in such tremendous awe of their own
army," he said. "They seem to regard it as some mysterious and
omnipotent force which is always right."

"Don't forget their education and training, John. The great German
empire has risen upon the victories of 1870, and if ever war between
them should come again Germany could smash France as easily as she did
then."

"I could never become reconciled to the spectacle of an empire treading
a republic into the earth."

Mr. Anson smiled. He had dined well, and he was at peace with the earth.

"Names mean little," he said indulgently.

John did not reply, but his under jaw thrust forward in a pugnacious
manner, startlingly like that of the Prussian. The officer, although no
word had passed between them, nor even a glance of real hostility had
aroused a stubborn antagonism, increased by the obvious awe of Herr
Simmering and the deference paid to him by the whole establishment of
the hotel.

He saw Captain von Boehlen go out, and drawn by a vague resolve he
excused himself, abandoning Mr. Anson who was still trifling pleasantly
with the fruit, and also left the dining-room. He saw the captain
receive his helmet from an obsequious waiter, put it on his head and
walk into the parlor, his heavy boots as usual clanking upon the
polished floor. In the final analysis it was this very act of keeping
his helmet on, no matter where he was, that repelled young Scott and
aroused his keen enmity.

John went to the smoking-room. Von Boehlen lingered a moment or two in
the parlor, and then took his way also down the narrow passage to the
smoking-room. It was perhaps a part of the American's vague plan that he
should decide suddenly to go by the same way to the parlor. Hence it was
inevitable that they should meet if Captain von Boehlen kept his
course--an invariable one with him--in the very center of the hall. John
liked the center of the hall, too, particularly on that day. He was tall
and strong and he knew that he would have the advantage of readiness,
which everybody said was the cardinal virtue of the Prussian army.

Just before they reached the point of contact the Prussian started back
with a muttered oath of surprise and annoyance. His hand flew to the
hilt of his sword, and then came away again. John watching him closely
was sure that hand and hilt would not have parted company so readily had
it been a German civilian who was claiming with Captain Rudolf von
Boehlen an equal share of