Majesty can have no more
delusions than I have on that subject."

A conversation on almost similar terms had been taking place meanwhile
between the Emperor of Austria and General Henriot. Then the _Auriole_,
after describing a splendid curve round the headquarters, dropped as
quietly as a bird on the lawn in front, the gangway ladder fell over
along the side, and Lord Kitchener, in the parade uniform of a general,
descended and saluted the four commanders.

"Good-morning, your Majesties. Good-morning, General Henriot."

"I see that your lordship has come as bearer of the flag of truce this
time," said the Kaiser, when salutes had been exchanged, "and I trust
that in the interests of humanity you have come also with proposals
which may enable us to put an honourable end to this terrible conflict,
and I am sure that my Imperial brothers and the great Republic which
General Henriot represents will be only too happy to accede to them."

The others nodded in approval, but said nothing, as it had been more or
less reluctantly agreed by them that the War Lord of Germany was to be
the actual head and Commander-in-Chief of the Allies. K. of K. looked at
him straight in the eyes--not a muscle of his face moved, and from under
his heavy moustache there came in the gentlest of voices the astounding
words:

"Yes, I have come from His Majesty King Edward with proposals of
surrender--that is to say, for your surrender, and that of all the
Allied Forces now on British soil."

William the Second literally jumped, and his distinguished colleagues
stared at him and each other in blank amazement. By this time Lennard
had come down the gangway ladder, and was standing beside Lord
Kitchener. Mr Parmenter and the latest addition to the British Naval
List were strolling up and down the deck of the _Auriole_ smoking cigars
and chatting as though this sort of thing happened every day.

"I see that your Majesty hardly takes me seriously," said Lord
Kitchener, still in the same quiet voice, "but if your Majesties will do
Mr Lennard and myself the favour of an interview in one of the rooms
here, which used to belong to me, I think we shall be able to convince
you that we have the best of reasons for being serious."

"Ah, yes, Mr Lennard," replied the Kaiser, looking at him with just a
suspicion of anxiety in his glance. "Good-morning. Have you come to tell
us something more about this wonderful comet of yours? It seems to me
some time mak