The Final War. A story of the Great Betrayed ... Illustrated by E. F. Sherie

Front matter

The Final War Mahomed Khan ran him through the heart. Frontispiece. See page 1S1. The + ♦ + A Story OF THE Final Great Betrayal. War. ♦ ♦ +■ BY LOUIS TRACY. ILLUSTRATED BY ERNEST F. SHERIE. London : C. ABTHTJK PEAKSON LIMITED, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 1896. \_All rights reserved. Copyrighted Abroad!} LONDON : PRINTED BV HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED, AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE AUTHOR'S HIGH REGARD AND APPRECIATION, TO PRIVATE THOMAS ATKINS.

Preface

. A BOOK should not require explanation ; it should speak for itself. But to every rule there is an exception, and I think that " The Final War " is a story of such peculiar attributes that it behoves me to offer a public apology for its appearance. For I have taken the whole world as my theme and its chief citizens are my characters. I can only hope that I have given no offence, as into the mouths of real personages I have placed the finest sentiments I could extract from a nature seared by journalism, whilst the people who get killed, or have other disagreeable things happen to them, are wholly fictitious. I have tried to write a story of adventure. It may interest and amuse the reader ; but I shall have utterly failed in my task if he does not rise from its perusal feeling proud if the English language be his mother tongue, or sad if it be not.

There is much I could explain, more that I would Preface. VIII plead for, in the succeeding pages, but those two words just written, " The End," have a pathetic significance. If only you are as sorry as I am that the book has finished when you reach the last page, you will probably understand my feelings and my silence. L. T. 201, Piccadilly, W. October, 1896. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. THE BALL AT THE EMBASSY I II. A COUNCIL OF THE POWERS. 9 III. THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE 14 IV. HOW MAJOR PERKINS WON THE V.C. ..... 22 V. WHAT THE FLEET DID ........ 31 VI. THE PRINCE AND THE PEOPLE 37 VII. THE VOYAGE OF THE " HORNET" 44 VIII. ON THE BOULEVARDS ........ 51 IX. IMPREGNABLE GIBRALTAR 58 X. AN ALLY AND A PROCLAMATION 65 XI. THE CAPTURE OF HAVRE 74 XII. HOW GERMANY WAS OUTWITTED 90 XIII. THE DIVIDED STATES IOI XIV.

RUSSIA TO THE RESCUE IO7 XV. THE GERMAN EMPEROR ....... I [5 XVI. THE GERMAN EMPEROR GETS A LESSON .... I23 XVII. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS ....... I30 XVIII. CHEAP STEAM COAL I38 XIX. THE EAGLE STRANGLES THE BEAR ...... I46 XX. ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES ..... 152 XXI. THE NEWS THE SPY SENT ....... Contents. X CHAP. PAGB XXII. A SECRET MISSION 1 68 XXIII. THE CROSSING OF THE HELMUND J75 XXIV. THE RIDE THROUGH THE PASS • XXV. ANOTHER AGINCOURT . . . . . . . • 193 XXVI. MERCIER'S MISTAKE 202 XXVII. ACROSS AMERICA IN SIXTY HOURS • 21° XXVIII. IN THE FATHERLAND ........ 217 XXIX. THE RIGOUR OF THE GAME . 226 XXX. THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND 237 XXXI. THE SHADOW OF DOOM . 245 XXXII. RODNEY BECOMES AN ADMIRAL 253 XXXIII. 44A PARIS" 262 XXXIV. THE END OF THE ROMANOFFS ...... 272 XXXV. A SORTIE FROM PARIS ........ 282 XXXVI.

THE GERMAN EMPEROR PAUSES 29I XXXVII. DR. JIM'S SECOND RAID ........ 299 XXXVIII. THE PRINCE AND THE EMPEROR 3IO XXXIX. HOW THE PARISIANS DANCED 319 XL. THE ELECTRIC RIFLE 325 XLI. PARIS TAKEN 334 XLII. HOW ENGLAND RECEIVED THE NEWS . 343 XLIII. A MESSAGE OF EVERLASTING PEACE 352 XLIV. MOSTLY MATRIMONIAL 361 XLV. THE DESTINY OF THE RACE ....... LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAG8 MAHOMED KHAN RAN HIM THROUGH THE HEART . . . Frontispiece IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES EVERY SHIP WAS HOTLY ENGAGED . facing 35 A GRAND REVIEW HELD IN HYDE PARK 40 WILD CROWDS RUSHED THROUGH THE STREETS IN FURY ... 53 44 GIVE ME A CUP OF TEA, GIRLS," HE CRIED 71 14 I HAVE SPENT THE NIGHT IN READING, AND SMOKING, AND THINKING" 89 WITH A RINGING CHEER THEY DASHED OVER THE DAM ... 97 HE WAS CAPTURED BY A DRAGOON WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST ATTEMPT AT RESCUE 199 IT WAS NOT THREE O'CLOCK WHEN HARINGTON DASHED UP TO THE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS 203 " SAY," HE SAID, " I GUESS YOU ARE OPEN TO A DEAL " . . 215 14 WELL, SIR," HE SAID GENIALLY TO FRANK, "NOW THAT YOU ARE THE ADMIRAL, I MUST ASK YOU HOW YOU PROPOSE TO CARRY MY ARMY ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE?" 254 14 THE EXCELLENT CAPTAIN GIVES YOU A FINAL CHANCE," HE EXPLAINED 27O AS HE RODE SLOWLY THROUGH THE CROWDED STREETS IT WAS OMINOUS TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS NO CLAMOUR OF WELCOME 274 "WHAT IS THE OFFICER'S NAME?" SAID IRENE .... 287 " I FURTHER ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE IN DRAWING UP THE

Letter I Propose To

SEND" 297 A BRILLIANT CEREMONY AT ST. GEORGE'S, HANOVER SQUARE . .

Chapter I. The Ball At The Embassy

{0& j^\HE month of May in Paris, if the elements be reasonably feSjG ifcij/ propitious, is a perfectly delightful period, and May g**3 <S_f day of 1898 heralded in the promise of a gracious &£kmv&_ summer. The French capital was more than ordinarily full of visitors, and life in the world of fashion was like the changeful scenes of a ballet divertissement. Americans were there " from Chicago and New York, spending millions made in packing pork," Russian notabilities abounded, and Germans, the male element vastly predominating, were in such numbers that the wonted supply of lager beer fell short in the cafes. A mad whirl of gaiety and light-heartedness filled the waking hours of every class of society. This social abandonment was, if possible, accentuated by a species of political electricity that permeated the air, and of which all men were dimly conscious.

The new Ministry in France had taken up and developed the policy of colonial expansion given effect to by their predecessors, and a singular rapprochement with Germany was vaguely supposed to have contributed in a very remarkable way to the furtherance of French ambition. Both countries had been working amicably together for nearly a year, and already the result made itself felt in the most vulnerable portions of the British empire. It is true that England had long ago secured all the best markets for her produce, that her ships carried five-sixths of the commerce of the world, and that her surplus population had the pick of many continents wherein to live and prosper. But a determined attempt was now being made by her great commercial rivals to take from her some, at least, of the advantages gained by centuries of enter prise backed up by daring perseverance.

The Rhine dwindled into a stream of no political significance. B Men openly said on the Boulevards and in the brasseries of Paris and the beer gardens of Berlin that the star of England was begin ning to wane. As a witty Frenchman put it: "The bones of Englishmen whiten the by-ways of the world: they make most excellent sign-posts for our future progress." But at the British Embassy, Lord and Lady Eskdale and their beautiful daughter, Irene, felt that, come what might in the future, it was their present duty to maintain in regal style the hospitable traditions of the Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, and thus it came to pass that the first night in May was chosen for an official dinner, to be followed by a grand ball. Strange and disquieting rumours were afloat. Scarce formed into words, they hinted at a fatal blow to be struck at some pre dominant power.

To Capt. Edward Harington — who not only silled the position of junior Military Attache at the Embassy, but was also the accepted lover of Lady Irene Yyne — the home Government owed the first suspicion of a secret and hostile combination. He had pieced together some curious observations made in his presence by certain high officials in France, and his conclusions seemed no less accurate than alarming. Inquiries made amongst the London bankers, with whom nearly every foreign prince had large dealings, showed that there had been a steady and continual withdrawal, for no accountable reason, of the securities they held. This was enough to put the Government on the alert. Harington's timely service was of considerable value, and he reaped the benefit, for the kindly interest of an exalted personage means much.

In fact, a staff appointment at Aldershot, when the next vacancy occurred, was promised to him. His sister, Ethel, a charming girl of Irene's age, was in Paris on a visit to the Eskdales, and it was one of those coincidences suggestive of arrangement that Lieut. Frank Rodney, of H.M.S. Magnificent, should have chosen gay Lutetia as the scene of a short leave of ten days. Harington and he were fast friends, and it was not unlikely that the tie of friendship might be strengthened, if the guardsman had not judged amiss the tendency of the pleasant mannered sailor's thoughts. It was his ardent wish that Rodney might marry his sister, and Ethel had even stronger views on the question than her brother, so for once the course of true love appeared to be running smoothly. The gathering in Lady Eskdale's reception room, before dinner was announced, was very select indeed.

The French President and his wife, the Russian Ambassador and the Grand Duchess, the The Ball at the Embassy. 3 German Ambassador, the French Ministers of War and Marine, the Governor of Paris, and quite a number of other great people, made the brilliant salon glitter with the magnificence of their diamond stars and ornaments, whilst the lovely dresses of the women toned down the gorgeous uniforms by their softer hues. The British Ambassador, of course, took in Madame la Presidente to dinner. His interested and urbane manner gave no indication of the troubled state of his thoughts, though in very truth, there had, that afternoon, been much cause for perplexity. A cypher telegram, dispatched at midday to London, was unaccountably interfered with en route, and a call from the Foreign Office for a repetition, resulted in even greater confusion.

In the endeavour to put matters right, he also discovered that the telephonic communication between the two countries had completely broken down. Now, his message to Lord Salisbury contained a very plain intimation that affairs were in an alarmingly unsettled condition in France, whilst large sales of British securities on the Bourse had emanated from inspired quarters, and not from any public move ment. These sales had been proceeding steadily for some days, and had seemingly culminated that morning. From this condition of affairs, he argued the necessity for keen watchfulness on the part of the British Government. By an extraordinary blunder, this message, although in a cypher believed to be known only to three men in London, and three in Paris, was metamorphosed into an absurd reference to the weather, and the repetition brought about an inextricable medley of meaning less nonsense.

But Lord Eskdale was even more suave than usual to the President's wife. There had been a grand review of the garrison of Paris that day, and the lady, with the fanfare of the trumpets still in her ears, asked the. Ambassador what he thought of the troops. " They were superb," he replied. " Their soldierly qualities were such that I almost regretted it." "But why?" " I would prefer to see such perfect manhood engaged in the arts of peace, rather than part and parcel of a huge machine of destruction." " That is exactly what I should expect to hear from an English man," said Madame. The Ambassador laughed. "Have we such a poor reputation as fire-eaters, then?" he queried. B " You speak with the accent of success," she retorted. " It is always the interest of those who have the booty to prate of peace."

" In such a matter, England's interest," he replied gravely, " is the interest of the world. The preservation of the peace of Europe is our inheritance." Madame smiled. "What would you do," she asked, "if the French were to dispute your guardianship ?" " Ah, Madame," returned the courtly ambassador, " it is not your men we fear, it is your women." " You laugh ! " exclaimed Madame, stung by his playful treat ment of her words. " But take care. A hundred years ago France taught the world the art of government. She must now teach it the art of Empire." Lord Eskdale glanced rapidly at her, and for a moment a troubled look rested upon his face. " A woman is seldom epigrammatic," he reflected, " without being also indiscreet." Then aloud, with perfect serenity : " You have achieved more than half the task already, my dear lady."

Madame paused appreciably before she answered, with a quick look at her companion : " In what sense ? " " Our hearts are already prostrate ; it needs but the subjugation of our arms." " Ah, you were only leading me up" to a pretty compliment. But I am glad that you acknowledge it is for us to contest with you the domination of the world." " I yield it to you now, without a murmur of dissent," he said. The Ambassador was clearly in a frivolous mood, so she changed the conversation to the prospects of the exhibition two years later. Why, he never knew until afterwards — but Lord Eskdale felt that he added years to his life during the progress of that meal. It was apparently unending, and it required all his powers of self command to restrain himself from cursing the excellence and prodigality of his cook.

At last it came to a conclusion, and Lady Eskdale rose, whilst his Excellency escorted Madame la Presidente to the door of the drawing-room. He returned at once, to find that the President and the Governor of Paris wished to be excused from attending the ball on the ground that affairs of departmental importance in con nection with the spring manœuvres of the army in the north required their attention. Their departure helped to break up the The Ball at the Embassy. 5 other men into groups, and Lord Eskdale encountered Harington, who was present officially, near the door. " Edward," he said, " where is your friend Rodney ? Can I see him at once ? " Harington laughed. " To tell the honest truth," he replied, " he is dining in my bedroom, where he will dress, as he is bound to Ethel for the first dance."

" Tell him to prepare for a long journey at once, without anyone being the wiser. You do the same, and meet me in my private office in five minutes." The guardsman was clever enough to smilingly assent as he lit a cigarette, for the German Ambassador had come to say that he also had pressing official work which would prevent him from remaining longer, and he hurried from the room. In one of the passages Harington met Irene. He glanced hurriedly round to see if anyone was looking, then took her in his arms, hopelessly crushing her frock the while, kissed her fervently, and said : " Good-bye, dearest. Your father will explain, but don't say a word to a soul." And he disappeared towards his own apartments. Irene thought he had taken leave of his wits, but she kept her amazement to herself nevertheless.

When Frank Rodney heard Lord Eskdale's message he thanked heaven that he had had his dinner, seized some of Harington's clothes and shirts, in case he should not have time to go to his hotel, and in three minutes announced himself ready for orders. When they reached his Excellency's study they found him awaiting them. Without any preamble he thus addressed the naval officer : " Lieutenant Rodney, I wish you to catch the ten o'clock train from the Gare de Lyon for Italy. You will reach Modane to-morrow morning at eight o'clock. From there send by Italian cable the single word 'Britannia' to the Governor of Malta, and to Sir Michael Culme Seymour, who commands the Mediterranean Fleet, which is at present at Valetta. Repeat these two messages from Turin in the afternoon in case the first may have miscarried, as the officials at Modane are French.

A homeward bound P. and O. steamer arrives at Brindisi the following morning, and you must catch it, if necessary taking a special train for the purpose, and wiring the captain to wait for you as a Queen's messenger. Go on to Malta, and tell the Governor in person the circumstances under which I sent you, and proceed by the same steamer, if you can, to Gibraltar, where you will then find the Mediterranean Fleet. Here is £250 in gold for your expenses, and this sum should be ample for all contingencies. It is now 9.15. You can do what I ask?" " Yes, sir," replied Rodney. " But my leave expires in two days." "Captain Harington will get that put right for you at the Admiralty. You, Harington, will leave for London by the eleven o'clock train, and, if you reach there by to-morrow morning — it is possible you may be detained — find Lord Salisbury or the Under secretary, and tell him my precise instructions to Lieutenant Rodney, subsequently explaining matters at the Admiralty.

To-day my telegraphic dispatches have been interfered with, and from other indications I fear immediate and pressing European complications." " It is an odd thing, sir," said Harington, "that the French army manœuvres should be held so early this year, and quite close to Brest, whilst the Germans have followed their example in the locality of Bremerhaven." " And this morning, sir, whilst driving with Eth — I mean Miss Harington — near Vincennes, I counted 400 field guns with their limbers, drawn up in a barrack square, and an astonishing number of empty trucks on some adjacent railway sidings," added Rodney. " I know, I know," said Lord Eskdale, who was much agitated. "But now, my dear boys, go, and God be with you. If I am mistaken, Harington, return here towards the close of the week. Leave by this door, as it commands readier access to your rooms."

He silently shook their hands and opened a door other than that by which they had entered. Their preparations were soon made, and Rodney was evidently wishful to say something which he found difficulty in expressing. At last he spoke : — " By-the-way, Harington," he said, " his Excellency forgot one thing. I will wire you at the club from Modane to-morrow to say I have got through. It may be allowed to pass even if the frightful burst-up which this business seems to indicate comes off. One more word, old chap, kiss Ethel for me." " Oh," said Harington, " I didn't know you had reached that stage. Good-bye, old fellow, and good luck." And their fiacres rattled off through the lines of carriages which were bringing up guests to the Embassy. The Russian Ambassador and several French Ministers had by this time absented themselves, and Lady Eskdale received more than one laughing complaint from a wife concerning the ungallantry of a missing spouse.

Her ladyship was puzzled, but could get no The Ball at the Embassy. 7 opportunity of a quiet word with her husband, who looked completely at his ease chatting with various distinguished personages. Irene and Ethel, who were, beyond doubt, the loveliest women present, were astonished at the absence of their wonted partners, and if Irene had some perception of the facts of the case, she obeyed her lover's instructions and kept her scant information to herself. At last Ethel Harington lost all patience, and asked Lord Eskdale if he knew where her brother was. His Excellency smiled as he replied : "Both he and Lieutenant Rodney have left Paris on affairs of State. They had no time even to say ' Good-bye ' to you, my dear." Whereupon Ethel, in wonderment, communicated the news to Irene, and they both marvelled greatly ; but the fact did not prevent them from scribbling a name in front of every dance on the programme.

About midnight Lord Eskdale's English valet managed to reach his master and whisper: "There's an English gentleman in the hall, my lord, and he says as how he has a note for your lordship from Captain Harington, and he will give it to no one but your lordship personally." " Take him to my study, Jenkins," was the reply; and when his Excellency entered the room later he found awaiting him a stout, red-faced Briton, in the regulation check suit and deerstalker hat of the middle-class Englishman when travelling on the Continent. The stranger evidently meant to make sure of his man before stating his errand, " Is your Excellency, my lord — I mean is your lordship his ex — that is to say, my lord, are you — " " Yes, I am Lord Eskdale," was the kindly answer, much to the man's relief. " Well, my lord, my name's Briggs, William Briggs, of Catford, where I do a bit in the bicycle line, though I don't ride much myself nowadays, being a bit too 'eavy above.

I've bin over 'ere a week, my lord, partly on business and partly on pleasure, as the saying is, and I was a-goin' 'ome to-night when a young gent 'e comes up to me on the platform, an' 'e says, says 'e : ' You're an Englishman ? ' ' Why, anybody can see that,' says I. An' says 'e : ' Are you in any special 'urry back? ' and says I : ' It's the season, but I won't lose much for a matter of a few hours. But why d'ye ax ? ' Says 'e : ' I'm Capting Harington, from the Llembassy. 'Ere's my card,' — which 'e gev me — ' I want yer ter do his lordship the Hambas sador a service. Will yer stop till the morning train and take 'im ' — meaning you, your lordship — ' a note on a matter of great himportance to England, and 'ere's a fiver for yourself.' 'E seemed in desperate earnest, my lord, an' I wouldn't take 'is fiver, but 'ere's the note," and he handed Lord Eskdale an envelope addressed to himself and endorsed " Per kind favour of Mr. Briggs."

"'E said as 'ow I wasn't to give it to anybody but your lordship's own self, my lord," and Mr. Briggs glowed with the thought of the fine story this would make for the habitues of the Cat and Anchor at Catford. The note ran as follows: "Whilst detained for a moment in a block of carriages outside the Embassy, I heard one coachman say to another that he wondered why the President and a lot of Ministers and Ambassadors were driving off to Versailles at this time of the night. Here, on the platform, there are General de Rosny who, as you know, is Chief of the Staff, and a large number of staff officers travelling to Brest by the northern line. I thought you should know this. — E. H." " Mr. Briggs," said Lord Eskdale, when he had gravely re-read the pencilled message, "you have, indeed, done your country a good turn by your readiness to postpone your journey.

Will you write me from Catford and assure me of your safe arrival there?" " I will, my lord," and Briggs visibly inflated. " You had better stay here to-night, as it is so late, and I presume your luggage is at the station. My man will look after you. Good-night." Briggs did not explain that his luggage, consisting of a woollen shirt, a pair of socks, a brush and comb, and six collars, was contained in the small hand-bag on the table — his mind was too full of the glorious possibilities of Catford. The President's wife had retired at midnight, and by three o'clock the last carriage had rolled away from the courtyard of the Embassy. Lady Eskdale was about to seek her husband and chat with him concerning the events of the night when a closely-veiled woman sprang out of a hired carriage at the entrance of the Embassy, sped silently past the astonished footmen, and approached her ladyship.

It was Madame la Presidente, pallid, with a fever light in her eyes. " My dear," she said in trembling accents, " I like you, and I have come, wrongly, perhaps, to warn you. You will be called upon to leave France before many hours have sped. I tell you, that you may be prepared. Farewell ! " Without another word of explanation she quitted her astounded hostess, and was rapidly driven off.

Chapter II

A COUNCIL OF THE POWERS. iURING the same night a strange scene was being enacted at Versailles. On leaving the British Embassy, Lord Eskdale's principal guests entered their carriages. Quiet directions were given to their coachmen, and the vehicles turned into the magnificent avenue of the Champs Elysees, already radiant with the freshness of early spring. They sped swiftly along past the Arc de Triomphe, and entered the Bois de Boulogne. It was scarcely ten o'clock when they passed Longchamps, on which the white tents of the soldiers, who had that day been reviewed, shone beneath the moon. Soon Passy was left behind, and the hoofs of the horses clattered along the deserted streets of the village of Versailles. The carriages drove through the great gates of the Court of Honour, and pulled up before a narrow doorway, where their occupants got out.

In a tapestried room above a small group of men awaited them. Here, in the pleasure palace built by the great Louis, where he feasted with his mistresses and learnt the fatal news from Blenheim that shattered his ambitions — where Napoleon, too, met his Ministers after his brilliant campaign in Italy, and rested before making his last dash to Waterloo — a grim and unexampled Council was being held. There were scarcely twenty persons present, but each was a figure of commanding importance in European politics. The military and diplomatic strength of a whole continent might be said to be represented here at its best. It was a strange alliance, hereditary foes meeting in friendly union, and Ministers who had for years schemed against each other with all the artifices of cunning at last linked together in a common purpose.

No small issue could have achieved this miracle. Before these men was set the hardest and most momentous task that ever perplexed the strength and wisdom of the world. The President of the French Republic took the chair at the head of the table. Opposite him was General Caprivi, the Chancellor of Germany. To right and left were M. Hanotaux and Count Holbach, the French and German Foreign Ministers, and several of the chief diplomats of both countries. Near the President sat a tall and distinguished-looking man, vvith hair of iron grey, and a grave impenetrable countenance, who seldom spoke, but at whom, from time to time, those around him glanced uneasily. It was General Gourko, the trusted emissary of the Tsar of Russia. Other faces, too, known in every Court in Europe, and feared in many, might be seen.

Each one was grave and anxious. It might have been thought that some guilty bond held them in artificial union. Distrust seemed to peer from their eyes, as a chance remark called up the lurking fires of hereditary hate. Yet there was a respectful silence when the President opened the conference. " Gentlemen," he said, " I have just paid the last official visit of a President of France to the representative of the Court of England. The armies of Germany and France are on the point of success. To-morrow before noon, we shall be at war with England ! " He turned, with a true French love of dramatic effect, to mark the effect of these words. The only response was a grave bow from Count Caprivi. " The details, we, of course, all know. It is enough for me to say that they have been efficiently carried out.

England is secure and confident. Her ambassador is occupied in the dance. hler navy is distributed over the globe. Her army is in India. And yet at Brest and Bremerhaven, there are the invincible navies of the two allied powers, together with transports that will carry to the shores of England, a mighty army. To-morrow we shall land upon those shores. Within a week we shall be at the gates of London. There is nothing that can withstand us. It may be, that the instinc tive courage of the English race may lead to a defence of London. We may not be able to occupy the city for three weeks. But I believe you are with me, when I express the conviction that within a month, the British Empire will be shattered, and that the flags of the chief united powers of Europe, will float from the dome of the Mansion House !

" He paused and requested M. Hanotaux to detail the exact position of their preparations. Reading from an official document, the Foreign Minister showed how absolutely complete were the plans of the two allies, and how unsuspicious the English Govern- A Council of the Powers. 11 ment. An army large enough to win a continent, and a navy that might sweep a dozen oceans, were ready to pounce upon the little island they all so deeply feared. A murmur of approval followed the recital, and then Count Caprivi interrupted : " Time is precious, and we have much to settle. The destruction of Great Britain is a matter of simple generalship. We need not waste time in estimating the number of days or the details of military occupation. We may regard the British Empire as already struck off the map. But I must remind you that several points remain yet to be settled in our joint treaty.