s treaty with England, and find afterwards
that we had been the victim of a trick. We should be perjured before the
face of all Europe, and our great financial interest in Russia would at
once be placed in a perilous position."

A telephone upon the table rang softly. Monsieur Grisson held the
receiver to his ear and listened. Then he rose to his feet.

"Count von Munchen desires a word with me," he announced. "He pledges
himself not to keep me more than five minutes. I had better receive him.
Excuse me, gentlemen."

The two men were left alone. The elder and stouter of the two busied
himself with an inch rule and an atlas. He seemed to be making
calculations as to the distance between Cherbourg and a certain spot in
the North Sea.

"What is the chief's own mind?" his companion asked. "Does any one
know?"

The other shook his head.

"Who can say? Our ties of friendship with England are too recent to make
this a matter of sentiment. I believe that without proof he fears to
accept this statement. And yet above all things he fears Germany. There
was some talk of a missing page of the actual treaty between Russia and
Germany. If this could be found I believe that he would sign the draft
treaty."

"I myself," the other said, "do not believe that England would be so
easily overpowered."

"It is the suddenness and treachery of the attack which counts so
greatly in its favor," his companion said. "It might be all over in two
days before she could assemble a fifth part of her forces. If our
information is correct Germany has men enough mobilized to run huge
risks. Besides, you know how Lafarge's report ran, and what he said. The
German army is beginning to suffer from a sort of dry rot, as must all
institutions which fulfil a different purpose than that for which they
exist. The Emperor knows it. If war does not come Germany will have to
face severe military troubles."

"I myself am for the alliance!"

"And I," the other replied, "if proof of this Germano-Russian
understanding could be produced."

Monsieur Grisson returned. He carefully closed and locked the door
behind him.

"Gentlemen," he said, "the German Ambassador has just left me. His
mission in every way confirms our secret information. He has been
instructed to inquire as to our attitude in the event of any British
interference with the Baltic Fleet while in home waters."

The two men looked up expectantly. Monsieur Grisson continued:--

"I replied t