e that
he, with two other bankers, were some weeks ago dining with the Kaiser;
and the Kaiser spoke to them about the mission of Germany. He said
that a great part of Europe was paralysed by materialism, that
immorality had eaten out the best life of France, and was fast finding
its way into the vitals of England. That Germany was called by God to
purify Europe, and that he who was anointed by God to reign over
Germany, felt it his duty to fight against this scourge of materialism
and immorality. In no other way could Europe be saved from infidelity
and ruin, and that he, the Kaiser, was raised up as a scourge of God.
That just as Jesus Christ drove the hucksters and money-lenders out of
the Temple when He was on earth, so was he, the Kaiser, called upon to
cleanse Europe, and that this war was God's crusade to bring back
Europe to purity and righteousness."

"Your informant told you this?"

"Yes. He said that the Kaiser was undoubtedly sincere, and was one of
the most religious men he had ever met. Of course the man is mad, but
there is not the slightest doubt but that he believes this."

When Mr. Richards had gone, Bob felt very lonely. He wanted to get
away from his sad thoughts, wanted to blot from his memory the facts
which had seemingly blighted his life. He was alone in London; he had
no friend to whom he could go. Of course a hundred places of amusement
were open, but he did not feel in the humour to go to them. He dreaded
the thought of going back to his chambers, while the streets repelled
him.

He glanced around the smoke-room, and noticed that it was peculiarly
shaped, and then, looking behind a huge palm, he saw an alcove which he
had not hitherto noticed. Sitting in it, he would be completely hidden
from the rest of the room, and yet could command a view of a great part
of it. The place was quite empty, and, although in the heart of
London, singularly quiet. Acting on impulse, he threw himself into a
chair behind the palm, and prepared to light another cigar.

He had scarcely taken his seat in the alcove when two men entered and
summoned a waiter. The man fulfilled their orders and left the room.

One of the men got up and looked around. "We are lucky," he said;
"there's not a soul here."

"Yes, we have an opportunity for our chat. Not that there's much
difficulty anywhere. The English people are the most unsuspicious in
the world. No matter what nationality a man may be, he is abs