hink what fools you all were and are," and Waterman laughed
insolently. "I and others have laughed when you have played into our
hands. Why," and here there was a touch of passion in his voice, "your
country is simply riddled with friends of Germany. Do you think that
because a German becomes naturalised he ceases to be a German? Do you
think that, although he protests his loyalty to England, and his desire
to help England, that he is the less a German at heart? Do you think
that a German, whether naturalised or not, stops at anything in order
to serve his country? You have hundreds of Germans in your army
to-day, while your public offices are full of men, and women too for
that matter, of German parentage and with German sympathies. Yes, you
may kill me," and he threw back his shoulders proudly, "but that will
not stop us from conquering your country and being your masters."

For a moment he almost seemed to dominate the room. He stood erect,
haughty, scornful; it might seem as though he were the accuser and not
the accused.

"Of course you know the consequence of your deed?" said the President
presently.

Waterman shrugged his shoulders. "I have counted the cost, and am
willing to pay the price," was his reply.

When he was led away there was a silence in the room for some seconds.
Whatever else he had done he had given his judges to see that he was a
brave man; that to him the victory of his country was more than life;
that for what he had called the Fatherland he had trampled under his
feet all ordinary conventions, all accepted rules of honour and truth.
Germany was first, everything else came afterwards.

The Englishman always admires courage, no matter in what form it may
appear, and there could be no doubt that Waterman was courageous.

"It is no wonder," said the General, as if speaking to himself, "that
they are such terrible enemies." No man spoke, but each knew what was
in the other's mind.

Of course, there was no doubt about the verdict; Waterman had been
guilty of the worst possible crime, and but for the quick wit and
prompt action of the Lancashire lad he would doubtless have continued
to help the enemy. The paper which Waterman had thrown towards the
German lines contained the details of the next plan of attack; details
which, known to the Germans, would have nullified the British action,
and possibly have led to disaster.

"That young Pollard is a plucky young beggar," remarked the