rubber, over which was laid a thick red velvet carpet, +which continued across the platform and up this most impressive flight +of stairs and disappeared into the opening in the Little Peace Maker. +Bands were playing, children were laughing, but not one soldier was to +be seen. + +The Royalties, as they arrived, were received at the foot of the stairs +by Edestone and conducted to their apartments where, surrounded by their +secretaries and servants, they might live entirely alone, or could, if +they desired to do so, mingle with the rest of the distinguished +company. + +When the great day arrived, and these Royal Potentates were seated in +their places, which had been arranged with great consideration for their +extreme sensitiveness on the subject of precedent, an exact science, +Edestone, dressed in his simple yachting costume, walked slowly up +through the aisle, on either side of which were seated Royalties, each +in his favourite uniform of ceremony, soon to become as old-fashioned as +the tattooing on a savage's face. With perfect composure and +self-possession he took his place as Chairman of the Board and called +the meeting to order. + +Then in a perfectly businesslike manner he explained the object of the +meeting, which he did with the greatest consideration for his +distinguished listeners, but there was in his voice a ring of +confidence, which they all knew was due to the fact that the suggestions +that he made would certainly be put into effect, and whereas they came +to discuss, they remained to agree. + +He first briefly outlined the Utopian condition of the world as it would +be after his first suggestion had been carried into effect, and all +arms, ammunition, ships of war, and all destructive agencies had been +destroyed. + +He then laid down some new principles and relegated some of the old to +the scrap-heap. + +He scoffed at the theory of majority rule, equality of man, and +perpetual peace through brotherly love. + +Why should the majority rule, if the minority were more intelligent? + +Why should all men be considered equal in intelligence, if not in weight +and height? + +Why should dried-up old women be able to do something that young men, in +their full health and strength, had been unable to accomplish? + +He then established a very limited ruling class, which he called, for +the lack of a better name, the Aristocracy of Intelligence, over which +he placed a head with absolute power, backed with sufficient force to +see that its wishes were carried out. + +He then finally laid before them the plan of administration which he +proposed, which was that the entire world should be run by a Board of +Directors, of which, for the present, he sincerely hoped that they would +allow him to hold the humbler position of Chairman, while the President +and glorious head should be selected from some of the distinguished +monarchs within the sound of his voice. + +He then very diplomatically explained that the form of government would +be based upon the administration of the great corporations of America, +which was his extremely polite method of informing them that the +Chairman of the Board was the power, and the President was but the icing +on the cake. + +He stated that history taught them that all wars had come about on +account of three things: Race, Religion, and Riches. + +He suggested that the Race problem might be entirely solved by +segregating the races of the world, and giving over to them a portion of +the earth sufficiently large to support them in comfort in the climate +and surroundings to which they were accustomed, in which section they +should speak their own language, and were entitled to indulge in their +own forms of religion, customs, and superstitions, and there and there +alone they were supreme, and then only on matters of the administration +of their own allotment of the earth, but were subject absolutely and +entirely to the ruling of the Board of Directors as to their +international policies. + +The title of the portion of the world allotted to them was based not +upon the claims of any barbarian of antiquity, fanatic of the Middle +Ages, or the war lords of modern times, but upon the decision of the +Board of Directors, which would annul all previous titles and be final +and irrevocable. + +If at any time any one or group of these left the portion of the earth +to which they had been restricted, they lost all of their rights as +citizens of the world, and while visiting the other sections must bow +absolutely to the will of those whose hospitality they were accepting. + +In the case of those nations who had no home, and who had been parasites +on the nations of the earth for thousands of years, it was proposed that +they purchase from the country now holding the cradle of their birth a +home sufficiently large to accommodate their ever-increasing numbers +under the hygienic and healthful condition of the countries which they +swarmed. + +Religion, he said, which had for so many years been the cause of wars +and tumults, numbered by actual count up into the thousands, were in his +opinion sufficient in number to satisfy all who were not wishing for +personal aggrandizement or accumulation of wealth to create +others. Therefore, he stated, that all religions which had been +established up to the beginning of the nineteenth century might be +allowed to continue, but all others, being drawn on rather too +scientific and financial lines, were to be eliminated. + +Coming to the last, and, as he expressed it, the cause of the present +war, namely, Riches, he showed that in the new form of government +competition would be eliminated, the interest of the whole being +controlled by one head with power to police, and greater profits to all +would accrue by the elimination of waste of time and money and by the +efficiency of a single administration. + +He then suggested that a grand and international festival be held, at +which the combined fleets of the entire world be gathered together in +the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and there, as a bond of good faith of +all, in the midst of universal rejoicing, they should be consigned to +the bottomless depths of absolute and eternal darkness. + +In the meantime, Lawrence was addressing an assemblage of Reds, +I. W. W.'s, Prohibitionists, and other thoughtful members of society. To +these he was serving grape juice and patent medicines. The percentage +of alcohol in these beverages quieted the nerves of most, but rendered +the Prohibitionists quite hilarious. They listened with much attention +and applauded violently the scheme which he outlined before them. + +"You should be allowed," he said, "to settle in the middle of the Desert +of Sahara, where you could all live in beautiful glass houses, and where +the soil produces no stones of a throwable size. There will be no +saloons there, clubs or dinner parties, but drugstores with their +alluring lights will decorate every corner. There with your palates +parching with pain your motto should be 'Speak Easy' for the sake of the +Cause. The lives of the inhabitants will be regulated by priestesses and +preachers, and to them will be submitted the most intimate affairs of +the family. Yours will be a maternal government; to each member of every +family the Government will daily, after taking the temperature, issue +canton flannel underclothes of the proper weight to be worn during the +day. Alarm clocks set by the Government will be issued to all. Your +food, your cooking, and your babies--if you have any, and God grant that +you may not in such a dry place!--will all be according to the canons of +your religion. Should you at any time find that the inhabitants are +drying up and blowing away, you can recruit from the malcontents of +other portions of the globe." + +With the Anti-Vivisectionists he was most sympathetic. "Ladies and +cranks," he said. "I, too, am very fond of dogs, but as it is absolutely +necessary for the progress of science to make experiments upon living +subjects, I call upon you to volunteer for this work for all portions of +the body except the brain; for that portion I am creditably informed +that the doctors would prefer to use wood pulp." + +This was received with violent protestations of disapproval by the +Cubists, the Futurists, and the Post-Impressionists, who claimed that +this was entirely unnecessary, as they were able in their pictures to +reveal the most secret workings of the brain, and that upon their +canvases they laid bare for the study of the scientific world all that +it was necessary for it to know. + +To the representatives of the Allied A.M.L.Q. American Architects, he +expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind expression of their +approval and offer of assistance, and in recognition of their +co-operation, he gave them entire charge of the competition for the +laying out and decorating, with befitting whirlwind monuments, hot air +fountains, and castles in the air, the great Edestone aerial highway +which was to encircle the globe. + +Aloft Edestone, on the other hand, was having more trouble with his +audience, for his speech when finished was received with loud +protestations of disapproval, rendered in the most kingly and imperial +manner by this group of cousins, first cousins, double first cousins, +and half-brothers. Fortunately, however, for the welfare of the great +mass of the people of the world, they were well represented by the +strong, serious, and intelligent-looking men who sat at the elbow +of this consanguineous group, some of whom had by a process of +intermarrying degenerated into mere effigies of the strong men from +whom they were descended. These powers behind the tottering thrones +of Europe realized and bowed before the inevitable. + + +FINIS + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + +***** This file should be named 7826.txt or 7826.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/2/7826/ + +Produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. 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Stewart Barney + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: L. P. M. + The End of the Great War + +Author: J. Stewart Barney + + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7826] +This file was first posted on May 20, 2003 +Last Updated: October 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + + + + +Text file produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + L. P. M. + </h1> + <h2> + THE END OF THE GREAT WAR + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By J. Stewart Barney + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1915 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h5> + {Illustration: “COUNT VON HEMELSTEIN,” THE AMERICAN SAID LAZILY,<br /> “I + WAS JUST THINKING WHAT A STUNNING BOOK-COVER YOU WOULD<br /> MAKE FOR A + CHEAP NOVEL.” Drawn by Clarence F. Underwood.}<br /> (Illustration not + available in this edition) + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + <i>THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED</i><br /><br /> TO MY REAL FRIENDS, WHO MAY LOVE + IT.<br /> WHILE THE OTHERS IT MAY BORE;<br /> TO MY ENEMIES, GOD BLESS THEM,<br /> + THO’ THEY SPLUTTER, MORE AND MORE. + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>L. P. M.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — THE MAN AND THE HOUR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — THE ONE-MAN SECRET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — CROSSING WITH ROYALTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — THE FIRST REBUFF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — DIPLOMACY WINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI. + — </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — BUCKINGHAM PALACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — HE MEETS THE KING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — THE DEIONIZER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — FIRST SHOW OF FORCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. — “THE KING IS DEAD; LONG + LIVE THE KING!” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. — THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. — SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. — A DINNER AT THE BRITZ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. — THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. — IN THE HANDS OF THE + GERMANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. — THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. — GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. — HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. — KAFFEE KLATSCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. — THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. — DER KAISER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. — THE MASQUERADER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. — TWO REMARKABLE MEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. — ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. — WHERE IS IT? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. — THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR + STATIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. — THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. — “SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. — L. P. M. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. — YACHTING IN THE AIR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. — THE ULTIMATUM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. — A LYING KING MAKES A NATION + OF LIARS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. — THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + L. P. M. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE MAN AND THE HOUR + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary of State, although he sought to maintain an air of official + reserve, showed that he was deeply impressed by what he had just heard. + </p> + <p> + “Well, young man, you are certainly offering to undertake a pretty large + contract.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled, and continued in a slightly rhetorical vein—the Secretary + was above all things first, last, and always an orator. + </p> + <p> + “In my many years of public life,” he said, “I have often had occasion to + admire the dauntless spirit of our young men. But you have forced me to + the conclusion that even I, with all my confidence in their power, have + failed to realize how inevitably American initiative and independence will + demand recognition. It is a quality which our form of government seems + especially to foster and develop, and I glory in it as perhaps the chief + factor in our national greatness and pre-eminence. + </p> + <p> + “In what other country, I ask you,” he flung out an arm across the great, + flat-topped desk of state, “would a mere boy like yourself ever conceive + such a scheme, or have the incentive or opportunity to bring it to + perfection? And, having conceived and perfected it, in what other country + would he find the very heads of his Government so accessible and ready to + help him?” + </p> + <p> + The young man leaned forward. “Then am I to understand, Mr. Secretary, + that you are ready to help me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” He faced about and looked at his visitor in a glow of enthusiasm. + “Not only will I help you, but I will, so far as is practicable, put + behind you the power of this Administration. + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless the newspapers,” his tone took on a tinge of ironic resentment, + “when they learn the broad character of the credentials that I shall give + you in order that you may meet the crowned heads of Europe, will say that + I am again lowering the dignity of my office. But I consider, Mr. + Edestone, that I am, in reality, giving more dignity to my office by + bringing it closer to and by placing it at the services of, those from + whose hands it first received its dignity, the sovereign people. ‘The + master is greater than the servant’; and to my mind you as a citizen are + even more entitled to the aid and co-operation of this Department than are + its accredited envoys, our ministers and ambassadors, who, like myself, + are but your hired men.” + </p> + <p> + His face lighted up with the memory of the many stirring campaigns through + which he had passed and his wonderful voice rang out, responding to his + will like a perfect musical instrument under the touch of the artist. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, sir,” he declared, “I would rather be instrumental in + bringing to an end this cruel war which is now deluging the pages of + history with the heart’s blood of the people, whose voices may now be + drowned in the roar of the 42-centimeter guns, but whose spirits will + unite in the black stench clouds which rise from the festered fields of + Flanders to descend upon the heads of those who by Divine Right have + murdered them,—I would rather be instrumental in bringing about this + result, than be President of the United States!” + </p> + <p> + He had risen, as he spoke, and had stepped from behind his desk to give + freer play to this burst of eloquence, but he now paused at the entrance + of a secretary for whom he had sent, and changing to that quizzical drawl + with which he had so often disarmed a hostile audience, added, “And they + do say that I am not without ambition in that respect.” + </p> + <p> + He turned then to the waiting secretary, and letting his hand drop on + Edestone’s shoulder: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Williams,” he said, “this is Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York, + whose name is no doubt familiar to you. He is desirous of meeting and + discussing quite informally with the potentates of Europe, a little matter + which he thinks, and I more or less agree with him, will be of decided + interest to them.” + </p> + <p> + He chuckled softly; then continued in a more serious tone: “Mr. Edestone + hopes, in short, with our assistance, to bring about not only the end of + the European war, but to realize my dream—Universal Peace—and + his plan, as he has outlined it to me, meets with my hearty approval. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to furnish him with the credentials from this Department + necessary to give him <i>entrée</i> anywhere abroad and protect him at all + times and under all circumstances. + </p> + <p> + “And, Mr. Williams,” he halted the retiring subordinate, “when Mr. + Edestone’s papers have been drawn, will you kindly bring them to me? I + wish to present them in person, and I know of no more appropriate occasion + than this afternoon, when I am to receive a delegation of school children + from the Southern Baptist Union and the Boy Scouts of the Methodist + Temperance League. I will be glad to have these young Americans, as well + as any others who may be calling to pay their respects—not to me but + to my office—hear what I have to say on peace, patriotism, and + grapes.” + </p> + <p> + With the departure of the secretary he unbent slightly. “Well,” he smiled, + “you cannot say, as did Ericsson with his monitor and Holland with his + submarine and the Wrights with their aëroplane, that you could not get the + support of your Government until it was too late. In fact, my dear fellow, + when I think of the obstacles so many inventors have to contend with, it + strikes me that you have had pretty easy sailing.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” Edestone raised his eyebrows a trifle whimsically, “it has not + been so easy as you think, Mr. Secretary.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know, I know!” the other replied. “You still must admit that in + comparison with most men you have been singularly fortunate. You have had + great wealth, absolute freedom to develop your ideas as you saw fit, and + finally the influence to command an immediate hearing for your claims. Do + you know that perhaps you are the richest young man in the world today? It + is this which, I must confess, at first rather prejudiced me against you.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed good-naturedly. “It is lucky that my photographs were + able to speak for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” the Secretary assented. “As you probably have recognized, I am not + a scientist, and all your formulae and explanations were about as so much + Greek to me, but those photographs of yours were most convincing, and + prove to me how simple are the greatest of discoveries. I fancy,” he added + slyly, “that they will penetrate even the intelligence of a monarch.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” He rubbed his hands together. “I can imagine the chagrin and fury of + those war lords when they find themselves so unexpectedly called to time, + while your device is held over the nations like a policeman’s club, with + America as its custodian. What a thought! Universal dominion for our + country; Universal Peace!” + </p> + <p> + Some sense of opposition on the part of his companion aroused him, and he + levelled a quick and searching glance at the other. + </p> + <p> + “That is your intention, is it not, Mr. Edestone?” he demanded. “That, + upon the completion of your present mission, the Government shall take + over this discovery of yours?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone moved uneasily in his seat. He had naturally anticipated this + question, and yet he was unprepared to meet it. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary frowned and repeated his question. “That is your intention, + is it not?” + </p> + <p> + Hesitating no longer the inventor answered quietly: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Secretary, I yield to no man in my devotion to my country, but I am + one of those who believe that the highest form of patriotism is to seek + the best interest of mankind, and standing on that I tell you frankly that + I cannot at this time answer your question. Just now I look no farther + than the end of this brutal war. After that is accomplished it will be + time enough for me to decide the ultimate disposition of my invention. Its + secret is now known to no living soul but myself, and is so simple that it + requires no written record to preserve it, and would die with me. It is + the result, it is true, of many years of hard work, but the finished + product I can and often do carry in my waistcoat pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Do not misunderstand me,” he lifted his hand as the Secretary endeavoured + to break in. “I thoroughly realize the responsibility of my position and + that my great wealth is a sacred trust. Upon the answer to the question + you have just put to me depends the destiny of the world, whether it is + answered by myself at this time or by others in the future. Exactly what I + will do when the time comes I cannot say, but I will tell you this much, + that in reaching a decision I will call to my assistance men like yourself + and abide by whatever course the majority of them may dictate.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear young fellow, that will not do.” The Secretary shook his + head. “You are called upon to answer my question right here and now.” + </p> + <p> + He dropped his bland and diplomatic manner as he spoke, and with his jaw + thrust forward showed himself the unyielding autocrat, who, in the rough + and tumble of politics, had ruled his party with a rod of iron. This man + whose wonderful talents and personality had fitted him for his chosen + position of champion of the plain people, and whose great motive power, + against all odds, that had forced him into the first place in their + hearts, was his sincere and honest love of office. + </p> + <p> + He had now assumed a rather boisterous and bullying tone, showing that + perhaps his great love for the rougher elements of society was due to the + fact that in the process of evolution he himself was not far removed from + the very plain people. + </p> + <p> + “You have been talking pretty loud about using the ‘big stick’ over on the + other side,” he went on sternly, “but that big-stick business you will + find is a thing that works two ways. Suppose then I should tell you, ‘No + answer to my question, no credentials.’ What would you have to say?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say,” Edestone’s face was set, “simply this, Mr. Secretary, if I + must speak in the language of the people in order that you may understand + me: ‘I should like very much to have your backing in the game, but if you + are going to sit on the opposite side of the table, I hold three kings and + two emperors in my hand, and I challenge you to a show-down.’ I should + further say that, credentials or no credentials, I am leaving tomorrow on + the <i>Ivernia</i>, and that inasmuch as I have a taxi at the door, and a + special train held for me at the Union Station, I must bid you good-day, + and leave you to your watchful waiting, while I work alone.” + </p> + <p> + He rose from his seat, and with a bow started for the door. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on there, young fellow, keep your coat on!” the Secretary shouted, + throwing his head back and laughing loud enough to be heard over on the + Virginia shores. “You remind me of one of those gentle breezes out home, + which after it has dropped the cow-shed into the front parlour and changed + your Post-Office address, seems always to sort of clear up the atmosphere. + When one of them comes along we generally allow it to have its own way. It + doesn’t matter much whether we do or not, it will take it anyhow. I never + play cards, but what you say about having a few kings in your pants’ + pocket seems to be pretty nearly true. You are made of the real stuff, and + if you can do all the things that you say you can do, and I believe you + can, nothing will stop you.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said Edestone, resuming his seat, “I suppose I may as well + wait for my credentials.” + </p> + <p> + And in due time he got them, the presentation being made by the Secretary + to the edification of the Baptist School children and the Methodist + Soldiers of Temperance and a score of adoring admirers. Then with a hasty + farewell to the officials of the State Department, this emissary of peace + started on his hurried rush to New York. + </p> + <p> + His taxi, which he had held since seven o’clock that morning, broke all + speed regulations in getting to the station, and the man was well paid for + his pains. + </p> + <p> + Edestone found his Special coupled up and waiting for him. He always + travelled in specials, and they always waited for him. In fact, everything + waited for him, and he waited for no one. When he engaged a taxi he never + discharged it until he went to bed or left the town. It was related of him + that on one occasion he had directed the taxi to wait for him at Charing + Cross Station, and returning from Paris three days later had allowed his + old friend, the cabby, who knew him well, a shilling an hour as a <i>pourboire</i>. + He claimed that his mind worked smoothly as long as it could run ahead + without waits, but that as soon as it had to halt for anything—a + cab, a train, or a slower mind to catch up—it got from under his + control and it took hours to get it back again. + </p> + <p> + To him money was only to be spent. He would say: “I spend money because + that calls for no mental effort, and saving is not worth the trouble that + it requires.” + </p> + <p> + A big husky chap, thirty-four years old, with the constitution of an ox, + the mind of a superman, the simplicity of a child: that was John Fulton + Edestone. He insisted that his discovery was an accident that might have + befallen anyone, and counted as nothing the years of endless experiments + and the millions of dollars he had spent in bringing it to perfection. He + was a dreamer, and had used his colossal income and at times his principal + in putting his dreams into iron and steel. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving in New York he was met by his automobile and was rushed away + to what he was pleased to call his Little Place in the Country. It was one + of his father’s old plants which had contributed to the millions which he + was now spending. + </p> + <p> + It was nothing more nor less than a combination machine shop and shipyard, + situated on the east bank of the Hudson in the neighbourhood of Spuyten + Duyvil. + </p> + <p> + It was midnight when he arrived. The night force was just leaving as he + stepped from his automobile and the morning shift was taking its place. At + eight o’clock the next morning this latter would in turn be relieved by a + day shift; for night and day, Sundays and holidays, winter and summer, + without stopping, his work went on. It got on his nerves, he said, to see + anything stop. Speed and efficiency at any cost was his motto, and the + result was that he had gathered about him men who were willing to keep + running under forced draft, even if it did heat up the bearings. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Mr. Page to come to me at once,” he said, as he entered a little + two-story brick structure apart from the other buildings. This had + originally been used as an office, but he had changed it into a + comfortable home, his “Little Place in the Country.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — THE ONE-MAN SECRET + </h2> + <p> + With the giving of a few orders relative to his departure in the morning, + the brevity of which showed the character of service he demanded, Edestone + permitted himself to relax. He dropped into an arm-chair, after lighting a + long, black cigar, and pouring out for himself a comfortable drink of + Scotch whisky and soda. + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes he sat looking into the open fire, while blowing ring + after ring of smoke straight up into the air. The well-trained servant + moved so quietly about the room that his presence was only called to his + attention by the frantic efforts of the smoke rings to retain their + circular shape as they were caught in the current of air which he created + and were sent whirling and twisting to dissolution, although to the last + they clung to every object with which they came in contact in their futile + struggle to escape destruction. + </p> + <p> + Edestone loved to watch these little smoke phantoms, their first mad rush + to assume their beautiful form and the persistency with which they clung + to it until overtaken by another, were brushed aside, or else drifted on + in wavering elongated outlines and so gradually disappeared. + </p> + <p> + They suggested to his fancy the struggling nations of the world, battling + with the currents and cross-currents near the storm-scarred old earth, and + continually endeavouring to rise above their fellows to some calmer + strata, where serene in their original form they could look down with + condescension upon their harassed and broken companions below. + </p> + <p> + The little rings were, however, more interesting to him for another and + more practical reason. It was their toroidal movement around a circular + axis which moved independently in any direction that first suggested to + him the principles of his discovery. + </p> + <p> + Before him the fire upon the hearth sang and crackled as it tore asunder + the elements that had taken untold ages to assemble in their present form, + and with the prodigality of nature was joyfully rushing them up the + chimney to start them again upon their long and weary journey through the + ages. + </p> + <p> + The bubbles coming into existence in the bottom of his glass, rushing in + myriads through the pale yellow liquid to the top and obliteration, set + the thin glass to vibrating like the sound of distant bells. + </p> + <p> + From his workshop came the soft purr of rapidly moving machinery, + punctuated now and again by the roar of the heavy railroad trains that + thundered past his little flag station. + </p> + <p> + Had he seen then what the future had in store for him, had he realized + that he was in that well-beloved environment for the last time, he would + not have hesitated to have gone on along the road that he had marked out + for himself. It would simply have made the wrench at parting a little bit + more severe. + </p> + <p> + His musing was interrupted by his man, who had attracted his attention by + noiselessly rearranging on the table the objects that were already in + perfect order. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Page is outside, sir.” + </p> + <p> + It was a call to action. Edestone, without changing his position, said: + “Tell him to come in.” And then taking two or three deep puffs at his + cigar, he blew out into the clear space in front of him a large and + perfectly formed ring. Rising he followed it slowly as it drifted across + the room, twisting and circling upon itself. Then with a low laugh, which + was almost a sigh, after sticking his finger through its shadowy form, + with a sweep of his powerful hand he brushed it aside. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, little friend,” he said, “we have had many good times together, + and whatever you may have in store for me, I promise never to complain. + Let us hope that I shall use wisely and well the knowledge which you have + given me.” + </p> + <p> + Turning quickly at some slight sound, which told him that he was no longer + alone, he threw his shoulders back, and with his head high in the air + there came over his clean-shaven face a look of quiet determination, a + look before which those who were born to rule were so soon to quail. + </p> + <p> + Then, with a complete change of manner, upon seeing his old friend and + fellow-workman, his face lighted up, and he laughed: + </p> + <p> + “Well, old ‘Specs,’ I’m back, you see, and the ‘Dove of Peace’ is safely + caged. He came to hand with scarcely even a struggle.” Then as he looked + down into the other’s worn and haggard eyes which peered up at him through + their round, horn-rimmed spectacles, his voice softened and he spoke with + a touch of compunction. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, old chap, you look all in. I’ve been driving you boys a bit too + hard; but don’t you worry. I’m off in the morning, and then you’ll have a + chance to take it easier. Soon our beautiful <i>Little Peace Maker</i>,” + he winked, “will be tucked safely away in some quiet corner, and you + scientific fellows can devote all your attention to your beloved bridge, + while I bid up The Hague Conference for a no-trump hand. + </p> + <p> + “But to business now. How did the films for the moving pictures come out?” + </p> + <p> + “Splendidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. I’ll have you run them over for me presently. I don’t want to show + too much when I give my performances for Royalty, you understand; just + enough to scare them to death. And how about the wireless? Did you test + that out, and tune it to my instruments, as I asked you?” + </p> + <p> + With a satisfactory answer to this also, he ranged off rapidly into a + dozen other inquiries. + </p> + <p> + “Does Lee understand exactly where he is to go, and what he is to do, if + by any chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don’t think he + need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but we’ve got to be + prepared for every emergency. + </p> + <p> + “Now, ‘Specs,’ I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough men + about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your absence + may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as you are safely + out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary risks. As soon as you + are settled, communicate with me, once only every day at exactly twelve + o’clock Greenwich time, until I answer you. I shall then not communicate + with you again until this peace game is up and we are forced to show our + hands.” + </p> + <p> + He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing; then + resumed his instructions. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Lee’s men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for a + big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child’s play; but it + will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that no + rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I intend to + have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most extreme + measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man is faultlessly + perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be pronounced outlaws at any + time with a price upon our heads, and therefore, before leaving here, I + wish that none be allowed to join the enterprise except those who + willingly volunteer for the sake of the cause. The men who are unwilling + to volunteer, and yet know too much, must be taken and held <i>incommunicado</i> + in some perfectly safe place until such time as I notify you. + </p> + <p> + “I think that is all,” he reflected. Then, while the other man watched him + curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a small, + hardwood box about six inches square. + </p> + <p> + “I have never explained to you, Page,” he said, “the exact construction of + the instrument that is contained in this box. As you know, there is but + one other instrument like this in the world, and that you know is in a + safe place. My reason for not taking anybody into my confidence was not + from any lack of faith in you or my other trusted associates, but simply + in order to be absolutely sure at all times and under all circumstances + that I was the only one in possession of this secret.” + </p> + <p> + And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents directly + on to the burning logs. + </p> + <p> + Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and half + stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised an + interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical construction + of this instrument is so simple,” he said, “that I can at any time + construct one which will answer all purposes that I may require of it + until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the <i>Ivernia</i> during the + crossing constructing a new smaller and more compact instrument, combining + with it one of the receivers which you have attuned to your wireless. See + that these as well as the following,” handing “Specs” a list of electrical + supplies, “are put in Black’s steamer trunk. And now, let’s have a look at + those films.” + </p> + <p> + He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire establishment, + although the latter was largely perfunctory in character, since he knew + that for days everything had been in readiness for his orders, waiting + only for his return from Washington; then returning to his quarters, he + tumbled into bed to catch a few hours of sleep before again whirling off + at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait to board his steamer at the dock. + </p> + <p> + His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were fellows + of tested experience and education, many of them college graduates, while + his “commissioned officers,” as he called them, numbering sixty, were all + experts in their respective lines. They had been drawn from all ranks of + life, from the college laboratory, the automobile factory, and the war + college. There were among them bank clerks, former commanders of + battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, and sailors. In fact, his little + world was a perfectly equipped and smoothly running community with all the + departments of a miniature government, save only a diplomatic service, and + that he combined with his own prerogatives as Executive and + Commander-in-Chief. + </p> + <p> + One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,—and + that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he sifted them out, and applied to + each of them the acid test, that he was sure he could rely on them, as he + liked to say, “to the last ditch.” + </p> + <p> + For the rest, although he had taken only a few of them into his confidence + as to his real purposes and intentions, he had assured each recruit that + he would be required to do nothing that was contrary to his duty to his + fellow-man, his country, or his God. + </p> + <p> + And tomorrow the wheels would be set in motion. The undertaking to which + he had dedicated his life and colossal fortune would be launched. + </p> + <p> + It was characteristic of Edestone that no sooner had he laid his head upon + the pillow than his eyes closed, and he slept as peacefully as a tired + child. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — CROSSING WITH ROYALTY + </h2> + <p> + After a perfectly uneventful voyage, the <i>Ivernia</i>, with Edestone and + his three men aboard, swung slowly to her dock. As the big vessel had + approached the coast the few cabin passengers were at first a little + nervous, but the contempt in which the officers held, or pretended to + hold, the submarine menace made itself soon felt throughout the ship, and + but for the thinness of their ranks all went as usual. It is true that the + little group of army contract-seekers and returning refugees seemed to + enjoy constituting themselves into special look-outs, and regarded it as + their particular duty, as long as it did not interfere with their game of + bridge, or might cause them to lose a particularly comfortable and + sheltered corner of the deck, to notify the stewards if they happened to + see anything which to them looked like a periscope or floating mine. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the voyage Edestone kept very much to himself and in his + quarters occupied himself constructing a new instrument, and to the + hard-rubber case that had been provided for it he attached a wireless + receiver. In some of this work he was assisted by Stanton and Black, two + electricians he had brought with him, who, with James, his valet, made up + his party. + </p> + <p> + He had little time and less inclination to observe his neighbours, who + occupied the corresponding suite just across the passageway; but his man + James, who had been formally introduced to their servants, insisted upon + telling him all about them. They were, James said, the Duchess of + Windthorst and her daughter, the Princess Wilhelmina, who were returning + from Canada, where they had been visiting the Duke of Connaught at + Toronto. + </p> + <p> + But, if Edestone was preoccupied, the Princess, on the contrary, being a + girl of nineteen, with absolutely nothing on her mind, had not failed to + note the handsome young man across the passage. Unconsciously answering to + the irresistible call of youth, which is as loud to the princess as to the + peasant, she had watched him with a great deal of interest, and had been + fascinated by his faultless boots and the fact that he failed to notice + her at all. + </p> + <p> + Yet Edestone, it may be remarked, was not the only person on board + favoured with the royal regard. The Duchess, with the propensity of her + kind on visiting the States, had selected for her rare promenades on deck + a Broadway sport of the most absurd and exaggerated type, known as + “Diamond King John” Bradley. + </p> + <p> + This vagary is explained by the fact that the social chasm separating them + from all Americans is, to their limited vision, so infinitely great that + it is impossible for them to see and to understand the niceties that the + Americans draw between the butcher of New York and the dry-goods merchant + of Denver; and since it is impossible to see nothing from infinity, they + content themselves by selecting those who are, in their opinion, typical, + in order that in the short time they can give to this study they may learn + all of the characteristics of this most extraordinary race, who on account + of the similarity of language have presumed to claim a relationship with + them. They will not accept as true what much of the world believes: that + Old England is in her decadence, and that her only hope is in those sons + who have left her and who, away from the debilitating influence of the + poisonous vapours arising from the ruins of her glory, are developing the + ancient spirit of their ancestors and are returning to her assistance in + her time of need. + </p> + <p> + As to the Princess, Edestone, although he noted that she was extremely + attractive in face and figure, did not give her a second thought. He was + amused at the attitude of the Duchess and her class, and was willing to + accept it, but it did not arouse any desire on his part to follow the lead + of the gentleman from Broadway and seek their acquaintance. As a matter of + fact, he had always found the young women of the upper classes of England + either extremely stupid or perfectly willing to appear so to an American + of his class. + </p> + <p> + Still, as it happened, he did meet the Princess. One night after dinner he + found her struggling with the door into the passage which led to their + adjoining apartments. She was, or pretended to be, helpless in the wind + that was blowing her down the deck as she clung to the rail, and, quietly + taking her by the arm, he pulled her back to the door, where he held her + until she was safely inside. This was all done in a perfectly + matter-of-fact manner, and she might as well have been a steamer rug that + was in danger of being blown overboard. Then before she had time to thank + him, the door was blown shut, and he had resumed his solitary walk along + the deck. + </p> + <p> + The next time that the Princess saw him, although she felt sure that he + must have known that she had looked in his direction, there was no + indication of any desire on his part to continue the acquaintance. He had + apparently entirely forgotten the episode or her existence, and the pride + of a beautiful young girl was hurt, and the dignity of royalty offended—but + the first was all that really mattered. + </p> + <p> + And so the voyage ended. The passengers all seemed perfectly willing to go + ashore, notwithstanding their assumption of indifference to the German + blockade. Edestone, as usual, was met by the fastest form of locomotion, + and before the trunks and bags had begun to toboggan down to the dock, he + was whirling up to London in the powerful motor car belonging to his + friend, the Marquis of Lindenberry. Edestone had notified him by wireless + to meet the steamer, and they were now being driven directly to the + Marquis’s house in Grosvenor Square. Stanton and Black were left behind + with James, who condescended with his superior knowledge to assist them in + getting the luggage through the custom-house. + </p> + <p> + “Well what in the name of common sense has brought you over to England at + such a time as this?” demanded Lindenberry, after the automobile had swept + clear of the town and with a gentle purr had settled down to its work. He + leaned over as he spoke, to satisfy himself that the chauffeur, having + finished adjusting his glasses with one hand while running at top speed, + finally had both hands on the wheel, and then turned expectantly to his + companion. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see,” Lindenberry nodded when he found that he got no satisfactory + answer to this or the other inquiries he put; “you evidently do not + propose to take me into your confidence. Still, I would not be so deucedly + mysterious, if I were you. I call it beastly rude, you know. Here I have + come all the way from Aldershot, and am using the greater part of my + valuable leave in response to your crazy wire. Tell me, is it a contract + to deliver a dozen dreadnoughts at the gates of the Tower of London before + Easter Sunday?” and his eyes twinkled, “or have some of your young + Americans enlisted and the fond parents sent you over to rescue them?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled. “Well, the first thing I want, Lindenberry, is a little + chat with Lord Rockstone.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is that all?” with a satiric inflection. “Well, why in the name of + common sense didn’t you say so at first? I do not know, however, that I + can positively get you an appointment today. You must not mind if His + Lordship keeps you waiting for a few minutes if he happens to be talking + with the Czar of Russia on the long-distance telephone. You know, we over + here are still great sticklers on form. We are trying hard to be + progressive, but we still consider it quite rude to tell a King to hold + the wire while we talk to someone else who has not taken the trouble that + he has to make an appointment. You must remember that he has perhaps + dropped several shillings into the slot, and would naturally be annoyed if + told by the girl that time was up and to drop another shilling. + </p> + <p> + “Or Lord Rockstone may perhaps be just in the midst of one of his usual + twenty-four-hour interviews with an American newspaper representative,” he + continued his chaffing. “Now if he does not invite Graves and Underhill + and Apsworth to have tea with you, you might drop in at Boodles’ on your + way back from the city, and we will just pop on to Buckingham Palace and + deliver to Queen Mary the ultimatum from the suffragette ladies of the + Sioux Indians.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed so heartily that the footman nearly turned to see if + something had happened. “And they say that you Englishmen have no sense of + humour. The trouble with you though, old top, is that your joke is so + deucedly good that you don’t see the point yourself.” + </p> + <p> + They were just passing through one of Rockstone’s military camps, where + England’s recruited millions were being trained, and cutting short his + badinage Edestone gazed at the scene with interest. + </p> + <p> + “It does seem a pity that all these fine young fellows should be + sacrificed in order to settle a question which I could settle in a very + short time,” he said, becoming more serious. + </p> + <p> + “Settle it in a very short time?” repeated Lindenberry. “I would like to + know how you propose to do it. I know you are full of splendid ideas, and + invent all kinds of electrical contrivances to do things that one can do + perfectly well with one’s own hands. I suppose you would take a large + magnet and with it pull all of the German warships out of the Kiel Canal, + and hold them while you went on board and explained to Bernhardi and von + Bülow the horrors of war, and if they did not listen to you, you would, + like the Pied Piper of Hamelin lead them off with all the other + disagreeable odds and ends, submarines and Zeppelins, to an island, way, + way out in the ocean, where they would have to stay until they promised to + be good little boys?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, wouldn’t that be better than killing a lot of these fine young + fellows you have here?” demanded Edestone, although he smiled at his + friend’s fantastic idea. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans are developing into a nation of foolish old women,” taunted + Lindenberry, “and the sooner that you get into a muss like this one we’re + in, the sooner you will get back that fighting spirit which has made you + what you are. You are fast losing the respect of the other nations by your + present methods, always looking after your own pocket-books while the rest + of the world is bleeding to death.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was thoughtful, and appeared to have no answer for this, and + Lindenberry reverted to his request. + </p> + <p> + “If you really want to have an interview with Lord Rockstone, Jack, I + think I can possibly arrange it. I will telephone to Colonel Wyatt, who is + on his staff, and find out what he can do for you.” + </p> + <p> + And so they chatted until coming to Grosvenor Square where they got out of + the automobile in front of an unpretentious red brick house with an + English basement entrance, trimmed with white marble and spotlessly clean. + </p> + <p> + Lindenberry at once telephoned to Colonel Wyatt, who said that Lord + Rockstone was in and that if Edestone would come around at once he would + see to it that his letters were presented. As to an appointment, he could + promise nothing, but he did say to Lindenberry, not to be repeated, that + the Department was not at that time very favourably disposed toward + Americans. + </p> + <p> + With his usual promptness, Edestone jumped into his automobile and started + for Downing Street, not stopping even to wash his face and hands nor to + brush the dust from his clothes. + </p> + <p> + At the door he was met by an officer in khaki, was told that Colonel Wyatt + was expecting him, and was asked if he would be so kind as to come up to + the Colonel’s office. There he was told that his credentials and letters + could be presented that afternoon, but there was practically no chance of + an interview, as Lord Rockstone was leaving the War Offices in a few + minutes. + </p> + <p> + Word was finally brought in that Lord Rockstone would see Mr. Edestone and + receive his letters, but regretted that he would be unable to give him an + appointment, as he was leaving for the Continent in a few days and affairs + of state required his entire time—which translated into plain + English meant: “Come in, but get out as soon as you can.” + </p> + <p> + Shown into a large room, he saw seated at a big desk the man who is said + to have said that he did not know when the war would end, but he did know + when it would begin, and fixed that date at about eight months after the + actual declaration—after millions of pounds had been expended and + hundreds of thousands of English dead. + </p> + <p> + Cold, powerful, relentless, and determined, Edestone knew that it was + useless to appeal to a sense of humanity in this man who, sitting at his + desk early and late, directed the great machine that slowly but surely was + drawing to itself the youth and vigour of all England, there to feed and + fatten, flatter and amuse these poor boys from the country, and with music + and noise destroy their sensibilities before sending them across the + Channel to live for their few remaining days in holes in the ground that + no self-respecting beast would with his own consent occupy. + </p> + <p> + To appeal to a sense of duty so strong in him as applied to England, was + one thing; but to convince him that Edestone as an American had a sense of + duty to the nations of Europe was something quite different. This man of + steel had no imagination, he was convinced, and to ask him to follow him + in his flights would be as useless as to request him to whistle Yankee + Doodle. + </p> + <p> + He had a chance to decide all this while Rockstone, who had risen and + received him with courtesy, was reading the letters he presented. The + great soldier’s face never changed once as he read them all with care. + </p> + <p> + “Your credentials are satisfactory,” he finally said, “but I do not quite + understand what it is you wish. Your letters say that you do not want to + sell anything, which is most extraordinary; I thought you Americans always + wanted to sell something.” And his face assumed the expression of a man + who, having no sense of humour, thought that he had perhaps made a joke. + </p> + <p> + “If you have drawings and photographs of a new instrument of war,” he + caught himself up abruptly, “I should greatly prefer that you submit these + to the Ordnance Department; but since your Secretary of State has been so + insistent, I will look at them tomorrow. I will give you an appointment + from 9 to 9:15.” + </p> + <p> + And he rose and bowed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — THE FIRST REBUFF + </h2> + <p> + At exactly a quarter past nine the following morning, Lord Rockstone with + military precision rose from his desk. + </p> + <p> + “I fear that my time is up, Mr. Edestone,” he said, glancing at his watch. + “I have enjoyed this opportunity of meeting you and listening to your + presentation of your theory. Your drawings are most interesting; your + photographs convincing, if—” he paused, his lip curling slightly + under his long tawny moustache,—“if one did not know of the + remarkable optical illusions capable of being produced in photography. Our + friends, the Germans, have become particularly expert in the art of double + exposure.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as if he thought he might have said too much, he added less crisply: + </p> + <p> + “Please do not understand that I doubt either your sincerity, or that of + the Government at Washington in this matter; you may have both perhaps + been deceived. I hope that your stay in England may be pleasant, and I + regret that this war will prevent you from receiving the attention to + which your letters and your accomplishments would entitle you.” + </p> + <p> + With an expression on his face that said plainer than words: “This is the + last minute of my most valuable time that I intend to give to this + nonsense,” he bowed formally, and reseating himself at his desk, took up + papers. + </p> + <p> + Then without looking up, “Good morning, Mr. Edestone.” + </p> + <p> + The American did not allow himself to show the slightest trace of + annoyance at the brusque dismissal. + </p> + <p> + “You will at least permit me to thank you for your kind intentions, sir,” + he said; and standing perfectly still until he had forced Lord Rockstone + to look up, he added with a smile, “We may meet again, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + There was something about his perfect ease of manner as he stood waiting + which showed that although he would not condescend to notice it, he was + both conscious of the War Minister’s unpardonable rudeness and intended to + make him acknowledge it. + </p> + <p> + Rockstone hesitated a moment; then with a belated show of courtesy came + from behind his desk, and stiffly extended his hand. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans are the most extraordinary people,” he said; “I must admit, + I never quite understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must grant us a slight advantage,” rejoined Edestone evenly; + “because we believe we do understand you Englishmen. If there had been the + same clear understanding on your side in the present instance it would + have been more to your interest, I am satisfied; for then instead of + merely disturbing you I should have aroused you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not a question of arousing me as you call it. You are dealing with + the Government of the Empire, and, as you know, England moves slowly. The + suggestion that I invite His Majesty to see a lot of moving pictures of an + impossible machine, if you will pardon me, is preposterous. If you really + wish to sell something to the War Department, although I understand you to + state that you do not, nothing is simpler. Ship one of your machines to + England, give a demonstration, and whereas I cannot speak with authority, + I am confident that England will pay all that any other Government will + pay. As to our friends, the enemy, our ships will attend to it that + nothing goes to them that can be used against us.” His jaws snapped, and + his cold greenish-grey eyes flashed, as he gave another curt bow of + dismissal. + </p> + <p> + Edestone had no alternative but to leave; but as he turned to rejoin + Colonel Wyatt, who had stood stiffly at attention throughout the entire + interview, he could not resist one parting shot. + </p> + <p> + “Do not forget, Lord Rockstone,” he said, “that England six months ago + spoke lightly of submarines.” + </p> + <p> + The War Minister pretended not to hear; but no sooner had the door closed + upon his offensive visitor than he caught up the telephone. “Get me the + Admiralty, and present my compliments to Mr. Underhill,” he directed + sharply. “Tell him I would like to speak to him at once.” + </p> + <p> + He turned back to a tray of letters left upon his desk to sign, but + halted, his pen held arrested in air. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose,” he muttered, “the fellow should actually have—? But, + pshaw! It’s simply a mammoth Yankee bluff. That Foreign Department at + Washington is just silly enough to believe that it can frighten us with + its manufactured photographs. They are so anxious over there to stop the + war, that they would resort to any expedient—anything but fight.” + </p> + <p> + The telephone tinkled. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Are you there Underhill? Yes, this is Rockstone. I called you up to + warn you against a madman who is now on his way to see you. You can’t well + refuse to give him an audience, for he has such strong letters from the + American Government that one might imagine he was a special envoy sent to + offer armed intervention and to end the war. But in my opinion he is + merely a crank or an impostor, who has succeeded in obtaining the support + and endorsement of their State Department. + </p> + <p> + “What is that? Oh yes; he’s an American. His name? How should I remember! + I wasn’t interested either in him, or what he had to say. He pretends to + have discovered some new agency or force, don’t you know, and tries to + prove by a lot of double-exposed photographs that he has broken down the + fundamental laws of physics, neutralizing the force of gravity, or + annihilating space by the polarization of light, or some such rot. + </p> + <p> + “Do not kick him out. He has letters not only from his Government, but + from some of its most prominent men whom it would be unwise to offend at + this time. Just listen to his twaddle about universal peace and that sort + of thing, and then pass him on to Graves with a quiet warning such as I + have given you.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Edestone, having taken leave of Colonel Wyatt, was making his + way out of the building, when he found himself accosted in the dimly + lighted corridor by a man in civilian clothes whom he recognized as a New + York acquaintance of several years’ standing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, look who’s here!” he greeted Edestone lustily as he extended his + hand. “What brings you into the very den of the lion? Is it that, like + myself, you are helping dear old England get arms and ammunition with + which to lick the barbarians on the Rhine?” + </p> + <p> + Glancing around cautiously he lowered his voice. “Make her pay well for + them, my boy; she would not hesitate to turn them on us, if we got in her + way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughingly disclaimed any interest in army contracts, but at the + same time avoided divulging the actual mission upon which he was engaged. + </p> + <p> + There was something in his companion’s manner that put him rather on his + guard; he remembered smoking after dinner not more than three or four + months before in the house of one of the most prominent German bankers in + New York, and listening to this man, who had expressed himself in a way + that might have suggested somewhat pro-German sympathies. Edestone had at + the time attributed this to a consideration for their host and to the fact + that the German Ambassador was present; but he recalled that, although the + speaker was most violent in his protestations of neutrality, someone had + suggested at the time that he was of a German family, his father having + been born in Hesse-Darmstadt. He was a man of wealth, with establishments + in New York and Newport, at both of which places Edestone had been + entertained. His loud and hearty manner stamped him as a typical American, + but his large frame, handsome face, and military bearing showed his + Teutonic origin. + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me Rebener.” Edestone’s eyes twinkled slightly at these + recollections. “I should have supposed, if you had anything of the kind to + sell, that it would be to your friend, Count Bernstoff. However,” he laid + his hand on the other’s arm, “it’s an agreeable surprise to run across a + fellow-countryman, no matter what the cause. Are you going my way?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Rebener told him, he had an appointment on hand with one of the + bureau chiefs in the Ordnance Department. + </p> + <p> + “Well then suppose you dine with me tonight,” suggested Edestone. “I am + stopping at Claridge’s and shall be awfully glad if you can come. I am + entirely alone in London, you see; my cronies, I find, are all dead or at + the front.” + </p> + <p> + “Delighted, my boy. But listen! Don’t have any of your English swells. + Let’s make this a quiet little American dinner just to ourselves, and + forget for once this ghastly war.” + </p> + <p> + “At eight o’clock, then,” Edestone nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And a strict neutrality dinner, remember. That is the only safe kind for + us Americans to eat in London.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Rebener, as neutral as you please. <i>A bientôt</i>.” And with + a wave of the hand he passed on down the corridor and out of the building. + His appointment with Underhill, Chief of the Admiralty, was not until + 11:30, so he put in the time by sauntering rather slowly along the Thames + Embankment. + </p> + <p> + He regretted now that, in talking with Lord Rockstone, he had not made a + little more show of force, for had he assumed a more dictatorial manner he + would have at least aroused the fighting spirit in his stern antagonist, + who might then have taken some interest in crushing him under his heel; + whereas now he saw plainly that Rockstone considered him beneath his + notice, and thereby much valuable time had been lost. Yet he did not wish + to make any show of force until he knew positively that his men were all + at their stations, and that the <i>Little Peace Maker</i> was near at + hand. He must be in a position to use force before playing his last card, + and he had not as yet heard from “Specs.” Although he knew that their + instruments were perfectly attuned, he had not, up to twelve o’clock of + the day before, received a single vibration. + </p> + <p> + At this point he was interrupted by encountering another American who also + insisted upon stopping and shaking hands. This was a young architect from + New York, who had from time to time done work for his father’s estate and + who had also made some alterations at the Little Place in the Country for + Edestone himself. He was a tall, lank young man of about twenty-seven, + with little rat-like eyes, placed so close to his hawk-like nose that one + felt Nature would have been kinder to him had she given him only one eye + and frankly placed it in the middle of his receding forehead. His small + blonde moustache did not cover his rabbit mouth, which was so filled with + teeth that he could with difficulty close his lips. + </p> + <p> + “What has brought you to London, Schmidt? Aren’t you afraid that these + Englishmen will capture you and shoot you as a spy?” + </p> + <p> + “Sh! Not quite so loud please, Mr. Edestone; these English are such fools. + They think that because a man has a German name he must be a fighting + German, when you know that I am a perfectly good naturalized American + citizen. My passport is made out in the name of Schmidt, and that’s my + name all right, but I call myself Smith over here to keep from rubbing + these fellows the wrong way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. ‘Smith,’ you have not told me what you are doing in London.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been sent over by a New York architectural paper to make a report + upon the condition of the cathedral at Rheims. I stopped over in London to + get my papers viséd by the Royal Institute of Architects.” Then, lowering + his voice, and keeping his eyes on a policeman who was apparently watching + them with interest: “I am sorry to see you here, Mr. Edestone. This is no + place for us Americans, and my advice to you is to get out of here as soon + as you can, and don’t come back again until the war is over.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone felt that he would have said more but they were interrupted by + the policeman who said: “Excuse me, gentlemen, but these be war times, and + me ordhers are to keep the Imbankment moving.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — ECHOES FROM THE WILHELMSTRASSE + </h2> + <p> + After leaving the War Offices, Rebener went directly to the nearest public + telephone. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Karlbeck,” he called, after satisfying himself by mumbling a + jumble of unintelligible words and numbers that he had the man he wanted + on the wire. “Is Smith there? What? Thames Embankment? What did you say is + the number of that officer? Oh, my old butler, Pat! That’s all right. Now + listen; if I should miss Smith and he comes in, tell him to call me at my + hotel at once. I have made an engagement for dinner with our man for eight + o’clock tonight, but you and H. R. H. need not be at my rooms until + half-past eight. You understand, eh? Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + He strolled out, following Edestone’s course with the air of a man wishing + to enjoy this beautiful spring morning, and approaching the officer who + had interrupted the interview between Edestone and Smith, he said, with a + little twinkle in his eye: “Will you tell me which of these bridges is + called the London Bridge?” + </p> + <p> + The blue-coated Pat, with Hibernian readiness, caught the humour of the + situation. “Shure, I would gladly, but ‘tis a strhanger I am here mesilf,” + he grinned as he smothered the entire lower part of his face with his huge + paw of a hand, and significantly closed one eye. + </p> + <p> + “Pat, your fondness for joking will get you into trouble yet. Did Smith + turn Edestone over to you?” + </p> + <p> + “He did, and I mesilf took him up to the Admiralty where he is now. 4782, + I think they called him, takes him up from there, and will keep him until + he hears from either you or Smith.” + </p> + <p> + “Where has Smith gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Shure he’s up at Claridge’s, bein’ shaved by Count von Hottenroth.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, now, Pat, if you don’t stop that joking of yours I’ll certainly + report you to the Wilhelmstrasse.” + </p> + <p> + “And they said I was to be the first King of dear old Ireland!” as with a + broad grin on his face he raised his hand as if drinking. “Der Tag!” he + cried, thereby causing several passers-by to laugh at the idea of a London + bobby giving the sacred German toast. + </p> + <p> + Rebener, leaving him, went directly to his rooms at The Britz where he was + received with the greatest consideration by everybody about the place. He + was shown to the royal suite by the proprietor himself, who after he had + carefully closed the door upon them stood as if waiting for orders. + </p> + <p> + “Call Claridge’s on the ‘phone, and tell Smith who is being shaved,” he + smiled at the recollection of Pat’s jest, “to meet me here at once. I do + not want him seen in the hotel, so tell him to come in by the servants’ + entrance, and you bring him up on the service elevator and in here through + my pantry and dining-room.” + </p> + <p> + The proprietor retired to attend to this, but was soon back, and Rebener + continued his instructions. + </p> + <p> + “Luckily Edestone invited me to dine with him tonight before I had a + chance to invite him,” he said, “but I will persuade him to come here and + dine with me.” + </p> + <p> + “So, Mr. Bombiadi,” he turned to the proprietor, “I shall want dinner here + for four at 8:30. See to it yourself, will you, that my guests are brought + through my private entrance, and one especially—you know who—who + will be incognito, must not be recognized. Not that there could be any + objection to these men dining with me here—a common rich American, + who loves to spend his money on princes and things—but by tonight + this man Edestone will be watched by at least twenty men from Scotland + Yard, and they suspect anyone of being a German spy, be he prince or + pauper.” + </p> + <p> + Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the arrival of Smith, + who came in very much excited. Sniffling and rubbing his nose with the + back of his forefinger, like a nervous cocaine fiend, he broke out + agitatedly: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Rebener, I’m getting sick of this job. When I undertook to find out + for you what was going on at the Little Place in the Country, I was + working for Germany as against the world, and anything that I can do for + her I am glad and proud to do, but that Hottenroth talks like a damn fool. + Excuse me, Mr. Rebener, but he don’t want to stop at anything. He says + that if he pulls off this thing the Emperor, when he gets to London, will + make him Duke of Westminster, or something, and six months from now he + will appoint me Governor-General of North America. I tell you, Mr. + Rebener, that fellow is plumb nutty.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” interposed the proprietor, “it is true that + Hottenroth is excitable, but he is faithful to the Fatherland and an + humble servant to His Imperial Majesty. He has been in charge of a fixed + post in London for fifteen years. He was one of the very first to be sent + here, and he was in Paris before that. He would die willingly for the + Fatherland, as would I, and if this Schmidt, I mean Smith, thinks there is + any sin too great to be committed for the Fatherland, he is not worthy of + a place among us, and the sooner we get rid of him the better.” And he + looked at the unfortunate Smith in a way that showed he was willing to do + this at any moment. + </p> + <p> + But Rebener, who had lived all his life in America, and like Smith did not + thoroughly agree with the philosophy of German militarism—before + which everything must bow—hurriedly raised his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, you are both getting unnecessarily excited. Don’t let us try + to cross our bridges until we get to them. What did von Hottenroth have to + report?” + </p> + <p> + “It was not very satisfactory, to tell you the truth, Mr. Rebener,” said + Smith; “they searched through all of his things and they found nothing but + a drawing of a Zeppelin of our 29-M type, with some slight changes, which + Hottenroth said don’t amount to anything, and some photographs of Mr. + Edestone himself, doing some juggling tricks with heavy dumb-bells and + weights, but we learned afterwards from the porter that an expressman had + left two large and heavy trunks marked, ‘A. M. Black and P. S. Stanton,’ + at No. 4141 Grosvenor Square East.” + </p> + <p> + “Well what is the report,” demanded Bombiadi, “on No. 4141 Grosvenor + Square?” + </p> + <p> + Smith read from a memorandum book: “Lord Lindenberry, who is a widower, + lives there with his mother, the Dowager. The old lady is now up at their + country place, in Yorkshire, and the Marquis went on to Aldershot last + night after having dined with Edestone at Brooks’s and dropping him at + Claridge’s at 12:15 A.M. The house is only partially opened; there are + only a few of the old servants there.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you think these trunks contain the instrument which you reported + to us from America was always kept in the safe at the Little Place in the + Country?” snapped the hotel proprietor. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” whined Smith. “Mr. Edestone probably has it with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we must get hold of it before he shows it to Underhill,” frowned + the proprietor, “that is, if it has not been shown already, and in that + case we must get hold of Edestone himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that is exactly what is troubling me,” Smith’s voice rose + hysterically. “I’m not going to stand for any of that rough stuff, Mr. + Rebener. Mr. Edestone and his father have both been mighty good to me, and + if anything happens to him I’ll blow on the whole lot of you.” + </p> + <p> + “So?” The proprietor’s pale fat face was convulsed with a look of hatred + and contempt. “Then we are to understand, Smith, that if we find it + necessary to do away with Edestone you wish to go first? You dirty little + half-breed,” he growled in an undertone. “Your mother must have been an + English woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, here, you two fools!” Rebener broke in with sharp authority, “there + is no question of ‘doing away’ with Edestone, as you call it. What we’re + after is the invention and not the man himself, and we’ll not get it by + ‘doing away’ with him. I am, like Smith here, opposed to murder, even for + the Fatherland.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is not murder, Mr. Rebener,” interrupted the proprietor, “if + thereby we are instrumental in saving thousands of the sons of the + Fatherland.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not only not save the sons of the Fatherland, but would put an + end to our usefulness, both here in London and in America, especially if + Edestone has already turned the whole thing over to England. The very + first thing for us to do is to find out how the matter stands. If the + Ministry knows nothing, we must work to get him to Berlin, and then even + you fire-eaters may safely trust it to the Wilhelmstrasse. If it should + happen, however, that the British Government has the invention, His Royal + Highness tonight will try to get enough out of Edestone to enlighten + Berlin, and in that way we shall at least get an even break. That is, + always provided that Edestone has not a lot of the completed articles, + whatever they may be, at the Little Place in the Country. That would put + us in bad again, and it will be up to Count Bernstoff to attend to it from + the New York end.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mr. Rebener,” said the proprietor, “we can do nothing until we + hear from His Royal Highness, but I am satisfied that he will say Edestone + must not be allowed to go to Downing Street tomorrow to continue his + negotiations, unless in some way we can get hold of this secret tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll be damned if I’ll—!” started Rebener angrily, when he + was interrupted by the proprietor, who holding his finger to his lip, + said: + </p> + <p> + “Please, Mr. Rebener, please! Always remember that the service on which we + are engaged has no soul and a very long arm.” Then dropping into the + persuasive and servile tone of the <i>maître d’hôtel</i>: “I propose, Mr. + Rebener, that you allow me to send you up a nice little lunch, some melon, + say, a <i>salmon mayonnaise</i> or a <i>filet du sole au vin blanc</i> and + a <i>noisette d’agneau</i> and a nice little sweet, and you must try a + bottle of our Steinberger Auslese ‘84. + </p> + <p> + “And Smith,” he turned to the humbler agent, “you had better get in touch + with 4782, who is reporting to His Royal Highness every hour. His last + message was that Edestone is still with Underhill, so you get down to the + Admiralty and report to me here as often as you can. Edestone will + probably lunch quietly alone somewhere, as I know that all of his friends + are at the front, but don’t lose him until you turn him over to Mr. + Rebener tonight at 8 o’clock.” His eyes narrowed as they followed the + skulking figure of the architect out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “That fellow needs watching,” he muttered to Rebener. “He has lost his + nerve. He is not a true German anyhow. But if he makes a false step, 4782 + knows what to do and you can depend upon him to do it. We do not know who + he is, but he is a gentleman, if not a nobleman, and he will kill or die + for his Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + Smith, in the meantime, had gone down the service stairs and out at the + rear of the hotel. He was thoughtful, and when he was settled in his taxi, + after having directed the chauffeur where to drive, he said to himself: + </p> + <p> + “They are going to kill him tonight unless they get that machine, or else + can fix it so that Rockstone doesn’t get it tomorrow, that is if Underhill + hasn’t got it already. I wish I’d never started this business; I never + thought it would go so far, and what do I get out of it? A German + decoration which I can’t wear in America, and God knows I don’t want to + live in Germany, and seventeen dollars a week. I’m not going to stand for + it, and that’s settled.” + </p> + <p> + Arriving in front of a little restaurant he entered and sat down at a + table near a window looking out on Whitehall Place. The proprietor, who + was another German, came over to him, and while ostensibly arranging the + cloth spoke to him in an undertone in his own language. + </p> + <p> + “Edestone is still with Underhill,” he said. “The taxi driver on the stand + opposite, the one who looks as if he were asleep, is 4782. In that way he + keeps the head of the line, you see, and when Edestone comes out, if he + doesn’t take that cab, 4782 can follow him until he alights again, and + then he is to telephone His Royal Highness. So you sit here and have + lunch, where you can see what is going on.” + </p> + <p> + Then, turning to a group of his regular customers at another table, the + jovial host in a loud voice and in perfect English took a violent pro-Ally + part in the war discussion that was going on. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — A RUSTY OLD CANNON-BALL + </h2> + <p> + Edestone had met the Honorable Herbert Underhill before, both in America + and in the country houses of England. The two were about the same age, and + as Underhill’s mother was an American, Edestone had hoped that he would + not have quite so much trouble in getting him to look at the matter from + an American point of view. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, however, was just on that account a little bit more formal with + the cousins from across the sea than were most of the men of high position + in Europe. He was undoubtedly taken aback and thrown off his guard when he + found that Edestone was the dangerous American lunatic of whom he had been + warned. In the first place, he knew that there was not the slightest + chance of his being an impostor, and he also knew exactly how much of a + lunatic he was. He knew, in fact, that he was a hard-riding, + clear-thinking, high-minded Anglo-Saxon of the very best type to be found + A Rusty Old Cannon-Ball anywhere, and he smiled as he thought of + Rockstone’s advice not to kick him out of the Admiralty. + </p> + <p> + With considerable show of cordiality, he invited his visitor into a small + room adjoining his large office, and sat him down at the opposite side of + a wide table. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Rockstone told me you were coming, but did not mention your name. He + is quite a chap, that Rockstone. Not what you Americans would call a very + chatty party, however. Now what can I do for you? Lord Rockstone tells me + that you have some new invention, or something of the sort, that will help + us to finish up this little scrimmage without the loss of a single Tommy. + Well, that is exactly what we are looking for, and you American chaps are + clever at thinking out new ideas. He tells me, however, that you do not + wish to sell it. Now I can understand better than he why that part would + be of no especial interest to you; but can’t we deal with a Syndicate, or + a Board of Underwriters, a Holding Company, or some of those wonderful + business combinations that you Americans devise in order to do business + without going to jail? Is the poor starving inventor some billionaire like + yourself, who works only for honour and glory? In that case we might get + an Iron Cross for him. In fact, we might get one blessed by the Emperor + himself, by Jove!” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “Well, Mr. Underhill, you cannot deny inheriting a + certain amount of American wit. I have so often heard the older members of + the Union Club tell stories of Billy Travers’s witty sayings. He must have + gone the pace that kills. One of the old servants used to tell that + whenever Travers and Larry Jerome and that set came in for supper, they + expected the waiters to drink every fifth bottle; it made things more + cheerful-like—but <i>revenons à nos moutons</i>. Lord Rockstone is + right, I do not want to sell my discovery, for mine it is. I am the + penniless inventor. I only want an opportunity of showing it to the heads + of the Powers that are now at war, and of demonstrating to them the + stupendous and overwhelming force that is now practically in the hands of + the greatest of the neutral governments, and thus try, if possible, to + convince them of the uselessness of continuing this loss of life and + treasure. + </p> + <p> + “If I could demonstrate to you, Mr. Underhill, that I could, sitting here + in your office, give an order that would set London on fire and send every + ship in the English navy to the bottom in the course of a few weeks, would + you not advocate opening negotiations for peace? And were I to show the + Emperor of Germany that his great army could be destroyed in even less + time, would he not be more receptive than we now understand him to be?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Mr. Edestone, I most certainly should,” the First Lord of the + Admiralty granted with a smile, “and I think that perhaps the German + Emperor would be amenable under the circumstances, but as they say in your + great country, ‘I am from Missouri, you must show me.’” + </p> + <p> + He changed his position and glanced at Edestone as if he were beginning to + think that possibly Rockstone might be right in his estimate after all. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Mr. Underhill; it is now five minutes to noon, and I think + that I will be able to show you in exactly five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + He took from his pocket a leather case, such as a woodsman might use to + carry a large pocket compass, and removing the cover set out upon the + table an instrument that was entirely enclosed in vulcanized rubber. On + the top, under glass, was a dial, with a little needle which vibrated + violently, but came to a standstill soon after being placed on the table. + Two small platinum wires, about twelve inches long and carefully + insulated, issued from opposite sides of the hard rubber casing. + </p> + <p> + Underhill’s face at first bore only an expression of mild amusement, but + as Edestone evidenced such a deadly earnestness, he showed more interest + and said with a rather nervous laugh: “Look here, old chap, don’t blow the + entire English navy out of the water while you’re closeted here with me. I + must have some witness to prove that I didn’t do it or I might have to + explain to the House of Commons.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, a hard and drawn look about his mouth, paid no heed, but taking + his watch out of his pocket fixed his eye on the little needle of the + instrument and waited as the last few seconds of the hour ticked off. As + the second hand made its last round, and the minute hand swung into + position exactly at twelve, he leaned over the table as if trying by + mental suggestion to make the instrument respond to his will. But it + remained perfectly quiescent, and with a half sigh and a tightening of the + lines about his mouth, he closed his watch. Could it be possible, he + thought, that “Specs” had forgotten his instructions always to use + Greenwich time? + </p> + <p> + He was about to replace the instrument in its case, when he was startled + by a clock on the mantel, which began to strike the hour of twelve. + Involuntarily he counted the strokes as they chimed slowly, and as the + vibrations of the last stroke faded away the little needle swung an entire + circuit of the dial, returning to its original position. This was repeated + three times. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, although still interested in what was going on, seemed a bit + relieved when nothing more startling happened. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, you know, you gave me quite a start,” he jested. “I thought + that you were going to set London on fire, and you simply seem to be + taking your blood-pressure.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone still paid not the slightest attention to him, but after glancing + about the room walked over to the mantelpiece where he picked up an old + twelve-inch cannon-ball, which with considerable difficulty he brought + back and placed on the table by the side of his instrument. His eyes once + more roved about the room as if he were seeking something, and stepping + deliberately to a passe-partout photograph of King George V., he ripped + off the binding with his pocket-knife and tore from it the glass. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, now, Mr. Edestone, those cow-boy methods don’t go here in + London, and if you cannot behave a bit more like a gentleman, I’ll have + you shown to the street.” + </p> + <p> + “We have more important matters on our hands just now, Mr. Underhill, than + whether or not I am a gentleman,” snapped the American, his face set and + serious as he with nervous fingers laid the glass on the table. + </p> + <p> + Rolling the cannon-ball to him, he lifted it very gently on to the glass + plate, and then taking a key from his pocket he appeared to wind up on the + inside of the instrument some mechanism which gave off a buzzing sound. + Next he drew on a pair of rubber gloves with vulcanized rubber finger + tips, and moistening with his lips the ends of the two platinum wires, + pressed them to either side of the ball, first the one and then the other. + A spark was given off when the second contact was made, and the room was + filled with a pungent odour as of overheated metal which caused both men + to cough violently. + </p> + <p> + Following this, with great care, and using only the tips of his fingers, + he lifted the glass plate with the ball on it. When he had raised it his + arm’s length above the table, like a plum pudding on a platter, he took + the glass away, leaving the ball hanging unsupported in the air. + </p> + <p> + He sat down and smiled across the table into the astonished, almost + incredulous, face of his companion. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Mr. Underhill, I hope you will pardon my rudeness,” he + apologized lightly; “but I get so interested in these little tricks of + mine that sometimes I forget myself. If you will permit me, I shall, when + I go to Paris, order from Cartiers’s a more befitting frame for His + Majesty, and shall beg you to accept it from me as a little souvenir of + our meeting today.” + </p> + <p> + Underhill made no reply. His whole attention was riveted on that amazing + ball, and Edestone, a trifle mischievously, added: “If you have a + perfectly good heart, and think you can stand a bit of a shock, touch that + ball lightly with your finger.” + </p> + <p> + “My heart’s all right, and I am prepared for anything,” Underhill + surrendered, as he reached up and touched the innocent looking rusty old + cannon-ball, whose only peculiarity seemed to be its willingness to remain + where it was without any visible means of support. + </p> + <p> + The room was suddenly filled with a greenish light, as if someone had just + taken a flash-light photograph. Underhill was thrown violently back into + his chair, and the ball crashed down on the table, splitting it from end + to end. + </p> + <p> + Without moving a muscle of his face, and taking no notice of the gestures + of pain made by Underhill as he sat rubbing his arm and shoulder, Edestone + resumed: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Underhill, I will not take any more of your valuable time to show you + my drawings and photographs, but I beg you to say to Sir Egbert Graves + that you do not think with Lord Rockstone that the American Secretary of + State has been deceived, and that you hope he will, when he sees me + tomorrow, try to forget for a while that he is an Englishman and be a + little bit human. You know, Underhill, confidence and pigheadedness are + not even connected by marriage; much less are they blood relations. By + Jove,” he grinned, “you can tell him I’ll stick him up against the ceiling + if he insists upon handling me with the ice tongs and leave him there + until you take him down; that is, if you care to take another little + shock.” + </p> + <p> + Underhill, although he might have thought at another time that it was his + duty to resent such light and frivolous reference to the heads of His + Majesty’s Government, was now, however, occupied with more serious + reflections, and overlooked the offence. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure,” he said, rousing himself, “that if Sir Egbert is convinced + that you are working for the sake of humanity he will be most happy to + make use of your talents.” + </p> + <p> + “That is exactly what I want him to do,” returned Edestone, “but not in + the way in which you mean. I wish to be given authority to open + negotiations for peace with the Emperor of Germany. Now, Mr. Underhill, do + we understand one another?” + </p> + <p> + He rose to leave with this, but Underhill, stepping quickly forward, laid + a hand upon his arm. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t suppose for a moment, Mr. Edestone, that we will allow you to + leave England and go to Germany to sell them your invention and have it + used against us?” + </p> + <p> + “You have my word, Mr. Underhill, and that of the American Secretary of + State, that it is not my intention to sell to any government. With that + assurance, unless your Ministry wishes to risk the chances of war with the + United States, I think it will allow me to leave England and go anywhere I + please. Good-morning, Mr. Underhill. I am sorry to have taken up so much + of your valuable time, even more sorry to have broken His Majesty’s + beautiful old oak table.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — DIPLOMACY WINS + </h2> + <p> + Underhill, left alone, sat for some moments looking from the broken table + to the cannonball and then back again. Finally he picked up a fragment of + glass, for the Royal face protector had likewise been broken, when the + good old English oak had met its defeat at the hands of this Hun of the + world of science, and with it, very gingerly, he tapped the iron ball—this + rusty old barbarian which had set at naught the force of gravity, had + violated all the established laws of nature, and had like the Germans in + Belgium smashed through. + </p> + <p> + Finding that nothing happened, he hesitated for a moment, and, then, + bracing himself against the shock, he touched his finger gently to this + rude old paradox. There was no shock, and, reassured, he leaned across the + table and tried with both hands to lift the cannon-ball. + </p> + <p> + “That part is genuine there is no doubt,” he granted. “That old + cannon-ball must have been here since—?” He gave a start as his eyes + caught the inscription pasted upon it, which was: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “A freak cannon-ball, made at the Forge + and Manor of Greenwood, Virginia, 1778. + Presented in 1889 to Lord Roberts by + General George Bolling Anderson, Governor + of the State of Virginia.” + </pre> + <p> + “How extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “These Americans are popping up at + every turn.” + </p> + <p> + He passed out into the large outer office, and, glancing at his watch, + summoned an undersecretary. + </p> + <p> + “It is now just a quarter after twelve,” he said, “and the Cabinet lunches + at Buckingham Palace at two. Present my compliments to Lord Rockstone and + Sir Egbert Graves, and say that I should like to see them both here for a + few minutes on a matter of the greatest importance, and that much as I + regret to trouble them it is absolutely necessary that this meeting be + held in my office and before they go on to the Palace.” + </p> + <p> + To another attendant who, moved by curiosity, was going in the direction + of the smaller room, he said: “Place a sentry at that door when I leave. + No one is to be allowed to enter that room until I give further orders.” + </p> + <p> + A telephone orderly came in a few minutes later to say that his message + had found Lord Rockstone and Sir Egbert Graves together, and that they + both would be with him within the half-hour. + </p> + <p> + Underhill was now fully convinced that Edestone possessed some wonderful + invention or discovery which the United States intended to use as a final + argument for peace, and, with the aid of this discovery, render untenable + any position in opposition to its will taken by England or any of the + other Powers. Had he dreamed that the United States was as ignorant as to + the nature of this invention as he himself was, the history of the world + might have been changed. + </p> + <p> + When Graves and Rockstone arrived, he greeted them with serious face and + at once drew them into private conference. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am sorry to have to trouble you to come to me, + but I am confident that you will forgive me when you understand my reasons + for insisting upon a meeting here.” Keeping both men still standing he + continued: “I have a strange story to tell, so strange in fact, that you + gentlemen would be justified in doubting not only my word but my sanity, + had I nothing to show you in corroboration.” + </p> + <p> + Both men stood like graven images; one like a soldier at attention; the + other, his hat and cane in his right hand and the tips of his two first + fingers resting lightly on the table behind which Underhill was standing, + his thin, clean-shaven, mask-like face as expressionless as if it belonged + to a head that had been stuck on the end of a pike and shoved out across + the table for Underhill to look at, instead of to one well placed on his + broad athletic shoulders. They both knew that Underhill was young and had + inherited from his beautiful American mother a nervous and temperamental + disposition. They also knew that this was tempered by the crafty + cleverness of the blood of the hero of Blenheim. They had come prepared + for one of his excitable outbursts, although they knew he would not have + been so insistent had there not been good cause. + </p> + <p> + “Will you be so kind as to walk into this room with me?” He pointed toward + the door of the small room. + </p> + <p> + Still with that show of utter imperturbability the two complied, + continuing to gaze stolidly as their associate, closing the door behind + them, called their attention to the cannon-ball and broken table. + </p> + <p> + “Exhibits A and B”; he waved his hand toward the two objects. “I wanted + you to see these in order to convince you that I have neither been + dreaming, nor am I the victim of an aberration.” + </p> + <p> + Then with great care and endeavouring to maintain a semblance of + self-possession, he described his recent experience, omitting no single + detail that he could recall. He showed them exactly where and how he had + been sitting, and followed every movement made by Edestone, even to the + ripping of the glass from the portrait of the King, until finally, as if + overcome by the strain that he had put upon himself to appear perfectly + calm, he ended with a nervous little laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Will you look at the inscription on that blooming old cannon-ball? It + really seems quite spooky.” + </p> + <p> + Graves moved forward and thoughtfully examined the split table and the + rusty old relic of Valley Forge, but Rockstone did not offer to stir. With + what was almost a sneer on his face he met the challenging glance of his + younger confrère. + </p> + <p> + “I would not have believed, Underhill,” he said impatiently, “that you + with your experience with the fakirs of India could have been taken in by + so old a trick.” He half-closed his eyes as if to indicate that for him at + least the incident was closed. + </p> + <p> + Underhill frowned. “You are wrong, Rockstone,” he exclaimed impulsively. + “This man is no faker, nor am I so easily imposed upon as you seem to + think. I tell you that we are called upon to deal with a new agency that + can neither be disputed nor sneered away, and unless we can contrive some + way to oppose it, the United States will step in and force a peace upon us—a + peace that will leave Europe exactly where it was before the war—and + keep it so, while she herself can go ahead unchecked and take possession + of the whole Western Hemisphere. Don’t you see the scheme?” + </p> + <p> + “Where is this extraordinary individual?” inquired the Foreign Minister, + completing his inspection of the table. “What has become of him?” His thin + voice was as evenly modulated as if he were asking where he had put his + other glove. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, probably at Boodle’s or Brookes’s lunching with some of his friends,” + Underhill answered indifferently. “He left here only a short time ago. And + you need not be afraid, Sir Egbert,” with a significant glance. “A very + careful eye is being kept upon his movements. We can get him at any moment + if we want him.” + </p> + <p> + Graves nodded, and then went on meditatively. + </p> + <p> + “It is of course entirely irregular,” he said, “but from what both of you + gentlemen tell me as to the nature of his credentials, there can be little + doubt that the man is here with the approval of his Government, if not as + an authorized representative. The sole question, therefore, is whether or + not he does possess such an invention or discovery as he claims——” + </p> + <p> + “But can you doubt that?” demanded Underhill hotly. + </p> + <p> + “And whether,” proceeded Sir Egbert without change of tone, “granting that + the contrivance is of value, the United States will permit its purchase + for use in the present war. + </p> + <p> + “On the first proposition, I can only say that if he has this invention, + as my young friend of the Navy stands so firmly convinced, it is + tantamount to admitting that the United States has a new and terrible + instrument of war, in which case it would be most unwise to offend her. If + he has not, there certainly can be no objection to allowing him the + opportunity of offering to our enemies something that is of no value. + Therefore, that seems to settle the question as to the advisability of + detaining him, as has been suggested. I should strongly favour letting him + go when and where he pleases. + </p> + <p> + “Assuming that he has in his possession facts or mechanisms that would + give to one nation such stupendous advantages over the others as he + claims, we must not forget that the United States has had these facts and + mechanisms for some time. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to detain him + forcibly, for the United States’ answer to this would be a declaration of + war in which the superiority of her position would be overwhelming. + </p> + <p> + “I’m inclined to believe that the reason he does not wish to sell his + discovery is because he has not obtained permission from his Government to + do so. They intend to dispose of it to the country with whom they can make + the most favourable bargain. I think indeed that under all circumstances + the best policy for this Government is to treat this man with the greatest + possible consideration. If he has the power to do us harm, we must put him + in such a position that he will not wish to do it; and if he has not, our + treatment of him will have a tendency to draw the United States nearer to + us than she is at present. We must, at least, pretend to take the American + Secretary of State at his word. Whereas I do not think that there is any + doubt that America is influenced entirely by selfish motives, she is now + our friend, and as long as this war goes on it is to the interest of Great + Britain to keep her so.” + </p> + <p> + “A very good idea, Sir Egbert,” agreed Underhill. “That is absolutely the + only way to deal with this man. He says that he is almost a pure + Anglo-Saxon, you know, and he is as proud of it as if he were an + Englishman. He is the ninth in direct line from the original old chap, or + rather young chap, who went from England to Virginia in 1642. Think of it! + Say what you may, blood is thicker than water. That fellow is at heart an + Englishman; he has been away from home nearly three hundred years.” + </p> + <p> + Graves gave a little bow of comprehension. “When Mr. Edestone calls on me + tomorrow,” he said, “I shall not even touch on the question of the + purchasing of this alleged invention, but shall offer to facilitate in + every way his mission as peacemaker. I shall take him at his word that he + does not intend to sell to any one, and try to persuade him that, if he is + bent on coercing any people, the English are not the ones that require + this, as they are in perfect accord with him, and that he would accomplish + his purpose much more quickly if he would bring force to bear upon the + German Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Sir Egbert,” broke in Underhill excitedly, “he says that he wants us + to authorize him to open peace negotiations with the Kaiser, and I think + he rather intimated that if we should refuse he would use force, which of + course means the United States.” + </p> + <p> + “Well upon my word!” Rockstone’s eyes flashed, and an indignant expression + took the place of the rather bored look with which he had been listening. + “That is pretty strong language to use to His Imperial Majesty’s + Government, and for my part I think that this young gentleman and his + little trick box should be shipped back home with a very polite but + emphatic note to the effect that when England wishes the good offices of + the United States in bringing this war to a close, she will call for them. + As to the young man himself, I should say to him that if he were caught + trying to get into Germany he would be looked upon as a spy endeavouring + to render assistance to the enemy, and would be treated accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “But wait a moment, Rockstone,” said Sir Egbert. “You are forgetting that + this Mr. Edestone is in some measure at least the representative of his + country. We cannot afford to offend the United States of America, even + though his manners are bad.” + </p> + <p> + “To the contrary,” muttered Underhill, “his manners are surprisingly + good.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Egbert slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment of the correction. + “There is the point too,” he went on, “as to whether or not he is an + impostor. If he is, why should we allow the American comic papers to put + us in the same category with their own Secretary of State, at whom they + have been poking fun for years, when they discover that this exceedingly + clever young man has taken us in also? + </p> + <p> + “No, no, to me the matter seems very simple. Uncle Sam has got something + he wants to sell. Good or bad it makes no difference; he wants to sell, + and sell it he will to the highest bidder. Why refuse to consider his + offer on the one hand, or why appear to be too anxious to close with him + on the other? Let him offer it to the enemy; he will certainly come back + for our bid before closing with them.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Sir Egbert,” Lord Rockstone somewhat reluctantly allowed + himself to be won over, “since you put it that way I think that perhaps + you are right. Diplomacy is probably the strongest weapon with which to + deal with this young man. He did not impress me as one to be easily + bluffed by show of force.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor should I be bluffed, even by you, Rockstone,” said Underhill somewhat + ruefully, rubbing his arm, “if I had the power that this chap has locked + up in that little rubber box and stored away in that long head of his.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, let us make a decision: does His Majesty go to Washington or shall + the Chautauqua lecturer extend his professional tours to include London?” + Graves gave his sly secretive laugh. Then as if ashamed of his momentary + levity, and changing his entire manner, he said: “Well, gentlemen, what do + you propose?” + </p> + <p> + “I rather think we are unanimous,” said Underhill, “in considering that + Mr. Edestone should be given a fair hearing. The final answer to his + proposition can be given, of course, only after it has been discussed in + full cabinet.” + </p> + <p> + “That would perhaps be the best way to leave the matter,” approved + Rockstone. + </p> + <p> + “We are agreed then, it seems,” said Graves, and they left together for + Buckingham Palace. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — THE SPY-DRIVEN TAXI. — + </h2> + <p> + On coming out of the Admiralty, Edestone, a trifle preoccupied, was about + to take the taxi with the rather sleepy driver which stood at the head of + the line. But the thought came to him, where shall I go? As he had told + Rebener, none of his pals were in town and he had absolutely nothing to do + until dinner at eight o’clock. Why not take lunch at some quiet little + place in the neighbourhood? + </p> + <p> + “I say, cabby, is there any sort of a decent restaurant around here where + one can get a very nice little lunch?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, thank you, sir”; the chauffeur rather abruptly came into full + possession of his faculties. “There is a very neat little place right + across the road, sir, thank you, sir,” and he pointed in the direction of + the window at which Schmidt was sitting. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, thank you, cabby,” said Edestone in his usual kind manner with people + of that class. He was rather struck by the handsome face of the man, + although it was covered over with grease and grime. “Here is a shilling. + Don’t you think I might be able to walk that far this beautiful day?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, thank you, sir.” The man showed no appreciation of the humour. + “Would you be wanting a cab later on, sir? If so I’ll just hang about, + sir. Times is hard in these war times, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, wait by all means,” said Edestone with a jolly laugh. “Set + your clock. Now open your door and drive me to that restaurant over there, + and then wait for me till I have had my lunch. By the time that I get + through with you I think you will find that you have done a good day’s + work.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it, sir.” The chauffeur hid a surreptitious chuckle with his + very dirty hand. + </p> + <p> + On entering the restaurant the first person Edestone saw was Schmidt, and + he gave a little nod of recognition. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Schmidt, we seem to be meeting quite often this morning. I hope + that I am to infer from your presence that I will be able to get some of + your delightfully greasy German dishes.” + </p> + <p> + But at this point he was interrupted by the proprietor, who came bustling + up, trying to force him to take a seat at a table in another part of the + room. + </p> + <p> + “German dishes?” stammered the restaurant keeper. “Not at all. That was + when the place was run by Munchinger, but he went back to Germany last + July, and this place is run by me, and I am a Swiss. Still, sir, if you + are fond of the German dishes I think I might be able to accommodate you, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, suppose I leave that entirely to you. I can’t by any chance get a + large stein of Münchener beer?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I am sorry. I can get you some French beer though, which we + think is much better. You know that Admiral Fisher has got those Dutchmen + bottled up so tight that they tell me the beer won’t froth any more in + Germany.” And he burst into a roar of laughter in which he was joined by a + chorus of adoring customers sitting about at the different tables. + </p> + <p> + Edestone sat down while the proprietor in person took his order to the + kitchen. In a very short time, the man returned and put down before him a + <i>gemüse suppe</i>, following this with <i>schweine fleisch, sauerkraut</i>, + and <i>gherkins</i>—a luncheon which might have been cooked in a + German’s own kitchen—and set before him a glass of beer which + Edestone would have sworn had not been brewed outside of the city of + Munich. + </p> + <p> + The proprietor bustled about, laughing and cracking clumsy jokes with + everyone who would listen to him, and his jokes seemed to Edestone to be + almost as German as his beer. In this way he finally worked over to where + Smith was sitting, and as he pretended to arrange something on the table + whispered sharply: “Go to the lavatory.” + </p> + <p> + Smith, unable to eat, sat toying with his food. He gulped his beer as if + it choked him. He turned around several times to look at Edestone, but the + latter after his perfunctory greeting took no further notice of him. At + last, paying his check, the man walked to the rear of the restaurant and + into a small, dark, badly ventilated room under the stairs. The place was + so dimly lighted that he could scarcely see in front of him a wash basin, + but as he was wondering what he was expected to do next he heard a voice + that seemed to come from a little partially opened window that looked out + into a dark ventilating shaft to the left of the basin. “Pretend to wash + your hands,” the voice whispered cautiously. Smith did as he was directed + and found that he thus brought his left ear close to the window opening. + </p> + <p> + “Now listen,” said the voice, speaking rapidly in German. “God is with the + Fatherland today! 4782 has been engaged to wait. Hottenroth has telephoned + that our man undoubtedly has his instrument with him. The order is for you + and 4782 to get it from him this afternoon at any cost. 4782 knows what he + is to do.” And the window closed softly. + </p> + <p> + Smith broke out into a cold perspiration. He knew that he was looking + death straight in the face, and in a twinkling his mind carried him back + over his entire life. He clutched at his throat as he realized his + horrible situation. His present position in the grip of this relentless + but invisible master had come about so gradually that he had not realized + how firmly he was caught until now it was too late. Not being borne up by + the hysterical exaltation of the true-born Prussian, he resented that he + should be the one selected to do this ghastly thing. + </p> + <p> + He staggered back into the restaurant where the proprietor, laying a hand + upon his arm, and laughing loudly and winking as if he were telling a + risqué story, muttered some further directions into his ear. + </p> + <p> + “He is preparing to go now. Join him and don’t leave him until—” he + broke off and rushed over to Edestone who had risen from the table and was + taking his hat and cane from the waiter. + </p> + <p> + “I hope, sir, you found everything perfectly satisfactory?” he bowed. + </p> + <p> + “Very nice indeed,” said Edestone, handing him a half-crown. “I am glad to + have discovered your place and I shall come again.” + </p> + <p> + At the door he encountered Smith, who was lingering about as if waiting + for him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Edestone,” he forced himself to say, swallowing and fumbling with + his mouth. “I remember when I was fixing up your Little Place in the + Country for you that you took a great deal of interest in old English + prints. Well, I have just found an old print shop over in the Whitechapel + district with some of the most wonderful old prints, and if you have the + time to spare I would like to take you over and have the old man show them + to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to very much,” said Edestone. “I have just been wondering + what I should do with myself this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “The Kaiser and God will bless you for this,” the restaurant keeper + whispered into Smith’s ear, after he had bowed Edestone out to the + sidewalk. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Smith, will you please give the address to the driver,” said Edestone + as he stepped into the taxi. Smith leaned over and gave some mumbled + instructions to the chauffeur, who had remained upon his box; then he took + his place at the side of his friend and patron. + </p> + <p> + But no sooner had the motor started than he turned to Edestone. “Mr. + Edestone,”—his voice trembled so violently that he could scarcely + speak,—“please do not move or seem surprised at what I am going to + say.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone drew back slightly and looked at him. He thought at first that + the man had suddenly lost his reason. Smith was perfectly livid and his + little eyes were starting from his head. His mouth was open and he seemed + to be vainly trying to draw his blue lips over his great dry yellow teeth + on which they seemed to catch, giving him the appearance of a snarling dog + as he cringed in the corner of the cab. One hand was pulling at his collar + while with the other he clutched at the seat in a vain effort to restrain + the tremors which were shaking him from head to foot. “Don’t speak. I must + talk and talk fast,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Edestone leaned forward as if to halt the car, but the fellow caught him + by the knee in a grip almost of desperation. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake don’t do that!” he pleaded. “He will kill both of us. Oh, + don’t you understand? He is a German spy. I am German, Rebener is German, + we are all Germans—all spies. We have been watching you for the past + six months. This man is now driving you to a place where they will + certainly kill you unless you turn over that instrument which you have in + your pocket.” + </p> + <p> + At this Edestone started. Although he could scarcely control himself and + felt like strangling the chicken-hearted wretch, he recovered himself in + time to say with a look of disgust, “You poor miserable creature.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Mr. Edestone, but please keep quiet. I may save you if you will + do as I say. I don’t know about myself. I am a dead man for certain, + though, if you let him once suspect,” and he motioned in the direction of + the chauffeur. Then continuing he gasped out: “Stop the taxi anywhere + along here: get out and go into some shop. When you come out again say to + me that you have decided you will look at the prints some other day, and + that you will walk to the hotel. Discharge and pay him. I will re-engage + him and as soon as we get out of sight you take another taxi and drive + straight to your hotel. But you must be careful; he knows that you have + the instrument with you. They are desperate enough to do anything. Your + life is in danger.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the situation, had + absolutely no fear either for himself or for the instrument, since as a + matter of fact he knew that he could destroy that at any moment. He felt + sorry for Smith, however. He pitied him for his weakness but realized that + he was risking his life to save him, so he did as he was urged. + </p> + <p> + While he was in the shop 4782 got off the box, and, looking into the cab, + said sternly to Smith in German: “If you are playing me any of your + American tricks, you half-breed, you will never see the sun set again.” + </p> + <p> + Also, when Edestone returned and discharged him with a very handsome tip, + he did not seem especially gratified, and when poor Smith in a trembling + voice re-engaged the taxi, the driver almost lost control of himself. Had + he done so, Edestone, who was watching him closely, would have been + delighted, since he would have liked nothing better than to have forced + the fellow to show his hand then and there. He was again struck with the + chauffeur’s appearance as he stood talking to Smith for he had the air of + a gentleman and even through his dirt looked above his position. Leaving + them there, the American strolled along, and, after a block or two, hailed + another cab and ordered it to drive to Claridge’s. He really did not think + to look about him, but had he done so he might have discovered that he was + being followed by the first taxi with its woebegone passenger and its + handsome chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + Arriving at the hotel he was interested to see standing in front of the + door a carriage with men in the royal livery, and he was met at the + entrance by the proprietor himself in a frightful state of excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, one of the King’s equerries is waiting in the reception + room to see you. I have been calling you up at every club and hotel in + London.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone went into the reception room where he was met by an officer in + the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards, who after going through the + formality of introducing himself delivered his message: + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty, the King, instructs me to say that he will receive you and + inspect your drawings, photographs, etc., at Buckingham Palace this + afternoon at half-past four o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — BUCKINGHAM PALACE + </h2> + <p> + To nearly every man, especially if he happened to be an Englishman, the + fact that he had received a Royal Command would have been sufficient to + make him, if not nervous, at least thoughtful. Edestone was, however, so + incensed at Rebener and so disgusted with Schmidt and so angry with the + entire German Secret Service, that it came to him as a relief, like an + invitation, from a gentleman older and more distinguished than himself, to + dine, or to see some recently acquired painting or bit of porcelain, after + he had been all day at a Board meeting of avaricious business men. It was + no affectation with him that he felt he was going into an atmosphere in + which he belonged. “I always assume that Royalties are gentlemen,” he + would say, “until I find that they are not; and as long as they conduct + themselves as such I am perfectly at ease, but as soon as they begin to + behave like bounders I am uncomfortable.” + </p> + <p> + He was not one of those Americans who insist at all times and under all + circumstances that he is as good as any man, simply because in his heart + of hearts he knows that he is not, but hopes by this bluster to deceive + the world. On the contrary, he was a firm advocate of an aristocratic form + of government, and did not hesitate to say that he considered the + Declaration of Independence, wherein it refers to the absolute equality of + man, as a joke. + </p> + <p> + He was a most thorough believer in class and class distinction and said + that he hoped to see the day when the world would be ruled by an upper + class who would see that the lower classes had all that was good for them, + but would not be allowed to turn the world upside down with their clumsy + illogical reforms and new religions, Saint-Simonianism, humanitarianism, + or as a matter of fact with any of the old established <i>isms</i>. They + already have several hundred forms to choose from, he would say; they + should not be allowed to make any more new ones until one single one of + these has been universally accepted. The glamour of royalty had no effect + upon him. Its solidity, dignity, and gentility did. + </p> + <p> + When he saw the royal livery standing before the hotel, he had rather + surmised that it was being used by some Indianapolis heiress who had + married a title which carried the privilege of using it and was getting + her money’s worth. He therefore took no interest in looking into the + carriage, but he would have been glad to have gone up to the men and said: + “A nice pair of horses you have there. How well they are turned out, and + how very smartly you wear your livery.” + </p> + <p> + The equerry, Colonel Stewart, was very simple and direct. He treated + Edestone with consideration, but did not forget to let him understand that + the King was showing great condescension in inviting him so informally. + </p> + <p> + “A carriage will be sent for you at four o’clock, and if there is any + apparatus and you have men to install it they will be looked after by an + officer of the Royal Household who will call in about an hour.” + </p> + <p> + He said that the King wished to have it understood that he was not + receiving Edestone in any way as representing the United States of + America, since no credentials of any kind had been presented, but simply + as a gentleman of science whose achievements warranted the honour. + </p> + <p> + In the course of their conversation, Edestone referred to his recent + unpleasant experience in the spy-driven taxi, and he was assured by + Colonel Stewart that he need entertain no further apprehensions on that + score as thorough protection would be given him and every single one of + these men would be and already were under espionage. Bowing then, the + equerry left as quietly as he had come. + </p> + <p> + Edestone went up to his apartment and issued his instructions to James, + his valet. + </p> + <p> + “Send Mr. Black and Mr. Stanton to me at once. Then fix my bath, send for + the barber, and lay out my clothes. I am going out to tea”—he paused—“with + His Majesty, King George V. of England,” while he enjoyed the effect on + his snobbish English servant. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Black,” he said when his electrician and operating man came in, “will + you and Mr. Stanton go to Grosvenor Square and bring over the boxes with + the apparatus and films. They will have to be back here by 3:15, as there + will be an officer of the Royal Household here at that time. Go with him + to Buckingham Palace and install the instrument and screen where he + directs you; then wait there until you hear from me.” + </p> + <p> + While he was dressing and being shaved he ran over in his mind what he + should say to the King. He knew that either Rockstone or Underhill had + engineered this audience, and he wondered whether it foreboded good or + evil. At any rate it was progress, and that was all-important. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart had certainly been most cordial, and the fact that he was + to meet the King without the delay of presenting credentials through the + American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the necessity for prompt + action. + </p> + <p> + The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact + than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr. Black + and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the apparatus and + films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say through the + lather: “Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and shall want + everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest,” the man gave such a start + that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it down with a bang on the + marble washbasin. + </p> + <p> + “I go,” he said. “My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber.” And he + rushed out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, James?” exclaimed Edestone indignantly. “Why didn’t + you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that fool? Come + finish this thing up yourself, I can’t wait.” Recovering his equanimity he + added: “Time flies and the King waits.” + </p> + <p> + James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished shaving + him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English valet can, + glanced with satisfaction at his work. “I think, sir, when His Majesty + sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor, sir. A buttonhole, + sir?” + </p> + <p> + And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down, when + word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the Colonel, “I am glad to tell you that your + apparatus has arrived safely and has been installed in the Green Drawing + Room. The King is deeply interested, and judging from a mysterious pair of + curtains in the gallery I think that other members of the Royal Family + intend to see this wonderful American with his wonderful invention. As to + your friends, the German spies, I made due report of the matter and shall + probably have something to tell you later.” + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful spring day and as Edestone was driven through Berkeley + Square, up Piccadilly, and down Grosvenor Place he saw London at its best. + Then, as he crossed the park with its beautiful old trees and lake and + flower-beds, approaching Buckingham Palace from an entirely different + angle than he had ever seen it before, he realized for the first time that + it was in the midst of a beautiful sylvan setting. The Buckingham Palace + that he knew had always suggested to him one of the Department Buildings + in Washington in their efforts to look as much like a royal palace as + possible. + </p> + <p> + When he stopped under a porte-cochère simple little entrance, he felt that + he might be making a call at some rich American’s country home rather than + on the King of England in the middle of London. There were no soldiers and + no extraordinary number of servants. He had seen as many and more at some + of the houses at Newport. He was shown into a long, low, and rather dark + room on the ground floor, where a lot of young officers were lounging + about. Colonel Stewart introduced him to several of them and a smarter lot + of young fellows Edestone had seldom seen. + </p> + <p> + He had not been waiting more than fifteen or twenty minutes when he heard + Colonel Stewart’s name called. His pulse quickened for he knew that this + was a signal for him. Colonel Stewart, bowing to the other officers, said + to him: “Will you please come with me, Mr. Edestone?” + </p> + <p> + Passing out of the room and up a short flight of stairs they came to a + broad corridor about twenty feet wide which ran around three sides of a + court, opening out upon the gardens to the west. They were conducted + around two sides of the square and taken into a large reception room in + the opposite corner where there were perhaps a dozen officers of high + rank, ministers and statesmen, standing about in groups. They spoke in + voices scarcely above a whisper and when the door on the left, which + evidently led into a still larger room, was opened there was absolute + silence. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart, who up to this time had been quite affable, now seemed + suddenly to be caught by the solemnity of the place, and stood like a man + at the funeral of his friend. + </p> + <p> + In one of the groups, Edestone saw Colonel Wyatt, who gave him a little + nod of recognition. In a few minutes the door to the larger room opened + and Lord Rockstone coming out walked straight up to where he and Colonel + Stewart stood. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty wishes to waive all form and ceremony, and has ordered me to + present you to him at once,” he said. But when he saw the cool and + matter-of-fact way in which Edestone received this extraordinary + announcement his expression said as plainly as words: “These Americans are + certainly a remarkable people.” He merely bowed to Colonel Stewart, + however, and continued: “Will you please come with me,” and leading the + way to the door, spoke to an attendant who went inside. In about five + minutes the man returned, and announced to Lord Rockstone: “His Majesty + will receive you.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — HE MEETS THE KING + </h2> + <p> + The room into which they were shown was large and well-proportioned, but + was furnished and decorated in the style of the middle of the nineteenth + century—that atrocious period often referred to as the Early + Victorian, a term which always calls forth a smile at any assembly of true + lovers of art and carries with it the idea of all that is heavy and + vulgarly inartistic. But on the whole the room had an air of comfort, + flooded as it was with warm sunlight that streamed through the four great + windows on the right and those on each side of the fireplace at the + opposite end. + </p> + <p> + Around the large table, sat a gathering of the most distinguished men of + the Empire drawn from the Privy Council. They had evidently finished the + work of the day, as was shown by the absence of all papers on the table + and the precise manner in which the different cabinet ministers had their + portfolios neatly closed in front of them. One would say that they had + settled down to be amused or bored as the case might be. They looked like + a company of well-bred people whose host has just announced that + “Professor Bug” will relate some of his experiences among the poisonous + orchids of South America, or like a lot of polite though perfectly deaf + persons waiting for the music to begin. Some were talking quietly, while + others sat perfectly still. The servants were removing writing materials, + maps, etc., and a cloud of clerks and undersecretaries were being + swallowed up by a door in a corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the table opposite the door through which Edestone had + entered, sat the King. He looked very small as he sat perfectly still, his + hands resting listlessly on the arms of his great carved chair of black + walnut picked out with gold. His face with its reddish beard, now growing + grey, bore an expression of deep sadness, almost of melancholia. His + expression became more animated, however, when Edestone entered, and he + sat up and looked straight at the American as he stood at the other end of + the table. + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty,” Lord Rockstone bowed, “I beg to be allowed to present to + you Mr. John Fulton Edestone of New York of the United States of America.” + </p> + <p> + The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the + nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him. + Extending his hand he said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It has + been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to visit + your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay of + several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming Americans + whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of York,” he sighed. + </p> + <p> + His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, + assuming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown + toward one of his own subjects of the middle class—the one great + class to which the nobility, gentry, and servants of England assign all + Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this while the + last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it. + </p> + <p> + “I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of your + wonderful achievements in science,” the King went on, adding with rather a + sad smile: “It seems a pity to take you from some charming English girl + with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring afternoon and + bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of death and + destruction.” And his face seemed very old. + </p> + <p> + After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce + Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered the + rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who had been + taken back to the other end of the table where he stood perfectly still. + Not once had the American spoken since coming into the room. He had + acknowledged the King’s great kindness with a bow which showed plainer + than words in what deep respect he held the head of the great + English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good impression on some + of the older men, who up to this time had not deigned to look in his + direction. One of the younger men murmured in an undertone: “Young-looking + chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, isn’t he? He has deuced good manners + for an American.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of the + company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining that Mr. + Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His Majesty and + explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made. + </p> + <p> + The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible for + the American, chose to supplement this formality. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said with a smile, “since this meeting is to be, as you + say in America, ‘just a gentlemen’s meeting,’ you may sit down while you + tell us about your wonderful discovery.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined. “Your + Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand,” and, then, + without the slightest sign of embarrassment, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can + explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful + discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to you + my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty’s subjects. Should I + in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established rules of court + etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my ignorance and not + to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that affection which I and all + true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as representing the head of that + great people and the King of ‘Old England.’” + </p> + <p> + A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One old + gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of Edestone, + turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large eyeglasses, + said: “Hear! Hear!” + </p> + <p> + The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. “I am an American and I + am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my country, + nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the nations of + the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, and the bag of + the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will amalgamate into a <i>cafe + au lait</i> conglomerate, but because I am proud of that small group of + Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of the free air of our great + country, have developed such strength that they have up to this time put + the stamp of England upon all who have come in contact with them. And + while it is not my intention to sell my invention to England, I will give + you my word that it shall never be used except for the benefit of the + English-speaking people.” + </p> + <p> + He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: “In + your presence and that of Almighty God, I dedicate my life to my people, + the Anglo-Saxons!” + </p> + <p> + This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there were a + few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses who seemed + uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of unemotional men and + against their will had swept them along with him, and it was only with an + effort that some of the younger men could refrain from giving him three + cheers. + </p> + <p> + Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, + applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his pleasure. + There was something about this man that left in no one’s mind any doubt of + his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that he was not the kind of + a man who would so solemnly and in the presence of the King and all of the + greatest men of England dedicate his life to a purpose if he did not know + that therein lay a real gift to mankind. His sublime confidence was as + convincing as his simplicity was reassuring. + </p> + <p> + Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business of + the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. President,” he commenced, “now that I have shown you how I stand on + international politics, I shall proceed——” + </p> + <p> + He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while the + rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily. + </p> + <p> + The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was blankly + searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and not + altogether lightly said: + </p> + <p> + “The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon people!” + </p> + <p> + “I beg Your Majesty’s pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so soon: + what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, physics, + and mechanics to explain to you my invention?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the King, “we understand perfectly. Go on.” + </p> + <p> + Recovering himself quickly and assuming a thoroughly businesslike air, + snapping out his facts with precision, speaking rapidly without notes or + memoranda, he said: + </p> + <p> + “The physical properties of electrons form the basis of my invention, and + it cannot be understood except by those who have studied the electron + theory of matter, according to which theory the electron or corpuscle is + the smallest particle of matter that had, up to my discovery, been + isolated. They are present in a free condition in metallic conductors. + Each electron carries an electric charge of electrostatic units and + produces a magnetic field in a plane perpendicular to the direction of its + motion. This brings us to the atom, which may be described as a number of + electrons positive and negative in stable equilibrium, this condition + being brought about by the mutual repulsion of the like and attraction for + the opposite electrification so arranged as to nullify each other. Having + thus established the law of the equilibrium of electrons, corpuscles, + atoms, and molecules, I found that the same law applies to the equilibrium + of our solar system, and, in fact, of the universe, and, by the + elimination of either the positive or the negative electron, this + equilibrium is altered or destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “I then sought to nullify the attraction of gravity by changing the + electrical condition of the electrons of an object, which until that time + was attracted by the earth, as is shown by the formula, <i>V equals the + square root of (s times 2g)</i> for falling bodies, and by using the + formula <i>Y equals the square root of mx divided by (pi times g)</i> I + found——” + </p> + <p> + But at this point he was interrupted by the King, who said, with a gesture + of supplication: “Please! Please! Mr. Edestone do not go so deeply into + science, for, for my part, I regret to say that it would be entirely lost + on me. Save that for my men of science,” and he waved his hand in the + direction of his rough and rugged old Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Wm. Brown. + “Just tell us what you have accomplished and then show us some of these + marvellous things that Mr. Underhill has told us you can do. Besides, I + understand that you are to show us moving pictures of the actual working + of your machine, boat, or whatever it is.” + </p> + <p> + The inventor was disappointed; for he had wished to set all minds at rest + and to establish the fact that he was no trickster but a scientist. With a + deprecating smile he said: “As Your Majesty pleases.” + </p> + <p> + Then, without the slightest sign of condescension, and selecting with the + greatest care only words that the man in the street could understand, he + proceeded with his exposition. + </p> + <p> + “I have discovered that gravitation is due to the attraction that two + bodies in different electrical condition have for each other, and that by + changing the condition of one of these bodies so that they are both in the + same electrical condition this attraction no longer exists. I have also + discovered that the earth is, so to speak, as far as the laws of gravity + are concerned, in a state of what we might call for lack of a better name, + ‘positive electrical condition,’ and that all objects on the earth, as + long as they are not in contact with it, are in what we may call ‘negative + electrical condition.’ These remain in this condition so long as they are + not in actual electrical contact with the earth and are separated from it + by a non-conducting medium such as the atmosphere, glass, hard rubber, + etc., and are attracted by it, as is shown by the formulae which I will + gladly explain to your gentlemen of science.” And he turned with a bow to + Admiral Sir William Brown, who was leaning across the table frowning at + him and who with his scrubbing-brush hair, long upper lip, and heavy brows + looked more like a Rocky Mountain goat than ever. + </p> + <p> + “I have invented an instrument,” continued Edestone, “which I call a <i>Deionizer.</i> + With this, so far as regards any phenomena of which we are conscious, I am + able to change the electrical condition of an object, provided this object + is insulated from electrical contact with the earth. That is, I can change + it from the so-called minus condition, which is attracted by the earth, to + the plus condition, which being the same condition as the earth, is + therefore not attracted by it. The object in that state can be said to + have no weight, although frankly for some reason which I have not yet + discovered it does not lose its inertia against motion in any direction + relative to the earth.” + </p> + <p> + He then took from his pocket the leather case which Underhill readily + recognized, and, turning to Lord Rockstone, he said with a slightly + quizzical expression: + </p> + <p> + “If your Lordship will be so kind as to stand on a glass plate or block of + hard rubber I can with this little instrument which I have in my hand + alter your electrical condition from its present minus to that of plus. I + can then place you anywhere in this room and keep you there as long as you + do not come in contact with any object that, electrically speaking, is in + contact with the earth.” + </p> + <p> + This caused Lord Rockstone to give a grim but thoroughly good-natured + smile, and Edestone, feeling as if he had somewhat settled scores with the + “Hero of the Nile,” continued: “As a less valuable object than one of the + most brilliant stars in Great Britain’s crown will answer my purpose just + as well, may I ask that one of the servants fetch the glass plate that was + brought to the Palace this afternoon with my apparatus.” + </p> + <p> + The glass plate having been brought in by a flunkey, he repeated the + experiment with which he had so astonished Underhill at the Admiralty, + using the flunkey however in place of the cannon ball, and leaving the + poor unfortunate creature suspended in mid-air while he himself replied to + the many questions that were put to him. + </p> + <p> + Finally he touched the man’s hand, and taking the shock through his own + body let him drop to the floor. The fellow remained there in an almost + fainting condition, but, recovering and finding that he had sustained no + injuries except to his dignity, which in his state of great excitement had + fallen away from him, he rushed out of the room without asking for or + receiving permission to do so. His panic-stricken exit would at any other + time have been most amusing, but the audience just then was in no humour + for levity. + </p> + <p> + Edestone next repeated the same experiment, utilizing different small + objects that were handed to him by the gentlemen about the table, and soon + had suspended above the glass plate an assortment of pocket-knives, + watches, and a glass of water, while he chatted with those who were + nearest to him, and handed to the scientific members of the council + diagrams and mathematical formulae which he hastily scribbled on bits of + paper. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — THE DEIONIZER + </h2> + <p> + After the different objects had been returned to their respective owners, + the King by a slight gesture called the meeting to order, for all had left + their seats and were crowding around Edestone in what, for Englishmen, was + a state of violent excitement. Even the more self-contained were unable to + conceal the fact that they were impressed by these experiments as well as + by the quiet dignity of this young man. They seemed to realize that he had + them figuratively if not literally in the palm of his hand. The dullest + and least imaginative saw the endless possibilities in the application of + his discovery to the arts and sciences. During all of this time the young + American had kept himself under perfect control and had answered all + questions in the most deferential and respectful manner; and now, having + received from the King permission to continue, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “The secret of my discovery lies in this little instrument, the + construction of which is known only to myself. The application of this + newly-discovered principle can be best understood by viewing my moving + pictures, which show it in actual operation. Now, with your most kind + permission I should like to inspect my apparatus to see that everything is + all right.” + </p> + <p> + And then, as if some sudden impulse which pleased him had flashed across + his mind, like the big healthy-minded boy that he was, and with an + irresistible smile on his face, he dropped into a more familiar tone than + he had allowed himself up to this time. + </p> + <p> + “And to show you what I think of Englishmen,” he said, “I will leave this + Deionizer in your keeping until I return. A gentle tap or two on that + hard-rubber shell and you will know its secret.” He laid the instrument + with its little case beside it on the table in front of the King and left + the room escorted by a member of the Royal Family, young Prince George of + Windthorst, who insisted upon acting as his guide to the Green Drawing + Room. + </p> + <p> + As the door closed upon them, the King rose, saying as he did so, “Please + remain seated.” He walked into one of the windows and stood for some + minutes looking out over the park. Whatever it was that was passing + through his mind, it was not a pleasant thought, as was shown by his + hands, which were clasped behind his back so tightly that the fingers were + perfectly white; and the veins of his neck swelled, while the muscles of + his jaws were firmly set. No one dared to move. The silence in the room + was so intense that the men about the table, as if caught by a spell, sat + with unfinished gestures, like the figures in a moving picture when the + film catches. The clock on the mantel seemed suddenly to have waked up and + to be trying by its loud ticking to fool itself into thinking that it had + been ticking all the time. When the time came for it to strike five + o’clock, it went at it with such resounding vim that Admiral Sir William + Brown, who had served his apprenticeship in the turrets, seemed to think + that he had better open his mouth to save his ear-drums. + </p> + <p> + “War is war! All is fair! War is war! All is fair!” it seemed to say. + </p> + <p> + The King finally turned, and walking back to the table picked up the + innocent-looking instrument. He turned it over and over in his hand and + then slowly and carefully wound the platinum wires about it as a boy winds + a top and placed it back into its leather case. As he put it down on the + table, he said, almost as if to himself: + </p> + <p> + “We have come today to one of the turning points in the history of the + world. This is a remarkable man.” + </p> + <p> + After a moment, he turned to Underhill: “I think you have done your + country a great service today in averting what might have been an + appalling catastrophe. Do you not agree with me, Sir Egbert?” he glanced + toward the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + </p> + <p> + “I do, Sire,” the minister acquiesced thoughtfully. “If this man + represents the United States of America, it will not be long before she + will insist that this war be brought to an end upon her own terms, and it + would have been almost suicidal on our part to antagonize him. She + doubtless controls this instrument whose practical application will + probably be shown us by his pictures.” + </p> + <p> + “But what this man has just said to you, Sire,” suggested Underhill, “does + not seem to bear out the idea that he is acting under instructions from + the present State Department at Washington.” + </p> + <p> + “If it please Your Majesty,” interposed one of the statesmen of the old + school, “should we not make some formal representation to the United + States of America before this man be allowed to go to Berlin?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not approve of that,” dissented the King. “In the first place, + as far as we know, Mr. Edestone may have already communicated with Berlin, + Paris, and Petrograd. I do not think he would put himself so completely in + our power if he thought he was risking the destruction of his entire + scheme.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe, Your Majesty,” said another sneeringly, “that this + melodramatic exit is just another Yankee bluff. You will probably find in + looking into it that the fellow has palmed the real instrument and has + forced this one on us by clever sleight of hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I disagree with you entirely,” said the King, frowning and bringing his + hand down on the table as if to put an end to the discussion. “I believe + this man to be a gentleman and a thoroughly good sportsman.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — FIRST SHOW OF FORCE + </h2> + <p> + On entering the room, when he returned, Edestone, although he was aware + that the King had been notified and the attendants been given orders to + admit him, did not advance, but took his stand near the door, looking + neither to the right nor to the left. He permitted the young Prince, his + escort, who had discovered that they had many friends in common, and whose + sister it was that had been his fellow-passenger on the <i>Ivernia</i>, to + inform His Majesty that everything was in readiness for the exhibition of + the moving pictures. + </p> + <p> + The King immediately beckoned the inventor forward and, picking up the + little instrument from the table, thrust it into Edestone’s hands, almost + with an air of relief. + </p> + <p> + “We appreciate the compliment you have paid us in believing that we still + play fair.” There was in both his tone and action a touch of the bluff + heartiness of the naval officer, which was natural to him, and showed that + he had thrown off all restraint. “But do not, I beg of you, do this again, + even in England. These are desperate times; and nations, like men, when + fighting for their very existence, are quite apt to forget their finer + scruples. + </p> + <p> + “My cousin in Berlin, I am convinced,” and there was perhaps a hint of + warning in his smile, “would give the souls of half his people to know + what that little box contains; and, in his realm, it is the religion of + some of his benighted subjects to give him what he wants.” + </p> + <p> + Bowing slightly, Edestone took the little case, and, without even looking + at it, slipped it carelessly into the inside pocket of his coat. + </p> + <p> + “I knew that Your Majesty would understand me,” he said in a tone intended + for the Royal ear alone, and with more emotion than he had yet displayed. + As he spoke, too, he lifted his hand in obedience to an involuntary and + apparently irresistible impulse. + </p> + <p> + The King met him more than half-way. Reaching out, he grasped the extended + hand in his own, and standing thus the two men looked straight into each + other’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + The suppressed excitement which the scene created was so intense that some + of the spectators seemed to be suffering actual pain; and when, after a + fraction of a moment which seemed an age, the King released the American’s + hand and spoke, there was an audible sigh of relief that pervaded the + entire room. + </p> + <p> + “We will now look at the pictures,” said His Majesty simply, and, leading + the way, he set out in the direction of the Green Drawing Room. + </p> + <p> + Edestone fell back and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment of the + pleasant glances which were thrown in his direction, as the Lords, + Generals, Admirals, and Ministers of State took their places in line, + clinging with an almost frantic tenacity, in response to the teachings of + the Catechism of the English Church, to their position “in that state of + life unto which it had pleased God to call” them. + </p> + <p> + Thoroughly amused at the situation which compelled him to bring up the + rear of the procession like the piano-tuner or the gas-man, Edestone + marched along at the side of an attendant in livery, who evidently looked + upon him as a clever vaudeville artist that had been brought in to + entertain the company. He told the visitor, with a broad grin, that he had + frightened the other flunkey almost out of his wits with his magic tricks. + Edestone, his sense of humour aroused, thereupon gravely offered to give a + show in the servants’ hall at two shillings a head, half the receipts to + be donated to the Red Cross, provided he was given a guarantee of ten + pounds; and when the fellow promised to consider the proposal, pretended + carefully to take down his name. + </p> + <p> + The King, who, in the meantime, seemed to be in a sort of brown-study, + passed down the corridor with the long file of dignitaries following him + in order of precedence. But when His Majesty reached the Green Drawing + Room and, looking around, saw nothing of the American, he gave a slight + frown of annoyance. Immediately he directed that Edestone be brought up + and placed in a chair near himself, while the attendants drew the curtains + and extinguished the lights. + </p> + <p> + After the room had been made perfectly dark, and the buzzing of the + cinematograph in its temporary cabinet indicated that everything was in + readiness, Edestone’s operator, in response to a word from his employer, + threw upon the screen two or three portraits of the King and various + members of the Royal Family. This was not only by way of compliment, but + also to give assurance that the machine was in proper working order. + Edestone proposed to run no chances of a bungling or incomplete + presentation of his pictures. + </p> + <p> + Satisfied at length, he rose and faced about toward his audience. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, after addressing the King,—for from + the gallery had come sounds which showed that, as Colonel Stewart had + suggested, some of the ladies of the Court were taking an interest in the + exhibition,—“I shall not trouble you to listen to a long, scientific + discourse on the theory of my discovery, nor how I have made practical + application of it. I shall simply throw the pictures on the screen, + letting them speak for themselves; and then, with His Majesty’s kind + permission, shall be glad to answer any questions that may be put to me. + The first picture I shall show you is one of my workshop in New York.” + </p> + <p> + There appeared on the screen a dark, somewhat indistinct interior, which + seemed to have been photographed from high up and looking down through a + long, shed-like building lighted from the roof. The immense height of this + roof was not at first apparent until it was compared with the pigmy-like + figures of the workmen who were busily engaged about a great, black, + cigar-shaped object, which had the general appearance of a Zeppelin. In + the dim light, there was nothing about its aspect to distinguish it from + the latest models of the German air-ship, save that it seemed to be of + heavier construction, as shown by the great difficulty with which the men + were moving it toward the farther end of the shed, which was entirely + open. + </p> + <p> + “I would especially call your attention to the track upon which moves the + cradle that carries the large black object in the centre of the picture,” + said Edestone. “The tires are made of hard rubber, and the rails which are + of steel rest on glass plates attached to each of the tires. Thus, any + object placed in the cradle becomes absolutely insulated, and has no + electrical connection with the earth, which, as I have explained, are the + requisite conditions to permit of ‘Deionizing’ by the use of an instrument + similar to the one I have in my pocket. Of course, though in actual + operation we use a much larger ‘Deionizer’ than the little model I have + shown you, and run it with a hundred horse-power motor, instead of with a + small spring and watchworks. This track and cradle at which you are + looking, although they weigh many tons, can be easily taken apart and + transported in sections, as I stand ready to demonstrate.” + </p> + <p> + The film ended as he finished, and for a moment the screen was blank; then + with a little splutter from the cabinet, another picture appeared. + </p> + <p> + This was of a great open space, the most desolate and lonely stretch of + country that could well be imagined, a broad, open plain that stretched on + for miles and miles, perfectly flat, treeless and uninhabited. The wind + apparently was blowing violently, judging from the way it tossed + Edestone’s hair about as, hatless, he walked back and forth in the near + foreground, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand while he looked + into the lens and called his directions to the man who was working the + camera. + </p> + <p> + “That disreputable-looking individual is myself,” he confessed. “My hat + had blown away, a circumstance quite inconvenient at the time, but not + without a certain element of present interest, as showing that a high wind + was blowing at that time.” + </p> + <p> + Behind him in the middle distance was a track and cradle similar to the + one shown in the first picture. The machine in the cabinet buzzed, and + clicked, and made a noise like that of a small boy rattling a stick along + a picket fence. A draught from some open window blowing against the linen + screen caused the flat, deserted plain to undulate like the waves of the + sea. The horizon bobbed up and down, showing first a great expanse of sky, + and then the foreground ran up to infinity. The cradle was seen first at + the right, and then at the left of the picture. The clouds in the sky kept + jumping about, as if the operator was trying to follow some object aloft, + but was unable to get it into the field of his camera. + </p> + <p> + The audience began to grow impatient. Had the apparatus got out of order, + they wondered, and were they to be cheated of the promised sensation? But + just then the screen steadied, and there appeared in the upper left-hand + corner of the picture a faint, far-away dot which gradually assumed the + form of a dirigible. Across the desolate landscape it sailed, growing more + and more distinct as it drew nearer. It circled, turning first to the + right and then to the left, rising and descending, as if responding + willingly to the touch of its unseen pilot, until with a majestic swoop it + hovered like a great bird exactly over the cradle, and came to a + standstill. + </p> + <p> + To those among the spectators who had witnessed the evolutions of the + great battleships of the air over Lake Constance, there was nothing + notable about either the vessel or its performance, except that it seemed + larger, more solid, and had four great smoke stacks. In the gale which was + blowing, the volumes of inky smoke which poured from the four great + funnels were tossed about and flung away like long, streaming ribbons; yet + the ship itself was as steady as a great ocean liner on a summer sea. + </p> + <p> + On closer inspection, too, it was seen that on the upper side of the craft + there was a platform or deck running its full length, where men were + working away like sailors on a man-of-war, and from portholes and turrets + protruded great black things which looked like the muzzles of guns. + </p> + <p> + All at once, as if acting under an order from within, these were trained + on the spectators and simultaneously discharged, belching out great rings + of smoke. There was a stifled scream from the gallery at this, but + immediately the room grew quiet again, and the audience sat as if + spellbound awaiting further developments. A small door in the starboard + side now opened, and the figure of a man came running down a gangway to a + platform suspended under the ship, where, silhouetted against the sky, he + occupied himself in signalling to some one on the ground. He was joined + from time to time by others of the crew as the vessel settled slowly + toward the earth. + </p> + <p> + When it was about one hundred and fifty feet above the cradle, Edestone + was seen to walk out with a megaphone in his hand, and through it + communicate instructions to the man on the bridge, in evident obedience to + which the airship settled still lower, until it was not more than twenty + feet above the top of the cradle. + </p> + <p> + A ladder having then been lowered to Edestone, he climbed up it, ascended + the gangway, and disappeared into the interior of the great cigar-shaped + object, it all the time remaining absolutely stationary. But he was not + long lost to view. In a few minutes he re-appeared on the top deck and a + man by his side energetically waved a large flag. + </p> + <p> + And as the two stood there, the airship began to move. + </p> + <p> + Slowly at first, but gradually gaining momentum, it soared away across the + wastes, and soon was lost to sight. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment after that when the room was dark, while horizontal + streaks of light chased each other from bottom to top across the screen, + and disappeared into the darkness from which they had come. + </p> + <p> + Another picture followed, taken from the same viewpoint as the last. + </p> + <p> + “Here she comes!” cried Edestone, seeming to forget for the moment where + he was, as a small speck which represented the approaching airship + disclosed itself. “This time in the upper right-hand corner of the + picture. See! I am on board, and I am driving her at one hundred and ten + miles.” And he followed with his pointer the swift course of the vessel, + as it shot down the screen like a great comet, leaving a long tail of + smoke behind it. To the overwrought nerves of the audience, the buzz and + splutter of the moving-picture machine seemed to increase in volume, and + thus lend a semblance of reality to the monster as it swept nearer and + nearer. + </p> + <p> + Straight for the camera it was headed, grim, threatening, irresistible, as + if it were preparing to rush out of the screen and destroy Buckingham + Palace. The spectators with difficulty kept their seats, and when the + formidable thing dashed by and disappeared at the side of the picture, + they settled back in their chairs with an unmistakable sigh of relief. + </p> + <p> + It appeared again, after making a great circle, returning slowly now, and + dropping lightly as a feather to the cradle, where it remained perfectly + still, while the black smoke enveloped it in a veil of mystery. + </p> + <p> + The machine in the cabinet stopped, and some one was heard to say in a + loud whisper, “Lights!” Admiral Brown was the first of the assembly to + recover. He sprang to his feet and like a wounded old lion at bay stood + glaring at Edestone. His rugged weather-beaten face convulsed with + suppressed rage, which but for the presence of the King would have + exploded upon Edestone after the manner of the old-fashioned sea-dog that + he was, but holding himself in check he said loudly and challengingly: + </p> + <p> + “If there is no objection I will ask the young man to repeat the last + picture, and I would also like to inquire with what material the framework + of this ship is covered, and what is the calibre of those large guns—if + they are guns?” + </p> + <p> + “Will you please be so kind as to answer the Admiral’s questions, Mr. + Edestone?” said the King. + </p> + <p> + “The material which I used through her entire length of 907 feet, both top + and bottom, is Harveyized steel, six feet thick; and the largest gun is + sixteen inches,” replied Edestone slowly, enjoying the look of blank + amazement which spread over the Admiral’s face as he dropped back into his + chair gasping and mopping his brow. + </p> + <p> + “This is the end of everything. I wish I had never lived to see the day!” + The old sailor sat like a man who had seen a vision so appalling that it + robbed him of his reason. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — “THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING!” + </h2> + <p> + The King, of all the company, seemed to be the only one who had remained + perfectly cool. He was like a man who realizing the gravity of the + situation yet had nerved himself to meet it. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, as if speaking to one of his own naval officers, + “you will please show the last two pictures again, and for the benefit of + Admiral Brown you might give us some further details in regard to the + ship’s equipment and armament. May I also ask you where these pictures + were taken?” + </p> + <p> + “On the flat plains in the centre of the island of Newfoundland,” Edestone + informed him, “between the White Bear River and the east branch of the + Salmon, and from fifty to seventy-five miles from the seacoast on the + south. If Your Majesty will look into the middle distance when the second + picture is again thrown on the screen you will see some small, dark + objects; these are one of those immense herds of caribou, which happen to + be moving south over this vast barren at the time of year that these + pictures were taken—that is, in October.” + </p> + <p> + He observed that the face of the King took on an expression blended partly + of astonishment and partly of resentment when he mentioned the name of one + of the Colonial possessions of the Empire, and hastened to add: + </p> + <p> + “You will find, Sire, if you inquire of the Governor of that Province that + I was there with the full knowledge and consent of Your Majesty’s + Government to carry on certain scientific experiments. I selected this + deserted spot, so far removed from all human habitation, because there I + should not be disturbed. Until I showed these pictures here today no one + outside of my own men knew the nature of these experiments. The guns were + loaded with nothing more harmful than several hundred pounds of black + powder to produce the display of force which you have just seen. I will + admit,” he granted with a smile, “that if the newspapers had got word of + what was going on there they might have made some excitement; I can assure + you, however, that no act of mine could be construed even by our most + susceptible and timid State Department as a violation of neutrality.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is your ship now?” asked the King, while the rest of the + company held their breath, awaiting the answer. + </p> + <p> + “That, Your Majesty, for reasons of state, I regret I cannot at this time + tell you, but you have my word and that of our Secretary that wherever she + may be, her mission is one of peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace!” snorted Admiral Brown. “With a six-foot armour-belt and + sixteen-inch guns! It is a ship of war, Your Majesty. We have the right to + demand whether or not it is now on or over British soil, and if it is, to + make such representations to the United States Government as will cause + her to withdraw it at once and apologize for having violated the dignity + of Great Britain.” + </p> + <p> + “And if they should refuse, Sir William,” asked the King, with a weary + smile, “would you undertake to drive it off? + </p> + <p> + “No, Admiral,” he continued, “up to this time we have no official + knowledge of this airship’s existence. Until we have, we will take Mr. + Edestone’s assurance that his own and his country’s intentions to us are + friendly.” + </p> + <p> + A wave of hot indignation had swept over the entire assembly, and it was + with some difficulty that the King was able to restore order. + </p> + <p> + “Please continue with your pictures, Mr. Edestone,” he said in a tone of + authority. + </p> + <p> + The lights again went out, the machine in the cabinet began to turn, and + as the dramatic scene was re-enacted before them his audience sat in + perfect silence while Edestone, as though he were recounting the simplest + and most ordinary facts, gave out the following information: + </p> + <p> + “This ship has a length over all of 907 feet. Its beam is 90 feet. Its + greatest circular dimension is described with a radius of 48 feet. She + would weigh, loaded with ammunition, fuel, provisions, and crew, if + brought in contact with the earth, 40,000 tons. Her weight as she travels, + after making allowance for the air displacement is generally kept at about + 3000 tons, which automatically adjusts itself to the density of the + surrounding atmosphere, but can be reduced to nothing at pleasure. Its + full speed has never been reached. This is simply a matter of oil + consumption; I have had her up to 180 miles. Her steaming radius is about + 50,000 miles, depending upon the speed. She carries twelve 16-inch guns, + twenty-two 6-inch guns, sixteen 4-inch anti-aircraft guns, eight + 3-pounders, four rapid-fire guns, six aerial torpedo tubes, and six bomb + droppers, which can simultaneously discharge tons of explosives. She has a + complement of 1400 officers and men. She required three years and eight + months to build at a cost of $10,000,000. In action her entire ship’s + company is protected by at least six feet of steel, and there is no gun + known that can pierce her protection around the vital parts. As you have + seen, she can approach to within a few feet of the surface and remain + perfectly stationary in that position as long as she is not brought in + electrical contact with the earth.” + </p> + <p> + The machine in the cabinet had stopped. As the lights were again turned + on, Edestone, glancing in the direction of the gallery and seeing that + there was no one there, bowed merely to the company before him. “I thank + Your Majesty, Lords, and Gentlemen for your very kind attention,” he said. + He then stood quietly, waiting respectfully for the King to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the King as he rose, “you have certainly given us a + most instructive afternoon, and you must be exhausted after your efforts.” + He turned to Colonel Stewart, “Please insist upon Mr. Edestone taking some + refreshments before he leaves Buckingham Palace.” + </p> + <p> + He grasped the inventor firmly by the hand. “Good-bye, Mr. Edestone. I + shall probably not see you again,” and bowing to the rest of the company + he left the room deep in conversation with Sir Egbert Graves. + </p> + <p> + Edestone immediately became the centre of attraction. + </p> + <p> + “The King is dead; long live the King!” expresses the eagerness with which + man adapts himself to a new order of things. The older men were stunned + and seemed unable to throw off the gloom that had settled upon them. They + bowed to the inevitable fall of the old and its replacement by the new. + They were not buoyed up by the elasticity and confidence of youth; they + seemed to realize that their race was run and that it were better that + they step aside and give to younger men the task of solving a new problem + in a new way. They sat perfectly still with dejected faces that seemed to + see only dissolution. + </p> + <p> + The younger men were quicker to recover, and as they felt the old + foundations crumbling under their feet, saw visions of a new and greater + edifice. They gloried in the development of the age as they did in their + own strength to keep abreast of it, and rushed to meet progress, to join + it, and to become one with it. They did not stop to think what the future + might have in store for them, but seemed to be intoxicated by its + possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Crowding around Edestone they probed him with questions which he answered + with the greatest patience and in the most modest, quiet, and dignified + manner. When asked a question almost childish in its simplicity, he + appeared to acknowledge the compliment in the assumption that he knew the + answer, and gave it with the same precision as one which called for the + most complicated mathematical calculation and reference to the most + intricate formulae of the laws of mechanics and physics. He was rescued + and borne away by Colonel Stewart who announced that, acting under His + Majesty’s order, he was obliged to give him some refreshments, whether he + wanted them or not, and if he did not come at once to his quarters and + have a drink he would be forced to order out the Guards. Drawing him aside + the Colonel whispered, “I must see you alone before you leave the Palace.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone turned and slowly left the room, bowing to each of the separate + groups. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Colonel Stewart, “come to my quarters first, as I have + something rather confidential to tell you. You can come back and join the + others afterward, if you care to.” + </p> + <p> + When they were comfortably seated in the Colonel’s private apartments, and + had provided themselves with drinks and cigars, the equerry leaned toward + his charge a trifle impressively. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, “you do not look like a chap who would lose his + nerve if he suddenly found himself in a position that was more or less + dangerous. Indeed I rather gather that you are like one of your + distinguished Admirals—ready at all times for a fight or a frolic.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled. + </p> + <p> + “The facts are, Mr. Edestone, that you are in a pretty ticklish position, + and had not Mr. Underhill notified Scotland Yard when he did, I do not + know what might have happened. These German spies who have been following + you all day are well known to them, and when our men picked you up, which + was when you left the Admiralty and were talking to the taxi-chauffeur, + they were convinced that you were in real danger. Then when you were + directed to the German restaurant and afterward left it in the taxicab + with this man Smith they had your cab followed, at the same time notifying + Mr. Underhill, and covering your hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “This is most interesting,” said Edestone; “but if the business of these + men is known why are they not arrested?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said Colonel Stewart, “we Englishmen are not credited with + any sense by our friends the enemy, and relying upon our supposed + stupidity their work, which they take so much pride in, is by no means as + secret as they suppose it to be. There have been in London thousands of + what the Germans term ‘fixed posts.’ These are men who have established + places of business and have lived in the community from ten to fifteen + years. They receive a salary from the German Government running from two + pounds to four pounds a month and all incurred expenses. The ‘fixed post’ + men report to men higher up, who, in turn, report to the Diplomatic + Service. Under them, too, are all of the patriotic emigrants from Germany, + who act as spies without being conscious of the fact that they are doing + so. These receive no pay for bringing in the bits of scandal or other + information which is all carefully noted and kept on file in Berlin under + a system of card indexes. + </p> + <p> + “That man Munchinger who keeps the restaurant where you lunched, and the + barber Hottenroth at your hotel, are both of them ‘fixed post’ men. This + American architect was new and had not been quite placed as yet. The + chauffeur also seems to be one of them, although he is entirely unknown to + Scotland Yard. + </p> + <p> + “When you discharged your first taxi and took another, Smith and the + chauffeur spy followed you until they were frightened off by seeing my + carriage with the royal livery in front of your hotel. They drove off then + with such a rush that the chauffeur must have lost control of his car, for + it plunged into the Thames with Smith inside it, and before he could be + reached and rescued he was drowned. The chauffeur was either drowned or + ran away, as nothing has been seen of him since.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone rose, his face stern as he learned the news of Smith’s fate. + “Colonel Stewart,” he declared sharply, “that poor devil was murdered.” + And to support his accusation he told briefly of Smith’s confession and + behaviour in the cab. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel bowed. “I shall see that these facts are turned over to the + authorities,” he said, “but at present I am more concerned in regard to + you. These men are fanatics, you must understand, whose faith teaches them + to do anything that is for the benefit of the Fatherland. We know most of + them. We do not arrest them because they are more useful to us as they + are. As soon as one is arrested he is immediately replaced by another, and + it takes some little time before we can pick up the new one. We have + received reports to the effect that a small army of them have been around + Buckingham Palace all afternoon, as well as at your hotel; so it is + evident that Smith’s story was no fancy and that these men are after you + in desperate earnest. Would you mind telling me, Mr. Edestone, what are + your plans for the future?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. My movements are extremely simple. I shall return to my + hotel, where I expect to remain until I retire. A friend of mine, an + American, Mr. Rebener, whom I have known for a great many years, will dine + with me there this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “An old friend of yours you say?” The Colonel’s eyes narrowed slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Edestone. “I have known him for fifteen years.” For reasons + of his own he had made it a point not to include Rebener’s name among + those mentioned by Smith in his confession, nor did he refer to it now. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart hesitated a moment. “Of course, Mr. Edestone,” he said + finally, “you Americans are neutrals and are at liberty to select your + friends where you please, but my advice to you would be not to take London + as the place to entertain people with German names. You will probably + understand that we cannot take any chances.” + </p> + <p> + “I have known Mr. Rebener,” repeated Edestone, “for years. He is one of + our most prominent men, and I am confident that he would not lend himself + to any of these Middle-Age methods.” + </p> + <p> + “You can never tell,” said Colonel Stewart darkly. “Germany holds out to + the faithful the promise of great rewards at the end of this war, which + she has convinced them cannot fail to end successfully for her.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” the American insisted stubbornly. “Mr. Rebener might readily sell to + Germany a few million dollars’ worth of munitions of war, and likewise + tell his friend, Count Bernstoff, anything that he might hear. I will even + go so far as to say that he might make an especial effort to pick up bits + of gossip here in London; and he will almost certainly endeavour to use + his influence with me in favour of Germany. But that he would take part in + a plot to kill, kidnap, or rob me is incredible.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you are determined to have your own way, Mr. Edestone,” the Colonel + smiled, “so I come now to the most difficult part of my mission. What do + you propose to do with that instrument which you now carry so carelessly + in your coat pocket? You can readily understand that it is not safe in + your hotel, or, in fact, at hardly any other place in London outside of + the vaults of the Bank of England. We are put in the delicate position of + having to protect it without having the privilege of asking that it be put + in our charge.” + </p> + <p> + “I appreciate all that you say and have considered destroying it, but have + now come to the conclusion to keep it always with me, for, after all that + you tell me, I think that I am in pretty safe hands in London.” + </p> + <p> + “But think, my dear fellow,” cried the Colonel jumping up, “what might + happen if this thing falls into the hands of the Germans! To prevent that + it would be my duty to shoot you on the spot.” + </p> + <p> + “Good work! Right-o!” laughed Edestone. “You have my permission to shoot + whenever it goes to the Germans. Don’t worry. They’ll not murder and rob + me in the middle of dear old London with all your fellows about, and I do + not expect to leave the hotel tonight.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — THE ROYAL TEA-TABLE + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone and Colonel Stewart were leaving the Palace, they were met by + the young Prince of the Blood, who seemed bent upon renewing his + acquaintance with his American friend. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Edestone,” he greeted him, “you really must not leave before + giving me an opportunity of presenting you to some of the ladies of the + Court. You are the lion of the day and they are anxious to meet you. My + sister, Princess Billy, is almost in tears and hysterical. She insisted + upon seeing your pictures because she said that you were an old friend of + hers she had met on the steamer coming over from America.” + </p> + <p> + Accepting, Edestone smiled as he thought of the undignified manner of + their meeting, and was taken in charge by the young man. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart made his excuses when the invitation was extended to him, + saying: “Mr. Edestone, I shall wait for you in the Guards’ Room,” and, + turning to the young man, he added: “I deliver him into your hands, and I + hold you responsible for his valuable person which must be delivered to me + there.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was then taken in charge by the young Prince, who proudly bore + him off to deliver him into the hands of the ladies. He was rather bored + with the idea, and would have preferred to have gone directly to his + hotel, as he had had an eventful day and he did not feel in the humour for + the small talk of the tea-table. + </p> + <p> + He was taken into one of the smaller rooms where several ladies and young + officers in khaki were just finishing their tea. The atmosphere of the + room was offensively heavy with the strong odour of iodoform. His pity was + aroused when he suddenly realized that almost every man in the room bore + the unmistakable mark of service in the trenches. It was the first time + that he had been brought violently into contact with the far-reaching and + horrible devastation of this cruel war. One pitiful figure, a young man of + about twenty-two who sat apart from the rest, so affected him that he + scarcely recovered himself in time to acknowledge the great kindness of + the Duchess of Windthorst, who was receiving him in the most gracious + manner. This boy was totally blind. Edestone was filled with admiration + for these descendants of the Norman conquerors, who in their gallantry and + patriotism responded so quickly to the call of their country, while the + miserable swine whose homes and families were being protected by these + noble men were instigating strikes and riots under the leadership of a + band of traitors who hid their cowardice behind labour organizations, or + attempted to mislead the disgusted world by windy speeches on the subject + of humanitarism into which position they were not followed by the very + women that they were giving as their excuse for their treasonable acts. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess presented him to Princess Wilhelmina and the others. In the + soft and rich voice of the Englishwoman of culture and refinement, which + always charmed him, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, my daughter tells me that you came over on the <i>Ivernia</i> + with us.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, mamma!” interrupted the Princess, with a frown and nervous little + laugh. “I said that Mrs. Brown said that she thought that Mr. Edestone was + on board.” + </p> + <p> + The Duchess acknowledged this correction, and with the cool effrontery + that only a woman can carry off to her entire satisfaction, she then + pretended that this was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on him, + when as a matter of fact she and the Princess had discussed this + remarkable, independent individual, who had so quietly and alone occupied + the large suite adjoining theirs. + </p> + <p> + “Do sit down, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled, “and tell us about your wonderful + electrical gun or ship. I really know so little about electricity that I + could not understand what my daughter has just been telling me.” And then, + as if to save him from the great embarrassment of speaking, which she felt + that he must have in her presence, she hastened to continue: “I am really + so sorry that I did not know you were a fellow-passenger or I should most + certainly have had you presented. I am very fond of you Americans, I find + them most charming and so original, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone bowed. + </p> + <p> + “I really became quite attached to your Mr. Bradley, who was on board. I + think you call him ‘Diamond King John.’ He was most attractive,” and, with + a charming smile, “he showed me his diamond suspender buttons; and he + dances beautifully, my daughter tells me. I understand that Mr. Bradley is + one of your oldest Arizona families—or was it Virginia?—I am + so stupid about the names of your different counties. But I agree with him + that family is not everything, and that clothes make the gentleman. He + tells me that he gets all of his clothes from the same tailor as the Duke. + Do you get your clothes in London, Mr. Edestone?” And then, seeing an + expression on Edestone’s face which indicated to her that he was going to + be bold enough to attempt to enter into the conversation, hastily added: + “No, of course not, you would naturally get yours in New York, where Mr. + Bradley tells me that the finish of the buttonholes is much better on + account of the enormous salaries that you very rich Americans are able to + pay your tailors. No tea, Mr. Edestone? How foolish of me to ask! You + would like to have one of those American drinks; what is it you call them? + Cockplumes? My son could make one for you. Madame La Princesse de Blanc + taught him how to make one.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smilingly declined. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess, who by this time was beginning to feel that perhaps Mr. + Edestone would not insist upon taking off his coat or squatting Indian + fashion on the floor, continued: + </p> + <p> + “My son tells me that it was at her house in Paris that he had the + pleasure of making your acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Duchess,” nodded Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “She is a most delightful little American,” continued the Duchess. “So + bright, natural, unconventional, and original. And she chews tobacco in + the most fascinating manner.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone all this time had been debating in his mind whether this silly + prattle was the result of real ignorance, snobbishness, or kindness of + heart. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, however, and, wishing to show + her that she might put her mind at rest as to his ability to overcome any + embarrassment that he might have had, said with a perfectly solemn face: + </p> + <p> + “You should have asked your friend, Mr. Bradley, to show you his + suspenders themselves, Duchess. They are, I am told, set with rubies, + sapphires, and diamonds, and cost, I understand, $10,000.” + </p> + <p> + “How very odd,” said the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + “And I am sure,” he continued, “that he feels as proud of having danced + with the Princess as she could have been at having been the recipient of + so much attention at the hands of ‘King John,’ who apparently is also a + Prince Charming.” + </p> + <p> + And then ignoring their pretence of having just seen him for the first + time, in a most natural manner Edestone referred to the episodes of the + crossing. + </p> + <p> + Turning to the Princess, who all this time had vainly endeavoured to check + her mother, and changing his manner out of deference for her youth and + inexperience, and assuming a more humble demeanour, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “I sincerely hope, Princess, that I did not hurt you when I was forced to + handle you so roughly, but it was blowing almost a hurricane.” + </p> + <p> + “I forgive you, Mr. Edestone,” she said with a charming smile, “for + hurting my arm; but,” with a little pout, “I don’t think I can forgive you + for hurting my feelings. Why did you not ask Mr. Bradley to present you? + He said that he knew you very well.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was rather afraid,” laughed Edestone, “to suggest this to him. You + know we do not move in exactly the same set, and I did not wish to give + him an opportunity to snub me. Now that he does speak so familiarly of his + royal friends, I thought that he might consider me a bit presumptuous.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say,” snorted the Duchess, “that that creature would + dare to speak of me as a friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone, “I shall do him the justice of saying that I am + quite certain he would not if he did not believe that you were, and did + not think that it was perfectly natural that you should be.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess, who was looking at Edestone with an intense look, of which + however she was absolutely unconscious, broke in impatiently: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mamma, do stop talking about that dreadful man and ask Mr. Edestone + to tell us something about his wonderful work.” A light came into her eyes + which would have alarmed an American mother had she seen it in the eyes of + her daughter at a mixed summer resort. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was anxious to get away as he took absolutely no interest in this + particular phase of life; yet he did not wish to appear unappreciative of + the great honour that had been conferred upon him by these ladies of such + high rank. However, an opportunity soon presented itself which permitted + him to retire, and he bowed himself out of the room, but not, it must be + admitted, until he had answered a number of questions which the Princess + insisted on putting to him. He did this with perfect deference, yet in + such a businesslike way that she was convinced, should a year elapse + before he next saw her, he would probably not recognize her. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone left the Palace in company with Colonel Stewart, and the two + took their seats in the waiting carriage, he was amused to see a troop of + cavalry, which had been drawn up before the entrance, fall in about them + as an escort. The men were all dressed in khaki, and, judging from their + equipment, they were fixed for business more than a mere guard of honour. + A smart, young officer rode up and, saluting the Colonel, asked: “Where + to, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “To Claridge’s.” The Colonel saluted in return. + </p> + <p> + The carriage started, and the troopers, clattering out of the courtyard, + closed up about it in a fashion which showed that they were going to take + no chances with their valuable charge. + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed at himself with his high hat and frock-coat as a centre + for all this military panoply. It recalled to him an old-fashioned print + he had seen when a boy, representing Abraham Lincoln at the front. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to tell me that you really consider this necessary?” he + chaffed his companion. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Stewart nodded gravely. “They will make no attempt on your life, + Mr. Edestone,” he added reassuringly, “except as a last resort; but they + are determined to have your secret. They prefer to get it with your + co-operation and assent. If not, they want it anyhow. Finally, they stand + ready to accomplish its destruction and your own rather than permit + England to obtain it.” + </p> + <p> + Arriving at the hotel, the soldiers were drawn up in line while he entered + the door. To his surprise, moreover, the Colonel and two of the + cavalry-men accompanied him to the door of his apartment. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” said the Royal Equerry, “I am sorry, but my orders are to + place a sentry at your door. You are not of course to consider yourself in + any sense a prisoner, but an honoured guest whose safety is of paramount + importance. Should you at any time wish to leave your apartment, notify + Captain Bright by telephone at the hotel office where he will be + stationed, and he will act as your escort. My advice, however, is that you + remain in the hotel.” Giving a military salute, he retired, leaving the + two soldiers posted in the corridor. + </p> + <p> + A moment later, Edestone was summoned to the door to find that the + sentries had halted Black and Stanton whom he had directed to report to + him immediately on his return to the hotel. + </p> + <p> + A word from him proved sufficient to secure the admission of his + moving-picture experts; nevertheless, the three gazed at one another + uneasily as they stood within the room. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Mr. Edestone?” Black’s eyes rounded up. “They haven’t placed + you under arrest, have they?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone shook his head. “Apparently not. At least they tell me I am under + no restraint, and, as they might say to a little boy about to be spanked, + that this is all for my own good. Whether or not this is merely a polite + subterfuge, and they intend to postpone my departure from London from time + to time in a way that can give no offence to our Government, yet would + spoil all my plans, I am still uncertain.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, it might be worth while trying to find out,” flared up Stanton, + bristling at the very suggestion of an indignity to his adored chief. “If + they’ve got anything of that kind up their sleeves, we could soon show + them that——” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone spoke up a trifle sharply. “I have decided to let the + situation develop itself.” + </p> + <p> + His manner indicated that he wished the subject dropped; but, after he had + given the two men the orders for which he had summoned them, and dismissed + them, he fell into a rather perturbed reverie. + </p> + <p> + After all, might it not be well, as Stanton had urged, to assure himself + in regard to John Bull’s honourable intentions? His mind reverted to an + expedient which he had already considered and cast aside. It was to + communicate with the American Ambassador, get his passports, and start for + Paris at once. Then, if he were halted, the purpose of the British + Government would be made plain and its hypocrisy exposed. + </p> + <p> + But, to tell the truth, he rather shrank from such a revelation. Suppose + he forced their hand in this way, and they should retaliate, either by + attempting to detain him in England, or insisting upon his return to his + own country? Was he prepared to——? + </p> + <p> + As Underhill had said, blood is thicker than water; and there were in his + nature many ties that bound him to the mother-country. + </p> + <p> + No, he concluded; if there was cause to worry, he would meet the emergency + when it arose. Anyhow, he was not of the worrying kind. He threw himself + down upon the sofa, since even for him it had been a rather strenuous day, + and soon was fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + He was awakened by James. “It is 7:30, sir, and you are dining at 8 + o’clock.” Then with a perfectly stolid face: “I beg pardon, sir, what + clothes will you take to the Tower, sir? The hall porter says, sir, that + with all these soldiers around, they are certainly going to stand you up + before a firing squad. And Hottenroth, the barber, says as how every + American that comes to London is more or less a German spy. But he is a + kind of a foreigner himself, sir. A Welshman, he says he is, and he talks + in a very funny way.” + </p> + <p> + “No, they are not going to stand me up before a firing squad,” Edestone + halted this flood of intelligence, as he sprang up from the sofa; “but I + shall turn myself into one, and fire the whole lot of you, if you don’t + stop talking so much. Now hurry up, and get me dressed. I don’t want to + keep Mr. Rebener waiting.” + </p> + <p> + Yet even with James’s adept assistance, he found the time scant for the + careful toilet upon which he always insisted; and it was almost on the + stroke of the hour when at last he was ready. + </p> + <p> + Snatching his hat and cane from James, he started hurriedly out of the + door, but found himself abruptly challenged by the sentry just outside + whose presence he had for the moment completely forgotten. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, sir,” the soldier saluted, “but my orders are to notify + Captain Bright, if you wish to leave your rooms.” + </p> + <p> + He blew a whistle, summoning a comrade who suddenly appeared from nowhere. + </p> + <p> + “Notify Captain Bright,” he directed; then, in response to Edestone’s + good-humoured but slightly sarcastic protests: “I’m sorry, sir, but those + are my orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Has England declared war on the United States?” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, sir,” the sentry grinned. “We seem to be taking on all + comers.” Then standing at attention, he waited until the soldier, who had + returned from telephoning, came forward to announce that the Captain + presented his apologies and would be right up. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Captain Bright himself came panting down the corridor. He + expressed profound regret that any inconvenience should have been caused, + but explained, as Colonel Stewart had already done, that he was held + personally responsible for Edestone’s safety, and had instructions to + accompany him wherever he might go. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Captain; I bow to the inevitable. May I trouble you to conduct + me to the dining-room?” And he strolled toward the lift at the side of the + tall cavalryman. + </p> + <p> + But in the office they encountered Rebener himself writing a note on the + back of his card. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there you are, Jack?” he hailed Edestone. “I was just sending you a + note asking you if you wouldn’t come and dine with me at the Britz instead + of here. It is too damn stupid here. Not that it’s very bright anywhere in + London at present, but at least there’s a little bit more life at the + Britz.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is stopping here anyhow? Royalty?” he interrupted himself. “There are + soldiers all over the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I am the recipient of that little attention,” laughed the young + American. “Let me introduce Captain Bright here, who is acting as my + especial chaperon.” + </p> + <p> + “What? You surely haven’t run afoul of the War Department?” Rebener rolled + his eyes. “That sounds more like our friends, the barbarians, than + Englishmen. But, say, you are joking of course; you’re not really in + trouble? Seriously is there anything you want me to do for you? I have + quite a little pull over at the War Offices, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you; I am leaving for Paris tomorrow.” He looked straight into + Rebener’s eyes, without giving the slightest hint in his expression of the + disclosure which had been made to him by the unfortunate Smith. “It is + simply that Captain Bright thinks there are some people who might do + something to me. I don’t know exactly what it is, but he insists on + preventing them anyhow; so there you are. How about it, Captain? Am I + permitted to dine with Mr. Rebener at the Britz? I think the Britz is a + perfectly safe place for two American business men.” + </p> + <p> + “As you please, Mr. Edestone.” The Captain drew himself up. “My orders are + to escort you, though, wherever you go.” He raised his hand toward a + sergeant who was standing just inside the door. + </p> + <p> + “What! You are not going to take all the ‘Tommies’ along too?” + expostulated Rebener. “Oh, I say; you come along yourself, Captain, and + dine with us, but leave the men behind. I will see that Edestone doesn’t + come to any grief.” + </p> + <p> + “Sorry.” The officer’s tone ended any further argument. “I shall keep my + men as much out of sight as possible; but it will be necessary for them to + accompany us.” + </p> + <p> + “You see.” Edestone smiled somewhat ruefully. “I can’t even go out to buy + a paper, without turning it into a sort of Fourth of July parade.” + </p> + <p> + On going to the door they found that one of the royal carriages was + waiting for them, and after the two men were seated, and the Captain had + given the directions to the coachman, they dashed off in the midst of a + cavalcade. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” Rebener vouchsafed as they drove along, “I have taken the + liberty of inviting Lord Denton and Mr. Karlbeck, two friends of mine, to + dine with us tonight, and as Lord Denton is in mourning, he has asked that + I have dinner in my apartment. I hope that is all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” assented Edestone. “Lord Denton, you say? I don’t think I + have ever met him, have I? And isn’t he just a little supersensitive to + raise a scruple of that sort? It seems to me that practically everybody + over here is in mourning. Fact is, I don’t feel like going to a ball + myself.” His face saddened, as he thought of the many good fellows he had + met on former visits to London who now lay underneath the sod of Northern + France and Belgium. + </p> + <p> + But by this time they were at the Britz and the proprietor was bowing them + inside, apparently so accustomed to receiving men of distinction with + military escort that he did not even notice the lines of trim cavalrymen + which drew themselves up on either side of his entrance. + </p> + <p> + “Will you gentlemen dine in the public restaurant?” asked Captain Bright, + stepping up to Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “No,” Rebener took it upon himself to answer. “We are going to have a + little <i>partie carrée</i> in my apartment.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said the Captain, “I regret that I shall have to station + men on that floor.” + </p> + <p> + Rebener frowned as if he were about to voice a protest, but at that moment + the proprietor called him over to consult with him in regard to the menu. + </p> + <p> + For a moment or two they discussed it calmly enough; then as the + proprietor began to gesticulate and wax vehement, Rebener spoke over his + shoulder to his guest. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Jack,” he said, “but M. Bombiadi insists that I hold a council + of war with him over the selection of the wines. He declines to accept the + responsibility with such a distinguished personage as you seem to have + become.” Then lowering his voice, he added with a wink: “He is evidently + impressed with that military escort of yours, for all that he pretended + not to notice it. I won’t be away a minute.” + </p> + <p> + He was hurried by the proprietor through the office and into one of the + small duplex apartments on the main floor. Passing through the pantry and + dining-room of the apartment out into the little private hall with its + street door on Piccadilly, and up a short flight of marble steps with an + iron railing, he was ushered into a handsomely furnished little parlour. + </p> + <p> + There, standing in front of the mantelpiece was a man who did not look + like an Englishman, but more like a German Jew. He was perfectly bald and + had a black beard which was rather long and trimmed to a point. His nose + was unmistakable, and taken with his thick, red lips showed pretty well + what he was and whence he came. Talking to him very earnestly was another + man, who was much smaller, and who was also German to the finger-tips. + </p> + <p> + Pausing on the threshold, M. Bombiadi with the servile and cringing tone + always assumed by those frock-coated criminals, European hotel + proprietors, asked humbly: “May we come in, Your Royal Highness?” + </p> + <p> + But Rebener, with the air of a man who was not accustomed to, or else + declined to consider, such formalities, unhesitatingly brushed the + proprietor aside, and walked up to the two men. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to be late,” he said in a thoroughly businesslike manner, “but + Bombiadi here has doubtless explained the reason for it.” Then, as if he + purposely refused to acknowledge the high rank of either of the two men by + waiting for them to speak, he said brusquely, even with a slight touch of + contempt: “Bombiadi tells me that you want to speak with me, before we + meet at the table.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Rebener,” said the smaller man, bowing with exaggerated + ceremony. “If it is not asking too much of you, I am sure that His Royal + Highness will appreciate your kindness.” + </p> + <p> + The silky smoothness of his manner seemed to disgust Rebener. + </p> + <p> + “Now, look here, Karlbeck, don’t try to get friendly with me,” he drew + back as the other attempted to lay a hand upon his arm. “I am not in love + with this business, anyhow. I am German, and I am proud of the Fatherland, + as she stands with her back against the wall, fighting the entire + civilized world—and some of the barbaric;—but you two fellows + are Englishmen, and——” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Mr. Rebener,” the man with the beard broke in angrily. “You + seem to forget to whom you are speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is just the trouble,” cried Rebener with a loud laugh. “I can’t + seem to forget it. And if Your Royal Highness insists upon keeping on your + crown, you had better let Mr. Edestone and myself dine alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Please, Mr. Rebener. Please not so loud,” cautioned the proprietor, pale + with terror. “One never knows who may be listening.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a word for you too.” Rebener turned, and shook a threatening + finger in his face. “If I find that you cut-throats have murdered Schmidt, + I will turn you over to the London police, and let you be hanged as common + murderers without having any of the glory of dying for your country. I + distinctly told you, that I would not stand for that sort of thing. He was + a miserable creature, but he was an American, and we Americans, even if we + have got German blood, are not traitors to the country of our adoption.” + And he looked with a sneer at the two Englishmen. “Now, if any of you are + planning to indulge in any of your pretty little tricks with Mr. Edestone + tonight, I give you fair warning. I will call Captain Bright in, and turn + the whole lot of you over to him. I think he would be rather surprised to + find His Royal Highness in such company.” + </p> + <p> + The man with the beard was literally white with rage. The thick veins + swelled along his neck, and his lower lip was trembling. But he controlled + himself with an effort, and endeavoured to speak calmly. + </p> + <p> + “Now, now, Mr. Rebener,” he said, “you are unnecessarily excited, and I + therefore overlook your disrespect toward me. There is no intention + whatever of doing any violence to Mr. Edestone. We hope merely to prevail + on him to talk.” + </p> + <p> + “What good will his talking do?” cried the smaller man before his + associate could silence him. “We know all that he said today at Buckingham + Palace. What we want is his instrument, and if we’re not going after that, + what use is this dinner, I would like to know?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t tell you,” rejoined Rebener, “unless His Royal Highness would be + willing to show his hand, and try to persuade Edestone to take our view of + the matter.” + </p> + <p> + A sharp retort trembled on the lips of the Jewish-looking man, but just + then he caught sight of Bombiadi out of the corner of his eyes + gesticulating and making signs to him from behind Rebener’s back. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that is the only chance left us,” he pretended to consider. “We + can try it at any rate. I suppose, too, we had better come to your + apartment immediately. Remember, though, we are to remain incognito until + I give the word. In the meantime, we are simply ‘Lord Denton’ and ‘Mr. + Karlbeck.’” + </p> + <p> + On that agreement, Rebener left; but the proprietor, after following him + far enough to make sure that he was out of earshot, returned to the little + parlour where the other men waited. + </p> + <p> + “We will have to leave him out of our calculations,” he shook his head. + “He is not heart and soul in the cause as is your Royal Highness. However, + it can be managed without Rebener. + </p> + <p> + “Hottenroth has telephoned me that he thinks Edestone has the instrument + on his person, but cannot make sure, as his rooms at Claridge’s are too + closely guarded to permit of a search. We must go upon the assumption that + he has it with him, however, and get it away from him. That plan of Your + Royal Highness’s will work perfectly, I am sure. I will call Edestone to + the telephone while you are at dinner, and since the rest of you will all + remain at the table, how can Rebener suspect either of you gentlemen any + more than he would suspect himself. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I will return in a few minutes, and take you up to Mr. Rebener’s + apartment. No one knows of your presence in the house so far, I can assure + you, and the servants on that floor may be thoroughly depended upon.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — A DINNER AT THE BRITZ + </h2> + <p> + When Rebener got back to the entrance hall he found Edestone standing + talking with an American newspaper correspondent, and as he came up heard + the inventor say: “Well you can say that if I sell my discovery to anyone + it will be to the United States, and that rather than sell to any other + nation I would hand it over to my own country as a free gift.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, here,” Rebener joined in laughingly as he came up, “don’t you offer + to give away anything. Just because your father left you comfortably well + off is no reason that you shouldn’t sell things if people want to buy. + Sell and sell while you’ve got the market, and sell to the highest bidder. + Look at me, I am selling to both sides; that is my way of stopping this + war.” He turned to the young newspaper man. “Is there anything new, + Ralph?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, Mr. Rebener, except that there is a story out in New York that + Mr. Edestone here has been sent over to act as a sort of unofficial + go-between to bring England and Germany to terms; but he denies this. Then + there is another story that he is trying to sell this new invention of his + to England and that the German agents are trying to get it away from him + before he does. You’ve just heard what he has to say on that subject, so I + seem to have landed on a ‘Flivver’ all around. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Mr. Edestone, you’ll give me the dope on this lay-out won’t you, + before the other boys get to it?” he wheedled. “We all know that something + is going on, and she’s going to be a big story when she breaks, and it + would be the making of me with the ‘old man’ if I could put it over first. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you, sir, this afternoon coming home from the Palace,” he chuckled, + “and the President, going out to the first ball game of the season, + surrounded by the Washington Blues, to toss the pill into the diamond, + certainly had nothing on you.” + </p> + <p> + “You’ve struck it,” said Edestone, with a good-humoured laugh at himself. + “I have been trying all day to think what I looked like, and that’s it.” + </p> + <p> + Rebener laid his hand upon his arm. “Well, Jack,” he said, “hadn’t we + better be getting up to my place? I don’t want to keep the other gentlemen + waiting, and these Europeans have an awful habit of coming at the hour + they are invited, and do not, as we do in America, in imitation of the + ‘Snark,’ ‘dine on the following day.’ + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, Ralph,” he waved his hand to the correspondent. “Drop around + tomorrow; I may have something for you.” + </p> + <p> + Then as they were going up in the elevator he confided to Edestone: “I am + not so crazy about these two chaps that are coming to dinner tonight, but + you know most of the good sort are at the front, or, if they happen to be + in London, are too busy to waste their time on us Americans. Do you know, + Jack, there is at this time quite a bit of feeling against us in England? + Exactly what it is they resent it is hard to say. I certainly do not + understand how they can expect us to take any part in this war with our + population composed of people from every one of the countries that are + engaged.” + </p> + <p> + They had scarcely had time to take off their coats when Lord Denton and + Mr. Karlbeck came in through the private entrance. Edestone was + introduced, and after the two Americans had had their cocktails, both + Englishmen having declined to indulge in this distinctly American custom, + the four sat down to dinner. Rebener put “Lord Denton” on his right, + Edestone on his left, while “Mr. Karlbeck” took the only remaining seat. + The conversation was general, and Edestone found that both the Englishmen + were evidently making an effort to be agreeable. + </p> + <p> + “You are quite like an Englishman,” said “Lord Denton” addressing him. “I + have known so few really nice Americans that I must say it is a most + delightful surprise. When I was told that you were a great American + inventor, I was prepared to see a fellow with the back of his neck shaved, + who, while chewing gum, would seize my lapel and hold on to it while he + insisted on explaining how I could save time and money by using his + electrical self-starting dishwasher or some such beastly machine. When I + visited New York two years ago, a committee had me in charge for three + days. Their one idea seemed to be to force large cigars and mixed drinks + on me at all hours of the day and night. One of these charming gentlemen, + a particularly objectionable fellow, although he seemed to be very rich, + was covered with diamonds and wore the most ridiculous evening clothes + topped off with a yachting cap fronted with the insignia of some rowing + club of which he had been admiral. He always referred to his + one-thousand-ton yacht as his ‘little canoe,’ and took delight in telling + exactly what it cost him by the hour to run, invariably adding that this + amount did not include his own food, wines, liquors, and cigars. ‘We + always charge that up to profit-and-loss account,’ he would say with a + roar of laughter, in which he was joined by a group of his satellites.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll bet I can call the turn, eh, Jack?” Rebener glanced across the table + to Edestone, with a twinkle in his eye. “Didn’t the chap also tell you + with great seriousness, ‘Lord Denton,’ that he had pulled off more good + deals in his ‘little canoe’ than in all the hotel corridors put together?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I sincerely hope it’s the same,” said ‘Lord Denton’. “You can’t + have two such creatures in your country?” + </p> + <p> + “Was that the chap, ‘Denton,’” broke in “Karlbeck,” “who said to you, the + day that he slapped you on the back, that he was not so strong for making + all this fuss over Princes and things, as in his opinion it wasn’t + democratic?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was when I was on board his yacht, but he said I was all right + and he didn’t mind spending money on me. ‘This is my pleasure today,’ he + said, ‘although the Boss did say he wanted you treated right, and his word + goes both ways with me. See!’” + </p> + <p> + “Tell them about your experience with the New York newspaper men,” + suggested “Karlbeck.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was very amusing! The whole committee would stand around and + laugh while the ‘boys,’ as they called them, had a chance, which consisted + in my being asked the most impertinent questions by a lot of objectionable + little bounders whom they constantly referred to as ‘the greatest + institution of our glorious country,’ at times allowing also that the + country was ‘God’s own.’ + </p> + <p> + “When I objected, some of your most powerful men would say: ‘You had + better tell the reporters something or they’ll get sore on you and print a + lot of lies about your women-folk.’ + </p> + <p> + “The particularly offensive gentleman of whom I have spoken, after telling + me what he thought of the British aristocracy, which was not always + flattering, though I seemed to be exempt, said as he bade me good-bye: ‘By + the way, don’t forget that my wife and two daughters will be stopping in + London next spring.’” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” inquired Edestone with a faint smile, “you did forget that his + wife and two daughters were stopping in London in the spring, I am quite + sure, and sure that he is convinced you got the best of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, Mr. Edestone, that was a nasty one! You really would not have + expected me to introduce that fellow at my clubs, would you?” “No,” said + Edestone, toying with something on the table to hide the smile that played + across his lips. “No, no, not at all. The Lord Mayor of London would have + satisfied him.” + </p> + <p> + He would have dropped the subject there, but pressed by the other man he + continued rather seriously: “Since you ask me, ‘Lord Denton,’ I do think + that you should not have accepted that man’s hospitality unless you were + prepared to return it to a certain extent.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what would you have expected His Royal Highness to do—I mean + ‘Lord Denton?’” “Karlbeck” corrected himself hastily. Edestone set his + glass down, and looked at the man for a moment. When he finally spoke it + was with a touch of asperity. With a sarcastic smile he said: + </p> + <p> + “The quiet way in which you Europeans accept everything from us and return + nothing, is being resented, not by the lower classes for they read in our + papers how the King shook hands with Jack Johnson; not by the <i>nouveaux + riches</i>, for they are perfectly satisfied with the notoriety they get + at the hands of your broken-down aristocracy who spend their money,—no + not by these classes, but by our ladies and gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do you entertain our Princes so lavishly?” sneered “Karlbeck.” + </p> + <p> + “It is our sense of humour, which allows us to be imposed upon. That sense + of humour is often mistaken for hysterical hospitality by the + distinguished stranger. We—and when I say we I mean people of + breeding which does not include the vulgarian who knows nothing and may be + the son of your father’s ninth gardener—we know that the more + ridiculous we appear to you, the better you like it. Not to appear + ridiculous offends you, as it arouses a feeling of rivalry to which you + object, but with your lack of that same sense of humour, this you deny.” + </p> + <p> + Again he would have willingly dropped the subject, but “Lord Denton” once + more insisted upon keeping up the discussion. + </p> + <p> + “You must remember,” said he, “Prince Henry’s visit to America. You don’t + mean to tell me the Americans were not complimented and pleased at a visit + from a Royal Prince?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “You mean when Prince Henry of Prussia came over to + bridge the chasm which had formed between the German and American nations + over the Manila episode, by the interchange of courtesies between the two + ruling families, the Hohenzollerns and the Roosevelts? + </p> + <p> + “I was surprised that the Kaiser was so poorly informed as not to know our + attitude toward him and his Divine Right and mailed fist. Why, everybody + laughed except the Kaiser and the President—they were the only ones + who were fooled: the Kaiser, because he could not help himself, it was in + his blood; and Roosevelt, because he was at that time in a most septic + condition and was suffering from auto-intoxication at the hands of that + particular form of microbe.” + </p> + <p> + “Edestone entertained Prince Henry himself at his Little Place in the + Country,” said Rebener, who saw that “Lord Denton” was losing his temper. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I did,” said Edestone. “Not that I thought he would enjoy it, but + somebody—and now when I come to think of it, you were the man, + Rebener—insisted that he would like to visit my machine shops. And + he did seem to enjoy seeing them very much, and Admiral Tirpitz and his + staff took all kinds of notes while asking all kinds of questions.” The + reminiscence seemed to make the three other men a trifle uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! what difference does it make after all?” said Rebener. “Let’s get + down to business. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Edestone,” he turned to the inventor, “you know me, and I’m not much + for beating about the bush. When I want something, my motto is, ‘Go to + it.’ My object in inviting you here to meet these gentlemen tonight was to + see if we can’t get together. As I understand the situation, Jack, you + have something that you think is pretty good. You have lots of money, and + you don’t want to sell it. You don’t have to, but you want to get England + to use it, and if she won’t, you will try Germany. Now is not that just + about the size of it?” + </p> + <p> + “To a certain extent, yes,” replied Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Then why in the name of common sense don’t you let ‘Lord Denton’ and me + have it and we will guarantee to have it used where it will do the most + good. He has more pull with the Government than any man in England. I + think you know pretty well now who he is,” he added with a wink. “If it is + the war you want stopped, he is the best man outside of the King or + Kaiser.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, Mr. Rebener,” said Edestone, “I do know who ‘Lord Denton’ is + and had the pleasure of seeing him this afternoon at Buckingham Palace, + but I thought perhaps he would prefer that I should preserve his incognito + and, following the example of his most charming Duchess, permitted myself + to forget. I shall be most happy to——” + </p> + <p> + He halted and turned as a waiter stepped up behind his chair to interrupt + him. + </p> + <p> + “I beg pardon, sir, but the Marquis of Lindenberry wishes to speak to you + on the telephone. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, sir, but you will have to go to the booth in the room behind + the stairs. Mr. Rebener’s telephone is out of order.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, ‘my telephone is out of order’?” Rebener glanced up + sharply. “I used it not twenty minutes ago.” And going into the adjoining + room he tried to speak to the floor switchboard. + </p> + <p> + “The fellow’s right,” he admitted on returning to the table. “You’ll have + to use the booth, Jack. Waiter, show Mr. Edestone where to go.” + </p> + <p> + “This way, sir,” said the waiter, and he conducted Edestone down the long + corridor, passing one of Captain Bright’s cavalrymen at almost every turn. + Just around the foot of the stairs the waiter showed him a door. + </p> + <p> + “There it is, sir,” he pointed. + </p> + <p> + Edestone went in and found himself in a room that was almost dark. It was + lighted only by a shaded electric bulb used by the man at the switchboard, + who sat facing the door but hidden from anyone entering by the high + instrument in front of him. Edestone walked over to him, finding him + almost obscured by the huge green shade pulled down over his eyes, and + seemingly very much occupied with both incoming and outgoing calls. + </p> + <p> + “Is there a call for Mr. Edestone?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said the man without looking up from his plugs. “The second + booth from this end, No. 2.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, turning, saw in the dim light a row of booths against the wall + over beyond the door. It was quite dark in that corner, but he could see + that the door of the second booth was open. He went inside, muttering as + he did so, “I think they might give a fellow a little more light.” + </p> + <p> + As he sat down and took up the receiver, he put out his hand to stop the + door from slowly closing, apparently by itself. It was one of those + double-walled, sound-proof, stuffy boxes, and he did not want the door + shut tight, so he put out his foot to hold it open. But he was just a + moment too late. The door shut with a little bang, and when he tried to + open it again, he found that it seemed to have jammed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE + </h2> + <p> + Edestone waited. He thought he heard, or rather he felt, a vibration as if + someone were moving in the next booth. He tried the door again, but found + that it held fast. + </p> + <p> + He was about to signal the switchboard operator and tell him to come and + open up the booth, when an, “Are you there, Mr. Edestone?” came to him + from across the wire, and caused him for the moment to forget the + refractory door. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” he answered. “Yes; I am Mr. Edestone. Who is this?” + </p> + <p> + The voice, instead of replying directly, spoke as if to another person + with an aside. “Mr. Edestone is on the wire.” + </p> + <p> + A moment, and then a second voice spoke. “Are you there, Mr. Edestone?” + </p> + <p> + It was not the voice of his friend, and he answered a trifle impatiently: + “Yes. Who are you? Are you speaking for the Marquis of Lindenberry?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not,” came the reply. “And I must apologize for having used his + name.” + </p> + <p> + The voice bore the unmistakable intonation of an English gentleman. + </p> + <p> + “I am the Count Kurtz von Hemelstein. I regret that circumstances compel + me to force myself upon you in this caddish manner. But my duty as a + soldier in the service of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, demands it. + I shall not delay you long, however, if you will only do what I ask.” + </p> + <p> + There was a moment’s pause. Involuntarily Edestone drew back slightly from + the instrument. + </p> + <p> + “Count Kurtz von Hemelstein, did you say?” He spoke with a touch of + sternness. “I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting + you, sir. I did meet a Count Heinrich von Hemelstein last summer.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; that was my brother. He has often spoken of you, Mr. Edestone. If I + am not mistaken, you were rivals for the attention of a pretty, young + matron with a good-natured husband?” + </p> + <p> + “Not rivals, Count von Hemelstein.” Edestone laughed, but under the laugh + he was doing some rapid thinking. “Your brother was the favoured one, and + when the war broke out, and he had to leave for the front, the lady was + almost inconsolable. + </p> + <p> + “But, Count von Hemelstein,” he continued, “what can I do for you? We + Americans, you know, do not always insist upon a formal introduction. As + we say, ‘Any friend of a friend of mine.’” + </p> + <p> + “Also, you are wrong on one point,” said the Count, with a little chuckle. + “I have had the pleasure of meeting you. It was a trifle informal, I must + admit, but you were just as charming as you are now, and I think I am + indebted to you to the amount of several shillings. In the end, you did + leave me rather abruptly, and seemed offended at something I had done; but + I trust you have recovered from that by this time.” Edestone could hear + him laughing heartily. + </p> + <p> + “You have met me?” repeated Edestone, completely mystified. “When and + where?” + </p> + <p> + “Today; in London. Indeed, I am in London now.” + </p> + <p> + “In London, Count von Hemelstein?” Involuntarily Edestone lowered his + voice. “But I say, isn’t that taking a bit of a chance for a German + officer? Where are you speaking from now, may I ask?” + </p> + <p> + The Count was laughing so, that just at first he could not answer; but + after a moment he managed to control his amusement. + </p> + <p> + “I am in the next booth to you,” he said. + </p> + <p> + When he spoke again, his tone had lost all trace of levity and become hard + and direct like that of a man charged with a distasteful duty, yet with + which he was determined not to let his feelings interfere. + </p> + <p> + “In regard to our meeting today,” he said; “I was in disguise. In short, I + was the taxi-driver whom you gave the slip this afternoon by the aid of + that cur, Schmidt. And now, Mr. Edestone, you must realize what it is I + want.” In a more conciliatory tone, he added: “I can see no reason, + however, why we should not settle this matter as between gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Please be more explicit,” returned Edestone, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “In brief, then, I am authorized by my Government to meet, and even double + or quadruple any offer for your invention made by the English Government. + I will take your word of honour. All that you have to do is to say now, on + your word as a gentleman, that you will sell it to my Government, and you + can return to your friends. My Government will then communicate with you, + and close with you at your own price.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I decline the proposition?” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Then I fear I shall be compelled to use force; and much as I may regret + to do so, I will tell you that I am prepared to stop at nothing. + </p> + <p> + “You are now,” he went on, “locked in that solid oak booth, with its + strong double doors, perfectly sound-proof. The operator at the + switchboard is my man. He can by pulling a wire uncork a bottle which is + concealed in your booth and asphyxiate you in one half minute.” + </p> + <p> + But if he had expected the American to show any trepidation as a result of + his threats, he soon found out his mistake. Edestone’s reply was as + insouciant as if he had been merely commenting on the weather. + </p> + <p> + “Really, this is quite interesting, Count von Hemelstein,” he said. “I + might almost call you a man after my own heart. That bottle trick is so + simple and yet effective that I, as an inventor, cannot help but + compliment you. I am wondering just what chemical you have employed. There + are of course a dozen or more that would answer your purpose; but as their + action varies greatly in the effect upon the victim, I am naturally + curious.” + </p> + <p> + “Does that mean that you are about to decline my offer?” demanded the + Count sharply. “Have a care, Mr. Edestone. I am not merely trying to + frighten you, as you may suppose. The facts are just as I have stated + them, and I shall not hesitate to——” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly, my dear Count,” Edestone broke in. “I have never doubted that + for a moment. Nor am I going to refuse your proposition—that is, not + definitely. Instead, I have been so pleased by the charming manner in + which you have presented this little matter that I desire to submit a + counter-proposition. Only, I must beg you to urge your modest friend with + the weak eyes out there at the switchboard to be a little careful with + that wire. Judging from the atmosphere in this booth, his bottle has been + leaking for some time.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, Mr. Edestone.” The Count’s voice rose nervously, showing the + strain under which he was labouring. “I have already told you that this is + no joke. If it is your game to play for time, in the hope that some one + may come to release you, or that you may discover the manner in which the + bottle is secreted, you are going to be disappointed. I must do my work + quickly. If I do not have your answer at once, I will give the signal and + take your instrument away from you by force.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not time I want, but air.” Edestone gave a little gasp. “You + yourself have spent more time than I, with your kind explanations as to + how I may avoid what would be to me a most distressing accident. However, + since celerity is what you want, I hasten to say that I have not my + instrument, nor indeed any instrument with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not with you?” snapped the Prussian angrily. “Where is it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! That is my counter-proposition. Count von Hemelstein, if I promise to + tell you, on my word of honour, where you may find this instrument of mine + that contains the entire secret of my invention—and it is near at + hand where, if you are a brave man, you can easily get it,—if I do + this, will you, on your side, give me your word as a gentleman, that you + will immediately open this booth? + </p> + <p> + “I may add,” he went on, as von Hemelstein seemed to hesitate, “that this + is my last and only proposition, and you can take that or nothing. I will + die here in this box before I will sell my invention to any European + Government; but you may have it as a free gift, Count, if you have the + nerve to go after it. There is a challenge to your boasted Prussian + valour! Are you a sport, Count von Hemelstein, or are you not?” + </p> + <p> + Von Hemelstein wavered no longer. From what Edestone told him, he argued + that the inventor must have left his instrument with some of his + subordinates, probably Black and Stanton, and relied upon them to protect + it; and it stung him to think that the American should believe a German + officer would falter at such odds—a couple of electricians, mere + Yankee artisans. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he growled hoarsely. “I accept your terms. It is a bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “On your honour?” + </p> + <p> + “On my word of honour as a Prussian officer and a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, hurry up and open this door. It is getting stifling in here; + and, besides, Rebener will be growing anxious about me.” + </p> + <p> + “But, first, your information. Where is the instrument?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the instrument?” It was now Edestone’s turn to laugh. “Why, that is + lying on the floor under the table in Mr. Rebener’s dining-room. I dropped + it there, when I came out to answer your telephone call, and I also gave + instructions to the sentries on guard at the door of the apartment to + shoot any one who attempted to pass in or out during my absence. You are + doubtless a brave man, but I do not think you are prepared to tackle a + whole company of British cavalry. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” he concluded, “I have kept to my bargain. Will you kindly open + the door?” + </p> + <p> + A muttered German imprecation, like a snarl of baffled chagrin, was his + only answer. But a moment later the door to his booth swung open, and he + was free. + </p> + <p> + As he stepped out, he found the lights in the room turned on, and the man + at the switchboard gone. He also noticed that the door to the adjoining + booth was shaking, as if someone had just jerked it open and had passed + out hurriedly, and, as he came out into the corridor, he thought he + glimpsed the figure of a man hastily disappearing down the staircase. So + far as any other evidence went, except for his wilted collar and heaving + lungs, the whole experience might have been a dream. + </p> + <p> + He returned quietly to the dinner table, and stooping over, as if to pick + up his napkin, recovered the instrument and slipped it into his trousers + pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” kept staring at him with puzzled, almost + incredulous faces. + </p> + <p> + “Did you find your friend on the wire?” finally ventured “Lord Denton,” + leaning across the table toward him. + </p> + <p> + “No; it was another gentleman speaking for him,” smiled Edestone, “a mere + visitor to England like myself. I took the liberty of asking him to join + us, but he declined. He is, I fancy, leaving the country very shortly—probably + going to Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + A little gasp from behind him caused him to turn in his seat. It came from + the hotel proprietor who, entering the room by the rear door, stood rooted + in amazement at the sight of Edestone, his jaw dropping, his eyes as big + as saucers. + </p> + <p> + Edestone regarded him a moment; then turned to his host. + </p> + <p> + “What silly-looking waiters you have in this hotel, Rebener,” he said. + “That fellow yonder doesn’t appear to have brains enough to be even a + German spy.” + </p> + <p> + The real waiter, overhearing this compliment to his employer, clapped his + hand over his mouth and dived for the pantry, just managing to get through + the swinging door before he exploded. + </p> + <p> + The self-satisfied Bombiadi also overheard, and although he endeavoured to + appear unconscious, a dull red flush crept up over his cheeks, and after + shifting for a moment from one foot to the other, he left the room. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton” and “Karlbeck” exchanged glances out of the corners of their + eyes; and Rebener, although he made out to grin at the speech, shifted a + little uneasily in his chair. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone, who, under his quiet exterior, possessed a rather + mischievous spirit, was not yet through with them. + </p> + <p> + “As I was saying when I was called to the telephone,” he leaned across the + table toward the <i>incognito</i> Royal Duke, “the desire of Your Royal + Highness—pardon me, I mean, of ‘Lord Denton’—is of course to + see England victorious in this contest; but that may mean years of + fighting and an appalling loss of men and money. Such true patriots as + yourself and ‘Mr. Karlbeck’ must see that it would be far better to end + the war now, provided that a lasting peace can be ensured, and that I + think I can guarantee with my discovery. I should be delighted, therefore, + to co-operate with you gentlemen to that end, and if you would advocate + the proposition that England allow me to go to Berlin with something to + show that she is willing to enter into <i>pour parlers</i>, I shall bring + pressure to bear on Germany to make some liberal answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Denton,” however, seemed no longer interested in the matter, and was + unable to concentrate his attention; while “Mr. Karlbeck” made no attempt + to hide the fact that he was disgusted gusted with the evening, and wished + to see it end as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + Rebener, seeing his dinner a failure, although not quite understanding the + cause, like many a nervous host compelled to face a tableful of + distinguished guests who do not hesitate to show that they are bored, did + the silliest thing possible under the circumstances, and drank more than + he should. + </p> + <p> + Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fashion that “Mr. + Karlbeck” looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His Royal + Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone’s attention + from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were thrown out. + </p> + <p> + They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown open, + and some one announced in a loud voice, “The King’s Messenger!” + </p> + <p> + “Karlbeck” and “Lord Denton” sprang to their feet, their faces ashy pale, + as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment later, + Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they both + crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the + starch-pot. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown gathering + between his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was + dining with Mr. Edestone tonight,” he drew himself up stiffly. And it was + in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had inveighed + against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and had loudly urged + that no attention be paid to him or his claims. + </p> + <p> + Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been in + circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen with + the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them here in the + apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, and in conference + with the possessor of the secret which Germany was seeking so eagerly to + obtain? + </p> + <p> + Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, but + turned to Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, has + ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, and I + should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your time.” + </p> + <p> + Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener’s permission, had withdrawn + with him into the salon, he explained that the King had instructed Sir + Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine o’clock and to state + the decision of the Government in answer to the inventor’s proposition. + </p> + <p> + “Will that hour be convenient to you?” asked the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly,” Edestone assented. Then on an impulse, he added: “I do not + leave for the Continent until eleven.” + </p> + <p> + The Equerry extended his hand. “In that case, I shall probably not see you + again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant journey + and good luck when you reach Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a + prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of + gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart’s parting salute, and + returned to the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + There he found the two discomfited members of the nobility just taking + their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was playing + the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and over-loud + manner urging them to stay and “have another.” Wouldn’t they try one of + his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous brandy? + </p> + <p> + But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and + turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although “Mr. + Karlbeck” did consent to gulp down a large glass of Rebener’s very fine + brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal associate. + </p> + <p> + Edestone left almost immediately, and his “guard of honour,” to which he + was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly assembled, he + was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS + </h2> + <p> + The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the + occurrences of the evening before at Rebener’s dinner, and Edestone was + surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed concerning all + that had transpired. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole distasteful + episode,” Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash of contempt in + his eye. “His Royal Highness has been relieved of his commission and is in + retirement, and the Duchess of Windthorst together with Princess + Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess Adolph, in Berlin. By these + means, and of course with your silence, upon which he counts, His Majesty + hopes to keep England in ignorance of the fact that such rottenness exists + in his immediate household.” + </p> + <p> + “And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the <i>Ivernia</i> + is in the mire too,” thought Edestone; for it seemed to him that the + King’s order of exile against the Duchess and herself could mean nothing + else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and aversion for the traitor did + not extend to the feminine members of the family. For them he had only + sorrow and sympathy. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a subject, + had taken up the direct purpose of his call. + </p> + <p> + He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of + settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, His + Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the United + States, and after her spies had reported the nature of Edestone’s + reception in London, and especially after the inventor should have had an + interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government might suggest something + which could serve as a basis upon which to open negotiations. In such a + case, His Majesty was of the opinion that Edestone, if he were willing to + undertake the delicate task, would be the most suitable person to act as a + go-between. + </p> + <p> + The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing at + that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, and + that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any proposition + he might bring back. + </p> + <p> + He brought letters to the President of France, General French, General + Joffre, and others, which would guarantee Edestone’s safety up to the + German line; but suggested that it would be well not to show the French + too much, since they were such a volatile nation that they might readily + decide to retire from the field and allow the United States and England to + settle the matter. On account of the long and sincere friendship which had + existed between the French people and those of the United States, France + might feel that she could depend upon the United States to recover her + lost territory, together with Alsace and Lorraine, and that was all she + wanted. + </p> + <p> + In leaving, Sir Egbert, upon behalf of the King, insisted on placing a + torpedo boat at Edestone’s disposal. Then, with the assurance that + anything he might have to communicate to the British Government would be + given most careful consideration, the Foreign Minister bowed himself out. + </p> + <p> + Edestone could not but compare this interview with the one he had held + with Lord Rockstone—the opening gun of his campaign. Verily, + twenty-four hours had made a vast change in the attitude of the British + Cabinet. + </p> + <p> + His journey to Paris was uneventful except for one incident. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the Channel, as he leaned against the rail, gazing back + toward the white cliffs of Dover, he drew the Deionizer from his pocket + and quietly dropped it overboard. With scarcely a splash the little + instrument, for which the warring nations were willing to barter millions + and commit almost any crime, disappeared beneath the waves. + </p> + <p> + He did not, however, intend giving any further demonstration until his + arrival in Berlin, and there he thought he might have a larger and better + one; while, in the meantime, and especially since his encounter with Count + von Hemelstein had shown him how far the Germans were prepared to go, he + did not feel like taking any unnecessary chances. + </p> + <p> + At Calais, he was received by the representative of the President and + other high officials, and when they had seen some of his photographs, and + had heard an outline of his plans, they readily followed the lead of + England in accrediting him as a sort of unofficial peacemaker. Indeed, the + Frenchmen looked upon Edestone as someone almost superhuman—a being + who had come to establish on earth the dream of their philosophers, + “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”—and they gloried in the good fortune + of their sister Republic in having produced and sent to their rescue such + a son. + </p> + <p> + When he left for Berlin, he was conducted to the Swiss frontier like a + conquering hero, and, with prayers that he would be careful while in the + land of the Huns, was turned over to the Swiss Government. The latter also + accorded him every consideration and courtesy; but when he finally left + their outposts behind and arrived on German soil, he found a different + story. + </p> + <p> + Here, he was immediately taken in charge by the frontier military + authorities, and practically held a prisoner for three days under the + excuse that instructions in regard to him had to be asked for from Berlin. + </p> + <p> + He was incensed at the petty annoyances to which he was subjected by his + jailer, a fat old German martinet. + </p> + <p> + Under one pretext or another he and his men were constantly being + interrogated, and his baggage, which they insisted upon opening, was + thoroughly and repeatedly searched. + </p> + <p> + When they discovered among other things something that suggested a + miniature wireless plant, they would not let him or any of his men out of + their sight. His letters were so strong, however, that they would not dare + to do anything with him without instructions. + </p> + <p> + He let it be known that he had absolutely nothing hidden on his person by + taking off all of his clothes and going to bed, and would apparently sleep + while watching the spies go through them. They seemed to enjoy this little + game so much that he would sometimes play it once or twice a day, varying + it by taking a bath or having James give him massage. + </p> + <p> + They never seemed to suspect that he was playing with them, but would + stand around and pounce down on his clothes, each time searching them + thoroughly as if they had discovered something entirely new, when they had + just turned the same things inside out within an hour. + </p> + <p> + While waiting here, too, he came to learn how intensely bitter was the + feeling against Americans among Germans of all classes. They regarded + themselves as superior beings, he found, and when they first noted his + splendid physique, would not believe but that he must have German blood in + his veins. When he convinced them, however, that he was of pure + Anglo-Saxon stock, Virginia bred—a thorough-paced “Yankee,” as they + called it—even the peasants treated him as the dirt beneath their + feet. + </p> + <p> + But at last word came from the German General Staff. He was “sealed, + stamped, and marked, ‘not to be opened until after delivery in Berlin.’” + He was shown greater consideration now; but it was a consideration which + rather unpleasantly reminded him of that shown by the keeper to a + condemned prisoner in presenting him with his new clothes in which to be + executed. + </p> + <p> + He and his men and all his belongings—the latter carefully listed in + triplicate—were put into a private car, and locked in, like a rich + American with the smallpox whom they were sending out of the country; + while, to add to his comfort, he was told that Count von Hemelstein was to + act as his escort. + </p> + <p> + As they started on the journey, Edestone had an opportunity of seeing in + his true character for the first time the man whom he had so cleverly + outwitted in the telephone booth, and he found it hard work to identify + the smart cavalry officer as the grimy London taxi-driver of a few days + before. + </p> + <p> + The Count was a big, splendid-looking fellow, who rather affected an + American manner in order to hide the fact that he had been educated both + at school and college in England. Without his uniform, he would have been + taken anywhere for an Englishman, blond, blue-eyed giant that he was, with + as beautiful a moustache and as winning a smile as was ever given to the + hero of a love story. He wore the uniform of a Colonel of Uhlans, which + well set off his handsome figure. In fact, he was as noble-looking an + Uhlan as ever, either before or after marriage, broke the heart of a rich + brewer’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Delighted to meet you again, Mr. Edestone,” he grasped the American’s + hand, with a hearty laugh. “Ever since our last encounter, I have been + wanting the opportunity of asking how you knew that I would keep my word + and release you, when you divulged to me the whereabouts of your + instrument there in the telephone booth? Didn’t you realize that, by + ‘putting you out,’ and then having the switchboard man raise an alarm, I + could in the resultant confusion, easily have secured the instrument?” + </p> + <p> + “But I also realized that I was dealing with a soldier, not a burglar; and + I took a chance,” said Edestone with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the Colonel, “now that you are safe in Germany what + difference does it make? We mean to keep you here.” + </p> + <p> + “The United States might have something to say to that,” suggested + Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “The United States? Bah! One more country to fight; what difference would + it make to Germany, especially one that could make so little showing? You + have no army. Your navy could do no more than England is already doing. We + are at present cut off from your supplies as much as if we were at war + with you. Finally, the German-Americans would put the brakes on you, now + that another Presidential election is approaching. + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Edestone,” he shook his head triumphantly; “you are making a bad + mistake, if you are relying on the protection of the United States, now + that you have stuck your head into the tiger’s mouth.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I understand, Count von Hemelstein, that Germany proposes to hold me a + prisoner? Are you telling me that she would dare do such a thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, do not put it so crudely.” The Count raised his hand a trifle + mockingly. “Let us say, rather, that we expect you to become so convinced + of the righteousness of our cause that you will gladly turn over your + instrument and render us any other aid you can toward the crushing of our + enemies.” + </p> + <p> + The smile faded from his lips, and for a moment he, “showed his teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “Take my advice, my friend,” he said sharply. “Don’t try to frighten the + Wilhelmstrasse with your moving pictures and your covert threats of + intervention by the United States as you did at Buckingham Palace. We are + made of sterner stuff here. We know the nature of your invention, and just + what you can accomplish with it; and our gifted men of science are now + hard at work in the effort to duplicate your achievement. + </p> + <p> + “My brother brought back word a year ago,” he disclosed, “that you were + building a super-dreadnought 907 feet long, 90 feet beam, 35 feet draught, + 40,000 tons displacement. We also know that you are now working full blast + night and day at your ‘Little Place in the Country.’ We know about the + tricks you played with that flunkey in your audience with the King. A hint + to us Germans is all that is needed. + </p> + <p> + “We know further,” he went on in a sterner voice, “the sentiments of love + and devotion toward England that you expressed to the English King, and we + know the tenor of the answer that was returned to your proposition. + </p> + <p> + “But do you imagine that you can come here, sir, and dictate terms to our + Emperor, or arrange a peace for us, which would mean anything less than + the absolute humbling of England? Do you think we would run the slightest + risk of letting this invention of yours fall into England’s hands? + </p> + <p> + “Your question was expressed very undiplomatically, Mr. Edestone, for one + who is arrogating to himself the prerogatives of an envoy and ambassador. + Nations in speaking to one another use language that is lighter than + fairy’s thought, and sweeter than a baby’s dream, but more deadly than a + pestilence. But I will answer you on this occasion just as bluntly and + baldly. + </p> + <p> + “We do propose to hold you virtually a prisoner on German soil until such + time as our men of science have completed their labours. If they succeed + in solving the secret of your discovery, we shall be ready to try + conclusions with the United States, and shall deal with you personally as + may seem most advisable, dragging you by force from the very Embassy + itself, if you attempt to take refuge there. If, on the other hand, our + men of science fail, your position will be in no way preferable. We will + simply compel you to disclose your secret to us, and, as I told you once + before, we stop at nothing to gain our ends. Your best plan, therefore, + and I believe I am your sincere friend when I tell you this, is to sell to + my Government at once.” + </p> + <p> + A slightly amused smile flitted over Edestone’s lips from time to time as + he listened; but when he spoke it was quite seriously. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt,” he said, “that everything you tell me is absolutely + true. Germany is undoubtedly thorough, whether her thoroughness take the + form of the destruction of Louvain, or of sewing two buttons where only + one is needed on the trousers of her soldiers. But I pity her for not + finding a larger way to gain her ends in the first place, and for her + conceit in thinking that a lot of little thoughts and extra buttons when + added together make a great nation. Germany may know exactly how many gold + and how many amalgam fillings there are in the teeth of the German army, + but she does not know that thousands of men leave Germany and come to the + United States simply because they do not want their teeth counted. Germany + may know what I have done and am doing at my place on the Hudson, but she + does not know that she has so incensed me by her methods of obtaining this + information that it were better for her if she had never known, or you so + boastful as to have told me of it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” and he spoke almost with the fervour of an inspired prophet; + “Germany may know her alphabet of war from end to end, forward and + backward, but she does not know that she and it are doomed to destruction, + because she thinks that she can drive the intelligent modern world with a + spear, as her forefathers did the wild beasts of the Black Forest.” + </p> + <p> + Von Hemelstein started and laid his hand indignantly to the hilt of his + sword. His instructions to bring Edestone safely to Berlin alone prevented + him from punishing then and there such insult to his country and his + Emperor. + </p> + <p> + “My orders prevent me from killing you!” he said hoarsely, as he + straightened up and, drawing his heels together with a click, turned and + stalked away. + </p> + <p> + He took a seat at the other side of the car, and as if utterly oblivious + that such a creature as Edestone existed, produced and deliberately + adjusted the two parts of a very long and handsome cigarette holder, and + with much straining of his very tight uniform restored the case to the + place provided by law for its concealment on his glittering person. He + then took out his cigarette case, and after selecting a cigarette, he + gently tapped it on the gold cover, glaring all the time quite through and + beyond the unspeakable American. With more absurd contortions the + cigarette case was disposed of, and matches produced. Then, stretching out + his beautiful patent-leather boots, he finally lighted his cigarette. + </p> + <p> + He took a deep inhalation, and blew from the very bottom of his lungs a + thin cloud of smoke in Edestone’s direction, while with much rattling he + unfolded a newspaper, and pretended to read it. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who was with difficulty keeping a straight face, sat all this + time solemnly watching him with the expression of a schoolgirl looking at + her matinee idol at about the juncture in the last act when that hero puts + on his kingly robes which have been hidden for a hundred years in the moth + closet of his twenty-story apartment house on upper Riverside Drive. + </p> + <p> + When the Count finally peeped cautiously over the top of his paper to see + what effect he was producing, he felt almost tempted to applaud and blow + him a kiss. + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein,” he said lazily, when finally the Prussian had put + down his paper, and was sitting glaring in front of him, “I was just + thinking what a stunning book-cover you would make for a cheap novel, or + how many thousands of bottles of beer your picture would sell in Hoboken. + Hoboken, you know, is the headquarters of the German-American standing + army, and your second largest naval base. Or you might serve as——” + </p> + <p> + He halted in some anxiety, for it seemed as if the Count were about to + choke to death. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — THE GERMAN POINT OF VIEW + </h2> + <p> + They sat this way for some time, Edestone looking thoughtfully out of the + car window and rather disgusted with himself for having lessened his + dignity in the eyes of the other man. + </p> + <p> + He was broad enough to be able to put himself in von Hemelstein’s place. + He knew that by birth, education, and example the man’s attitude to him, + in fact to the rest of the world, was that of a superior being looking + down upon those immeasurably beneath him. For him, a Prussian nobleman, to + be spoken to in this way by one of a lower sphere was bad enough, but when + that one was of the very lowest of spheres, an American, it was acute + pain. He looked upon Edestone as a low comedian rather than as a gentleman + in the hands of a chivalrous enemy, which the officer considered himself + to be. + </p> + <p> + Edestone himself felt no resentment but the sort of pity that he would + feel for one who was born with an hereditary weakness that he could no + more control than the colour of his eyes. He was as sorry as he would have + been, had he been guilty of laughing at the irregularity of another man’s + teeth which were not so perfect as his own. + </p> + <p> + He got up and walked slowly over toward his travelling companion. The + handsome warrior quickly let his hand fall to his loaded automatic as if + he expected to be attacked, but when he saw Edestone standing quietly + before him, and with a rather sad smile on his face, he turned back to his + reading and refused to look up, even after Edestone had begun to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, Count von Hemelstein,” said the inventor, “to have offended + you, and I beg that you will accept my most humble apology. We Americans, + I fear, are too much inclined to let our sense of humour run away with + us.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier raised his eyes with a threatening look, not knowing but that + Edestone was still poking fun at him, or else, fearing the consequences of + his rashness, was trying to ingratiate himself with his jailer. But after + that glance at Edestone’s face he felt confident that his apology was + sincere. The Prussian’s pride was too deeply wounded, however, for him to + give in at once. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad, Mr. Edestone,” he replied stiffly, “that you realize that it + is not customary to speak lightly of Germany in the presence of one of her + officers.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” exclaimed Edestone, “it was extremely bad taste for me to + criticize a civilization so much older than my own, but you will,” he + smiled, “forgive the cowboy I am sure when he tells you he is sorry.” Then + seeing by the expression of the officer’s face that he had won the day: + “Come now, Count von Hemelstein, let’s be friends. I would not have liked + you had you not resented my remarks, and I was a cad to take advantage of + your absolutely defenceless position.” + </p> + <p> + The Count broke out into a hearty laugh, and jumping up took Edestone’s + extended hand. + </p> + <p> + “You Americans,” he vowed, all traces of his ill-feeling gone, “are the + most remarkable chaps. I never saw a cowboy, but if they are anything like + you they must be descended from some branch of the Hohenzollern family.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I cannot claim that distinction,” laughed Edestone; “but I think + perhaps there are many cowboys who if they knew and knowing cared to could + boast of as distinguished a lineage. Did you ever breed dogs, Count? Well, + if you have, you would know that the good points of the champion do not + always appear in the oldest son of the oldest son, but spring up where we + least expect to find them. And so it is I think with men; the good points + are in the blood and will appear long after the man has lost his family + tree. Sometimes they appear in individuals who show so strongly the traits + of the champion that they scorn the existence of musty documents to tell + them who they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Mr. Edestone, you do not believe in our method of keeping our best + blood where it belongs—at the top?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do most thoroughly approve of some of your methods. They are + perhaps the best that have yet been devised, but you have not yet found + the true method of following the centre of the stream. You sometimes dip + from an eddy, simply because you believe that at some time it might have + been in the middle, and you allow the deep dark red torrent to carry its + saturated solution by you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone,” the Count smiled, “whether you are descended from a + cowboy king or a business baron, you are deuced good company. I am glad + that if I am to be cooped up here for two days it is with you instead of + some conceited English duke, whose English grandfather was a fool and + whose American grandfather was a knave—oh, I beg pardon. I am like + poor little Alice in Wonderland when she was talking with the mouse. I + seem always to insist upon talking about cats.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Mr. Edestone, that you have been such a brick and apologized to + me, I shall have to admit that I was rather rude in what I said to you. I + think that the German Government has every intention of treating you + fairly, and if you will only listen to reason, you will find that they are + as anxious to bring this war to a close as is the United States. I know, + however, that Germany intends to have her fair share of the earth; we are + righting for our national existence, and we will not, and in fact we + cannot afford to, stop at anything. If you really do not intend to sell + your invention to any of the countries of Europe, you can at least use + your influence with the United States to keep out of this muss, and let us + settle our little difficulties in our own way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone became serious. “My sole object, Count von Hemelstein,” he said, + “is to stop this war and settle these ‘little difficulties,’ as you call + them, without further loss of life. If your Government will allow me to + take back to England some assurance that it is now willing to discuss a + settlement, I know that my Government will keep out of the discussion.” + </p> + <p> + The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stopping of the + train at a station where the Count said he expected to take on the lunch + baskets. With a comfortable lunch between them, and a bottle of wine to + divide, they soon forgot their differences and laughed and joked like old + friends. + </p> + <p> + “It is a great pity, Mr. Edestone,” said the Uhlan, “that you are not a + German. I am sure the Kaiser would like you. He might even make you a + Count, and then you could marry some woman of rank and with all your money + you could be one of the greatest swells in Europe. He might make you an + officer, too, so that you could wear a uniform and carry the decorations + which he would confer upon you. Then when Americans came over to Kiel in + their big yachts, you could tell the Emperor which were the real cowboy + families and which were the Knickerbocker noblemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is exactly what I was thinking about you, Count von + Hemelstein,” Edestone chuckled. “If you would only come over to America I + would get you a nice position in one of our large department stores, where + your knowledge of German would be of the greatest assistance to you and + soon put you at the top. Your German-Jew boss would invite you to his + palace at Long Branch to dinner some night before a holiday and you would + meet his beautiful daughter. She would take you into the big parlour, + which would be open that night, and say to all her friends: ‘I want you to + shake hands with Count von Hemelstein, who is head salesman in Pa’s M. + & D. Department.’ And she would be corrected by Ma, who would say: + ‘No, dearie, you mean the M. & W. Department.’ + </p> + <p> + “With your military training you would, by this time, have undoubtedly + become a second lieutenant in one of our exclusive National Guard + regiments, and after marrying ‘Dearie,’ you would come over to Germany and + visit me at one of my castles on the Rhine. I would now have gambled away + my entire fortune, and my son, the Baron von Edestone, would marry + ‘Dearie’s’ daughter.” + </p> + <p> + So they passed the time with good-humoured chaffing, carefully avoiding + more serious subjects, and when they reached Berlin they had become fast + friends. + </p> + <p> + But as the train pulled into the German capital the Count leaned forward a + trifle persuasively. “Now, Mr. Edestone,” he said, “we have had a deuced + good time together, and to tell the truth I am sorry to turn you over + because I do not believe these old fellows on the General Staff will + understand you as I do, but don’t be an ass, I beg of you, and stand up + against these wise old chaps. Do what they want you to do—they know + better than you how to handle this complicated European situation. You + will get no thanks for your trouble if you do not, and you may get your + fingers rapped or even pretty severely pinched. My orders are to see you + to some comfortable hotel, any that you may select. I would suggest the + Hotel Adlon as perhaps the most comfortable. + </p> + <p> + “After that I am to take you to call on General von Lichtenstein, who will + hear what you have to say, and if in his judgment you should go higher he + will pass you on.” + </p> + <p> + “I am to see nothing more of you?” asked Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “My duty finishes when General von Lichtenstein takes you up. You will, of + course, be watched and your every movement will be recorded, but that will + not be my duty, nor here in Berlin will you be at all annoyed by it. Now + that you are in Germany, you will be looked upon as a friend and treated + accordingly, unless you are found not to be. I have given you my card, and + I will take great pleasure in introducing you at the clubs or helping you + in any way so long as it is consistent with my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “You are extremely kind, and I appreciate it very much, Count von + Hemelstein.” + </p> + <p> + “Now above all things,” warned the Count, and his tone was very + impressive, “if by any chance you should be ordered to appear before His + Imperial Majesty, please be careful what you say. You have said things to + me in the last two days which, understanding you as I do, I could + overlook, but I would no more think of repeating them while you are in + Germany than I would think of flying. They were not of a nature that would + make it my duty to report them, but they might get you into no end of + trouble. For instance, you would not be so foolish as to intimate that the + Hohenzollern family is not in the middle of the ‘big stream.’” He smiled + in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + Then as the train rolled into the station he took Edestone’s hand and + said: “<i>Auf wiedersehen</i>, my friend. I must now assume my other role + of your escort of honour. Speak German,” he suggested quickly as the + guards came into the car; “you will be less apt to be annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was conducted hastily through the station, where automobiles + waited to whisk him and his entire party off to the hotel. At his request, + the trunks containing all his apparatus were sent to the American Embassy. + He was not as familiar with Berlin as he was with the other capitals of + Europe, but if he had not known that Germany was engaged in a most + desperate war, and millions of her sons were being sacrificed, there was + nothing that he saw as he rushed through the city that would have + suggested it. + </p> + <p> + He was received at the hotel with extreme politeness, but it was the + politeness that was insulting. The proprietor, waiters, and even the + bell-boys treated him with poorly concealed contempt, and though he spoke + to them in perfect German, would always answer in English, as if to show + him that they knew he was of that despised race. + </p> + <p> + Count von Hemelstein left him with the understanding that he would call + for him in the morning and conduct him to General von Lichtenstein. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — GENERAL VON LICHTENSTEIN + </h2> + <p> + That afternoon, Edestone took occasion to call at the American Embassy, + where he found that Ambassador Gerard, broken down by the strain of the + first few months of the war, during which he had accomplished such + wonderful work, had been forced to go to Wiesbaden for a rest. + </p> + <p> + The Ambassador had left in charge Mr. William Jones, First Secretary of + Legation, who with his wife was occupying the Embassy and representing the + United States. The doctors had warned the Secretary that the Ambassador’s + condition was such that he must have absolute quiet, and that he should + under no circumstances be troubled or even communicated with in regard to + affairs of state. Jones was, therefore, to all intents and purposes the + Ambassador. + </p> + <p> + This suited Edestone’s plans perfectly, for Jones was only a few years + older than himself and he had known him intimately since boyhood. + </p> + <p> + His friend received him with almost the delight of a man who has been + marooned on a desert island and was pining for the sight of a friendly + face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, Jack,” he said, “what foolish thing is this that you are up + to now? We have received the most extraordinary instructions from the + State Department—I gather that the Secretary of State has either + lost his mind or that you have got him under a spell, and then with your + hypnotic power have suggested that he order us to do things which we could + not do in peace times and which are simply out of the question now. Don’t + you people over home understand that these Germans, from the Kaiser to the + lowest peasant, are all in such an exalted state of Anglophobia that they + regard everyone with distrust, and are especially suspicious of us. My + advice to you, as Lawrence would say,”—referring to one of his + under-secretaries, a college mate and intimate friend of Edestone’s,—“is + to ‘can that high-brow stuff’ and come down to earth.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, speaking for myself as your friend, I advise you to go and see + General von Lichtenstein, whom you will find a delightful old gentleman + but as wise as Solomon’s aunt. Talk to him like a sweet little boy, and + then come back to the Legation and stop with us while you see something of + the war. I can take you to within one hundred and fifty miles of the + firing line and show you the crack regiments of Germany looking as happy + and sleek as if they were merely out for one of the yearly manoeuvres. I + would have difficulty, though, in showing you any of the wounded, as they + are very careful to see that we are not offended by any of the horrors + that one reads of in the American papers.” + </p> + <p> + “Berlin is being forced to fiddle, eh, while Germany is burning?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she suggests the hysterical condition of Paris just before the Reign + of Terror, while I, like Benjamin Franklin, in ‘undertaker’s clothes’ in + the midst of barbaric splendour, wait for the inevitable.” + </p> + <p> + “Is your face, like his, ‘as well known as that of the moon’?” asked + Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but a thing to be insulted, not like his to be painted on the lids + of snuff-boxes, as souvenirs for kings. + </p> + <p> + “Or if that does not amuse you, Mrs. Jones can introduce you to some of + the prettiest girls you ever saw.” + </p> + <p> + “Big, strong, fat, and healthy, I suppose, with red faces looking as if + they had just been washed with soap and water.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then we might have some golf, and if you will give me half a + stroke, I will play you $5 a hole and $50 on the game. Or if that is too + rich for your blood, I will play you dollar Nassau. In fact, Jack, I will + do anything to get this foolish idea out of your head. These people can’t + see a joke at any time, but to try one now might put you into a very + serious if not dangerous position. Now you go along and see Lawrence, as I + have to look after some American refugees who are waiting in the outer + office. You will dine with us tonight, of course.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence Stuyvesant, to whom the Secretary had referred, appeared at the + door at that moment and beckoned to Edestone. He was one of those + irrepressible Americans, born with an absolute lack of respect for + anything that suggested convention, at home in any company and showing + absolutely no preference. He would be found joking with the stokers in the + engine room when he might be walking with the Admiral on the quarter-deck, + flirting with a deaf old Duchess when he might be supping with the leader + of the ballet. With a sense of humour that would have made his fortune on + the stage, he spoke half-a-dozen languages and a dozen dialects. He could + imitate the Kaiser or give a Yiddish dialect to a Chinaman. Light-hearted + to a fault, he would make a joke at anyone’s expense, preferably his own. + An entertaining chap, but a rolling stone that could roll up hill or skip + lightly over the surface of a placid lake with equal facility. He had + already run through two considerable fortunes, and had been almost + everything from a camel driver to a yacht’s captain. Now he imagined + himself to be a diplomat. + </p> + <p> + “Behold the dreamer cometh,” he said in Yiddish dialect as Edestone + approached, and grasping the inventor by both hands, dragged him into the + other room, and began to ask questions so fast that a Chicago reporter, + had he heard, would have died of sheer mortification. + </p> + <p> + After he had gotten all the information that he could pump, pull, and + squeeze out of Edestone, he shook his head discouragingly. + </p> + <p> + “I am darn glad to see you, old chap,” he said, “but I am sorry to hear + that you have come over to try and reason with this bunch of nuts. Don’t + you know they are so damn conceited that if you were to tell them that + every time you look at a German you see two men, they would believe you; + and then as if they hated to lie to themselves, they would say perhaps it + was an optical illusion. Tell them that God did not create anyone but the + Germans and that he left the rest of the world to the students in his + office, and they will give you a smile of assent.” Edestone smiled + indulgently. “Tell them that when the Kaiser frowns every wheel in the + United States stops and refuses to move until reassured by the German + papers that it is but the frown of an indulgent father and not the thunder + of their future War Lord, and they will give a knowing look. Tell them + that only German is taught in our public schools, and that any child who + does not double-cross himself at the mention of the name of any of the + North German Lloyd steamers is taken out and shot, and they will say, ‘Ach + so?’ + </p> + <p> + “But just you pull something about what a hit Brother Henry made in the + United States, especially with the navy, and what a swell chance he would + have of being elected Admiral when Dewey resigns, then look out! Get under + your umbrella and sit perfectly still until the storm passes. Keep well + down in the trenches and don’t expose anything that you do not want sent + to the cleaners. For when one of these Dutchmen begins to splutter, there + is nothing short of the U-29 that can stand the tidal wave of beer and + sauerkraut which has been lying in wait for some unsuspecting neutral in + their flabby jowls like nuts in a squirrel’s cheek. They back-fire, skip, + short-circuit, and finally blow up, and if you don’t throw on a bucket or + two of flattery quick, you’ve got a duel on your hands, which for an + American in this country means that you get it going and coming.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, knowing Lawrence well, took what he said largely as a joke; but + from his own observations and from what Jones had told him he felt + convinced that there did not exist the kindest feeling for Americans in + Berlin. Brushing all this aside, he turned to Lawrence with a businesslike + air: + </p> + <p> + “Where are the trunks that I sent to the Embassy?” he asked. “Have they + got here yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Down in the basement,” Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I’d like to get something out of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why look at me?” inquired Lawrence. “I’m no baggage smasher.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a pity you’re not,” rejoined Edestone. “You would be better at that + than you are at diplomacy. However, all I want is for you to have someone + show me where they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Fred, show the King of America where his royal impedimenta await his + royal pleasure,” Lawrence directed a young man with the manners of a + Bowery boy, who appeared in answer to his summons. + </p> + <p> + With him Edestone went down to the trunks and took from one of them a + small receiving instrument with a dial attachment similar to the one on + top of the Deionizer, which he had dropped into the Channel. Then after a + few words with his other friends in the Embassy, he went back to the + hotel. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Count von Hemelstein called, and it was quite like + meeting an old friend. Edestone was really sorry when, the Count leaving + him at the door of General Headquarters said: “This is where I turn you + over to my superiors. These are times that try men’s souls, and you are + now dealing with men who must win.” + </p> + <p> + They had arrived on the stroke of the hour, and Edestone was quickly taken + in charge and shown without a moment’s delay into the presence of General + von Lichtenstein. The General was a man whose age was impossible to tell. + He was over sixty, but how much over one found it hard to estimate. He was + erect and rather thin, and he wore his uniform with the care of a much + younger man. The lines about his mouth and chin, which are such a sure + index, were hidden by a full beard, white as snow and rather long. His + high forehead was half covered by a huge shock of hair, also perfectly + white, which was parted neatly on the side. His steel-blue eyes, looking + out through a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, were bright, but were set so + far back under his heavy brows that they looked very old, very wise, and + almost mysterious. + </p> + <p> + When Edestone was brought into the room without any form of introduction, + the General rose and greeted him in the most kind and fatherly manner. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Mr. Edestone,” he said in English with a marked accent. “I + am very glad to see you,” and, putting out his hand with an air of simple + kindness as if to lead him to a chair, he said: “Won’t you sit down, sir? + </p> + <p> + “You must not mind if I treat you like a boy,” he went on with a gentle + smile; “you are about the age of my own son who was killed at Ypres. I am + too old to fight any more, so they keep me here to entertain distinguished + strangers like yourself,” and he laughed quietly to himself, looking at + Edestone as he might at a little boy whom he had just told that he had on + a very pretty suit of clothes. + </p> + <p> + He picked up from his desk, a box of very large cigars, selected two, and, + after looking very carefully at one to see that it was absolutely perfect, + handed it without a word to Edestone. After he had watched with great + interest to see that Edestone had lighted his cigar properly, he lighted + his own. + </p> + <p> + “I see by the way you smoke that you are a good judge of tobacco. I have + always understood that you Americans like very fresh cigars and smoke them + immediately after they are made. I like them old myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You are thinking of Cuba, perhaps,” suggested Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is true,” admitted the old gentleman. “The Americans live in the + United States and you do not allow the other inhabitants of the hemisphere + to the north or to the south of you to use that name. You are perfectly + right; you are—what do you call it?—the boss,” and again he + smiled his gentle smile. + </p> + <p> + “I get all my cigars from England,” he continued. “The English and I have + very similar tastes—in cigars. I have a very old friend, Professor + Weibezhal, who lives in England, and he sends them over to me. I just + received these a few days ago. He is not having a very good time over + there now, he writes me. He can’t get what he wants to eat, and he says he + misses his German beer.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone could scarcely realize that he was sitting in General + Headquarters, the very heart of German militarism, talking to General von + Lichtenstein, the most powerful and astute man in all Europe. But for the + German accent and magnificent uniform it might have been in the Union Club + in New York, and he himself talking to a very nice, rather simple-minded + old gentleman, who was flattered by the attention of a younger man. + </p> + <p> + After the General had inquired about a friend of his who lived in America—he + said he did not know exactly where, not in New York, but some town near + there, Cincinnati or perhaps St. Louis. This struck Edestone as strange + when he thought of the springs on his father’s old place which were marked + on a German map that he had seen, although he himself did not know of + their existence, and he had spent his entire childhood roaming all over + it. + </p> + <p> + Finally, when he had told him one or two stories about an American woman + whom he had been quite fond of when he was a young man, the General said + in a most apologetic manner: + </p> + <p> + “Now I must not keep you. I suppose you would like to go out with some of + the younger officers and see something of this war, now that you are over + here. Or, by the way, it was about some discovery or invention you have + made that you called to see me, was it not? What is this invention, tell + me, and exactly what is it that you want the German Government to do? If + you will explain to me and I can understand, I will be glad to help you in + any way I can. Of course you know that I am a very small part of the + German Empire. I am, however, in a position to bring your wishes to those + who are above me and are all-powerful.” + </p> + <p> + Then, while Edestone explained to him everything in regard to his mission + except the actual construction of the Deionizer, the old General sat + quietly smoking, smiling occasionally and listening with the attention + that a man might show who was being told of an improvement in some machine + in which he had no personal interest but was glad to be enlightened, + although up to that time the matter had been something he had never + thought much about. + </p> + <p> + He would now and then say, “How very interesting!” “Can that be possible?” + “Is that so?” Not even when Edestone described the pictures shown to the + King of England did he manifest any feeling except that of kindly interest + in a most charming young man, who was taking a great deal of trouble to + explain his youthful hopes to a rather slow-thinking old one. + </p> + <p> + He allowed Edestone to talk on, not even interrupting him, to ask a single + question, and when the visitor had finished by expressing the hope that he + might be instrumental in bringing the war to a close, General von + Lichtenstein replied with apparent sincerity: + </p> + <p> + “I really see no reason why you should not. You are a brilliant inventor, + apparently a hard worker, and above all you seem willing to give your + talents to the world for the benefit of your fellow-men. The only thing + that you lack is age and experience. I am not an inventor, I cannot work + hard any more, and I am not known as a philanthropist, but I have age and + I have experience, so I think that you and I might make a good + combination. Leave this to me, and I think I can show you how all that you + wish to accomplish can be accomplished, if not exactly in your way, in a + way which I think you will agree with me is a better way. Whereas I should + not dare to speak for His Imperial Majesty, the Kaiser, I believe I am + perfectly safe in saying that he will see you and inspect your + photographs, drawings, and anything else that you may wish to show him. I + will see him and let you know when and where.” + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand on Edestone’s shoulder and walked with him as far as the + door. + </p> + <p> + “You are a fine young fellow,” he said with a hearty grasp of the hand as + he bade him goodbye, “and all you want is an old head on your broad young + shoulders. Let the old man help you, and everything will be all right.” + </p> + <p> + When Edestone was on the outside and thought over all that the General had + said, he would have been delighted with the turn things had taken had he + not been warned by Jones and did he not recall what Count von Hemelstein + had said. + </p> + <p> + Being so straightforward himself, he could not understand deceit in + others, and when he recalled the almost inspired expression on the kind + old gentleman’s face when he spoke of his son so recently killed in + battle, he could not bring himself to believe that this was the trained + diplomat of iron who covered with that gentle exterior a determination to + crush and kill anything that came between him and the accomplishment of + the great purpose, the great cause to which he had gladly sacrificed his + first-born and the heir to his name and title. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly noon, Greenwich time, now, so Edestone hurried back to his + hotel to receive from “Specs” the daily signal: “Awaiting orders. All is + well.” + </p> + <p> + With the forethought of a good general he wished to be prepared for any + emergency, and when the needle of the receiver, which he had taken from + the trunk at the Embassy, recorded the reassuring message, Edestone + thoroughly satisfied with the work of the morning returned to the Embassy + to keep his appointment with Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — HE INSTALLS HIS WIRELESS + </h2> + <p> + Lawrence was on the lookout for him when he arrived at the Embassy, and + conducted him at once to his own private quarters, where they could be + absolutely alone. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Lawrence,” said Edestone, when they had made themselves comfortable, + “I want your assistance. Are you game?” + </p> + <p> + “Well I ask you, you old simp! Did you not initiate me, in my freshman + year, in the Ki Ki Ki, and do you think that I have forgotten the oath + that I took while sitting with my naked back within a foot of a red-hot + stove, my fingers in a bucket of red ink, and you branding me with a lump + of ice?” He went through with some ridiculous gesticulations to prove the + honours that had been bestowed upon him. + </p> + <p> + “I know, old man, but this is no college boy performance. Before you + commit yourself I want you to understand that you are running great + danger. Besides, I don’t think that the Acting Ambassador would exactly + approve, as it might involve the United States. Desperate situations, + though, have to be met sometimes with desperate measures.” + </p> + <p> + “Yours is a noble heart, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and the child is safe + in the hands of Jack Hathaway, the Boy Scout. Go on, I listen. Your story + interests me strangely,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone paid no attention to this, but went on in the same manner: “I can + assure you that, except as a last resort, you will not be called on to do + anything that will be an actual violation of our neutrality, and not even + then until I have obtained the permission of the Secretary of the Embassy. + But from now on, Lawrence, you will be looked upon with great suspicion, + and you may have trouble explaining yourself out of a German prison, if + not from in front of a firing squad.” He eyed the younger man keenly as if + questioning whether or not he could rely upon him, and upon seeing this, + Lawrence altered his light tone and for once spoke soberly. + </p> + <p> + “Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, while + I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the level, so + what’s the use of saying anything more. I’m with you. What is it you + want?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, take me up on the roof,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Bo, is that all?” + </p> + <p> + “Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run for + your money, so for Heaven’s sake do be serious.” + </p> + <p> + The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, + and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the + elevator shaft, was unencumbered. + </p> + <p> + Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care. He + found as he expected a small free space over the machinery which was + entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of the + car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by climbing + over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly dark inside + and one could remain there for days without being discovered. + </p> + <p> + After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined the + tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were waving + from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the edge of the + roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at the city + below. He seemed to be establishing his bearings, but seeing one of the + soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Embassy, he stepped back + quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Come below,” he drew Lawrence back. “We must not be seen.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be some + real excitement, led the way back to his apartments. + </p> + <p> + “Little did I think,” said Edestone with a smile when they were once more + settled, “when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on board the + <i>Storm Queen</i>, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of the + information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument and + one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am calling + on you now.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” cried Lawrence. “I am the best little sparker that ever sent an S. + O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on my + back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as for a + catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of toast.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Edestone with a laugh; “as your references from your + last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my + trunks, did you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the one marked ‘Black,’ there is a small wireless instrument. + The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get + through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do not + know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be both of + but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they are + welcome. Still, on Jones’s account, I want them not to know that I am + sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this instrument + is in the Embassy. I want you to install it in the penthouse above the + drum, and I will assure you that if I ask you to send out my two messages, + it will not be until after Jones has given his consent. Do you think that + you can do this?” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence pondered for some moments. “Of course I can send the messages, + and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting the + Secretary know or keeping the damn German servants from catching on I + don’t quite see.” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any + person can run it by pushing the button. All you have to do then is to + unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have + adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of the + elevator car?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians in + America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you how. In + the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine——” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, come now!” said Lawrence. “I suppose you are going to tell me + next that you’ve got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are going + to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that’s no merry jest; we + haven’t seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Lawrence, I’m not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a + moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, + and I propose to give a show right here in the Embassy. I will ask the + Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I can + keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get Black, who + will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run him up to the + top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the rest, and all you + will have to do after that is to see that he gets down before I turn up + the lights, when your absence might be remarked. Isn’t that simple + enough?” + </p> + <p> + “But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time comes?” + asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages at + all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps it’s + just as well that you can’t get up there without my assistance.” + </p> + <p> + Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his + strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful + machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said: + </p> + <p> + “You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go ‘round, or + else you’d be sending messages off to a lot of girls. + </p> + <p> + “Now, make haste,” he directed, “send for the trunk marked ‘Black.’” + </p> + <p> + With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and Edestone + having tested Lawrence’s knowledge, and explained to him again exactly + what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for him to know + about the code that was to be used. + </p> + <p> + A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Ambassador, he wanted + to know what they had been up to. “Has Lawrence been giving you the + telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides,” he asked, “or + does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You know, Jack, + Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart army set. It + appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the military + governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he is teaching + the entire royal family the latest American dances.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you care to know what we have been up to,” said Edestone, “I + don’t mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little + moving-picture entertainment here at the Embassy. Have we your permission + to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for the people here in the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” consented Jones. “Go as far as you like. I myself will be + glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name of + common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way over + from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I suppose, of + course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, as long as it + doesn’t get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds off this war, I + haven’t any objection. When do you propose to have your show?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t exactly say as to that,” Edestone answered. “It all depends upon + Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date.” He looked + at the other conspirator with a questioning glance. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll have it tonight then,” said Lawrence. “I think I can get up my part + by that time.” He made significant faces at Edestone behind the + Secretary’s back. + </p> + <p> + “Tonight’s the night, eh?” said Jones with a smile. “Very well, we’ll all + be on hand.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days’ journey + shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings with his old + friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some of Mrs. Jones’s + young friends, who were delighted when they heard of the moving-picture + show. + </p> + <p> + Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, Lawrence + having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture machine, + Jones turned to his guest. + </p> + <p> + “I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon,” he said. “He + seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young man, and + will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes to present + you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will be in a few + days. When I told him that you had not told me what your invention was he + merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems to think that the + United States has something to do with sending you over here. He is a sly + old fox and I tell you to look out for him.” + </p> + <p> + He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating a + barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the + performance. + </p> + <p> + The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some scenes + from America which he had brought over to amuse the distinguished + audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures showing him + tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the servants, but + the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not hesitate to say + that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, travelling all around + the world with such silly things. + </p> + <p> + But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to him + that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the penthouse, + and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour longer the work + would be finished. + </p> + <p> + Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, taking + tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some especially fine + pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little nervous though as + he found his supply of films running short, but at that moment he spied + Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal “All is well.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him + something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I am purposely keeping you out of this, William,” he said, “for if I get + into trouble I don’t want to drag you and the Missus in with me.” + </p> + <p> + Then with the promise that he would move around to the Embassy in the + morning, he left for his hotel. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. — KAFFEE KLATSCH + </h2> + <p> + Edestone had now been at the Embassy for about a week and was wondering + what would be the next move on the part of the German General Staff. + </p> + <p> + He knew that General von Lichtenstein was not waiting for the return of + the Emperor, for he was in Berlin. In fact he had seen him driving past + the Embassy in his big automobile with the General. Edestone was just + coming out, and although he was not certain, he thought that the General + had recognized him, for he leaned over and spoke to the Emperor, who + looked straight at the American. + </p> + <p> + He had heard nothing, but from what the different officers at the clubs + had dropped, he was confident that he had not been forgotten. These had + all received him with great show of cordiality, and among Count von + Hemelstein’s friends there had sprung up a certain friendliness, which he + knew was due to the Count’s influence. The Count himself, on the other + hand, seemed now to be a little bit ill at ease when in his presence. He + said to Edestone one night after he had been drinking quite heavily: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, it is a great pity that you have come over here and mixed + up in our troubles. It is too late now, however; you could not get out if + you tried,” and then with a sneer, “not even if you called to your + assistance Princess Wilhelmina, who seems to take so much interest in + you.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone decided that the German General Staff were preparing their answer + to the new condition that had been brought about by his invention, and + that they were waiting for additional information before delivering it. He + knew that they must realize that some action must be taken, but with the + forethought for which they were so celebrated they were preparing the way. + When they had satisfied themselves that they were in possession of all of + the facts that could be gotten without his assistance, and had looked at + these from every possible standpoint, he would be sent for, and not until + then. + </p> + <p> + Several days after his sight of the Emperor, Edestone, in passing through + the halls of the Embassy, was approached by one of the German servants, + who in a rather mysterious manner handed him a note, which read as + follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Dear Mr. Edestone: Please have Mr. Stuyvesant bring you to tea + on Tuesday afternoon. It is a matter of the greatest importance. + I must see you. + + “PRINCESS WILHELMINA.” + </pre> + <p> + He knew that Princess Wilhelmina was in Berlin. Lawrence had seen her at + the house of Princess Adolph, and in his joking way had said that she had + inquired very particularly after the American inventor, and that Count von + Hemelstein, who thought he was the “candy kid,” was very jealous. + </p> + <p> + But why had she sent for him? he thought. When he spoke to Lawrence, he in + his usual jocular manner exclaimed: “Ah, so now you are to have Kaffee + Klatsch with the Princess. I told you so. The lady is in love with you, + and the Emperor is going to offer you her hand in marriage after he has + bestowed on you an Iron Cross in return for one of your quack medicines.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who declined to take any notice of this, thoughtfully said: “Can + it be possible that she also is a traitor? She cannot imagine for one + moment that she will be able to accomplish what her father was unable to + do, but God gives women confidence in themselves to compensate them for + the fact that nobody else has.” With an impatient gesture, “No, no, + Lawrence, that is impossible! That sweet little child!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Lawrence, “so little Willie Westinghouse has fallen for the + baby stare?” + </p> + <p> + “You are absurd, Lawrence,” said Edestone with a rather embarrassed + expression. “It is perfectly clear. She feels deeply her father’s + disgrace, and perhaps she thinks that I might do something to help her to + exonerate him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence, “I don’t think there is any satisfaction in being a + hero in Berlin while being locked up in the Tower in London like her + father, but you are the limit. You talk as quietly of using your influence + for a Prince of the Royal Blood with the King of England as if she were + asking you to get her brother a position on the New York police force. God + certainly gave you confidence in yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing very strange about that,” replied Edestone. “As I + understand it, the only thing that they have against the Duke of + Windthorst is that he was dining with Rebener and myself, and were I to + state that at no time during the dinner had he shown any disloyalty to his + King and country, it might do a little good. But whatever it is, we will + go and see this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + About half-past five they were driven to the handsome residence occupied + by Princess Adolph when in Berlin. + </p> + <p> + They were immediately shown into a large and beautiful room in the style + of Louis XVI., which had evidently been designed and executed by a French + artist. It was free from the brutal touch which the Germans show in their + attempt at the refinement of the French Renaissance of that period. + </p> + <p> + They were received by Princess Adolph, a very striking young woman, who + shocked all of Berlin by affecting French clothes, French language, and a + French mode of life. She was surrounded by some of the dashing young + officers of the very exclusive army set. These glared through their + monocles when the Americans were announced and did not try to hide their + annoyance. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, without taking the slightest notice of these “Knights of the + Butchered Face,” as he called them, with his usual careless and frivolous + manner, went over to the Princess and immediately began to shower upon her + in the most effusive manner compliment after compliment, which she + received with laughter. She rather prided herself on shocking Berlin by + pretending to be tremendously interested in this wild young American. + </p> + <p> + The Princess turned to Edestone and extended her hand. He had hesitated; + he resented the manner of her young gallants, and feared that they might, + with their usual rudeness to Americans in the presence of women, put him + into an embarrassing position. Smiling she said: + </p> + <p> + “I welcome you, Mr. Edestone, as the greatest lion of them all in this den + of lions,” and with a reproving frown she waved her hand at the officers + who were so poorly hiding their annoyance. + </p> + <p> + She then turned to Princess Wilhelmina, who was seated behind a large + table and was pouring out a cup of coffee, which she continued to do when + she saw Edestone until it was called to her attention that the cup was + full as well as the saucer. + </p> + <p> + “Billy,” she nodded, “you and Mr. Edestone are old friends. Give him a cup + of tea; I know he does not like <i>Kaffee und Schlagsahne</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The little Princess, who was very much embarrassed, extended her hand, + which Edestone took and seated himself beside her. + </p> + <p> + This scene might have been enacted in an English country house if it had + not been so entirely different. The Germans, in their effort to affect + certain charming English customs and Germanize them, in the process lose + the charm. Tea time for the Englishman is the hour of relaxation after a + day in the open, when he can in his easy clothes receive the homage of the + ladies in their beautiful tea-gowns. Whereas here, these men in their + tight-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms, were attitudinizing and + indulging in that military form of gallantry, which may be picturesque but + certainly looks most uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + The entrance of the Americans had thrown a chill upon the entire company. + The officers simply refused to open their mouths, and sat glaring at the + two intruders. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, after having made several attempts to relieve the situation, + relapsed into silence. The feeble efforts of the Princess Wilhelmina but + added to the atmosphere of restraint which she was unable to dispel. + </p> + <p> + Princess Adolph up to this time had been entirely monopolized by Lawrence, + but catching an appealing look from her English cousin, came to the rescue + at last. She was apparently in the secret, and in a most natural manner + called upon Princess Wilhelmina to show Mr. Edestone her new French + garden, which she said had been laid out by a young American studying at + the École des Beaux Arts. + </p> + <p> + Princess Billy, who by this time was in such a state of excitement that + she could scarcely get up from where she was sitting, and as if to + postpone as long as possible the meeting which she had brought upon + herself, managed to say: + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think that Mr. Edestone is interested in such simple things as + flowers,” but catching the glance that was thrown at her by Princess + Adolph she continued with a nervous little laugh: “Come, Mr. Edestone, I + hope I shall be able to explain everything to you properly.” + </p> + <p> + When the timid little figure led the way and was followed by that of the + big man with his dignified bearing, one might almost imagine that it was + an indulgent father taking his very frightened little daughter out to give + her a lecture. + </p> + <p> + When they were on the outside and alone, as she stopped and grasped the + balcony to support herself she said, looking up into his face with eyes in + which tears were gathering: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Edestone, I don’t know what to say! I don’t know what you will + think of me. I know you hate all of us and especially me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don’t say that, Princess!” interrupted Edestone, moved to pity for + the poor little child who seemed to him, as he looked down into her sweet + little face, almost young enough to have been his own daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes you do; I know you do! But I am not what you think I am,” and in a + very hurried manner, looking about her, she continued, lowering her voice: + “I am no traitor to my country, and I know that what my father did he did + because he believed it was his duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Princess Wilhelmina!” said Edestone, as if to stop her on this most + disagreeable subject. + </p> + <p> + “Please do not call me Princess in that sarcastic manner. I hate being a + Princess! I know you hate all of our class, and believe that we are all as + heartless as we are sometimes forced to appear. But it is not of that that + I wish to speak. My sole object in sending for you is to tell you that I + know you are in great danger, and to beg—I mean advise—you to + leave Berlin at once. I know that you believe I am working for them, and + in fact I could not have arranged this interview unless I had left them + under the impression that I was, but I don’t care. Please go before it is + too late.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who at first thought that she might have been playing a part, + was now convinced of her sincerity. “My dear little Princess Billy,” he + said, leaning over and with great effort resisting his inclination to take + her hand, “is that why you sent for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she blushed and smiled when he used the familiar form of address, + “I have heard that you were going to be killed, and I was determined to + warn you, so I pretended to be working for them. Now please go before it + is too late.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Princess, why did you take all of this risk for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know; but I must show you the garden. I hope that you won’t + think I am very forward.” + </p> + <p> + She then hurriedly passed into the garden and gave him in a very rapid and + disconnected manner a description of the different plants, fountains, + statues, etc. She hurried back into the drawing-room, but just before + reaching the other group, she said in an undertone: + </p> + <p> + “Now, won’t you promise me that you will leave Berlin at once?” + </p> + <p> + Before he had time to answer they were joined by Princess Adolph. + </p> + <p> + The Americans remained for a few moments and then took their leave. The + little Princess, as she put her icy cold hand in his, gave him an + appealing look. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. — THE TWO-WHEELED MYSTERY + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary came in with a very grave face one morning after having had + a long talk with the German Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Jack,” he said, “I think the German Government intends to + declare war on us, and I would not be a bit surprised if she proposes to + strike first and declare afterwards. Their newspapers, and they are all + inspired by the Government, you know, are working up a strong + anti-American feeling, and this I think is done in order that when they do + strike the Government may have the entire country back of it. Have you + noticed, too, that they are constantly increasing the guard around the + Embassy, which is either to save us or to catch us? Is it possible that + your nonsense has got anything to do with all this? By Jove, Jack, I think + it is about time that you told me what you are up to.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone considered for a moment. “When you tell me that you are + absolutely certain that they are going to strike, I will tell you, + William, and not before. You know enough now, however, to realize that + those soldiers outside are to catch and not protect. It is me that they + want, though, and not you. Your position is perfectly safe and + unassailable so long as you do not know too much.” + </p> + <p> + That ended the discussion for the time, but Lawrence came in one night in + a state of great excitement. He had just seen some woman who, he rather + intimated, was a little bit fond of him, and who was also very closely + connected with certain high officials. She had told him, he said, + apparently joking although he knew she was in earnest, that she hoped her + pretty boy would not mix up with this man Edestone, or he might get into + trouble too. + </p> + <p> + “‘They are only allowing us to stay in Berlin,’ she said, ‘until they get + you, Jack,’” declared Lawrence, “and then we will have to go, the whole + lot of us.” + </p> + <p> + In the meantime things were going from bad to worse. The Secretary was + getting more and more anxious. Reports of all kinds kept coming in from + all sides. Americans were being insulted in the street. The officers at + the clubs were a little more arrogant in their studied politeness toward + Edestone and his associates, the younger officers even taunting Lawrence + with having to leave his girl in Berlin and go back to cow-punching. + </p> + <p> + Finally one of the papers reported that the entire American fleet was + collecting at Hampton Roads, that all the German boats in New York had + been dismantled by force, and broadly suggested that the Yankees were + about to strike first and apologize afterward. + </p> + <p> + However, there came a slight rift in the clouds. Coming back one morning + after a conference with the Chancellor, Jones was all smiles. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we are all right for a little while at least,” he announced. “The + Chancellor has just informed me that the Emperor has decided to see you, + Edestone, and he wishes to inspect here, at the Embassy, anything that you + may like to show him. The Chancellor intimated that it would depend + entirely upon your attitude on this occasion whether or not your mission + to Europe was a failure or a brilliant success.” + </p> + <p> + “And when is he coming?” asked Edestone quickly. + </p> + <p> + Jones grinned. “With his usual impetuosity, he has selected tonight, and + will pay the Embassy a formal call at nine o’clock, after the celebration + at the Palace in honour of the birthday of one of the Royal princes.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone was delighted with the prospect of some action at last, but he + had long since lost all hope of an amicable settlement. They had waited + too long. He felt that they were preparing to strike, and should they do + so it made him sick to think of the awful consequences. He was almost + tempted to tell Jones of the wireless instrument in the penthouse and his + daily communications with “Specs,” but he remembered that he had no right + to involve him as a representative of the United States, and that, as the + matter stood, he and Lawrence were the only culprits. + </p> + <p> + He did not care to destroy the roseate hopes of the Secretary after his + conference with the Chancellor, and contented himself with saying: + “William, I hope that you are right, but I have an impression that we are + in for it. I am prepared to meet any game that they may play, but I do + sincerely hope that I shall not be forced to it.” + </p> + <p> + By seven o’clock that evening the streets for blocks around the Embassy + were filled with soldiers, and Edestone smiled when looking from the + window he noticed that the Germans were bringing up anti-aircraft guns. + </p> + <p> + “They are taking no chances,” he thought to himself, his curiosity aroused + as he noticed several large mortars being brought up and so placed that + each battery of four could throw their shells in parallel lines over the + Embassy to the north, south, east, and west. This struck him as very + strange, but he became even more interested when he perceived that besides + the ordinary ammunition wagon each gun was provided with a trailer that + looked like a big wheel or drum on a two-wheeled carriage, although it was + so carefully covered over that he could not make out exactly what it was. + </p> + <p> + “I have got to find out what those things are,” said Edestone to himself, + and taking his hat and cane, he left the Embassy as if for a short stroll + before dinner. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers took no notice of him as he sauntered along, and allowed him + to inspect everything at his will until he approached the strange-looking + mortars. Then he was stopped by a young officer, who told him in a very + polite but firm tone that he would have to pass on and could not go by + that way, at the same time showing him where he could walk around the + block. + </p> + <p> + “I would give a good deal to know what those things are,” muttered + Edestone to himself. “In fact, I must know before the night is over.” + </p> + <p> + He went back into the house, after strolling about for a quarter of an + hour, and for the first time since he had left the Little Place in the + Country, he became really anxious. + </p> + <p> + “These are wonderful people. They evidently are satisfied now that they + have the answer, and who knows but they may have. All may yet be lost.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down and drove his brain as he had never driven it before. He + wondered if he could get the Secretary to demand what all this preparation + meant, and what these new death-dealing instruments might be that were + threatening the Embassy of the United States; but that was useless, he + knew. They would reply that it was to protect the Emperor, or would simply + refuse to answer, or answering would lie. + </p> + <p> + After waiting until it was time to dress for dinner, in a fit of + desperation he sent for Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “have you seen those mortars out there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence, “I did. They take no chances with the ‘Big + Noise.’” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t joke, Lawrence. This is serious; very serious. Did you notice those + two-wheeled wagons that are so carefully covered with canvas just behind + each of the mortars?” + </p> + <p> + “No, to tell you the truth, I did not. They have so many travelling soup + wagons and ice plants that I don’t pay any attention to those things any + more.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Lawrence, I’ve got to know what they are tonight in order that I + may be prepared; otherwise we may find ourselves in a very serious + situation, and what is much more important, my whole life’s work may be + absolutely lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, since you put it that way,” said Lawrence with a broad grin, “I will + step out and in my most polite Deutsch inquire.” + </p> + <p> + “They will not let you get within a block of them. Do you think it will be + possible to persuade one of the German servants to find out from the + soldiers? I would pay any price.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will dress myself like the cook and go out and flirt with one of + the soldiers for $2. I’m a little badly off for money myself just about + this time.” + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, you must stop joking. I tell you, something must be done.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave me think, leave me think,” said the irrepressible. “<i>Donnerwetter</i>, + I have it! What time does the Hohenzollern Glee Club arrive?” + </p> + <p> + “At nine o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + “And you come on immediately after the ‘First Part,’ succeeding which I + suppose Lohengrin will sing his Duck Ditty, while the Boy Scout, dressed + as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, after biting the triggers off all the guns, and + pulling his wig well down over his eyes”—imitating the action—“will + sally forth into the limpid limelights, and after he has been shot once in + the face by a 16-inch howitzer and has been played upon in the rear by a + battery of machine guns, he will limp on with the regular limp of the old + Virginia servant and die at your feet, but not until I have whispered + their secret into the heel of your boot.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone had known Lawrence long enough to understand that all of this + nonsense meant that his really bright mind was working, and that he had + some definite plan in view. The best way to handle him, he had found out, + was to let his exuberance of spirit have free swing, so he replied in the + same melodramatic manner: “Good, my faithful District Messenger Boy. Now + in what way can I assist you in your wonderful scheme?” + </p> + <p> + “Leave all to me, Lord Reginald Bolingbroke, and before the clock on yon + ‘back drop’ strikes eight bells, you will know what is hidden beneath + these veils of mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “I can depend upon you,” Edestone eyed him searchingly, “and no mistake?” + </p> + <p> + “On the life of me mother who lies dead beneath the sacred soil of dear + old Idaho!” With a wave of an imaginary sword, and jumping astride an + imaginary stick horse, he saluted and galloped from the room, singing + “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what that dare-devil is up to,” thought Edestone. Nevertheless + he believed that Lawrence would accomplish his purpose. + </p> + <p> + Presently his attention was attracted by the beams of a searchlight + crossing the window, and looking out he saw those great white arms + stretching up from every part of the city. + </p> + <p> + “They expect me to show my teeth tonight,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The distant tapping of drums showed that troops were moving in all parts + of Berlin, and they were beginning to form in the streets below. It was + easy to see by which route the Emperor was coming, or at least by which + route he wished the people to think he was going to arrive. + </p> + <p> + Edestone dressed hurriedly, although James seemed to think that something + extra should be done. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, sir,” he pleaded in an accent which would have meant + imprisonment for him if heard on the streets outside, “but these here + barbarians likes a bit of colour, sir. I understands as how the Emperor + calls the Ambassador the ‘undertaker,’ sir, and it’s all on account, sir, + of his not a-having any lace on his coat, sir. Don’t you think you might + wear some of your Colonial Society medals and decorations, sir?” and he + tried hard to hide his contempt for these American signs of alleged + aristocracy. “There is some as is bright in colour, sir, and he wouldn’t + know, sir, but as how you is a duke in America, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “None of that nonsense, James, unless,” he said with a quizzical look, + “you give me the copy of the Golden Fleece, which shows that I am a member + in good standing of the South Chicago Aero Club.” + </p> + <p> + “Not that one, sir,” protested James, “if you will pardon me, sir, I think + it is a bit large, sir, for the waistcoat opening, sir. I think, sir, that + the Order of the Cincinnati is very neat, sir. It is very much like one of + the Greek Orders, I don’t recall which, sir, but Lord Knott wore it once, + I recall, sir, when the King of Greece was in London, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “No, James,” Edestone shook his head. “My father was a blacksmith, and I + would not like to deceive the Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + “How you do like your little joke, sir,” said James, putting his hand to + his mouth. “Won’t you just use that button, sir, instead of a buttonhole? + It ain’t so frivolous like, sir, begging your pardon, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh well, yes; just to keep you quiet.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + And Edestone left the room. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. — DER KAISER + </h2> + <p> + Downstairs, the household was in a state of suppressed excitement. The + German men servants, without the usual protection of a brilliant uniform, + looked as if they would like to drop everything and hide themselves in the + coal cellar. The maids were almost on the verge of tears. Mrs. Jones, with + all the jewelry on that she possessed, was moving about with a flushed + face seeing that everything was in order. + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven’s sake, hurry up, Jack,” she said. “We must have a short + dinner and be ready when the Emperor arrives. As for myself, I never can + touch anything for hours before I meet him. He scares me almost out of my + wits.” + </p> + <p> + Her husband was walking up and down with the expression of a man who is + the speaker of the evening, watching the waiters serving coffee and + passing cigars. The only persons who seemed perfectly at their ease were + Lawrence and his Bowery boy valet, Fred, who were holding a very serious + conversation in the corner of the hall. + </p> + <p> + Dinner, it must be confessed, was very like the gathering of the distant + relatives the night before the funeral of the rich old maid of the family. + Lawrence’s jokes were either not heard or were received with sad-eyed + contortions of the face that were less like a smile than the premonition + of a sneeze. The strain was so great that as they were having their coffee + a sudden clatter in the street came as an immense relief. + </p> + <p> + The air was instantly filled with the subdued noise of the different + members of the household taking their various places. The Acting + Ambassador and Mrs. Jones went out of the dining-room and took a position + near the door of the large reception room, leaving Edestone and Lawrence + alone. They had previously explained to Edestone what he must do when they + notified him that it was time for him to come in and be presented. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said when the servants had all gone, “won’t you tell me + what you have decided on? I am rather curious to know your plan.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who had grown quite serious for him, came around from his place + and lighting a cigarette sat down close to him. + </p> + <p> + “You know Prince Fritz Funk?” he leaned over to whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” continued Lawrence, “I’m supposed to look something like him. I am + just his height. He has, as you know, certain striking mannerisms, which + when he is drinking are accentuated. I have all last year been amusing the + officers at the clubs by giving imitations of him, and they do say I am + better than he is himself. + </p> + <p> + “Now all the soldiers stationed in and about Berlin know Fritzie’s + peculiarities, so I propose to impersonate him tonight while he is in here + drinking the Ambassador’s champagne. My man is to get his helmet, ‘<i>avec + le grand panache</i>,’ and his long gray-blue military cape, and with my + riding boots and spurs and a sword, I shall be able to fool those boobs + out there; that is, if they don’t throw on me one of those damned spot + lights. If they do, G-o-o-d-n-i-g-h-t! Then I can only say that I am doing + it on a bet. But I hardly think that would save me in these times. The + least I could expect would be a term in prison for insulting the uniform. + I will go down in history as ‘Little Boy Blue up in the air.’” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a big risk you’re taking,” frowned Edestone, “and were there any + other way I would not allow you to do this. But if you do succeed, you + will go down in history in a way you could never dream. Lawrence, if you + get back safely with this information, I will make you a present of + $1,000,000.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence looked at his friend as if he thought that he had lost his mind, + but when he saw the look of determination on Edestone’s strong face, which + seemed to have aged within the hour, and when he felt the grip of his + powerful hand, he knew that he meant every word he said. + </p> + <p> + “By God, old man,” he said with a little break in his voice, “you should + be the Emperor instead of his nibs out there.” + </p> + <p> + “I may be yet,” said Edestone smiling, and a look came on his face that + Lawrence had never seen there before. + </p> + <p> + The servants were moving quietly about the room, but it was plain to see + that they felt the presence of the Lord’s Anointed. Through the house + could be heard the clatter of many swords and the tramping of booted heels + along the marble hall. It sent a thrill through Edestone that he would + have had difficulty to explain. It was like the echo of some far distant + past seeming to recall to life a sleeping spirit, which with great + exultation was throwing off the fetters of its long slumbers. He seemed to + be impelled by an almost irresistible force to rush into their midst and + take his rightful position at their head. + </p> + <p> + He was recalled to himself by the sudden silence that had fallen on the + entire house, as though some great army had been halted and was standing + at rigid attention. Then he heard the silvery tinkle and metallic clink of + sabre and spurs as of a single figure striding with military precision + over the softest of carpets, and he could picture that majestic form + advancing well in front of his glittering escort as they stood in + breathless silence while he made his dramatic entrance. + </p> + <p> + Then the silence was broken by a voice which said slowly and distinctly: + “His Imperial Majesty.” An almost simultaneous click followed as if all + had come to a salute and were waiting for the sign to relax and from + automatons become human beings again. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was all alone in the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + The servants had left the room after removing the table decorations, + covering it with a dark cloth and setting a large bowl of flowers in the + centre; and Lawrence had gone out quietly on hearing the noise in the + hall. + </p> + <p> + And so he sat, this young man in a strange land, thousands of miles away + from his home, waiting to be called to a death struggle, without help from + anyone, with the most powerful, arrogant, and relentless man on the face + of the earth, an adversary surrounded by the most perfect fighting machine + yet devised by man, with all the confidence, that tradition, success, and + a brilliant mind could give. An Emperor with the sublime dignity of his + position which he sincerely believed he held by Divine Right, and who had + always lived surrounded by an atmosphere of absolute submission to his + will. + </p> + <p> + Yet Edestone was not afraid. He was not even nervous. He was merely + anxious to be up and doing. This show of force, those mysterious + two-wheeled wagons, had roused his fighting blood. So assured was he of + his own sincerity in his efforts for the good of all that he resented the + attitude which they had taken. He knew they would try to get his invention + peaceably, if possible, but would stop at nothing if they failed, and he + expected some overt act of violence tonight that would mean war with the + United States. + </p> + <p> + So when he was called by one of the under-secretaries of the Embassy he + went with little charity in his heart, but with head erect and + determination shown in his every movement, bearing on his face, which + seemed to have grown very hard, a look that left no doubt of the + fearlessness of the spirit that was behind it. + </p> + <p> + He was taken in at one end of the large room that vibrated with light and + colour. Around three sides of it was banked the most brilliant array of + uniforms that he had ever seen. There were white-headed generals ablaze + with decorations and medals; there were young princes with simple uniforms + and with but one handsome decoration to show their distinguished rank. + There were Cuirassiers and Uhlans, and now and then he could pick out the + sombre black and silver uniforms of the celebrated Death’s-Head Hussars. + </p> + <p> + But the one figure which dominated all and held his attention was that of + the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + He stood in the centre of the room with the Secretary and General von + Lichtenstein, Mrs. Jones having retired as soon as she had received her + distinguished guest. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of medium height but with a bearing which made him appear + larger than he really was. He was dressed in the wonderful white uniform + of the Garde du Corps, which carried with it the celebrated silver eagle + helmet. + </p> + <p> + As this figure dominated and held the centre of this brilliant picture, so + his face drew the attention from his magnificent uniform and held it as + with a magnetic power. It was handsome, intelligent, strong, but above all + it was commanding. There was little kindness but there was a merry twinkle + in his sharp blue eyes which showed a human side and was most attractive. + </p> + <p> + These eyes could change, however, and when he saw Edestone and they were + met by his perfectly fearless but respectful glance, they seemed to try by + force to penetrate his very soul. + </p> + <p> + Edestone advanced alone until he came to within a few paces of the central + group, and then stopped, standing with one knee slightly bent, his right + hand held lightly in front of his body, which was inclined in a graceful + and easy attitude of reverence, while his other hand hung naturally at his + side. + </p> + <p> + After his first quick glance, Edestone dropped his eyes to about the + Emperor’s knees and held them there until the Secretary, with a slight + gesture, called him to his side. The young man then straightened up and + went slowly to the Ambassador’s left, and there stood perfectly erect + looking straight at the Emperor, while Jones with some show of + embarrassment was saying: + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty, may I present Mr. John Fulton Edestone, of New York.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor, with the hearty and easy manner which he always assumes with + those he has been told are distinguished Americans and with that quizzical + expression in his sharp eyes which, though attractive, is described as + most disconcerting, replied. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, in a loud voice, “your fame has gone before you, + and we are always glad to welcome distinguished men of science in Berlin, + which we think is the centre of science and culture. Your name, that of a + great lighthouse and suggesting the greatest of your inventions, electric + lights, convinces me that you were born to blaze the way for us,” and he + laughed, in which he was joined heartily by his well-trained courtiers, + who knew that nothing pleased him more than to appreciate his little jokes + of which he was so fond. + </p> + <p> + With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn by + Edestone, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a greater + claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor’s rank?” + </p> + <p> + “He was a general, Your Majesty,” replied Edestone with a firmness that + seemed to attract and slightly offend him. + </p> + <p> + He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him + that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. + “General von Lichtenstein tells me,” his face brightening up again, “that + you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great service + to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had expected this + cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those grasping English. He + tells me that you have motion pictures of this invention in actual war + practice, which the representative of the American Ambassador has so + kindly invited me here to see.” + </p> + <p> + Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: “I thank you, + Mr. Secretary.” Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather a + sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: “I will gladly see your + pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I will, + if I like it, buy your invention at a good price.” + </p> + <p> + And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to + applaud his every sentiment, he said: “Germany expects and is able to pay + large prices for American goods now.” And then, as if to cut short any + possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his back + upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: “Where are these + pictures?” + </p> + <p> + “In the next room,” replied the Secretary, “and if you please, Mr. + Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone,” he said, “has + everything been arranged?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly calm + exterior. + </p> + <p> + The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into another + room where Black had installed the apparatus. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing up + the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his place + in front of the screen when his attention was called by General von + Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of + speaking to him apart from the others. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, drawing him aside, “one would think that you had + spent your entire life among us,” and with a quizzical smile he added: “I + think you rather astonished the Kaiser by your <i>sang-froid</i>. I have + seen men of the highest rank stand speechless in his presence, while you + are as finished as a courtier of the Grand Monarque and as cool as the + Iron Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + “I admit,” he said in his fatherly manner, “I had no authority from you to + do so, but thought it best to leave upon the Emperor the impression that + you would sell your invention. Had I not done so he certainly would have + demanded the reasons for your presence in Berlin, and had I dared to + suggest that you had been sent by the United States to coerce him he would + have been thrown into such a rage that he might have declared war on your + country, which I understand is the last thing that you want.” + </p> + <p> + “I regret that you did this, General von Lichtenstein, if I may be + pardoned for seeming to criticize a statesman of your experience and + distinction; for I do not intend to sell and my country has not sent me to + coerce. I have come instead to appeal to your reason, after showing you + the uselessness of continuing this loss of life in the face of the great + power in the hands of those who know the secret of my invention and intend + to put a stop to it.” + </p> + <p> + A cloud seemed to pass over the General’s face, but he soon recovered his + bland, almost Oriental smile. + </p> + <p> + “But, Mr. Edestone, you seem to forget that whereas others <i>may</i> have + the secret, we know that you certainly have it, and you are still our most + honoured guest in Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + “Where I am also the guest of my own country, so long as the Acting + Ambassador is so kind as to allow me to remain under his roof and our + flag,” replied Edestone pointedly, intending if possible to force the + General’s hand. + </p> + <p> + In this he failed as the old man only smiled through his glasses. + </p> + <p> + “A great statesman was lost when you turned inventor, Mr. Edestone,” he + said in a most complimentary tone. “But come, I fear His Majesty waits.” + And then changing his manner, he said with a knowing wink: + </p> + <p> + “Here is a note which Princess Wilhelmina asked me to deliver to you. She + seems to be very much interested. Can it be possible that you are raising + your eyes to a Princess of the Blood? + </p> + <p> + “Still, stranger things than that have happened,” he half mused, “and His + Imperial Majesty is always glad to recognize talent and reward it in a + befitting manner.” + </p> + <p> + They went into the other room where the Emperor sat waiting. Evidently + impatient that Edestone was not at his position of parlour entertainer in + front of the screen with his pointer in hand as soon as the Imperial eye + should deign to be cast in that direction, he rose with exaggerated + politeness when the American appeared and said in a most sarcastic manner: + “Must the whole world wait while inventors dream?” + </p> + <p> + Then sitting down he added in a harsh and irritable tone: “With your very + kind assistance, Mr. Edestone, we will now inspect these much talked of + pictures.” + </p> + <p> + There was a silence in the room that was like a gasp of horror, and the + company all standing looked as if they expected to see Edestone sink to + the floor with mortification; that is, all except Jones, who slow-moving + had only gotten half-way to his feet when the Kaiser sat down, and who now + dropped back into his chair with a quizzical little smile playing about + the corners of his mouth. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone, with the respectful manner of a grown man answering his + father, who still looked upon him as a boy, and who had reproved him + unjustly, said with an indulgent smile that bore no trace of resentment: + </p> + <p> + “I beg that Your Majesty will forgive me, but I was held prisoner by + General von Lichtenstein, and not until I waved the Stars and Stripes + would he let me go.” + </p> + <p> + The General hurried over to the Emperor. “Pardon me, Sire,” he said, for + he saw that the Emperor would fly into one of his fits of rage and might + upset all of their well-laid plans if something was not quickly done to + quiet him. “Pardon me, Sire, it was my fault. I did not know that I was + keeping Your Majesty waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on with the pictures,” said the Emperor, with an impatient gesture of + his enormous right hand, and he sat glaring at the screen as the lights + went out. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. — THE MASQUERADER + </h2> + <p> + Lawrence waited until the room was dark and then slipped out unnoticed. He + would have liked to remain and see the rest of Edestone’s most interesting + pictures which had started off with those taken in Newfoundland and + included a series not shown at Buckingham Palace. But he had an exciting + task before him. The idea of posing as a Royal Prince in the magnificent + uniform of the Imperial Hussars with nodding plumes and flowing military + cape, his coat-of-arms emblazoned on his left shoulder, appealed to his + dramatic instincts, as did the danger to his passion for adventure. + </p> + <p> + He was brave, but unlike Edestone his was the bravery of an unthinking + recklessness rather than that of a perfectly balanced mind which, + contemptuous of the body that carries it, forces that body to do its + bidding. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Edestone had offered him an unheard of reward had made + little impression, going in one ear and out of the other. He would accept + it as lightly as it had been offered because he himself would have made + exactly the same offer under the same circumstances. Whenever he wanted + anything he paid the price, even if it took his last cent. It was no + incentive to action now, as he would have gladly paid for the privilege of + playing this big part in this wonderful melodrama—a melodrama which + he was prepared at any time to see change into a tragedy, with him the + dead hero. + </p> + <p> + He found that his Bowery boy Fred, under the pretext that it was customary + in the best New York “high society,” had bullied the German flunkeys into + bringing all of the officers’ helmets and cloaks upstairs and laying them + out on a bed in one of the chambers on the second floor, from which place + it was easy for him to smuggle all he wanted into Lawrence’s room. + Lawrence found him there waiting to help him “make up.” + </p> + <p> + Turning up the collar of his dress coat so as to hide his white shirt + front, the masquerader buckled on the sabre that Fred handed to him. + Without changing his trousers he put on his riding boots and spurs, which + with the busby and cloak, a pair of white kid gloves, and a small blond + moustache completed his disguise. Standing thus in the middle of the room + with the door open, he waited until Fred signalled that the coast was + clear. He then stepped quickly across the hall and into the elevator, + closely followed by Fred, who closed the door. When they were perfectly + safe from interruption, he adjusted his costume and his false moustache to + his entire satisfaction, pinning the cloak securely together with large + safety pins to prevent it from flying open. Then as the elevator passed + the main floor on its way to the basement, he made a gesture of derision. + </p> + <p> + Fred got out of the car and again carefully reconnoitred. Finding that the + passage leading to the garden was clear and that there was no one in the + billiard room, which was between the elevator and the outside door, he + signalled and Lawrence walked out into the garden at the side of the + Embassy. + </p> + <p> + It was quite dark there, but not dark enough to prevent the soldiers, who + were stationed about to watch this door, from seeing him as he stood + perfectly still as if hesitating which way to turn. + </p> + <p> + Observing that he was an officer, they saluted and stood at attention. + Then as he moved forward and they saw the insignia on his cloak they + signalled in some mysterious manner to the next post, who in turn passed + it down the line that Royalty was at large and that they must be careful + not to be caught napping. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, as Lawrence emerged from the semi-darkness and came around to + the front of the Embassy, every soldier was standing at attention and the + different officers, after looking searchingly but most respectfully at him + to satisfy themselves who he was, stepped back and allowed him to pass, + while they stood like pieces of stone. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence did not deign even to notice them, but, reeling unsteadily in his + gait, passed them without even acknowledging their salute. + </p> + <p> + His presence having been reported to the Captain who had charge of the + company that was stationed in the street immediately in front of the + Embassy, this officer hastened up to him. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything that you require, Your Royal Highness?” he saluted. + Lawrence, carrying out his pretence of intoxication, gave a perfect + imitation of the Prince when in that condition. + </p> + <p> + “I am making a tour of inspection to see that everything is all right,” he + said thickly. + </p> + <p> + The Captain saw his condition and showed an inclination to follow him, but + Lawrence waved his hand with what was intended to be a regal gesture, + although in fact it seemed to throw him almost off his balance. + </p> + <p> + The Captain stepped back most respectfully and saluted, but smiled as he + followed with his eyes the young Prince. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence strutted quickly but unsteadily until he came to within about a + hundred yards of the mortars, where a sentry challenged him. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but my orders are to permit no one to + pass. If you will allow me, I will call the Corporal of the Guard, who + will send for the Captain.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence interrupted him by bellowing: + </p> + <p> + “Get out of my way, you stupid blockhead, or I’ll kick you out of my way! + I have not time to wait for the lot of fools that you all are.” + </p> + <p> + Then as the man did not move he gave him a tremendous upper-cut, catching + his chin with the base of his open hand and sending his head back and + lifting him off his feet. He fell sprawling about ten feet away against an + iron railing, where he lay perfectly still with a nasty cut in the back of + his head. + </p> + <p> + The Captain, who had been slowly following to see that nothing happened to + his Royal charge, ran up quickly and, ordering another soldier to take the + place of the fallen sentry, had the wounded man hurried quickly out of + sight. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Lawrence was strolling along, without even looking back at + the poor fellow where he lay. + </p> + <p> + “I caught him just right,” he muttered with a touch of compunction. “I + hope I did not hurt him badly.” + </p> + <p> + When he finally came to the mortars with the mysterious two-wheeled wagons + attached to them, he walked around from one to the other, as if he were + making a careful inspection to see that everything was all right. It was + impossible for him even now to make out what was hidden under the canvas + covers. One thing he could see, however, and that was, that from under + each there ran a carefully insulated electric cable to the nearest fire + hydrant where it was carefully attached. + </p> + <p> + After inspecting all four, Lawrence turned around and went back to the + second wagon, the cover of which he had noticed was not on exactly + straight. He hoped to be able to see what was underneath, but he found + that the cover was strapped down so tightly that he could get no inkling. + </p> + <p> + During all this time the officers and men were standing at attention in + their proper places, although they followed him with their eyes, an amused + expression on their faces. + </p> + <p> + Finding that it was impossible for him to discover anything while the + covers remained on the wagons, he bellowed in a loud and commanding voice, + not forgetting to imitate Royalty in its cups: + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant!” + </p> + <p> + And to the young officer who ran up to him he said: + </p> + <p> + “Why is not that cover on straight? Did you not receive orders that these—” + and as Lawrence had not the slightest idea what “these” were, he + substituted a loud hiccough for the unknown name, and contented himself + with pointing with an unsteady hand. “Did you not understand these had to + be perfectly concealed? Now that one is not perfectly concealed, for I can + see perfectly what it is, so take that cover off and put it on straight. + And be quick about it or I will report you for untidiness.” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant, who was one of the very young recruits now officering the + German Army, feeling overpowered by the presence of Royalty, had given the + order, and the men were unstrapping the cover when the Captain came up. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing there?” he demanded. Then turning sharply to the young + Lieutenant he said in the most brutal manner: + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you know that the orders are not to take these covers off, not + until the very last minute, not until everything else has been tried and + has failed to bring her down.” + </p> + <p> + “But His Royal Highness,” stammered the younger officer, “has ordered this + cover off because it is not on straight.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Your Royal Highness,” expostulated the Captain, although in the most + deferential manner, “don’t you think that this cover is on straight + enough?” + </p> + <p> + “What! Do you mean to contradict me?” Lawrence almost screamed. “I say + that the cover is not on straight, and I have ordered this fool to take it + off and put it on straight, perfectly straight.” + </p> + <p> + “But that is impossible,” said the Captain, warily keeping out of reach of + His Royal Highness’s fists. “The orders are that these covers are not to + come off until the American flying machine makes its appearance, and if it + does not appear, the covers are not to come off at all. These are the + orders of the General Staff, and Your Royal Highness must realize that + they have to be obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence with the persistency of a drunken man, talking at + the top of his voice, “if you do not put that cover on straight I will + report you, and you will be court-martialled for insulting a Prince of the + Blood.” + </p> + <p> + All the while he kept swaying as if he were about to fall. + </p> + <p> + Straightening himself up with much difficulty and assuming a drunken + dignity he started to go away; but as if he were unable to free his + intoxicated mind from the one idea that obsessed it, he turned and changed + his tone to a persuasive one. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t insist that you take the cover off,” he laughed, “I only insist + that it be straightened, because you can see as well as I that it is not + on perfectly straight, and your orders were to put these covers on + straight, perfectly straight.” + </p> + <p> + The Captain, now thoroughly amused, and deciding that the best way was to + humour him, thought, since his orders were only not to remove, that he + would be able to satisfy the Prince without directly disobeying his + instructions. He therefore ordered the men to unstrap the cover and pull + it around. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence seemed entirely satisfied with this, and took such interest in + seeing that the cover was adjusted to exactly the right position, that he + leaned over and took hold of it himself, as if to give his help. As he did + so he gave a lurch, and grabbing at the cover as if to save himself, he + went down in a heap with it on top of him. + </p> + <p> + The men helped him quickly to his feet and as quickly readjusted the + cover, but not before he had seen that the drum-shaped objects were in + fact great wooden spools on which were wound thousands and thousands of + yards of large copper wire. + </p> + <p> + Having seen all that he wanted, he now turned his attention towards + getting back to the Embassy, so taking the Captain’s arm, and seeming + either to have lost all interest or to have been overcome by his fall, + made his way along. He swung and lurched so that it was with difficulty + the officer kept him on his feet. + </p> + <p> + Then when they arrived at the front steps and the Captain was assisting + him up, Lawrence, as if suddenly awaking from sleep, stopped. + </p> + <p> + “I am too dirty to go in by the front door,” he protested, “I will go in + by the garden. I am much obliged to you, Captain; don’t come any farther.” + </p> + <p> + Then laughing and shaking his finger in the Captain’s face, he said in a + tone of exultation: “I got that cover on straight, anyhow—perfectly + straight.” + </p> + <p> + Swaying as he rounded the corner of the house, he went in through the side + door, where he found Fred waiting for him, who pulled off his boots and + gave him his pumps. + </p> + <p> + He took off his busby, and handed it to Fred, unpinned the long military + cloak, unbuckled his sword, turned down the collar of his evening coat, + and “Richard was himself again.” + </p> + <p> + Stepping into the elevator and letting himself off at the main floor, he + went hurriedly into the room where Edestone was still showing his + pictures, while Fred, after brushing and cleaning the royal paraphernalia, + put them back in their place. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence moved quickly over to the cabinet where Mr. Black was working the + machine and stepped inside. “I must speak to Mr. Edestone,” he whispered. + “Can’t you stop the machine as if something had gone wrong? Then Mr. + Edestone will come back here and see what is the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Not on your life!” Black shook his head violently. “The Emperor now is in + a perfect fury. He and Mr. Edestone have had one or two ‘set-tos,’ and Mr. + Edestone is beginning to put it back at him pretty strong, and if anything + should happen to the machine I think it would end in a fight. I rather + wish we were back in New York. If it is necessary for you to speak to Mr. + Edestone before the lights go up, this reel that I am running off now will + take just about eight minutes more, so if you will slip quietly back of + the screen you can whisper to him from there without attracting much + attention. I will make a little extra noise to help you out.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence worked his way unobtrusively through the room, and standing just + to the side of the screen in a dark corner, called in a low voice: + </p> + <p> + “Jack, can I speak to you?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had been deeply concerned about him, felt that a load was + lifted from his mind when he heard the dare-devil’s voice. He knew at + least that Lawrence was back safely, and he was confident that he would + not have come back without the information until he had made a good fight + for it. So as everything was quiet on the outside he was reassured. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence very quickly explained to him exactly what he had seen, and + Edestone, squeezing his arm, said quietly: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! That is their little game!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. — TWO REMARKABLE MEN + </h2> + <p> + When the lights finally went up and the entertainment ended, perhaps the + most surprised, almost dumbfounded, man in the room was Jones. He now had + his first insight into the stupendous amount of work that had been done by + his friend, and was completely overcome by the seriousness of the + situation. He understood at last many things which had been lost on him + before, as for instance the insinuating remarks of the Chancellor at their + various conferences and why he had suspected the Secretary of lying to + him. + </p> + <p> + Jones wondered also if his own Government had purposely kept the Embassy + in the dark as to its relationship with Edestone. Not knowing the + whereabouts or even the ownership of this frightful instrument of war, he + was at a loss to know what he should say when certain pointed questions + which were inevitable were put to him. + </p> + <p> + He realized now for the first time that the German General Staff was at + work and would stop at nothing either to obtain the use of this great + monster of the air or, by seizing Edestone himself, control its movements; + that is, if Edestone and not the United States were operating it. + </p> + <p> + He could not blind himself to the air of confidence that pervaded the + entire company, composed as it was of the highest men in the German + Government, and this led him to believe that they knew Edestone held the + key of the situation, and as long as they held him they occupied the + strongest position. + </p> + <p> + But why, he could not help asking himself, had Edestone been such a fool + as to put himself so completely in their power. Still, being a very astute + man, and having the greatest confidence in his old friend, who he knew + would do the straight thing in a strong position and the wise thing if he + found himself in a weak one, he awaited developments. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had walked over to the Secretary of Legation, leaned down + and said in a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear: + </p> + <p> + “Will you please say to His Imperial Majesty that if there is any question + he would like to put to me, or if he would care to have me repeat any of + the pictures, I should appreciate the great honour.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor, who was just waking up to the fact that he had in this young + American a very strong and clever man to deal with, was to a certain + extent at a loss to decide just how he would treat him. + </p> + <p> + Without waiting to have the request conveyed to him in due form, and + speaking directly to Edestone he said in an affable voice: + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see again the picture showing the working of the + bomb-dropping device, and I would like to have the film stopped exactly at + the moment that the projectile leaves the tube. I wish to examine the + action of the ejector.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be most happy,” replied Edestone, “to run that film again very + slowly and repeat it as often as Your Majesty may desire. I can also run + it backward very slowly, but I cannot stop the machine that I am using + tonight without ruining the film, and I am quite sure,” he bowed most + respectfully, “that Your Majesty will not wish me to do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop that machine as I order you to do, and ruin the film if it is + necessary!” said the Emperor in his most commanding tone. + </p> + <p> + At last Edestone had the chance he had been looking for. He knew that he + was perfectly in his rights, and if he refused and the Emperor still + insisted upon his most unjust demand, it would open the eyes of his + country’s representative to the situation and the true attitude of the + German authorities. Besides, he was incensed at the wanton destruction of + other people’s property to satisfy the whims of this absolute monarch. + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot do that, and for state reasons + that it is impossible for me to explain.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor turned perfectly livid. His face was painful to look at. He + tried vainly to speak, but could not. It was plain that he was labouring + under an emotion greater than his physical condition could stand. His + mouth worked and each hair of his moustache seemed to stand on end, giving + to his trembling lips an almost ghastly expression. He was seized with a + violent fit of coughing which on account of the weak condition of his + throat caused his doctor, without whom he rarely moved, to step forward, + as if alarmed, to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + General von Lichtenstein leaned over as if to restrain him and whispered + something in his ear, but this seemed only to infuriate him the more, and + he waved his Councillor aside. + </p> + <p> + The Acting Ambassador, a lawyer of ability, felt strongly the justice of + Edestone’s position in defending his property rights, and had he been + sitting on the bench instead of on the edge of a raging volcano would have + ruled in his favour. As it was, he watched with intense interest this + contest between these two remarkable men. + </p> + <p> + When the Emperor had recovered sufficiently to speak, in a way that showed + his uncontrollable rage was battling with an inherited physical weakness, + his voice, starting in a whisper, rose and broke, and, in his violent + efforts to control the convulsive spasms of his throat, turned into a + scream. + </p> + <p> + “Show that film!” he shouted, “and stop it where I command or I will + confiscate everything you have and throw you into prison.” + </p> + <p> + At this Jones rose quickly to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes, and + he was about to speak, but General von Lichtenstein rushed over and + stopped him. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty is beside himself,” he urged in a low voice. “He does not + mean what he says. When he is himself again he will regret the indignity + that he has offered your country and will make reparation.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor had also arisen and was standing in the midst of as furious + and warlike a looking lot of men as had ever grouped themselves around his + wild barbaric ancestors, ready to pile their dead bodies about their + master and give the last drop of blood for his protection. + </p> + <p> + They looked as if they approved and only waited for the word to rush in + and avenge the insult to their beloved lord, and while waiting for this + word they stood and glared at Edestone with a look of absolute contempt + and undying hatred. + </p> + <p> + “Well, which shall it be?” said the Emperor, in a voice which was more + under control but none the less determined. “Will you stop your film?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who all this time had stood perfectly still looking at the + Emperor with eyes out of which had gone every vestige of deference and + respect, showed in every feature a fixed and determined but absolutely + cool defiance. The only time that his face had changed or his position + altered since he last spoke was when the Emperor was apparently suffering, + and then it had taken on an expression of deep pity and sincere sympathy + and he too had made a step forward as if to render assistance. + </p> + <p> + This had quickly changed, however, when his glance caught the look of + hatred that was riveted upon him. Declining even to glance at the Emperor, + he addressed himself directly to the Secretary of Legation, speaking in a + perfectly clear voice, which was a relief after the Emperor’s painful and + rasping efforts. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Secretary,” he said slowly, “I resent the insult to you, and through + you to our country, which you represent, but if I thought that by + complying with the unjust demands which the Emperor of Germany has seen + fit to make I could prevent war between the United States and his country, + I naturally would comply. When I see, however, that the Emperor of Germany + refuses to respect the rights of an American citizen in the house of his + Ambassador, I realize that the destruction of my film will not save the + situation.” He turned to the Emperor. “I regret that I cannot comply with + your commands. The matter is now between our two Governments.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor laid his hand upon his sword and made a movement as though he + intended to strike, at which every sword in the room flashed from its + scabbard, save only that of old von Lichtenstein, who pressing forward + laid a dissuasive hand on the Emperor’s arm. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t let him draw you on,” he whispered to his master; “this may be some + trick.” Then to the rest he said in a contemptuous tone: “Don’t make fools + of yourselves and make Germany ridiculous.” + </p> + <p> + The Emperor turned to the Secretary. “Sir,” he said in a voice trembling + with agitation, “you have heard the insult that has been offered to my + Imperial person, and if you do not deliver this man over to my police, I + shall at twelve o’clock tomorrow night declare war against the United + States of America, and until that time”—threateningly—“I shall + hold you personally responsible for him.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly + twenty-five minutes past eleven o’clock, a proceeding which almost caused + the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once more held in + check by General von Lichtenstein. + </p> + <p> + “I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty,” he declared. + </p> + <p> + The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor’s last attack. “I + shall report to my Government all that has passed,” he replied, “and + exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I receive + an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty.” He finished, and stood + waiting as if to force the Emperor’s immediate departure. + </p> + <p> + Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of + their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the Emperor + and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the slightest further + notice of Edestone. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. — ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE + </h2> + <p> + The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and + Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the + return of General von Lichtenstein was announced. + </p> + <p> + The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He greeted + the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “you needed my old head on your young shoulders + badly tonight. I have returned to have a talk with the Acting Ambassador, + and I think that if he can prevail upon you to be reasonable I may be able + to settle this little difficulty between you and His Imperial Majesty, the + Emperor. If you will only lead us into some smaller room, Mr. Secretary, + we can sit down and over our cigars discuss this matter quietly.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that my machine—” began Edestone, but he was quickly + interrupted by the General. + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut, that is nothing at all. That was simply two young men losing + their tempers, and ought to be soon settled. One being an Emperor makes it + a little more difficult, I will admit, but I have seen Emperors angry + before and they are just like any of us. They cool off when they realize + that they have,” and he lowered his voice with a quizzical look, “been a + little bit foolish.” + </p> + <p> + When they were all comfortably seated around the table in the library of + the Embassy, and the General and Edestone had lighted cigars, while Jones, + who never smoked, looked on, the old General, statesman, philosopher, and + writer opened the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “We have now come to the last hand in this game which we have been + playing,” he said, “and I think it would be just as well for all cards to + be laid on the table.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone looked at him in surprise, for instead of the simple, smiling old + gentleman, with the soft gentle voice and fatherly manner, he saw a + crafty, dangerous, and determined man of steel. His voice was cold and + harsh, his winning smile had gone. He had come to fight and to fight + desperately to the finish. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place,” he continued, “we do not know exactly what is the + relationship between you,” looking at Edestone, “and the United States of + America,” with a wave of his hand toward Jones, “and as there can now be + no reason for further concealment, since we are virtually on the verge of + a declaration of war—a step which I am here to prevent if possible—I + will say that it makes no difference to His Imperial Majesty’s Government + what that relationship may be, so long as Germany gets the use of Mr. + Edestone’s invention. But we will declare war upon the United States + tomorrow night unless we get an assurance from you that we shall have the + exclusive right to the one and only flying machine in which this invention + has been installed.” + </p> + <p> + At this Jones looked over at Edestone with a glance of inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Edestone in answer to this, “there is only one.” + </p> + <p> + “Germany understands, of course,” proceeded the General, “that the United + States will construct others, but so will Germany. Germany is willing and + prepared to pay well for this, although she knows that by holding Mr. + Edestone she controls this machine and could have it without paying for + it. We admit that we do not know where it is, but we are confident that + Mr. Edestone does,”—he turned upon Edestone the look of a wild beast + who has his prey and loves to torture it,—“and we intend that he + shall communicate with the commander and see that this ship is sent to + some place where we can take possession of it.” + </p> + <p> + And then with a grim smile he leaned forward on the table, looking first + at the Secretary and then at Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You are both virtually prisoners in this Embassy,” he said. “That is my + hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we are now at war,” said the Secretary with a quiet smile. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied the General, “it has not come to that yet. And it does not + necessarily have to come to that. We should be able to arrange this matter + here tonight. As I have said, Germany will pay well. She is willing to + start on even terms with the United States, who can build just as fast as + we can. Germany will bring this war to an end within a week, and then she + and the United States can come to an agreement as to how they will divide + up the rest of the earth.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone smiled and made no answer. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary said: “I can do nothing until I have communicated with my + Government.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” said the General impatiently, “but we cannot wait until we + get an answer from your very slow and inefficient State Department. We + must have a reply before tomorrow night at 12 o’clock. Have you nothing to + say, Mr. Edestone? You are perhaps personally the most deeply interested, + because I tell you,” he grinned cruelly, “we will get your secret if we + have to put you on the rack and go back five centuries in the eyes of the + rest of the world, should it be necessary to do that in order to give it + the blessings that can only be gotten under German rule. I ask you again, + have you nothing to say?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, General,” replied Edestone. + </p> + <p> + He was slowly blowing rings of smoke, seeming almost to fascinate the + General, who would often stop speaking to follow them with his eyes until + they broke or were lost in the darkness in the corners of the room. This + was an old trick of his to divert the attention of his adversary, therein + improving on Bismarck who always used his cigar to gain time when driven + to a corner. + </p> + <p> + “That is your final answer?” said the General. + </p> + <p> + “My final answer,” Edestone bowed. + </p> + <p> + “And you, Mr. Secretary?” + </p> + <p> + “I am but the mouthpiece of my Government, and she has not spoken yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, gentlemen,” said the General rising, “I think we understand each + other.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” replied Edestone. “Good-night, sir.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary accompanied the visitor out into the hall, leaving Edestone, + who as soon as he was alone rang for a servant and sent for Lawrence. In + the meantime he just had opportunity to glance at the note which General + von Lichtenstein had given him. It was a mere scrap of writing asking him + to come to the Princess Wilhelmina immediately after the departure of His + Imperial Majesty. + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came in he hastily slipped this into his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “I want you to send a message for me as soon as Jones + has given his consent. I will ask him in regard to it as soon as he + returns, so you had better wait and hear what he has to say.” + </p> + <p> + A moment later the Secretary came into the room with a very worried + expression on his face. “Edestone,” he said impressively, “this + undoubtedly means war.” + </p> + <p> + “And if so,” rejoined Edestone, “we will win.” + </p> + <p> + He then explained to Jones how he was in daily communication with “Specs” + and was now only waiting for the Secretary’s consent to send for him and + he could have him over Berlin in seven hours. He also explained to him + about the instrument that was in the penthouse on the roof of the Embassy. + </p> + <p> + “But what do you propose to do, Jack?” frowned the Secretary. “Do you + intend to fight these people single-handed and thereby drag your country + into a cruel and disastrous war? That seems to me to be unnecessary.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I propose to save you and the members of the Embassy from a very + disagreeable experience and from what may develop into a very dangerous + situation; for I am convinced that these Germans will not hesitate to fire + upon the Embassy if you do not deliver me up to them. The only hope of + stopping war without loss of life is through me and my invention. I + therefore ask your permission to send the following message,” and he + handed the Secretary a scrap of paper upon which he had written: + </p> + <p> + “Be exactly over American Embassy Berlin tomorrow night at nine o’clock. + Take station at 5000 feet and there await instructions. + </p> + <h3> + “E.” + </h3> + <p> + The Secretary took the paper and read it through twice very slowly. + </p> + <p> + “I fear,” he said with a sigh, “that is the only way.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. — WHERE IS IT? + </h2> + <p> + The Secretary left the room after practically turning the entire matter + over to Edestone. He feared that the time had come to show force. The + Germans, in what they felt might be a desperate strait, had thrown to the + wind caution, tradition, and the usages of civilized warfare. They were + preparing some desperate move which he felt that he was powerless to stop. + Diplomacy with them now was as useless as pure logic on a charging + elephant. + </p> + <p> + How they expected to stand against Edestone and his diabolical mystery of + the air, he could not comprehend, but he had lived long enough with this + nation to know them. Simple, kind, and lovable in their ordinary lives, + they were nevertheless, on the subject of war, individually and + collectively mad and they were ready to die fighting. + </p> + <p> + Whereas any sane man could see that their fight with Edestone was + hopeless, they with their absolute confidence and conceit were preparing + to pit themselves against him and some unknown secret of nature. While he, + with his discovery, was apparently in a position to let loose upon their + defenceless city an engine of destruction too terrible to think of. + Edestone, like the pilot who has come aboard the ocean liner, had now + taken entire charge. + </p> + <p> + The first thing was to get off this message, so he sat down to work out + the cipher known only to himself and “Specs.” He said to Lawrence: + </p> + <p> + “My initials J. F. E. are the call which must be repeated three times, + then twice, and then finally once. This must all be repeated with one + minute intervals until answered by the single letter ‘E,’ which will be + repeated eight times, once for every letter in my name, and after an + interval of five minutes, once again only. + </p> + <p> + “After you have satisfied yourself that you are in touch with Mr. Page, my + head man, ‘Specs,’ I call him, send him this.” He handed Lawrence one word + of twenty-two letters, or rather twenty-two letters which he had + apparently taken indiscriminately from a small pocket dictionary. “Have + him repeat, and see that there is no mistake,” and continuing, he said: + “We are certainly being watched by the German servants; the condition of + my trunks shows that, so the first thing to do is to get them out of the + way. Call them all down into the ballroom, and say that I wish to speak to + them. See that everyone is there, and if there is a single one missing, + search the house from garret to cellar until you find them all. I will + give them a little talk which will give you and Black time to get off this + message. I will, incidentally, show them that I propose to put up with no + nonsense whatever.” + </p> + <p> + As Lawrence was leaving the room he said to him with a jolly laugh: “Oh, + by the way, how does it feel to be rich again? I have been so occupied + with other things that I have not had time to thank and congratulate you + on your splendid work. What a fine story it will make when we get back to + New York, which will be very soon, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + When the servants came in he first gave them a little insight into the + real state of affairs from a standpoint that they had never known. He then + explained to them that the Embassy was practically in a state of siege, + and that he was in command, and that if he heard of any one of them having + any communication whatever with anyone on the outside, he would treat them + in the way that he had treated the people in the pictures which he had + shown them, only he would put them out of the window and they would keep + going up and up and never come down again. So when Lawrence returned and + signalled that he might let them go, a more thoroughly scared set of + domestics never waited on the word of “Ivan the Terrible.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Bo,” said Lawrence as he threw himself into a comfortable chair, + after slopping whisky and water all over the tablecloth and dropping a + large piece of ice on the floor which he kicked violently at the + retreating servant at whom he had bellowed, giving a perfect imitation of + a Prussian officer in a public restaurant when American ladies are + present, “this has certainly been ‘some day.’ Will you please be so kind + as to put me wise on a few of your dates? + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, who was the ‘wise guy’ who rushed out from nowhere + and swallowed up my J. F. E. like an old trout from under a bank who had + never seen a Silver Doctor before? Where is he? How is he to get here, and + what is he going to do when he does?” + </p> + <p> + Edestone quietly finished the lighting of his cigar, and after he was + thoroughly satisfied that this was perfectly done and it was going to draw + to his entire satisfaction, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, now that you are to be my fellow-partner in crime, and Jones is our + associate, I will tell you. Do you remember the summer way back in the + 90’s that you and I spent in Switzerland mountain climbing?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, perfectly,” said Lawrence, “but that was a long time ago. We were + nothing but kids then.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember that you, kid-like, insisted upon going over a very + flimsy-looking snow bridge, simply because the old guide told us that he + had never seen that crevasse bridged before, and that the tradition down + in Chamonix was that it had only been bridged once or twice in the memory + of man? + </p> + <p> + “And do you remember,” went on Edestone, “that at first he refused to go, + saying that if it broke after we got over, there was no possible way of + our getting back?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” acknowledged Lawrence, “the old ‘chump,’ and I remember that we + went over and got back all right, and those guides are talking about it + yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, do you remember,” continued Edestone, “that when we scrambled up + over the next rock ridge we looked into a regular bowl-shaped valley that + had the appearance of a crater of an extinct volcano?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ‘Specs’ is there in that valley, where perhaps no human being has + ever been before. I sent him there for that reason. He has been there for + the last two months and a half, unknown to anyone on the face of the earth + and thoroughly protected from the storms that sweep over that portion of + the French Alps.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll be damned,” said Lawrence. “Is ‘Specs’ the skipper of that + pretty little toy you were showing on the screen?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Captain Lee is the skipper,” laughed Edestone. “Dear old ‘Specs’ is + my boss. He is the Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, for the love of Mike,” exploded Lawrence. “What a swell chance + those mortars out there with their long distance telephone attachments + will have with that Queen of the Milky Way. You don’t mean to say that he + is coming over here with his forty thousand tons and float around up there + five thousand feet above the Embassy?” he exclaimed as he looked up at the + ceiling with a look of alarm, as if he expected to see it come crushing + down on him at any moment. And jumping out of his chair he ran about the + room, making the most ridiculous gestures, crying: “Air, I want air!” + while Edestone laughed until the tears rolled down his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “But say, Bo,” said Lawrence, “there is nothing to it. What do you suppose + those crazy Dutchmen are thinking about? Why I thought that sky pirate + belonged to the United States, and was now probably tied to a dock in some + mud flat, with a crew of two brass polishers and a Sunday School teacher, + while the Virginia creeper and the North Carolina milkweed twined about it + to make nests for the Dove of Peace.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Edestone, “it is what you have just called it, a Sky Pirate, + and I am the buccaneer.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the Emperor know that when he got so gay with you tonight?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “No, he does not know that, but he knows everything else.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what is his game?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone, after thinking for a while, “as far as I can make + it out it is this: They do not want to kill me; they are using me to bait + the trap with which they hope to catch the ‘Queen of the Milky Way,’ as + you call her. They will take her dead, now that they cannot get her alive, + and they hope to be able to put new life into her after they have taken + all life out with the ‘long distance telephone attachments,’ as you call + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is he so certain that you will not drop bombs on his city?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” replied Edestone, “unless he knows that I am more of a + gentleman than he is. Or perhaps he thinks that I will not allow any + damage to be done until I am safely on board, which may or may not be + perfectly true.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Tu as raison, mon vieux</i>,” shrugged Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “They will do nothing to me until they are certain that they are going to + lose me. They want me alive, but would rather have me dead than in the + hands of the other fellow. Now do you understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly,” replied Lawrence, pretending to look very wise. “What do + you mean about taking her dead if they can’t get her alive, and what have + those wires got to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean by taking her alive,” said Edestone, “buying her from whoever she + belongs to, and keeping me here to show them how to run her. And when I + spoke of taking her dead, I had forgotten that you had not heard what I + said tonight while showing the pictures. I will explain this to you + sometime when we get on board and we have more time, but you will + understand enough when I tell you this.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence listened attentively as Edestone continued. + </p> + <p> + “They know that she floats by virtue of an instrument that I have; they + know that she will not float if brought in contact with the earth or if + connected with it by means of some electrical conductor. They propose to + establish an electrical connexion between her and the ground by throwing + those wires over her with mortars, just as the life-saving men throw a + life-line to a ship in distress.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was why they were so carefully connected with the water main,” + interrupted Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Edestone, “and when they get her down they will expect me + with my instrument to float her off again.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you think of their chances of pulling this off?” asked + Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Edestone thoughtfully, “their chances are small, but you + can never tell what these very resourceful people may do. They are buoyed + up by a hopefulness that is almost uncanny and they can’t all be crazy!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. — THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR STATIONS + </h2> + <p> + Edestone and Lawrence sat quietly for a few minutes, Lawrence watching him + with a merry twinkle in his eye while Edestone was unconsciously fingering + the note that General von Lichtenstein had given him. Finally he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’m off for bed. I have a hard day before me tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you are, you old fox!” said his companion. “I’m on to you. There is + something up, and you can’t hide it from me. You have been sitting there + fingering that note from—well, I guess I can pretty well call you, + because your lady friends in Berlin are limited—with the silliest + expression I have ever seen on your face. Now, out with it! You had better + get it off your chest by telling your troubles to papa.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone put the note quickly into his pocket, and was about to force + through his bluff when Lawrence stopped him by saying: + </p> + <p> + “You can trust me, old man; now out with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Edestone in an embarrassed tone, “General von Lichtenstein + did give me a note from Princess Wilhelmina,” showing it to Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” Lawrence said, “what do you propose to do? If you are + going to take a chance for the pleasure of seeing a beautiful woman, I am + with you heart and soul; but if you are taking a chance because you + believe she is sincerely in distress and calling on you, an American here + in Berlin, when she’s got all of those becorseted Johnnies around her, you + had better allow me to advise you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am perfectly willing to take a chance,” cried Edestone in an angry + tone, “if you choose to call it that, because I have absolute confidence + in her.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, Jack, I think you are beginning to get a little bit soft on the + Princess. You may be all right when it comes to straight electricity, but + I think you will admit that I have had more experience in this kind of + animal magnetism than you. She is certainly a snappy little induction + coil.” + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, please don’t,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you don’t know perfectly well, Jack, that General von Lichtenstein + would not have delivered that note from a Princess of the house of + Windthorst to you, a low-born American plebeian, unless it was part of + their scheme. Why it’s as much as his life is worth, if it is as you + believe it to be,” and he gave Edestone a knowing look. + </p> + <p> + “Now, cut that out, Lawrence,” said Edestone in a decided tone. “Do not + think for one moment that I have any illusions as far as that young lady + is concerned. She is evidently in trouble of some kind, and the fact that + she is so young offsets that of her being a Princess.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence shrugged his shoulders, and occupied himself smoking while + Edestone continued: + </p> + <p> + “I think that General von Lichtenstein thinks she is working for them, but + I am just fool enough to think that she is not. In fact, I know she is + not, but even if she were, I would like to show those people that I will + not allow them to sacrifice her dignity and compromise herself in her own + eyes even for them, so I am going, if for no other reason than to keep her + from doing something which she may some day deeply regret. I’m off. If you + want some excitement, why you might drop into some of the clubs and feel + out the officers.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Lawrence, “that is a good idea. I will be just about as popular + as a baby rabbit in a litter of foxes.” + </p> + <p> + “And you can enjoy watching them as they sit around, licking their chops,” + interjected Edestone, “as they think of the dainty morsel you will make + when they eat you alive tomorrow. Be careful. We want no false steps, and + there are some pretty skittish ponies in the Emperor’s stable. He can hold + in check his plough horses, but these young thoroughbreds are getting + nervous at the post.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lawrence, “I never was very strong for these Prussians, but + they made a hit with me tonight in the way in which they started for you. + They were a pretty fine looking lot of handsome young chaps,” and curling + an imaginary moustache, he continued: “Almost as good as our eleven of + 1903,” and they both stood and toasted grand old Harvard, and he was + leaving the room singing, “Here’s to dear old Harvard, drink her down!” + when Edestone called him back and said: + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence, get one of the Embassy automobiles and I will drop you on the + way.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, whereas he knew that his movements were being watched and that + this meeting had been arranged, if not by the German General Staff, by + some of its female lieutenants, was determined to show them that he did + not intend to compromise this little Princess by calling upon her at that + hour of the night in a secretive manner. + </p> + <p> + All was perfectly quiet in the streets, and the automobile was allowed to + pass without interruption. When he arrived at the Palace he imagined that + the coast had been cleared for him, for on entering he discovered that + there was some sort of an entertainment going on, which would have + necessitated the presence of waiting automobiles on the outside, which + were conspicuous by their absence. + </p> + <p> + He was evidently expected, and was immediately conducted to a small room. + He could hear music and laughter in another part of the Palace, but saw no + one except the flunkeys in the hall. + </p> + <p> + The room into which he was shown was evidently one of those used by the + family in their home life, as was shown by the papers, books, and fancy + work lying about. + </p> + <p> + The situation would ordinarily have been most amusing to him, and had he + not been so occupied with such serious matters, and had there been less of + a difference in their ages and social positions, he would have enjoyed the + excitement of a mysterious rendezvous with this extremely charming and + attractive young woman. + </p> + <p> + He was thoroughly conscious of her attractions, and though he might have + denied the necessity of this, in thinking of her he always kept before his + mind the fable of the fox and the sour grapes. + </p> + <p> + He was kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, and he began to wonder if + the whole thing had not been arranged, and would not have been surprised + if when the door quietly opened he had seen von Lichtenstein or even the + Emperor himself instead of a very much frightened little woman. + </p> + <p> + She was apparently supported by sheer will power and the pride of the + Princess, which she had inherited from her long line of ancestors, + extending back into the unwritten pages of history. + </p> + <p> + She was dressed so simply that the lines of her most graceful little + figure were perfectly revealed, but with such modesty that though she + followed the dictates of the modern fashions, which leave little to the + imagination, the effect upon Edestone was that of reverence in the + presence of such youth and innocence. + </p> + <p> + To him she seemed to be draped in some soft silky material, and though her + neck and arms were bare, they were enveloped in a shimmer of tulle, which + she held about her as if for protection. Her hair, parted in the middle, + was flatly dressed, and held close to her small head by a little band of + jewels which encircled it and crossed her low white brow. + </p> + <p> + She was perfectly calm, dignified, and had herself well in hand. There was + an expression upon her face of resolution, and as if to help, she assumed + a more royal and dignified bearing than he had ever supposed she was + capable of. + </p> + <p> + She had evidently been crying, but her voice was steady and rather haughty + in its tone as she said, giving him her hand: + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you have come.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone took it gently in his own, and bowing, scarcely touched it with + his lips, but when he felt its icy touch, and caught the faint perfume, he + felt a thrill, and for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence of a + Royal Princess, who looked upon him as something a little bit better than + a servant, and not as good as the most miserable Count that ever wore a + paper collar or passed a fraudulent check at the Newport Reading Room. + </p> + <p> + Recovering himself quickly, however, he dropped her hand and stood in an + attitude of deep respect, but not until she had caught the look that he + had given her. + </p> + <p> + Not daring to look up at her for fear of her indignation at his + presumption, he busied himself arranging the cushions in a seat for her. + </p> + <p> + Raising her hand to her throat, which had moved convulsively, she watched + him with a quiet little smile, as if waiting to finish the deadly work + which she, young as she was, knew that she had started. Like a great ring + general, she did not intend to allow her adversary time to recover before + she administered the <i>coup de grace</i>. + </p> + <p> + When he recovered sufficiently to allow himself to look at her, although + he resolved to keep strictly to the object of their meeting, he was so + struck with her great charm that he could not resist saying: + </p> + <p> + “I sincerely hope, Princess, that you will pardon me if I take the great + liberty of saying to you that you are looking extremely beautiful + tonight.” + </p> + <p> + She answered with a smile. + </p> + <p> + And then in a light and frivolous tone, and looking at her in a manner + which she could not misunderstand, with the deepest respect he added: + </p> + <p> + “If I were a Prince and a few years younger, I would humbly kneel and + worship at your shrine, Princess.” + </p> + <p> + A cloud passed over her face, but recovering, with a look which if + Edestone had been younger and less sensible would have finished him: + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone,” she smiled coquettishly, “I understand that you were + tonight a match for an Emperor; and I am feeling very old myself.” + </p> + <p> + With a smile acknowledging her condescension in allowing this slight + exchange of repartee, he assumed a fatherly air, and said, having + recovered himself entirely: + </p> + <p> + “Now, my dear and very sweet little Princess, your very old and most + humble servant awaits your orders. The only reward that he expects is that + he be allowed to see you one or two times before he dies of old age, or + you are seated on a throne.” + </p> + <p> + With an impatient gesture, and an almost imperceptible stamp of her little + foot, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Please don’t talk that way. I hate being a Princess, and the way you say + it makes me hate myself,” and with a quick glance and a tone of great + seriousness: “I don’t think you are so old as all that. + </p> + <p> + “I have sent for you,” changing her voice, “to warn you again. It was + absolutely necessary in order to arrange this meeting to lead them to + believe that I was willing to do that which you must hate me for—use + my power as a woman to persuade you to give up the position which you have + taken, and though I hate them all for it, in order to save you from + certain death I have compromised myself in my own eyes, and have done that + which will cause you to hate me.” + </p> + <p> + “That I could never do,” said Edestone, which brought a faint smile to her + lips. “Princess, I appreciate more deeply than I can say your great + kindness, and if there is anything that I can do which will save you from + these people when they find that you have failed in your undertaking, you + can command me. Your warning, however, comes as no surprise to me; but I + appreciate it none the less.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I not hold out to them,” she anticipated, “that you had agreed to + reveal this secret to me, and in that way gain time, and you might be able + to get out of Berlin?” + </p> + <p> + “But what would become of you when they discovered that you had played + them false?” asked Edestone. And then, as if hesitating to refer to the + delicacy of her position, an English Princess in Berlin, he added: “They + are relentless, and they might suspect you of playing into the hands of + England. No, Princess, there is but one thing for you to do, and that is + to say that I declined absolutely and entirely to consider any proposition + of any kind. + </p> + <p> + “If you were in any way associated with me in what I have already done and + what I propose to do, I should not be willing to leave you in Berlin, and + though I know you are absolutely sincere in your intentions to assist me + in my work, there is no possible way for me to protect you other than by + taking you with me, which is absolutely out of the question. You would not + be safe even in the American Embassy.” + </p> + <p> + She thought for a while, and then, as if an idea had struck her, she said + blushingly: + </p> + <p> + “My mother, like myself, is perfectly loyal to England, and if as I + understand it is the intention of the American Government to come out on + the side of the Allies, would there be any impropriety in my going with + her to the Embassy and taking my chances with the Secretary’s family?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be impossible,” said Edestone. “They have taken you into their + confidence, and would not allow you to leave the country. I think mine is + the only plan. Say to them that I would listen to no proposition, and + allow me to go and take my chances.” + </p> + <p> + He could not trust himself, and he knew his only hope of keeping her + esteem was in getting out before she discovered his real secret, and + rising in a most dignified manner he kissed her hand, and then allowing + himself to press it gently to his cheek for a moment, left the room + abruptly, while she sank into a seat and covered her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. — THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE + </h2> + <p> + The next morning everything was perfectly quiet on the outside of the + Embassy. The soldiers had apparently settled down for a siege. They + contented themselves with singing hymns and drinking songs, and with mock + reverence rendering the “Star Spangled Banner,” closely followed by the + “Marseillaise,” and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” + </p> + <p> + But there was mutiny within the walls. Mrs. Jones had flatly refused to + leave the Embassy. She said that she had not the slightest idea of going + up in Jack’s foolish flying machine, to be shot at by the soldiers or + dropped into the middle of the ocean; that for her part she intended to + stay exactly where she was. The Secretary might go if he wished to risk + his life in a balloon or if it was his duty, but she thought she was safer + in the Embassy. She was perfectly sure that the Germans would not dare to + shoot at it while the United States flag was flying over it, and there + were women inside. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary seemed to agree with her, and said: “It was only on your + account, my dear, that I was going. As long as the flag flies above this + roof, my duty is here, and I sincerely hope that you are right.” + </p> + <p> + “But we are now at war with these people,” said Edestone, “and they may + take it into their heads to shoot that flag away, and they have plainly + shown that they will kill and burn women and children if in their judgment + one single point, however small, can be gained in their national game of + war. It is a ruling passion with them, and they think that all of the + nicer feelings of honour, humanity, and even religion must be crushed, and + that these sentiments are foolish and are for women and weaklings only.” + </p> + <p> + At which Mrs. Jones seemed worried. She preferred, however, she said, to + stay and take a chance rather than go to certain death with Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said he, “that if we were dealing with any of the other + civilized nations, the Embassy would be perfectly safe, even if war had + been declared or forced upon us without any formal declaration, but with + the Germans in their present state of nerves, it is quite different. They + have a strange method of retaliation, not for an injury to themselves, but + for the failure on their part to inflict one upon others, which can only + be accounted for by their savage passion for revenge. The real danger, + however, will be before this while they are trying to prevent my escape.” + </p> + <p> + The Secretary was anxious to remain at his post as long as possible, so he + was glad to side with Mrs. Jones. Lawrence begged for and obtained + permission to go with Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You can take absolutely nothing in the way of luggage,” said Edestone. “I + can fit you out when we get on board. I have just told Black, Stanton, and + James the same thing, and I suppose your boy would like to go with you + also.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + With no preparations to make, there was nothing to do but wait. Lawrence + was the only one who was willing to go out on the streets and stand the + ugly looks that were given by all those who in some way or another knew + that they were Americans. + </p> + <p> + On his return he reported that the papers were silent on the subject of + the Kaiser’s call at the Embassy the night before. One of the afternoon + papers, he said, did report that a very large Zeppelin had been seen + flying over Berne at 9 o’clock in the morning, at about 5000 feet, judging + by her size. At first it was thought that she was on fire from the clouds + of smoke that she was emitting, but she continued on her way in the + direction of Berlin at about fifty miles an hour. She was up too high, the + papers stated, to be identified, but as the Swiss Government knew that + none of the Allies had Zeppelins, it was suggested that a protest would + soon come from Switzerland for a violation of her neutrality. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence said that evidently the German General Staff had received some + information, for he found no officers at the Club, and troops with + anti-aircraft guns and mortars with their two-wheeled trailers were moving + in all directions. + </p> + <p> + The general public, however, as usual, seemed to have no information, and + were going about their duties in their usual stolid manner. + </p> + <p> + The troops around the Embassy had been reinforced and were showing great + activity. He thought that the Kaiser was making a personal inspection + judging by the number of high officers he saw going and coming. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were most insulting in their manner and kept him moving, and + would not allow him to go anywhere near the mortars which were stripped + for action. The covers over the two-wheeled drums were unstrapped so that + they could be thrown off at a moment’s notice. + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said Edestone, as he and Lawrence stood looking out of + one of the windows of the Embassy at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. + “They have heard something. I am surprised that we have heard nothing from + them today. You can depend upon it, they will try to get me without an + actual fight. They know that they can bamboozle our Government, but fear + the temper of our people will not stand for any killing, which they + certainly intend to do if necessary. I do wish Mrs. Jones was not here. + </p> + <p> + “If ‘Specs’ was over Berne at 9 o’clock,” he went on, “and he wanted to, + he could have been here hours ago. He is evidently jogging along slowly. + He cannot now be more than fifty miles away; he is perhaps just about at + Leipsic. I think we had better speak to him and tell him to go higher up + and not to come over Berlin before dark. You know he does not know what is + going on here. I am afraid to warn him about the wires, for if by chance + they should intercept our message they would know that they had struck a + very good answer to my ‘Little Peace Maker.’” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say,” cried Lawrence, “that there is any chance of + their pulling you down with those wires?” + </p> + <p> + “It all depends,” replied Edestone. “It would take me some time to + calculate the amount of metal it would require to take the current that + would wreck us, but if they do get that amount in contact with us and the + earth at the same time we will come down.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” said Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is the reason that I do not want to take any chance by + mentioning wires at all. They don’t know now that one wire will not do the + trick, and if they get the idea that it is a question of the largest + possible number, they will double up on us. As it is, they have sixteen, + and we have a fighting chance. At any rate, I will speak to ‘Specs’ and + tell him not to come over the Embassy until after dark.” + </p> + <p> + “Won’t he have some difficulty in finding the Embassy?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone laughed. “You do not know old ‘Specs.’ In the first place he + studied for six years in Berlin and knows it from end to end. Besides, he + has all of the cities of Europe plotted, and he can get his bearings from + a dozen different points. He will feel very badly unless Capt. Lee puts + him within a few inches of where his calculations tell him he should be. + Why, you should see him calculating! He used a 6 H pencil, and he can + cover a large sheet of paper with microscopic figures before you have even + sharpened yours! It will be just like ‘Specs,’ if it is a still night, to + drop a plumb line and check himself. When you see him coming down slowly, + you can be sure that he is going to drop his ladder at exactly the right + spot. + </p> + <p> + “You see to it that the servants are all out of the way. If necessary, + lock them all down in the basement. I will work out the message.” + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence returned and stated that everything was clear, Edestone said + to him: “Send this. It says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Stand by at 50, up 10,000. After dark follow orders. If called + come quickly.’” + </pre> + <p> + They then took the elevator and went together to the roof, where with + powerful glasses they searched the south-western sky. On all sides they + could see Taubes, which like great birds were circling in all directions. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was startled by seeing something that looked like the “Little + Peace Maker,” but it turned out to be one of the largest German Zeppelins. + </p> + <p> + “Why, my boy,” laughed Lawrence, “Captain Lee could make that fellow look + like an <i>ante bellum</i> picnic in a thunderstorm, all hoop skirts and + bombazine, before Count Zeppelin could get it under the shelter tent. + </p> + <p> + “It is circling now,” he exclaimed; “he must have his eye on a Belgium + baby, the old buzzard!” + </p> + <p> + After Edestone had gotten Lawrence to his wireless instrument by first + running the car down until the top was at the level of the roof, and after + Lawrence had stepped on running it up to the top of the penthouse, he then + dropped the car down and came out on the roof again. + </p> + <p> + He looked about with his glasses; and was not surprised to see soldiers on + the roofs of the other buildings where they had stationed powerful + anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. + </p> + <p> + “I am rather glad Mrs. Jones is not coming with us,” he thought. “It is + going to be pretty hot here for a little while. We shall be under fire for + about ten feet; Captain Lee will not dare come down any closer.” + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came down, he said: “I got him and he answered me. I am sure + someone was trying to cut in. I could not tell whether he could get us or + not, but he was trying to mix us up.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone worked with his little book for a few minutes, and then read + aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Passed over Leipsic up 5000. Have been seen. Will stand by at 30, + up 10,000.” + </pre> + <p> + “That means that he is about over Dessau, and could get here in fifteen + minutes easily if called. So far so good. But those machine guns are + worrying me. I did not want to make any show of force, but self protection + may drive me to it. + </p> + <p> + “Run the elevator down, Lawrence, and come back by the stairs. We can walk + down. I want to look over my ground and plan my campaign.” + </p> + <p> + “How foolish,” he thought, “not to have remembered the machine guns on the + roofs. The only protection we have on the Embassy are the chimneys and the + penthouse, and they will protect only halfway up the landing ladder. There + is always that ten feet in which we will be exposed on all sides to a fire + under which nothing could live for half a minute.” + </p> + <p> + He then examined the door to the bulkhead at the head of the stairs. It + was strong, but there was no way to fasten it on the outside. There was + another door at the bottom of the stairs that could be locked, but it was + an ordinary door and could easily be broken down. He found only one place + on the entire roof where there was what might be called a zone of safety, + and that was by no means perfectly safe. + </p> + <p> + He carefully worked out the plan of defence, giving to his enemy the part + to play which he thought they would naturally take. + </p> + <p> + When Lawrence came up he explained his plan to him. He said: “When they + see that we are attempting to escape by the roof, they will rush us by + coming up those stairs. I do not intend to allow my men to fire unless it + is absolutely necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, just shoot me one little one,” begged Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + Edestone frowned disapprovingly. “When they have broken through the lower + door, we can stand here between the penthouse and the chimneys, and by + keeping down below the parapet be comparatively safe. I will then tell + them that I have a machine gun trained on the bulkhead door, and that it + will be certain death for them to attempt to come out that way. If they + fire on the Embassy, I will order my large guns to silence every gun that + bears on it.” + </p> + <p> + As they went downstairs the sun was just setting. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. — “SIT DOWN, YOU DOG!” + </h2> + <p> + As Edestone and Lawrence were coming down the stairs they were met by one + of the German servants, who told them in a rather excited manner that the + Secretary wished to see them both in his library. + </p> + <p> + Hastening down they were surprised as they arrived in the main hall to see + through the iron and glass grille a squad of German soldiers standing at + the front door. + </p> + <p> + “This is their last card,” said Edestone in an undertone, “and if it fails + there is nothing left for them to do but kill me. They have received word + from Leipsic and they know that there is no time to lose, so we can look + out now for anything. You had better get our party together, Lawrence, and + see that every man has a pistol. There are two automatics in my room. When + you get back, if you find me standing, or if I rise, or if I light a + cigar, make some excuse and get up to the roof as quickly as you can and + send your S. O. S. call to ‘Specs.’ He can be here in fifteen minutes + after he receives it. Then, lock that grille and station someone there you + can trust.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what they’ll charge me with?” he thought as alone he entered the + room where the Secretary was sitting calmly, although Edestone could see + that he was making a great effort not to show his indignation to the + German officer who was standing in front of him. + </p> + <p> + Edestone knew him so well that when he saw his mouth fixed as though he + was whistling quietly to himself, the forefinger of his right hand at his + lips as if to assist him in his musical efforts,—he who could not + turn a tune,—he knew that Jones had himself well in hand. In his + left hand the Secretary held a formal-looking paper with which he was + quietly tapping the table in front of him as though keeping time to his + soundless and imaginary ditty. With his chin well down, he was looking + from under his heavy eyebrows with eyes that were dangerously cold. + </p> + <p> + The officer who had delivered these papers was apparently waiting for his + answer and stood very erect, looking straight ahead of him. He did not + change his position or notice Edestone as he entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Count von Hemelstein,” said Edestone on seeing who it was, + and the soldier then condescended to acknowledge the greeting with a + slight bow. + </p> + <p> + The Secretary leaned forward, and putting both hands flat on the table + while looking straight at Count von Hemelstein, said in a rather judicial + tone, as though delivering an opinion from the bench: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone, Count von Hemelstein has just delivered to me an order for + your arrest on the charge of giving assistance to the enemies of Germany. + He also charges Lawrence Stuyvesant with insulting the Emperor’s uniform + and his dignity by impersonating a Prince of the Royal Blood and rendering + that Prince ridiculous. He states, however, in your case that the Emperor + will accept your explanation if you will accompany Count von Hemelstein + quietly and make it to His Imperial Majesty in person. In the case of + Lawrence Stuyvesant, he demands an apology and has paroled him in my + custody until this is received, and as in the first case he makes a + further condition, which is that the Emperor will accept an apology made + by Lawrence Stuyvesant to the Prince himself, provided only that you agree + to accompany Count von Hemelstein quietly and at once.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning as if addressing a prisoner on trial before him he said, in + that soft and quiet voice always assumed by a judge in speaking to a + criminal, even though he knows that the culprit has just boiled his + mother: + </p> + <p> + “In the case against you, Mr. Edestone, in your absence I have flatly + denied the charge. In the case against Lawrence Stuyvesant I deny all + knowledge of, and decline to express an opinion until I have had an + opportunity of looking into, the circumstances of the alleged offence.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone who had stood during this went over and took a seat at the + Secretary’s side of the table. “It is just as you said it would be,” he + observed to the Count with a mocking laugh as he passed him. “You Germans + are so thorough.” + </p> + <p> + The Count made no reply, only stiffening up, if it were possible to give + any more of that quality of German militarism to a ramrod in human form. + </p> + <p> + He stood as if expecting the Secretary to continue, or to hear further + from Edestone, but both men sat perfectly still looking at him. The + Secretary, as if having delivered his ruling, he was waiting for the case + to go on, settled back into his chair, while Edestone, with the look of a + lawyer who is perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the court, was + grinning at his opponent, toying with both hands with a small bronze + paper-weight made in the shape of a ploughshare, recently received from + Washington with the compliments of the Secretary of State. + </p> + <p> + As neither man seemed to have the slightest intention of breaking the + silence, after a moment which seemed an age, Count von Hemelstein brought + his hand with a snap to a salute. + </p> + <p> + “My orders are to bring Mr. Edestone with me,” he said, “and if you + decline to deliver him to me, Mr. Secretary, I must use force.” + </p> + <p> + “That I have no power to prevent you from doing,” said Jones. “You are now + in the Embassy of a friendly nation, on soil dedicated by His Imperial + Majesty to the use of the representative of that nation, whose safety and + that of those he may see fit to protect are guaranteed by the most solemn + promise that it is possible for one nation to make to another. If His + Imperial Majesty intends to break his solemn word, I am as powerless as + the lowest peasant in his domain. As to my word of honour as to the + safe-keeping of Mr. Lawrence Stuyvesant, you have by your act reduced me + to the rank of a simple American citizen, and as such, and not as + representing the Ambassador at the Court of Berlin—for after this + there can be none—I tell you that I will not give my word to those + who do not keep theirs. As to Mr. Edestone, I can simply, for his own + sake, advise him to go with you, but not before I tell him that his + country will resist with all its power the indignity which His Majesty has + seen fit to offer it.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, who had come in during this speech, was standing looking in + amazement from one to the other. + </p> + <p> + Then Edestone rose. “Mr. Secretary,” he said, “I regret to have been the + cause of putting you in this most trying position, and before I decide to + accompany this officer or detective I must think, so with your permission + I will light a cigar.” He walked over to a table and very slowly selected + one from a box that was there. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, as if he had forgotten something, left the room hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + Edestone very deliberately took his cigar and very slowly lighted it. He + then as slowly walked back to his seat and sat blowing ring after ring, + holding all the time the box of matches in his right hand. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Lawrence had walked to the front door, as if looking out + to see why the soldiers were there, and turned the key of the grille so + noiselessly that it failed to attract any attention from the men on the + outside. Then turning to Fred, the Bowery boy, who was waiting for him, he + spoke in an undertone. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t let any of the servants open that door or even go near it,” he + said, and, satisfied that his order would be obeyed, stepped inside the + elevator and closed the door with a bang. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who had meanwhile been doing anything simply to kill time, heard + this. He knew that Lawrence would work quickly, and had had ample time to + carry out the first part of his instructions. As if about to drop into his + pocket the box of matches he was holding, he drew with a quick motion a + .38 automatic, and leaning across the table covered the Count with it. + </p> + <p> + “Hold up your hands!” he said without raising his voice. “It is safer.” + </p> + <p> + There was on his face that unmistakable look of the man who intends to + kill. The other man saw it and understood, and reluctantly raised his + hands above his head after making a half-gesture as if to draw his own + pistol from his belt but thinking better of it. + </p> + <p> + “This is very foolish, Mr. Edestone,” he said with a disdainful sneer. + “Will you fight single-handed six million men?” + </p> + <p> + Jones, who when a young man had spent a good many years in a frontier + town, was too accustomed to this method of punctuating one’s remarks and + calling the undivided attention of one’s listener to them, to be much + surprised. At any rate, he showed none, and besides he knew Edestone to be + a perfectly cool man whose trigger finger would not twitch from + nervousness. + </p> + <p> + “Be careful, Jack,” he contented himself with saying very quietly; “I + suppose you know what you are about.” Then he settled back to wait for + Edestone to explain what he would do next. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, William,” said Edestone, “I know exactly what I am doing, and in + order to relieve you and your Government from any responsibility, I here, + in the presence of the Emperor’s representative, renounce my allegiance to + the United States of America and to all other countries, and I now become + a law unto myself, accountable to no one but myself—in other words, + an outlaw, a pirate.” He turned then to the emissary of the Kaiser. + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein, as I intend to keep you in that position for some + little time unless you will allow me to remove your arms—not your + sword,” he explained quickly on seeing the look of horror that came over + the Prussian’s face. “I will allow you to keep that barbaric relic of the + Middle Ages and modern Japan, to which you and the Knights k of the Orient + attach so much importance. But that very nice automatic I must have. I beg + that you will allow me to take it without any unnecessary fuss.” He walked + around the table and, gently pulling the pistol out of its holster, put it + into his own pocket, keeping the Count carefully covered all the while. + </p> + <p> + “Now you can take down your hands. I know that you can hide nothing more + dangerous in that tight-fitting uniform of yours than a long cigarette + holder and a very pretty box. I am delighted that you have been so quiet, + as no one could come to your assistance. Your soldiers are locked outside + of the iron grille and would have some difficulty in breaking it down, + even if they could hear you; so sit down. I wish to explain a few things + to you. + </p> + <p> + “It is now exactly a quarter before eight o’clock. By eight the Little + Peace Maker will be over the Embassy, and you with your boastful knowledge + of other people’s business must realize what that means. You have heard + what I just said to the Secretary representing the United States at the + Court of Berlin, and my object in making that statement before you was to + relieve him and the United States of America of the responsibility of any + of my acts. The Little Peace Maker is my own personal property, and before + she fires a gun or drops a bomb I shall haul down the flag of the United + States and run up my own private signal, which on my yacht, the <i>Storm + Queen</i>, is well known in all yachting circles. In short, from now on I + declare myself an outlaw. + </p> + <p> + “If your Emperor will allow me and my men to go abroad peaceably, I will + do so and all may be well, but at the very first act of violence I will + take the necessary steps to protect them. I intend to keep you here until + I am notified that the airship has arrived, and when I leave this room, my + advice to you is not to follow me, but go at once and notify your superior + officer and thereby save the great loss of life that will otherwise ensue. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Count, as we will have about ten minutes longer together, I am quite + sure that the Secretary will not object to your joining me with one of the + Ambassador’s extremely good cigars,” and he winked at his friend Jones. + </p> + <p> + He walked over to the table as if to get the box, but the moment his back + was turned the Count jumped and started for the door like a flash. With a + quick side step, however, Edestone threw himself between him and the only + exit from the room, and giving the fugitive a good poke in the stomach + with the muzzle of his gun, said: + </p> + <p> + “I allowed you to do that to show you that you are absolutely in my power. + Sit down, Count von Hemelstein, and if you will give me your word of + honour that you will not move I shall not tie you. Do you accept these + terms?” + </p> + <p> + The Count nodded his head and sat down, and the Secretary, who all this + time had been sitting perfectly quiet, said with a very little bit of a + smile on about one-half of his mouth: + </p> + <p> + “Count von Hemelstein, if I were you I should sit still. You must see that + you are powerless to do anything, and whereas I know that Mr. Edestone + does not intend to kill you unless it is absolutely necessary, I am + equally certain that he intends to if it is. In fact, I do not know that + he might not kill me if I stood in his way. He has just declared himself + to be an outlaw, and it is my duty to turn him over to the authorities, + but I should hate to have to try to do it now that he seems so bent on + leaving us.” + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who quickly caught the idea that the Secretary was trying to + convey to him, turned on his friend. + </p> + <p> + “If you, my friend, whom I have known for years, desert me now,” he + declared in a loud and apparently much excited tone, “or attempt to + deliver me over to these wild people to kill, I will kill you, if it is + the last act of my life.” He faced about so that one eye was hidden from + the flabbergasted German and gave another significant wink. Then turning + back to the Count he resumed: “I will kill any man who prevents me from + going on board the Little Peace Maker tonight. Now let us talk about more + pleasant things for the few remaining minutes that we are to have in each + other’s company.” + </p> + <p> + But the Count was in no mood for conversation. He sat staring at the + floor, while Edestone with his watch in his hand waited for word from + Lawrence. It was now eight o’clock and still no response. Could there be + some mistake? Had the Germans been able to prevent his message from going + through? Or was Lawrence waiting to be sure that the airship was coming + before leaving the roof to notify him? + </p> + <p> + On the outside all was quiet, and as long as the soldiers did not suspect, + everything would be all right. But suppose that the Emperor should grow + impatient and send another messenger? He was just congratulating himself + that the Count did not know what time it was or that the Little Peace + Maker was now overdue, when a clock somewhere struck eight. + </p> + <p> + The Count straightened up and his look of k interest changed to hope, and + finally a smile broke over his face as the minutes slipped by. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Edestone, your little dream will soon be over,” he taunted, + after sitting for about five minutes longer. + </p> + <p> + Even the Secretary was growing fidgety. He knew that something would have + to happen soon or the German General Staff, with its usual thoroughness, + would ask the reason why, and this question would be put in their usual + forcible manner. + </p> + <p> + It was now ten minutes after eight, and Edestone expected every minute to + hear a ring at the front door. Besides, the dusk was coming on and the + servants would soon be in to light the lights. He had decided that if they + did he would retreat to the roof, forcing the Count to accompany him, and + there make a last stand. He formed a mental resolution never to leave that + roof alive except on board of the Little Peace Maker. He had always said + that he had rather be dead than a failure. He did not want to live to see + his life’s work, his beautiful ship, which must finally come down, used + for war, death, and destruction, his dream of universal peace gone + forever; or by his own discovery remove still farther from the grasp of + the long-suffering world that relief which it was vainly reaching out for + in its present desperate plight. + </p> + <p> + Was this the end? If so, he would meet it calmly, but not until he had + made a fight. Then he would meet Fate with a smile, for she had been good + to him. Perhaps an all-wise Providence had decreed that man must fight on + to the bitter end, and to punish him for his presumption in attempting to + alter an unalterable law had led him on only to destroy him just as he, + with his petty little mind, thought he had reached the goal. + </p> + <p> + The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to + happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and Jones + was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth in what + he was saying. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front + door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone,” he said, “don’t you think that it is just about time to + ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I hate + to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary.” + </p> + <p> + The ring was followed by another longer than the first. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a + light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring. + </p> + <p> + “I return the compliment,” he said. + </p> + <p> + There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell was + rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door was + followed by the breaking of the glass in the iron grille. Above this din, + which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought nerves of + the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last forty + minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which at + first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity + increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up + from the southern part of the city. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have + been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window. + </p> + <p> + The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces + within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made a + jump for the door. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, you dog!” cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and + he sent a bullet crashing through the door just above the Count’s hand + where it rested on the knob. + </p> + <p> + Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the + ball that he thought must certainly follow. + </p> + <p> + “Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word + without help, I will help you next time.” + </p> + <p> + But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their + efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and + trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came + down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor who + announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the <i>Maine</i>, said: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been + sighted on our starboard bow.” Then throwing off his assumed character he + added: “Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a minute! + </p> + <p> + “And what are you going to do with this?” he asked on seeing the Count. + “Don’t you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka bibble.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: + “Good-bye, William,” he called over his shoulder. “I am sorry to have + given you so much trouble.” + </p> + <p> + When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started + for the roof. + </p> + <p> + “Where are all of those who are going with us?” asked Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!” Lawrence interrupted himself, + “Fred is still down in the front hall.” + </p> + <p> + “We must go for him,” said Edestone, halting the car and starting it down. + </p> + <p> + “Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, they won’t stop at anything.” Edestone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone + flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, + while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was running + up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to the + soldiers who had their guns through the grille: + </p> + <p> + “Shoot that man!” + </p> + <p> + There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the Bowery + boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell dead. His + body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. — L. P. M. + </h2> + <p> + Almost beside himself, Lawrence resisted all of Edestone’s efforts to get + him back into the elevator. + </p> + <p> + “You damn’ dirty Dutchman, I’ll pay you for this!” he yelled over his + shoulder, as he struggled to break loose from the firm grip which held + him, and get at the Count. + </p> + <p> + It was not a time to permit of argument. Overpowering him with his great + strength, Edestone simply dragged him back, and flung him into a corner of + the car, where he sat crying like a baby with uncontrollable rage. + </p> + <p> + After he had started the lift, however, Edestone went over and patted him + soothingly on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, old man,” he said regretfully, “awfully sorry! He thought it + was I, and I almost wish it had been.” + </p> + <p> + This brought Lawrence back to himself. He knew that Edestone meant every + word he said and, jumping to his feet, he threw his arms around his + friend’s neck. + </p> + <p> + “Bo!” he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-sobbing, “you are a king among + men!” little dreaming of the amount of truth there was in what he said. + </p> + <p> + A moment later he dropped back into the vernacular, where he was more at + home. + </p> + <p> + “You are the best sport I ever knew,” he said, “and I am nothing but a + rotten squealer! Forgive me, and I will try to be good. But, Bo! that did + hurt!” The tears came to his eyes once more. “He was such a nervy little + chap!” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had gotten to the roof, where they found Black, Stanton, + and James eagerly awaiting them. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Fred?” asked Black, noting his absence as the other two stepped + out to join them. + </p> + <p> + “Dead by God!” Lawrence started again to become hysterical. “That devil, + Count von Hemelstein, killed him!” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, Lawrence!” broke in Edestone sharply. “Cut out that swearing and + get to work. We have no time to lose.” + </p> + <p> + In the same quick, authoritative tone, he issued his orders to the others, + as they stood staring at the news, each in his different way showing his + breeding. Black was commencing to whine; Stanton with a scowl of rage was + in sympathy with Lawrence; while James, demonstrating his years of + training, stood statue-like with hand behind his back, leaning forward as + if to catch his master’s next order, and carry it out with perfect + decorum. + </p> + <p> + “Have you locked the door at the foot of the stairs? Ah! That is good!” he + exclaimed, as he saw that they had barricaded the door of the bulkhead by + putting a piece of timber between it and the coping around one of the + skylights. + </p> + <p> + It had grown quite dark in the interval, but in the glare of the great + searchlights which were playing upon her he could plainly see above him + the Little Peace Maker which had swung into a position directly over the + Embassy, and was now slowly descending. + </p> + <p> + She was not over a thousand feet above the roof as she hung there, three + of her great searchlights bearing steadily on three different points in + the city, and giving to her the aspect of an enormous spyglass standing on + its gigantic tripod, and by its own weight forcing the feet of the tripod + into the soft earth, as the ship slowly settled. + </p> + <p> + Shrapnel shells were exploding all about her, and at times she was almost + entirely enveloped in smoke. Between the reports of the heavier artillery + could be heard the staccato spatter of bullets on her iron sides as the + machine-guns sprayed her from end to end. Now and then one of the gunners + would reach one of her searchlights, and as the ray was extinguished, one + almost expected to see her topple in the direction of her broken support, + but in each case it was quickly replaced by another, and she continued to + drop nearer and nearer to the earth. + </p> + <p> + Excepting for the searchlights there was no sign of life on board. + Silently and without response of any kind, she came. But as she approached + nearer, and the angle of the German guns was still further reduced, + although they must already have been doing frightful damage in all parts + of the city, the shrapnel and small bullets could be heard screaming over + the heads of the little party on the roof. + </p> + <p> + “It is getting pretty hot here, and we had better lie down,” Edestone + said. But the words were hardly out of his mouth before Stanton fell with + a bullet in his head, and James sat down, probably more abruptly than he + had ever done anything before in all his life. + </p> + <p> + “I beg pardon, sir,” he observed with a little gasp, “but I think, sir, as + how they have got me in the leg, sir.” + </p> + <p> + They all dropped down. Stanton was dead, and James was bleeding badly from + the flesh-wound in his leg. + </p> + <p> + “That was the fellow in that tower over there.” Lawrence made a + reconnoissance. “He is now shooting straight at us.” + </p> + <p> + “This has got to stop.” Edestone frowned. “Lawrence send this message. No + cipher; I would rather have them catch this. + </p> + <p> + “Tell ‘Specs’ first to haul down the U. S. flag and run up my private + signal. Then he is to silence every gun he can find that is bearing on us, + and train a machine-gun on the door of the bulk-head, ready to fire when I + give the signal by throwing up my hat. + </p> + <p> + “Take Lawrence up to the instrument, Mr. Black,” he directed, turning to + Black who was giving “first aid” to the unfortunate valet. “I will do what + I can for James.” + </p> + <p> + When the elevator with Lawrence and the electrician had gone up above the + level of the roof, leaving the shaft open down into the house, he could + distinctly hear the soldiers running up the stairs. At any moment now they + might be hammering on the door at the foot of the stairway leading to the + roof. + </p> + <p> + He hated the idea of killing those innocent Germans, mere machines, as + they were, in the hands of a Master, who with his entire entourage had + become sick with a mania which took the form of militarism, imperialism, + and pan-Germanism. But after the death of his two fellow-countrymen—for + at heart he was still true to the land of his birth, although to save her + he had just renounced the flag—he felt that he was justified in what + he was about to do. + </p> + <p> + With a silent prayer for the peasant mothers who were soon to lose their + dear ones, he commended their souls to God, and not as these mothers, poor + benighted creatures, had done, to their Emperor. + </p> + <p> + He was startled from these sorrowful reflections by the white glow of a + searchlight from the Little Peace Maker sweeping across the roof, and + playing hither and thither. Evidently, “Specs” had received his order, and + was now feeling about for the bulkhead door. + </p> + <p> + A moment later he located it. Immediately the night was made hideous with + the roar of the guns from the airship, as they sowed bursting shells in + all directions, and carried death and destruction to the heart of this + great and wonderful city, built up stone by stone, and standing as a + living monument to one of the greatest people on the face of the earth—a + people that science teaches are the very last expression of God’s + greatness shown in His wonderful evolution of matter into His own image. + And for what? That one family might maintain the position given to one of + their ancestors in the remote, dark, and grovelling ages of the past for + prowess of which a modern prizefighter might be proud, but for acts to + which he with a higher standard might not stoop. + </p> + <p> + The telling response of the Little Peace Maker soon put an end to the + storm of shrapnel and bullets which had been singing, whistling, buzzing, + and screaming about them, and Edestone might have been able to stand up, + but for the pertinacity of the snipers, those serpents of modern warfare, + who were searching every dark corner of the roof. + </p> + <p> + Matters were fast coming to a climax, however. By the time that Lawrence + and Black had returned from sending the wireless message, and had crawled + over to where Edestone lay, the soldiers had broken down the lower door, + and were pounding at the upper, which “Specs” was holding as with a rapier + point at the heart of a fallen foe, ready to strike at the slightest + movement. + </p> + <p> + Crawling over to the elevator shaft, Edestone called down a warning in a + loud voice to those below: + </p> + <p> + “I have a machine-gun trained on the top of the stairs! If you order your + men to break that door down, I will order my guns to fire, and will kill + them faster than you can drive them up!” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the only response to his challenge was silence. Then a voice + rang out which he had heard before, arrogant and commanding: + </p> + <p> + “As God has ordained that I and none other should rule the earth, with Him + alone, I shall. By my Imperial order, and with His assistance, bring that + man to me, dead or alive!” + </p> + <p> + A brief pause ensued. Edestone could hear the officers urging on their + men. Suddenly pistol-shots rang out, and with a mad rush they came on. The + door swayed and shivered under the impact. It split and shattered. Finally + it fell. + </p> + <p> + “May God have mercy on his soul!” murmured Edestone, and he tossed his hat + high in the air. + </p> + <p> + “Specs” from his look-out caught the signal; and instantly the doorway + became a writhing, shrieking mass of wounded humanity. Like vaseline + squeezed out of a tube, it was forced out of the opening by the pressure + of those behind and spread in wider and wider circles across the roof, + until the aperture itself was choked and stopped with bodies. + </p> + <p> + But Edestone and his companions were spared the full measure of this + sickening sight, as the rapid manoeuvres of the Little Peace Maker + compelled them to devote their attention to her. + </p> + <p> + As the great ship descended to within about ten feet of the chimney-tops, + men appeared on her lower bridge and dropped over the insulated ladder + which extended almost to where the refugees lay. + </p> + <p> + Picking James up and putting him on his back where he clung like a baby, + Edestone ran for the ladder, quickly followed by Lawrence and Black. He + reached the bridge just in time to turn James over to one of the crew, and + extend his assistance to Lawrence, who had received a shot in one hand, + and was rather dizzily holding on to the ladder with the other. + Eventually, though, they all gained the bridge, and with their rescuers + already there raced up the gangway under a perfect hail of bullets for the + open doorway at the top. But before the last man had passed through, two + of the sailors had been shot, and had fallen to their death on the roof. + </p> + <p> + As they entered the ship, they were met by “Specs,” Captain Lee, Dr. + Brown, and other officers in uniforms which at the first glance might have + been taken for those of the New York Yacht Club, except for the insignia + on their caps which was a combination of Edestone’s private signal and the + letters L. P. M. Edestone, however, interrupted their attempt to salute + him. + </p> + <p> + “Please waive all ceremony,” he said. “We have wounded men here that must + be attended to.” + </p> + <p> + At this, Dr. Brown immediately came forward, and after ordering Lawrence + and James to the hospital gave a start as his glance fell upon Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “You did not tell me that you yourself were wounded, sir,” he exclaimed; + and then for the first time Edestone discovered that his face, hands, and + clothing were covered with blood which was streaming from a wound above + his temple. + </p> + <p> + He was about to permit himself also to be examined, when there was heard + from below the detonation of one of the Kaiser’s big mortars; and pulling + away from the Doctor, he called an excited order to “Specs”: + </p> + <p> + “Throw on your full charge, and lift her as fast as you can!” + </p> + <p> + He ran to the gangway in time to see the wire carried up to a great height + by the ball from the mortar settling down across the Little Peace Maker + about midships. It was falling now, and would soon come in contact with + the ship. + </p> + <p> + When it did, there was a slight jar perceptible, but no such result as the + enemy had hoped. The wire was so quickly fused, accompanying an explosion + giving out an intense light, that it seemed to shoot to the earth like a + streak of lightning, setting fire to or knocking down everything that lay + in its path. + </p> + <p> + Another and another mortar shot followed until the sky seemed to be filled + with falling wires which were swinging, twisting, and snapping above him. + The Little Peace Maker was the centre of an electrical storm, and was + sending back by every wire messages of death to those who were striving to + bring her down. + </p> + <p> + The ship was rising very rapidly now, however, and almost before Edestone + had time to sing out, “Steady now, as you are,” she was 3000 feet above + the German capital, and out of range of the wire-throwers. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. — YACHTING IN THE AIR + </h2> + <p> + While Lawrence’s hand was being dressed by one of the assistant surgeons, + he had an opportunity of observing how perfect were the appointments of + the operating room to which he had been taken. The orderlies and nurses + moving about were all dressed in spotless white gowns and caps. The doctor + and those assisting him in cleaning and dressing the slight flesh-wound + which had been inflicted looked at their patient through holes in a cap + that completely covered their heads and faces. Every appliance was + provided for perfect cleanliness and sanitation, and the apparatus was on + hand to permit of any operation of modern surgery, no matter how + complicated. + </p> + <p> + From where he sat, he could see into another room exactly similar where + James was having the injury to his leg attended to with the same + scrupulous care; and he had passed, as he was brought in, a long room + which he was told was one of the surgical wards, and where he had seen + several men on hospital cots. The surgical wards, he was further informed, + were on the starboard side of the ship, and not connected in any way with + the sick bay which lay over on the port side. + </p> + <p> + With his great love for ships and machinery, Lawrence was impatient to get + away and make a tour of inspection of this strange craft upon which he had + embarked; but while he was waiting he occupied himself in his usual + fashion by giving vent to his high spirits and making a joke out of + everything. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Doc,” he remarked to the surgeon, “you certainly have got one nifty + little butcher shop, but I want to tell you, before one of those Ku-Klux + throw me down and slap the gas bag in my face, that I have no adenoids, + and that my appendix was cut out by an Arabian doctor who threw a handful + of sand into me to stop the bleeding. If you would like to study German + sausages, though, there is a pile of it down there on the roof.” And even + he shuddered as he recalled that awful carnage. + </p> + <p> + A bright-looking chap, dressed in the smart uniform of a steward on a + gentleman’s yacht, appeared at the door, but was not allowed to come in by + Lawrence’s aseptic guardians. He had been sent down by Edestone to inquire + as to the condition of the wounded, and to announce to Lawrence that if he + felt well enough to join him, dinner would be ready as soon as he was. He + begged, the messenger said, that Mr. Stuyvesant would go directly to his + room and dress, and allow him to have the pleasure of showing him over the + ship after dinner. If he would let the quarter-master’s department have + his measure, he would be fitted out. + </p> + <p> + Wild horses could not have restrained Lawrence from such an invitation, + much less a little scratch on the hand; and his injury having been dressed + by this time, he was about to set out with the messenger, when James + appealed to him from the next room, begging to be allowed to look after + his master’s clothes. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, sir,” he urged, showing his embarrassment at not being able + to stand, “but I am the only one who knows how Mr. Edestone likes his + dinner clothes laid out, and his whole evening will be spoiled without me, + sir. I only ask to be allowed to break in the new man, sir, as starting + right in laying out a gentleman’s clothes is half the battle, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you think, you have had enough of a battle for one day, you dear + old fighting fossil?” asked Lawrence in a tone of real affection, for + there is nothing which draws men together, regardless of rank, more + quickly than to fight on the same side, and he could not help but admire + the cool manner in which the valet had borne himself under fire. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir, but mightn’t I be allowed to see to his bath, sir? A drop + of hot water in it turns his stomach for a week. Just let me do that, and + I will come straight back to these very kind persons.” He glanced about at + the men of science with the condescending manner of the English upper + servant in dealing with the shopkeeper class. + </p> + <p> + But Lawrence shook his head. “I’m sorry, James, but—” he bowed low + to the grinning circle of doctors and nurses, and assumed his most + grandiloquent air—“you are now in the hands of the only acknowledged + ruling class of the twentieth century, who hold you with a grip of steel, + but whose touch is as gentle as a mother’s kiss. So get out your knitting, + Old Socks; you are doomed.” + </p> + <p> + He turned with a laugh and a new impersonation to the surgeon as he left + the room. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Doc. You’ve cert’nly been kind to me, a poor working girl. + Just send the bill to Mr. Edestone. He is my greatest gentleman friend.” + </p> + <p> + In his room, which was reached by an elevator, he found the ship’s tailor + waiting for him; but after this functionary had taken his measure and + gone, he had an opportunity to look around. + </p> + <p> + He was in a room, he found, a parlour or sitting-room, about fifteen by + twenty, neatly but handsomely furnished, and suggesting to him in its + general appearance the owner’s apartments on the largest and most + perfectly equipped yachts. There was this difference, however, that + nothing about it indicated that it was ever off an even keel. There were + no racks or other contrivances to suggest that it was prepared to turn in + any direction at an angle of forty-five degrees, and which to the + land-lubber causes qualms even while the ship is still tied to the dock. + </p> + <p> + It might indeed have been a handsome living-room in a bachelor’s + apartment, but for the windows, which at the first glance seemed to be of + the ordinary French casement form, running down to the floor, and looking + as if they might open out onto a balcony; but to his surprise, he found, + when he pulled aside the heavy curtains, that they looked into a perfectly + blank white wall about two inches from the glass. + </p> + <p> + Adjoining the living-room was a bedroom furnished in similar style with + the same sort of windows, and beyond, Lawrence found as attractive a + bath-room as ever welcomed an American millionaire after a hot day in his + office, or a game of polo. + </p> + <p> + After a boiling tub and a freezing shower, in the pink of condition—and + nothing else—he went back into the bedroom. + </p> + <p> + “Now what,” he had wondered, “will the Fairy Godmother have for me in the + way of a union suit, and a pair of jumpers?” + </p> + <p> + But he had not wondered very hard. He found, as he knew he would, for he + had yachted with Edestone before, a complete outfit, not forgetting the + cocktail, which was standing on the table as quietly and innocently as if + it had always been there, although in reality it had just been placed + there by a man who, with years of experience in listening to the sounds + that come from a gentleman’s bathroom, had timed its arrival to the + second. + </p> + <p> + Nor was it one of those cocktails that are poured from a bottle, and + served hot out of a silver-snouted shaker on a sloppy waiter, but a + masterpiece from the hands of an artist, who took pride in his handiwork. + </p> + <p> + With the modesty of a chorus girl with a good figure on a “first night,” + he toasted the valet with much ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Soon he was dressed in the mess jacket of a petty officer, and putting a + yachting cap jauntily on his head, he went out to seek his friend. The + valet told him he would find Mr. Edestone in the breakfast room, and he + was shown thither by an officer who was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + As he passed along, he could not divest himself of the idea that he was on + board Edestone’s yacht, the <i>Storm Queen</i> again, only that everything + here was on a larger scale. The breakfast room, he discovered, was on the + same deck but farther forward, and was reached by passing through a large + room furnished as a general living-room. + </p> + <p> + Edestone came forward to greet him with a rather melancholy expression on + his face. He was dressed in a yachtsman’s dinner jacket which fitted him + perfectly, and with his bandaged head, he looked more than ever the sea + lord. His rank of Captain was shown by the stripes on his arm. + </p> + <p> + The room was, as one would expect Edestone to have in his New York or + country house, simple but handsome. + </p> + <p> + He had just been giving some orders about the windows which were of the + same form and size as those Lawrence had remarked in his own room, and + like them opened against a wall; but at Lawrence’s appearance, he + interrupted these instructions. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you aboard.” He presented his hand, which Lawrence took + with his left. “I had looked forward to your first trip with me with so + much pleasure. But how different it is from the way I had pictured it. I + cannot get Fred, Stanton, or my two sailors out of my mind.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence’s own face saddened, but for Edestone’s sake he endeavoured to + speak philosophically. + </p> + <p> + “The fortunes of war, old man. Why grieve? You certainly were not to + blame.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment there was silence between them; then Edestone, as if + attempting to shake off his gloomy reflections, struck a lighter note. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like being a pirate, Lawrence?” he smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Great! The dream of my life, with you for a captain!” + </p> + <p> + So they sat down to dinner. The men attending to their wants moved about + unheard and almost unseen in the shadow outside the circle of soft light + which fell only on the table. The room was filled with an indescribable + aroma of comfort and good cheer. A newly-lighted fire crackled on the + hearth, for it had suddenly become quite cold. Indeed, it was with + difficulty Lawrence could realize that but a few hours before they had + been in the midst of battle and sudden death, and that, as they sat, down + there five times the height of the Eiffel Tower below them was the Embassy + from which they were still removing the dead, or aiding the dying. + </p> + <p> + As he looked at Edestone with his sad, brooding eyes, he felt all at once + as if his friend had been taken away from him, and had been lifted to a + place so exalted, that for the life of him, he could not have taken the + liberty of speaking until he was first addressed. + </p> + <p> + The dinner went on, and though the food was delightful and the wines + perfect, both men merely toyed with what was on their plates, while + Lawrence gulped his champagne as if he were trying to get its effect + quickly in order to throw off this strange new diffidence and restraint + which he now felt in the presence of his oldest and dearest friend. + </p> + <p> + He tried to imagine that they two were cruising alone on the <i>Storm + Queen</i>, as they had so often done, and that this was just one of many + evenings that they had spent in this way together; but + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Where was the lap of the water at her side, + Or the pounding of the launch as she rode at her boom? + The groan of the anchor as she swung with the tide, + Or the blowing off steam, which demanded more room? +</pre> + <p> + All was perfectly quiet. If there were storage batteries on board, they + had been charged. There was no shovelling of coal; no shrieking and + banging of doors in the boiler room, nor banking of fires. The only thing + that remained true to tradition was the ship’s bell. It had just sounded + out five bells. + </p> + <p> + The silence was at last broken by Edestone; but, although he spoke, it was + more as if he were merely letting his pensive thoughts run on. + </p> + <p> + “How different this has been from the way I had planned it. How different, + too, has been your home-coming, old man—for the <i>Storm Queen</i> + was like home to you in the old days.” + </p> + <p> + But Lawrence by this time was beginning to feel the effects of champagne, + and was certain that unless he very soon did something to lift the pall + that had fallen on them, he himself would be dissolved in tears. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what your plan was,” he said; “but don’t you worry about my + home-coming. The thing that ought to worry you is my leave-taking. The L. + P. M. has got the <i>Storm Queen</i> beat a mile, and I am booked for + life. And, by the way, what is my rank on this ship? My old position of + room clerk on the <i>Storm Queen</i> won’t go here, as I don’t suppose you + intend to have any ‘cuties’ on board, not even for the New London week.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” Edestone consented at last to smile. “I am afraid, Lawrence, those + days are all over for me. My little house of cards has fallen about me, + and I have serious work before me, if I wish to build it up again. I have + been thinking, and thinking very hard. From the moment that I saw poor + Fred roll down the stairs of the Embassy, I knew that my first plan had + failed. When Germany discovers that the United States is not back of me, + she will apologize, and you know how quickly our present Administration + will accept the apology, and how quickly they will disclaim any + responsibility for my acts, if it means a fight?” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Germany,” went on Edestone, “will then call on all the neutral nations to + join her in bringing me, an outlaw, to earth. This will give her a common + cause with them, and she will hope in that way to strengthen her position + relative to the Allies. She does not know my relationship with England, + but she will undoubtedly declare that I am one of the means England is + using to subjugate the world.” + </p> + <p> + “And is there nothing you can do?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “My last and only hope is that tomorrow, after they have realized the + uselessness of opposing me, they will listen to a proposition of peace—without + honour, from their old standard; but with great honour, from the standard + that I intend to establish. I propose to send what is practically an + ultimatum; and that is, that if they do not immediately open negotiations + looking toward peace, I will sink every German battleship that floats, and + destroy every factory in which guns, explosives, or any of the munitions + of war are manufactured.” + </p> + <p> + “Me for the junk business,” exclaimed Lawrence with an inspiration. “Oh, + you Krupps!” + </p> + <p> + But Edestone paid no heed to the frivolous interruption. “It is my + intention,” he continued, “to give sufficient notice, so that if they are + willing to admit my supremacy, there need be no loss of life.” + </p> + <p> + He halted, as an officer had just come in, and was standing after + saluting, waiting for Edestone to stop speaking. + </p> + <p> + “The look-outs report, sir, that there are several Taubes climbing up + toward us. What are your orders, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Close everything down, except one of these.” Edestone pointed to a + window. “Expose no lights.” + </p> + <p> + After the man had retired, he said to one of the servants in the room: + “Put out the lights, and bring us two cloaks.” + </p> + <p> + When the lights had been put out, Lawrence saw for the first time that + during dinner the solid cubes of steel, the size of the windows, had + noiselessly rolled back, leaving a square aperture or passage-way through + the six-foot thickness of the armour-plate, and forming a sort of <i>loggia</i> + into which they stepped. It was a beautiful night, and through the clear, + rarefied atmosphere the stars seemed to Lawrence brighter than he had ever + seen them before, while down below them he could just see the lights of + Berlin. + </p> + <p> + The explosions of the motors of the Taubes could be plainly heard, but as + yet nothing could be seen of them. + </p> + <p> + “What do you suppose those mosquitoes expect to do against us with their + pop-guns and tomato cans?” asked Lawrence. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know.” Edestone shook his head. “Perhaps they are just coming up + to look us over. They will keep out of sight, and as they may not know + that we are protected on top, will perhaps try to drop one of their tomato + cans on us. That is, if they can get close enough. I hardly think that + they will risk a miss, and drop bombs on their own capital, so long as the + Only One Who Seems To Count In Germany is in the midst of his beloved + people.” + </p> + <p> + The Taubes could be heard on all sides, as if they were climbing in great + circles around the Little Peace Maker. There seemed to be at least a dozen + of them, although owing to the confusion of sounds as they crossed and + re-crossed, it was impossible to count them. + </p> + <p> + At last, though, when judging by the noise they were about on the same + level as the ship, Edestone turned to an officer who was standing by him. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Commander Anderson to load all of the big guns with a full charge of + black powder only, and fire them all off at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “And, Lawrence,” he advised his friend, “when you hear a bell ringing, + stand on your toes, open your mouth, stick your fingers in your ears, and + if you’ve never been in Hell before, prepare yourself for a shock.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he gotten the words out of his mouth, when bells began ringing + all over the ship. In just exactly one minute, Lawrence thought he had + been blown into bits, as he was lifted and thrown from side to side + against the steel walls of the passage. The noise was so great that his + ears seemed unable to record it, and it was made known to him by the air + pressure which seemed to be crushing him to death. The rush of air down + his throat was choking him, while his very insides seemed to be turning + over and over in their effort to escape. A dizziness and nausea followed, + and he had to lean against his friend, trying to catch his breath in the + thick, black smoke with which they were enveloped. + </p> + <p> + “This is Hell all right,” he managed to gasp. + </p> + <p> + “That is the worst you will ever get,” said Edestone. “It was noise that I + was after, and black powder makes it. Your experience would not have been + half so bad had the guns been loaded or had I used smokeless.” + </p> + <p> + The ship which had trembled from stem to stern under the tremendous + concussion was floating now as quietly as a toy balloon, while the wind + was rolling up and pushing before it a great cloud of smoke which obscured + the sky. On all sides there was perfect stillness, broken only now and + again by the last explosion of gas caught in the cylinders of the Taubes + by the sudden stoppage of the engines. The airmen were volplaning to earth + as fast and as silently as they could. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that ought to hold them for a while,” commented Lawrence in a tone + which showed that he was almost himself again. + </p> + <p> + “And make them a little bit more amenable to reason in the morning,” added + Edestone, and he laughed, for action with him always drove away the blue + devils. + </p> + <p> + “With that settled, too, we will just have time before turning in, to + inspect my quarters,” he continued. “Tomorrow I will introduce you to + ‘Specs’ and Captain Lee, and you can go with them at eleven o’clock on + their tour of official inspection. They will show you the fire drill, the + life-balloon drill, the gun drill, the kitchen, and the cows. But now I + want you to see a different side of the ship. We will look at my quarters, + then at my guest rooms, and finally at my royal suite or state apartments + as I call them.” + </p> + <p> + He then took Lawrence through room after room, which were arranged in the + form of a horseshoe, starting on the port side with his breakfast room, + and working around to the starboard side with its opening toward the stern + of the ship. + </p> + <p> + On the port side were Edestone’s apartments—living-room, library, or + den, bedroom, dressing-room, bath-room, and gymnasium. On the starboard + were a number of guest rooms arranged in suites of parlour, bedroom, and + bath, while at the crown of the arch was a large dining-room in which + fifty persons could sit down to dinner comfortably. + </p> + <p> + The centre of the horseshoe was the large room through which he had + passed, and like the general meeting room of a large country house was + filled with all known kinds of games—instruments and devices to + amuse that most unfortunate class of human beings who have no resources + within themselves, and must play some foolish game, or do some foolish + puzzle in order to get through the life which seems to hang so heavily on + their hands. + </p> + <p> + From this they passed to a lower deck about amidships, to a room about + eighty feet by one hundred and twenty feet, which extended the full width + of the ship and up three decks. At one end of this large and handsome room + was a raised platform arranged like the Speaker’s desk in the House of + Representatives at Washington with the desks at lower levels for + stenographers, clerks, and attendants, while around the room in concentric + circles were large comfortable seats and desks, also like a Senate + Chamber, only more luxurious in appointments, as though it were to receive + a more distinguished body of men than the Senate of the United States, if + that were possible. + </p> + <p> + “This,” said Edestone, “is where I intend to hold my Peace Conference, and + when you see the names of the distinguished men who are to sit here, and + the apartments that I have arranged for them and their suites, you will + perhaps be glad to take your old position of room clerk.” + </p> + <p> + Then after showing his companion through these magnificent “royal suites,” + as he called them, all furnished and equipped in the most sumptuous + fashion, he suggested that they had better turn in. + </p> + <p> + “We will hope and pray for the best in the morning,” he said, as he bade + Lawrence good-night. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. — THE ULTIMATUM + </h2> + <p> + The sun was streaming through the windows when Lawrence awoke the next + morning. The valet had come in shortly before to throw back the curtains + with a slam, and by moving about the room, slapping up shades and dropping + boots, make the usual noises of a well-trained valet at that time of the + morning. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone is already up, sir,” he said when he saw that he had + succeeded in waking Lawrence, “and is having his breakfast in his own + apartments. Will you have yours here or will you go to the breakfast + room?” + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast room,” elected Lawrence sleepily. “What time is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Eight o’clock, sir. What will you have for breakfast, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Anything and eggs,” said Lawrence, and was about to turn over and go to + sleep again when he realized where he was, and leaping out of bed to the + window in one bound stepped out into the <i>loggia</i>. + </p> + <p> + The Little Peace Maker had dropped down and was now only about a thousand + feet up; and when he looked down from his balcony, he could see that she + had changed her position so as to float exactly over the Palace. It almost + seemed to him as if he could step off and onto the roof of this great pile + of masonry. The airship, too, must have just moved into this position, as + was shown by the excited way in which the little people below him were + running away in every direction. + </p> + <p> + He had his bath, and hurriedly dressing went into the breakfast room, + where he found Edestone, who had finished his breakfast and was waiting + for him, while reading from a lot of slips of paper which he was turning + over in his hand. The master of the ship was dressed all in white and + looked refreshed after a good night’s rest. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Lawrence,” he greeted him. “Did you sleep well?” + </p> + <p> + “Like a top.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is your hand?” + </p> + <p> + “I had almost forgotten it, only I did get the dressings wet while taking + my bath, but that will give me an excuse for passing the time of day with + the doctors. How is your head?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that does not amount to anything,” said Edestone. “It will be well in + a week. Have you seen the morning papers?” With a smile he handed him a + sheet on which was printed all the news of the day which the wireless man + had picked up during the night. + </p> + <p> + “The United States has not been heard from,” he commented as he glanced it + over. “I wonder what the Southern Baptist Union School Children will think + of me now? You know the Secretary of State thought I was a Baptist. And as + for him, why he will leave the State Department and stay away until it + gets too hot in Florida, or the lecturing season is all over, while the + President will write a most scholarly note to all of the Powers telling + them how much he loves them, and what a glorious thing it is to be an + American. He will then give an unqualified invitation to all of the + dark-skinned downtrodden criminals of Europe to come over and be sprinkled + with the holy water of citizenship, after they have made their mark to + their naturalization papers which have been read to them by their + interpreter. + </p> + <p> + “London reports that the news from Germany has filled the entire country + with new confidence,” he went on, “and that the Londoners have given + themselves over to the most un-English and thoroughly Latin demonstrations + by parading the streets and singing songs and indulging in another + Mafeking. I see, too, that Lord Rockstone is reported to have said that he + thought now the war would not last as long as he had expected. The King + has called a special meeting of the Cabinet for today at 4 o’clock. + </p> + <p> + “Reports come from Rome that Italy will enter the war immediately, and the + papers point out the fact that now since her friend America has joined the + Allies it is high time that Italy should take her position. + </p> + <p> + “Petrograd reports that they have lost 100,000 men but have captured + 250,000 Austrians. + </p> + <p> + “Constantinople,” he went on reading, “declares that the Dardanelles are + impregnable and that the city is perfectly quiet, but the Sultan and half + of his harem have moved to his summer residence.” + </p> + <p> + He laid down the printed sheet. “I have had no communication yet from down + there,” he said as he pointed down in the direction of the Palace. “My + international law department is drawing up a proclamation which I will + send as soon as it is finished. It will be along the lines that I spoke of + to you last night, but framed in more diplomatic language. These are the + latest bulletins I was just reading over when you came in.” + </p> + <p> + Then while Lawrence sat eating his breakfast, Edestone continued to read + now and then bits of the different press notices. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this,” he said with a laugh. “‘The twenty Taubes sent up to + make a night attack on the American airship inflicted great injury. After + using up all their ammunition and bombs they were forced to retire before + the large guns of the enemy. They all reached the ground in safety. The + tremendous explosion that was heard in the city is thought to have been + caused by the exploding of one of the large magazines.’” + </p> + <p> + “What’s that from?” Lawrence glanced up from his “anything and eggs.” “<i>Die + Fliegende Blatter?</i>” + </p> + <p> + But Edestone did not smile, he was glancing at another of the slips. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he said in a sad voice, “I seem to have killed about one thousand + people last night.” + </p> + <p> + “Still,” argued Lawrence, “that was not as large a percentage of the + German Empire as they killed of your little kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” granted Edestone; “and as long as they insist upon treating me as an + outlaw I will be one so far as they are concerned. I will now go and see + if my ultimatum is prepared. I am undecided as to whether I will send it + by wireless or by a messenger.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence finished his breakfast and while he sat in the <i>loggia</i> + smoking his cigar and looking down over the city, he decided to ask + permission to carry the message to the Emperor himself. The idea delighted + him, and he pictured exactly how he would walk and speak his lines like + the prince in the story book. He only regretted that he was not to be + dressed up in spangles, like the heralds of old, and have the triumphal + march from <i>Aïda</i> played by trumpeters from the Metropolitan Opera + House who would precede him in their brand-new Cammeyer sandals and badly + fitting tights but he decided that if said trumpeters were obliged to read + sheet music he would not allow them to wear glasses. He was just making up + his mind what he would say to the Emperor when Wilhelm fell on his knees + and begged him to intercede for him, as Edestone came in, and blasted all + these glowing dreams with a word. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is done,” he said, “and I have given them until one o’clock to + answer.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence was then formally introduced to “Specs” under his title of + Admiral Page, to Captain Lee, and the officers, and he spent one of the + most delightful days of his life, so much interested in what he saw that + he entirely forgot that he was a pirate, waiting to destroy a peaceable + city if it did not do his bidding. + </p> + <p> + Edestone had settled himself down for a quiet day of waiting, and Lawrence + amused himself by inspecting every part of the ship and talking with all + on board from the oil men to the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “Admiral Page,” he inquired, “where do you keep the Deionizer?” + </p> + <p> + At which “Specs” peeped at him with a suspicious glance through his thick + glasses. “Has Mr. Edestone spoken to you of that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lawrence, “but he did not explain to me its working.” + </p> + <p> + “Specs” hesitated to take even Lawrence into the holy of holies until he + had obtained permission from Edestone to do so. Having by telephone + communicated with him, and receiving his permission, he conducted Lawrence + up into the bow of the ship. After passing through several heavy doors, + which “Specs” unlocked, saluting the sentries at each, they came to a + great iron grille and he motioned to Lawrence to look through, saying, + “This is as far as I can take you.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence looked through, and he saw what appeared to be the door of an + enormous safe-deposit k vault. “That,” nodded “Specs,” “is the door to the + safe in which the Deionizer is kept. No one on earth excepting Mr. + Edestone knows the combination that will open those doors. That is run by + a one hundred H. P. motor in the engine room, and from it run the + deionizing cables which run down the port and starboard sides of the + vessel.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say,” said Lawrence, “that I have no weight?” as he felt + his large biceps with an expression of pride. + </p> + <p> + This caused “Specs” to laugh, and in response to the numberless questions + put to him by the young man, he explained the different mechanisms by + which the weight of the ship and its contents was kept at the weight of + the amount of air displaced by it. + </p> + <p> + “So,” said Lawrence, “we are floating not by virtue of gas bags filled + with gas lighter than air, but by the amount of air displaced by all + metallic substances on this vessel, which for all practical purposes are + rendered lighter than air?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied “Specs,” with a look of pity for the other man’s ignorance, + “I suppose that is the way you would express it. If you really want to + understand, and are willing to give the time to it, come to my quarters, + and I will give you the scientific explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you,” said Lawrence; “I’ll take your word for it, but I am glad + to know that when I get back to earth I’m not liable at any time to be + blown away like a thistledown.” + </p> + <p> + At lunch Edestone appeared very thoughtful and seemed to feel great + anxiety about the outcome of his note. They had observed that soon after + the message had been sent automobiles were coming and going from the + Palace in great numbers, and gathered that the Emperor apparently was + holding a council of war. They had also seen with powerful glasses that, + in certain parts of the city there was great activity of some kind, but + they were unable to ascertain exactly what it was. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot understand,” frowned Edestone, “how they can possibly decline a + proposition <i>pour parler</i>. I asked them to agree to nothing. I + assured them that I would use my influence in favour of a just settlement + of all the claims arising out of the war and of the incidents leading up + to it. I appealed to their humanity, and guaranteed as far as lay within + my power to protect the lives and property of Germans all over the world + if they would only stop all actual fighting until I could make an exactly + similar appeal to the other Governments that are involved.” + </p> + <p> + Just then an officer came in and handed Edestone a wireless message which + had just been received. + </p> + <p> + Edestone read it hurriedly, but as he glanced up it was easy to see from + the expression on his face that he was pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he exclaimed elatedly, “these Germans are not so bad after all, + and if they will only give up the idea that they are the only people on + the face of the earth, the sooner will they get what they want. That is, + if they are telling the truth when they state they are fighting only to + bring religion, science, and culture to the entire world. They do + sincerely and honestly believe, I think, that this can be obtained only + under the German form of government, and many of the other nations would + be willing to admit this in part were they absolutely convinced of their + sincerity and did not suspect them of greed on the part of the merchant + class and ambition on the part of the war party. + </p> + <p> + “They have apparently received my note in the spirit in which it was + sent,” he explained, “and have agreed to consider carefully the + proposition which I have made. They only ask to be given until five + o’clock this afternoon to draw up in proper form their reply to me and + their message to the other countries. I am expecting every minute now to + see a white flag displayed somewhere on or around the Palace, which was + the signal agreed upon and is to be acknowledged by a similar flag + displayed by me. This is not to be considered as an indication of any + weakness on their part, or any surrendering of their rights or the + acknowledgment of my power, but as a truce which will last only until five + o’clock, or until such earlier time as I shall answer them. They stipulate + that I, as an indication of good faith, withdraw to some point outside of + the city, where it will be well out of range of my largest guns, and in + order to fix some location which will be perfectly satisfactory they have + suggested that I lie over the Gotzen See and have established my exact + position by the ruins of an old castle on its north-eastern bank. There I + am to remain until I receive their answer, which if not satisfactory + terminates the truce. They have indicated very justly that they do not + think they should be called upon to open negotiations for an amicable + settlement with me while the Little Peace Maker is lying so close to the + Emperor’s Palace and threatening it with instant destruction.” + </p> + <p> + As it was impossible for them from where they were to see the Palace, + Edestone suggested that they go up on the upper deck. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that by the time we arrive on deck,” Edestone said as they hurried + along, “the white flag will be flying, and I sincerely hope that this will + mark the beginning of the end of this cruel war and the realization of my + hopes, the accomplishment of my life’s work. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he exclaimed as they arrived and looked down, “there she is! You can + see it on the large flagpole out in front of the Palace, while the + Imperial standard is still floating over His Majesty’s residence.” He + called an officer to him and gave him his orders: + </p> + <p> + “Dip my colours and then run them up to the peak again. Display a white + flag. Tell Captain Lee to call all hands, and get under way at once. Drop + to within four hundred feet, man the rail, and circle the Palace. Haul + down my colours and run up the German Imperial Ensign and fire a national + salute of twenty-one guns, and then run at top speed and take a position + over the Gotzen See at a point which I shall indicate.” + </p> + <p> + The ceremony was executed faultlessly, as he directed, and when the Little + Peace Maker, just skirting the tops of the buildings, cast the shadow of + its nine hundred feet of steel as it came between the sun and the Imperial + city, its big guns booming the national salute, the people of Berlin must + have been impressed, for when she circled at about four knots they + cheered. But when she changed her speed, and at one hundred and eighty + knots disappeared from sight, they must have been relieved. + </p> + <p> + At such speed it was only a few minutes before they were hovering quietly + over the old ruin on the banks of the lake, and they settled down to spend + the afternoon as they would have, had they been anchored in Frenchman’s + Bay off of Bar Harbour in the month of August on board the <i>Storm Queen</i>. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful and quiet summer scene, and like a big trout in a + limpid pool the Little Peace Maker lay perfectly still basking in the warm + sunshine. Most of the ports were open and the men were lying around + enjoying the relaxation of the first dog-watch. + </p> + <p> + Although it was with difficulty that Edestone could keep Lawrence still + long enough, he forced him to join in a game of chess, which was + Edestone’s favourite form of relaxation. Lawrence, however, kept + continually breaking in with the suggestion that they go below and take a + walk among the ruins of the home of one of the ancient Barons of Prussia. + </p> + <p> + From time to time, while waiting for Lawrence to move, Edestone would + consult his watch, and as the fatal hour of five approached, although + perfectly calm he was anxious. + </p> + <p> + With the finish of the game, Lawrence, who had chafed under the + confinement, insisted upon going on deck and talking with the officers and + men. + </p> + <p> + When next he saw his friend, Edestone was walking up and down the general + living-room with an expression of great anxiety on his face. It was + half-past five o’clock, and although Lawrence had entirely forgotten it, + he suddenly thought of the ultimatum. + </p> + <p> + “Well what did they answer?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” said Edestone. + </p> + <p> + “And what are you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to Kiel to sink one of their largest battleships, and see if + that will wake them up. We shall be under way in ten minutes and should be + there by eight-thirty o’clock. I have ordered ‘Specs’ to get under way as + soon as possible.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence was delighted; this was the best yachting that he had ever had, + and he wanted to be in so many places at the same time that he ran about + like a boy on his first ocean trip. He was just going up the companionway + to the pilot house, where he knew he would find Edestone, when he was + almost knocked off his feet by the impact of something against the side of + the ship which felt as if it would tear out every rivet and buckle every + beam. At the same instant there was an explosion which was worse than the + black-powder explosion of the night before, and he was just thinking how + unkind it was of Edestone not to have warned him before indulging in + another one of his pyrotechnical demonstrations, when it was followed by + another and another. + </p> + <p> + He had managed by this time to get into the pilot house, where he saw + Edestone with an expression of rage on his face giving sharp peremptory + orders while the life was being pounded out of the Little Peace Maker. In + response to these orders, the ship suddenly shot up with such rapidity + that it seemed to Lawrence as if his legs would be driven through the + floor. + </p> + <p> + He was suffering great pain in his head and his nose was bleeding. He + could scarcely hear what Edestone was saying to him, but finally he caught + these words: + </p> + <p> + “So that is their answer, the liars! They have taken advantage of my + willingness to remain here quietly, and with their thoroughness in all + matters and their usual method of working in the dark, they have placed me + where they have carefully worked out the range of their + forty-two-centimetre guns. They hoped to be able to capture us, but seeing + our smoke, and realizing that I was going to move, they took this + unspeakable method of putting an end to the Little Peace Maker.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. — A LYING KING MAKES A NATION OF LIARS + </h2> + <p> + It seemed for a time as if Edestone had completely lost control of + himself. Lawrence, “Specs,” and Captain Lee, who had all known him for + years, stood back staring at him in blank amazement. He was perfectly + livid. Out of his face had gone every semblance of the man that they had + known, loved, honoured, and respected for his kind, big, and forgiving + nature, willing to stand an insult rather than use his great power where a + smaller character would have demanded the last ounce of flesh. In its + place was an expression of rage which would have been frightful to see on + the face of a weaker man, but on his, with all the power and determination + of his strong character behind it, it was appalling. It made them feel + that they were held helpless by a powerful demon who would destroy and + kill any who might stand in his way. Pushing everyone aside in a manner + that was entirely foreign to him, he sprang to the wheel and taking it + rang for full speed ahead. He swung the ship around so quickly that she + banked and turned over at an angle of thirty degrees. + </p> + <p> + She was then at an altitude of from 7000 to 8000 feet and he put her head + down as if he intended to drive her steel-pointed bow into the very heart + of the city of Berlin. But when he had gotten her at about 400 feet he + straightened her out and sent her at 150 knots. Without taking his eyes + off his goal, which seemed to be the Palace of the Kaiser, he said in a + cold and emotionless voice: “See what damage has been done and report to + me quickly, and as there is a God in Heaven if a single one of my men has + been killed I will hang the Kaiser after I have destroyed his city!” + </p> + <p> + While the different officers were busily telephoning to every part of the + ship carrying out this order, Lawrence stood paralysed waiting for the + answers. He sincerely hoped that none of the men had been killed, but as + one officer after another reported all well in his department, and as the + number of departments yet to be heard from grew less and less, he could + not control a distinct feeling of disappointment, for he had silently said + “Amen!” to Edestone’s last sentiment. When all had been heard from, and it + was found that none had been killed, and that the injuries to the ship + were, so slight that they could be repaired within a week, Edestone said + to the officer of the deck: + </p> + <p> + “Take the wheel. When you are over the city and have made the Palace, + circle it at eight knots. I wish them all to see me. After you have + rounded the Palace, run at full speed for Kiel.” + </p> + <p> + And without a word to Lawrence he turned and left the bridge. On his face + was a look that showed that the demon within him was under perfect + control, but he had no desire to hide the fact that it was still with him. + Lawrence would no more have thought of following him than he would have + thought of following a wounded Manchurian tiger into its cave. + </p> + <p> + “I would have hated to hear that any one of our fine fellows had been + killed,” he said with a nervous laugh, “but my, what a swell little + afternoon hanging that would have been! Nathan Hale with the original cast + wouldn’t have had a speculator in front of his doors. His front-row seats + would be selling at box-office prices, while we would have sold out the + house at ten thousand times the cost of the production before the + first-nighters had even seen a press notice. There would not have been a + piece of paper in the house except the Press and the Princes. By the + sacred substance of John D. Rockefeller’s hair-tonic, I hate to think of + the money we would have made with the movies! The Crown Prince giving the + Papa Wilhelm kiss, while the trap man plays on the melodeon ‘It’s the + Wrong Way to Tickle Mary,’ and the Ghost of the Hohenzollern, who ate up + her two babies when she found they disturbed her gentleman friend, + hovering over the scene like Schumann-Heink in the <i>Rheingold</i>,—I + would not release that reel for less than a billion dollars down! + </p> + <p> + “But why talk about pleasant things when we have such serious matters on + our hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edestone looked as if he meant serious business all right,” said one + of the officers. “Listen! I hear the wireless sending a message now.” + </p> + <p> + Lawrence listened, and repeated as he heard: “The Little Peace Maker is + now running for Kiel, where she will arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 I will begin + to drop tons of lyddite and dynamite on the decks of all German ships of + war, and in order that there may be no unnecessary loss of life I give + this notice.” + </p> + <p> + The instrument stopped, but Lawrence continued, as if still catching and + translating the message: + </p> + <p> + “And realizing the extreme supersensitiveness of the German sailors, we + are sending ahead by Parcel Post baskets for the cats and cages for the + canaries. The women and babies, being contraband, must go down with the + ships.” + </p> + <p> + They were now slowly swinging around the Palace, and as the people of + Berlin knew nothing, they took the accepted German position, which was + that Edestone was afraid of the Kaiser’s wrath, and they therefore came + flocking out into the streets to see him dip his flag to that of the + all-powerful German Empire. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence noted that the Imperial standard was no longer flying over the + Palace. “It looks,” said he, “as if we would have to put in an under-study + for the leading man.” + </p> + <p> + And then as if some sudden idea had struck him, he rushed from the bridge, + and while the Little Peace Maker was slowly passing over the plaza in + front of the Palace, the men on the bridge saw with a mingled feeling of + horror and delight a large black object, which resembled a submarine mine, + dropping from the port side of the ship, and they stood in breathless + expectation of seeing the hideous Renaissance monument, erected by + Schluter, blown to atoms. When the sinister-looking cylinder struck the + pavement it exploded, but instead of death and destruction the flaggings + were strewn with egg-shells, coffee-grounds, and garbage. + </p> + <p> + “I always did like that French chef,” said Lawrence when he returned to + the bridge, gasping for breath. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” he added, “that we didn’t have our little lynching bee this + afternoon, but the sinking of a billion dollars’ worth of battleships must + be almost as much fun as hanging a ‘kink.’” + </p> + <p> + They were now going at top speed, and after waiting about for some time + and finding that Edestone did not return to the bridge, he went to his + room and dressed for dinner. + </p> + <p> + At dinner Edestone appeared, but he was very quiet. + </p> + <p> + “Lawrence,” he said, “you must forgive me, but I really am not myself. I + cannot recall at any time in my entire life when I was ever so angry as I + was this afternoon. I think they call it ‘seeing red.’” + </p> + <p> + “You were ‘seeing red’ all right,” said Lawrence, “and you certainly got + my goat.” + </p> + <p> + “If one of the men on this ship had been killed, after that pledge had + been given for their safety, I do not know what I would have done.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly what do you propose to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I intend to wreck and destroy everything in this country that will be of + the slightest use to them for military purposes. Today it is Kiel with its + ships, shipyards, and dry-docks; tomorrow, Krupps; and so on until they + will have to stop fighting for the lack of munitions of war. I shall + endeavour as far as possible to avoid loss of life, but,” with an ironical + smile, “if these people wish to indulge in a fanatical display of heroism + and patriotism, I shall allow them the privilege of sinking with their + ships, or dying with their pet inventions.” + </p> + <p> + With everything closed down tight they were fast approaching Kiel, and + going up into the conning tower Edestone and Lawrence were able to see the + entire German fleet. His message had evidently been received, but the + commanders, instead of accepting his warning, had steam up, were stripped + for action, and with flags flying were making for the open sea. + </p> + <p> + Edestone, as quietly as if he were standing on the bridge of the <i>Storm + Queen</i> giving instructions for the next day’s cruise, turned to + “Specs.” + </p> + <p> + “Go out and circle them,” he said, “meet the leading ship, and then with + every gun, aerial torpedo, and bomb dropper destroy them.” + </p> + <p> + The air was soon filled with the most frightful conflict that had ever + taken place in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters + under the earth. Every ship in the fleet was, as far as possible, training + all of her guns on them, while they, moving at the rate of thirty knots, + were sailing around and around, dropping bombs on those under them, + bombarding with their great 16-inch guns the distant ships, while the + smaller guns rendered the middle distance untenable to any ship yet built + by man. + </p> + <p> + In the course of an hour not one of the German ships could be seen above + the water, and Edestone, with none of his usual kindness of heart and + sympathy for others, leaving to their fate the dead and dying that filled + the sea beneath them, gave the orders to destroy the shipyards and + dry-docks before it was too dark. + </p> + <p> + For a week this rain of destruction was continued day after day until his + prophecy had been fulfilled, and Germany, driven to her knees, was suing + for peace. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. — THINK OF IT! WHY NOT? + </h2> + <p> + Edestone, in the meantime, through Sir Egbert Graves, had communicated + with the King of England, politely calling His Majesty’s attention to what + he was doing, and begging that he would call upon his Allies to stop all + hostilities, and intimating that the same treatment would be meted out to + any who declined to comply with His Majesty’s request. + </p> + <p> + He also suggested that it was his sincere hope that His Majesty would call + to a conference the representatives of the nations of Europe to discuss + the settling of all questions that had caused the war, or had grown out of + it, as well as the possible methods of securing for the world perpetual + peace. + </p> + <p> + He stated that he would put at His Majesty’s disposal the Little Peace + Maker if it were necessary in order to accomplish this. + </p> + <p> + He intimated that, if it were perpetual peace that was sought, much time + and many lives would be saved if all would, of their own accord, each for + himself, do what he was doing for Germany as fast as possible, namely, + destroy all ships and implements of war. + </p> + <p> + This raised a storm of protest, and international notes burned the ether + of space as they flashed back and forth. Even the United States entered + the controversy, seeming to have at last found something sufficiently + threatening to her interests and insulting to her dignity to cause her to + take her place with the other nations of the world. + </p> + <p> + Edestone was inundated with communications from the different nations, + drawn in the most bombastic manner; for although they must have by this + time realized that they were absolutely in his power, they were unable to + set aside the boastful method of addressing their fellow-men which they + had inherited from their savage ancestors, who, standing half-naked around + the council fire, tried by this method to throw terror into the hearts of + their listeners. + </p> + <p> + To all this he made but one reply, which was that nations which came + together for the purpose of sincerely discussing universal peace must come + absolutely unarmed, and those who refused so to do should be disarmed by + force. When these protests finally took the form of an approaching + coalition of the nations of the earth for the purpose of his destruction, + his answer was to take possession quietly of two or three of the largest + plants in Europe, which he forced to run to replenish the Little Peace + Maker with munitions of war. + </p> + <p> + After a diplomatic correspondence had gone on, extending over several + weeks, and Edestone had punctuated his demands with an occasional sinking + of a battleship or destruction of a powder plant belonging to the nations + who stood out against him, after he had visited all of the principal + capitals, and representatives of the Governments had come on board to + discuss with him, his terms were finally agreed upon, and the date for + this great meeting was fixed. He declined to negotiate with any, other + than the absolute heads of the respective Governments, and after much + discussion all precedent was set aside, and it was agreed that the + conference should be held on board of the Little Peace Maker. Franz Josef + I., Emperor of Austria; Wilhelm II., Emperor of Germany; George V., King + of England; Nicholas II., Czar of Russia; the President of the French + Republic; Mr. Cockadoo of the United States of America, together with a + company of lesser lights, all with suites in keeping with their rank, were + there received and entertained by him. + </p> + <p> + Lawrence, accepting the position of Room Clerk, took great pride and + pleasure in seeing that everyone was properly installed. This was not, + however, his official position, as Edestone had turned over to him the + task of answering the great volume of communications that he had received + from amateurs, fanatics, ladies, and criminals, and it devolved upon him + to answer these and also to provide for the entertainment of the + representatives of the Anarchists, Socialists, Organized Labour, and + Suffragettes. + </p> + <p> + To the Anarchists, in answer to their inquiries as to where they were now + to obtain their explosives with which to continue their campaigns in the + future, and without the use of which they could secure for their arguments + no attention, he made no reply. + </p> + <p> + To the Socialists, he said that the best that he could do for them was to + provide an overflow meeting at the foot of the stairs; the Emperor of + Germany had refused to sit down with the traitors, as he called them, and + for once Edestone agreed with the Imperial contention. There, Lawrence + assured them, their point of view would be given serious consideration; in + fact, he himself expected to have the great honour of addressing them and + the Prohibitionists, the Anti-Vivisectionists, the Cubists, the Futurists, + the Post-Impressionists, and the Reds. + </p> + <p> + To Organized Labour, Edestone wrote that he would represent their cause. + Descended as he was from a long line of honest labouring men, who had + succeeded without the assistance of an organization of lazy and + inefficient ones combined under dishonest leaders, he assured them that he + would insist upon their rights, and that under the new regime, honesty, + efficiency, and sense of responsibility to those who employed them would + be recognized and rewarded in a manner beyond their wildest dreams. This + could not, however, be accomplished, he said, except by forcing the + dishonest, lazy, and inefficient into their rightful position, that of a + worthless by-product in this great world of recognition of true merit. + </p> + <p> + To the Suffragettes, Lawrence extended a most cordial invitation, but + stipulated that no representative would be received who had not borne and + raised twelve children, or were willing to appear at the meeting without + their hats, with hair cropped close to the head. + </p> + <p> + The date selected by Edestone was the Fourth day of July; the place, in + order to offend no one, was the beautiful valley of St. Nicholas in the + neutral country of the Swiss, and the Little Peace Maker, painted and + polished, was floating about twenty-five feet from the ground. About + one-quarter of her length from her stern, leading from an opening in her + bottom, ran a great flight of stairs which rested on a platform at their + foot. This was constructed in a manner similar to the cradle upon which + she was seen to rest by the King of England and his Cabinet. In this + manner she was connected with the earth but absolutely insulated. + </p> + <p> + To reach this platform one had to walk up four or five steps, which were + made of hard rubber, over which was laid a thick red velvet carpet, which + continued across the platform and up this most impressive flight of stairs + and disappeared into the opening in the Little Peace Maker. Bands were + playing, children were laughing, but not one soldier was to be seen. + </p> + <p> + The Royalties, as they arrived, were received at the foot of the stairs by + Edestone and conducted to their apartments where, surrounded by their + secretaries and servants, they might live entirely alone, or could, if + they desired to do so, mingle with the rest of the distinguished company. + </p> + <p> + When the great day arrived, and these Royal Potentates were seated in + their places, which had been arranged with great consideration for their + extreme sensitiveness on the subject of precedent, an exact science, + Edestone, dressed in his simple yachting costume, walked slowly up through + the aisle, on either side of which were seated Royalties, each in his + favourite uniform of ceremony, soon to become as old-fashioned as the + tattooing on a savage’s face. With perfect composure and self-possession + he took his place as Chairman of the Board and called the meeting to + order. + </p> + <p> + Then in a perfectly businesslike manner he explained the object of the + meeting, which he did with the greatest consideration for his + distinguished listeners, but there was in his voice a ring of confidence, + which they all knew was due to the fact that the suggestions that he made + would certainly be put into effect, and whereas they came to discuss, they + remained to agree. + </p> + <p> + He first briefly outlined the Utopian condition of the world as it would + be after his first suggestion had been carried into effect, and all arms, + ammunition, ships of war, and all destructive agencies had been destroyed. + </p> + <p> + He then laid down some new principles and relegated some of the old to the + scrap-heap. + </p> + <p> + He scoffed at the theory of majority rule, equality of man, and perpetual + peace through brotherly love. + </p> + <p> + Why should the majority rule, if the minority were more intelligent? + </p> + <p> + Why should all men be considered equal in intelligence, if not in weight + and height? + </p> + <p> + Why should dried-up old women be able to do something that young men, in + their full health and strength, had been unable to accomplish? + </p> + <p> + He then established a very limited ruling class, which he called, for the + lack of a better name, the Aristocracy of Intelligence, over which he + placed a head with absolute power, backed with sufficient force to see + that its wishes were carried out. + </p> + <p> + He then finally laid before them the plan of administration which he + proposed, which was that the entire world should be run by a Board of + Directors, of which, for the present, he sincerely hoped that they would + allow him to hold the humbler position of Chairman, while the President + and glorious head should be selected from some of the distinguished + monarchs within the sound of his voice. + </p> + <p> + He then very diplomatically explained that the form of government would be + based upon the administration of the great corporations of America, which + was his extremely polite method of informing them that the Chairman of the + Board was the power, and the President was but the icing on the cake. + </p> + <p> + He stated that history taught them that all wars had come about on account + of three things: Race, Religion, and Riches. + </p> + <p> + He suggested that the Race problem might be entirely solved by segregating + the races of the world, and giving over to them a portion of the earth + sufficiently large to support them in comfort in the climate and + surroundings to which they were accustomed, in which section they should + speak their own language, and were entitled to indulge in their own forms + of religion, customs, and superstitions, and there and there alone they + were supreme, and then only on matters of the administration of their own + allotment of the earth, but were subject absolutely and entirely to the + ruling of the Board of Directors as to their international policies. + </p> + <p> + The title of the portion of the world allotted to them was based not upon + the claims of any barbarian of antiquity, fanatic of the Middle Ages, or + the war lords of modern times, but upon the decision of the Board of + Directors, which would annul all previous titles and be final and + irrevocable. + </p> + <p> + If at any time any one or group of these left the portion of the earth to + which they had been restricted, they lost all of their rights as citizens + of the world, and while visiting the other sections must bow absolutely to + the will of those whose hospitality they were accepting. + </p> + <p> + In the case of those nations who had no home, and who had been parasites + on the nations of the earth for thousands of years, it was proposed that + they purchase from the country now holding the cradle of their birth a + home sufficiently large to accommodate their ever-increasing numbers under + the hygienic and healthful condition of the countries which they swarmed. + </p> + <p> + Religion, he said, which had for so many years been the cause of wars and + tumults, numbered by actual count up into the thousands, were in his + opinion sufficient in number to satisfy all who were not wishing for + personal aggrandizement or accumulation of wealth to create others. + Therefore, he stated, that all religions which had been established up to + the beginning of the nineteenth century might be allowed to continue, but + all others, being drawn on rather too scientific and financial lines, were + to be eliminated. + </p> + <p> + Coming to the last, and, as he expressed it, the cause of the present war, + namely, Riches, he showed that in the new form of government competition + would be eliminated, the interest of the whole being controlled by one + head with power to police, and greater profits to all would accrue by the + elimination of waste of time and money and by the efficiency of a single + administration. + </p> + <p> + He then suggested that a grand and international festival be held, at + which the combined fleets of the entire world be gathered together in the + middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and there, as a bond of good faith of all, + in the midst of universal rejoicing, they should be consigned to the + bottomless depths of absolute and eternal darkness. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Lawrence was addressing an assemblage of Reds, I. W. + W.‘s, Prohibitionists, and other thoughtful members of society. To these + he was serving grape juice and patent medicines. The percentage of alcohol + in these beverages quieted the nerves of most, but rendered the + Prohibitionists quite hilarious. They listened with much attention and + applauded violently the scheme which he outlined before them. + </p> + <p> + “You should be allowed,” he said, “to settle in the middle of the Desert + of Sahara, where you could all live in beautiful glass houses, and where + the soil produces no stones of a throwable size. There will be no saloons + there, clubs or dinner parties, but drugstores with their alluring lights + will decorate every corner. There with your palates parching with pain + your motto should be ‘Speak Easy’ for the sake of the Cause. The lives of + the inhabitants will be regulated by priestesses and preachers, and to + them will be submitted the most intimate affairs of the family. Yours will + be a maternal government; to each member of every family the Government + will daily, after taking the temperature, issue canton flannel + underclothes of the proper weight to be worn during the day. Alarm clocks + set by the Government will be issued to all. Your food, your cooking, and + your babies—if you have any, and God grant that you may not in such + a dry place!—will all be according to the canons of your religion. + Should you at any time find that the inhabitants are drying up and blowing + away, you can recruit from the malcontents of other portions of the + globe.” + </p> + <p> + With the Anti-Vivisectionists he was most sympathetic. “Ladies and + cranks,” he said. “I, too, am very fond of dogs, but as it is absolutely + necessary for the progress of science to make experiments upon living + subjects, I call upon you to volunteer for this work for all portions of + the body except the brain; for that portion I am creditably informed that + the doctors would prefer to use wood pulp.” + </p> + <p> + This was received with violent protestations of disapproval by the + Cubists, the Futurists, and the Post-Impressionists, who claimed that this + was entirely unnecessary, as they were able in their pictures to reveal + the most secret workings of the brain, and that upon their canvases they + laid bare for the study of the scientific world all that it was necessary + for it to know. + </p> + <p> + To the representatives of the Allied A.M.L.Q. American Architects, he + expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind expression of their + approval and offer of assistance, and in recognition of their + co-operation, he gave them entire charge of the competition for the laying + out and decorating, with befitting whirlwind monuments, hot air fountains, + and castles in the air, the great Edestone aerial highway which was to + encircle the globe. + </p> + <p> + Aloft Edestone, on the other hand, was having more trouble with his + audience, for his speech when finished was received with loud + protestations of disapproval, rendered in the most kingly and imperial + manner by this group of cousins, first cousins, double first cousins, and + half-brothers. Fortunately, however, for the welfare of the great mass of + the people of the world, they were well represented by the strong, + serious, and intelligent-looking men who sat at the elbow of this + consanguineous group, some of whom had by a process of intermarrying + degenerated into mere effigies of the strong men from whom they were + descended. These powers behind the tottering thrones of Europe realized + and bowed before the inevitable. + </p> + <h4> + FINIS + </h4> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of L. P. M., by J. Stewart Barney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L. P. M. *** + +***** This file should be named 7826-h.htm or 7826-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/2/7826/ + + +Text file produced by Eric Casteleijn, Cam Venezuela, Charles M. +Bidwell, Thomas Hutchinson, Suzanne L. 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