tle Army' has given
them something to do already. Even when the Kaiser poured the flower
of his army upon them, when they were five to one at Mons, they
couldn't break our ranks. Our chaps faced the fire without a squirm,
and coolly told as afterwards that their shooting was rotten. For that
matter I'm told by the German prisoners that but for the English they'd
be in Paris before now."

"Have you talked with them?"

"Yes, I was admitted into one of the prisoners' camps. I know one of
the men in authority. According to their account the soldiers
themselves scarcely knew why they were fighting; but they were promised
a sort of picnic. Instead of which the British gave them hell. Oh,
they have tremendous respect for us now!"

"I wonder you haven't enlisted."

"Heavens, don't I wish I could! I've tried again and again, but my
eyes are bad. I have to wear tremendously powerful glasses. When are
you off?"

Bob did not reply. He would have given anything to say, "To-morrow,"
but he felt as though a weight were on his tongue.

He made his way to his chambers. It was still early--not more than
half-past nine. He was excited beyond measure, and it was madness to
think of going to bed. What should he do?

Looking around, he saw a parcel, on which was the label of the
bookseller at whose shop he had called.

"It's the books I bought," he reflected. "I can't do any law work
to-night; I'll read them." Almost feverishly he untied the parcel. A
few minutes later he was reading hard.

The book he opened first was _Germany and the Next War_, by General von
Bernhardi. He had heard it spoken of, but had no idea of its contents.
At that time it was but little known. The publishers had just brought
out a cheap edition, and although it was beginning to be talked about,
the world at large was almost ignorant of it.

It has been said that on more than one occasion a speech or a book has
altered the history of nations; that some of the utterances of our
great statesmen have altered the destinies of an Empire. Doubtless
such sayings have much truth behind them, and it would not be difficult
to quote instances in proof of them. Sometimes even a song has moved a
whole nation, and made what seemed impossible, an accomplished fact.
What influence had the Marseillaise on the French Revolution? Let
French historians tell us.

When Bob opened Von Bernhardi's book, he expected to be interested, and
perhaps enlightene