the issues, the
consequences to them and to their community, to their country, and to
the world at large, of this thing that had befallen them. They made the
amazing discovery that they were almost entirely ignorant of everything
that had to do with war, even the relative military strength of the
belligerent nations. One thing like a solid back wall of rock gave them
a sense of security--the British Navy was still supreme.

"Let's see, did they cut down the Navy estimates during the last
Parliament? I know they were always talking of reduction," inquired Mr.
Murray.

"I am afraid I know nothing about it," said Dr. Brown. "Last week I
would have told you 'I hope so'; to-day I profoundly hope not. Jane, you
ought to know about this. Jane is the war champion in our family," he
added with a smile.

"No, there has been no reduction; Winston Churchill has carried on his
programme. He wanted to halt the building programme, you remember, but
the Germans would not agree. So I think the Navy is quite up to the
mark. But, of course," she added, "the German Navy is very strong too."

"Ah, I believe you are right, Jane," said Dr. Brown. "How completely we
were all hoodwinked. I cannot believe that we are actually at war. Our
friend Romayne was right. By the way, what about Romayne, Jane?"

"Who is he?" inquired Mr. Murray.

"Romayne?" said Dr. Brown. "Oh, he's a great friend of ours in the West.
He married a sister of young Gwynne, you know. He was an attache of
the British Embassy in Berlin, and was, as we thought, quite mad on the
subject of preparation for war. He and Jane hit it off tremendously last
autumn when we were visiting the Gwynnes. Was he not an officer in the
Guards or something, Jane?"

"Yes," replied Jane, fear leaping into her eyes. "Oh, Papa, do you think
he will have to go? Surely he would not."

"What? Go back to England?" said Dr. Brown. "I hardly think so. I do not
know, but perhaps he may."

"Oh, Papa!" exclaimed Jane, the quick tears in her eyes. "Think of his
wife and little baby!"

"My God!" exclaimed Dr. Brown. "It is war that is upon us."

A fresh wave of horror deeper than any before swept their souls. "Surely
he won't need to go," he said after a pause.

"But his regiment will be going," said Jane, whose face had become very
pale and whose eyes were wide with horror. "His regiment will be going
and," she added, "he will go too." The tears were quietly running down
her face. She knew Jack