would a great many
other people. Every one is willing to admit that she would like our
Colonies, but no one will believe that she has the courage to strike a
blow for them. I will tell you what I believe, Duncombe. I believe that
no Great Power has ever before been in so dangerous a position as we are
in to-day."

Duncombe sat up in his chair. The weariness passed from his face, and he
was distinctly interested. Lord Runton, without being an ardent
politician, was a man of common-sense, and was closely connected with
more than one member of the Cabinet.

"Are you serious, Runton?" he asked.

"Absolutely! Remember, I was in Berlin for two years, and I had many
opportunities of gaining an insight into affairs there. What I can see
coming now I have expected for years. There are two great factors which
make for war. One is the character of the Emperor himself, and the other
the inevitable rot, which must creep like a disease into a great army
kept always upon a war footing, through a decade or more of inactivity.
The Emperor is shrewd enough to see this. Nothing can possibly exist at
its best which is not used for the purpose to which it owes its
existence. That is why we have this flood of literature just now telling
us of the gross abuses and general rottenness of the German army.
Another five years of idleness, and Germany's position as the first
military nation will have passed away. Like every other great power, it
is rusting for want of use. The Emperor knows this."

Duncombe for many reasons was fascinated by his friend's quiet words.
Apart from their obvious plausibility, they brought with them many
startling suggestions. Had chance, he wondered, really made Phyllis
Poynton and her brother pawns in the great game? He felt himself stirred
to a rare emotion by the flood of possibilities which swept in suddenly
upon him. Lord Runton noted with surprise the signs of growing
excitement in his listener.

"Go on, Runton. Anything else?"

Lord Runton helped himself to a cigarette, and leaned across to light
it.

"Of course," he continued, "I know that there are a great many people
who firmly believe that for commercial reasons Germany would never seek
a quarrel with us. I will agree with them so far as to say that I do not
believe that a war with England would be popular amongst the bourgeois
of Germany. On the other hand, they would be quite powerless to prevent
it. The Emperor and his ministers have the affair