aty with another Power and keep hidden from us no less a
scheme than the invasion of England. My Cabinet have dealt with this
matter on its own merits. I have the honor to tell you, gentlemen, that
I have concluded an alliance with England to come into effect in the
case of your carrying out your present intention. For every army corps
you succeed in landing in England I too shall land one, only, I think,
with less difficulty, and for every German ship which clears for action
in the North Sea two French ones will be prepared to meet her."

"I think, Monsieur le President," he said stiffly, "that this discussion
had better be postponed until after I have had an opportunity of
communicating with my Imperial master. I must confess, sir, that your
attitude is a complete surprise to me."

"As you will, sir," the President answered. "I am perhaps more a man of
affairs than a diplomatist, and I have spoken to you with less reserve
than is altogether customary. But I shall never believe that diplomacy
which chooses the dark and tortuous ways of intrigue and
misrepresentation is best calculated to uphold and strengthen the
destinies of a great nation. I wish you good morning, gentlemen!"

* * * * *

For forty-eight hours the war fever raged, and the pendulum swung
backwards and forwards. The cables between Berlin and St. Petersburg
were never idle. There was a rumor, amongst those behind the scenes, of
an enormous bribe offered to France in return for her neutrality alone.
Its instantaneous and scornful refusal practically brought the crisis to
an end. The German hosts melted away, and the Baltic Fleet passed on.
St. Petersburg accepted the British demands, and a commission of
arbitration was appointed. Henri de Bergillac read out the news from the
morning paper, and yawned.

"_C'est fini--l'affaire Poynton!_" he remarked. "You can get ready as
soon as you like, Guy. I am going to take you into Paris to your
sister!"

Guy looked up eagerly.

"My pardon?" he asked.

The Vicomte made a wry face.

"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "I forgot that there were still explanations to
make. Fill your abominable pipe, _mon ami_, and think that to-morrow or
the next day you may be in your beloved England. Think how well we have
guarded you here when a dozen men were loose in Paris who would have
killed you on sight. Remember that in the underground history of England
you will be known always as the man who s