doesn't pass the
doctor's examination, he is disappointed beyond measure, because he is
longing to fight. Ours is not a conscript army, sir, but an army which
pleads to be at the front."

"You are sure of this?"

"I'm absolutely certain, sir."

Again the lonely man turned to some papers before him and read eagerly.

"And when your first million is killed, what then?" He again spoke
suddenly.

"Another million will come forward, sir, and, if need be, another, and
another, and another. Rather than that Germany should conquer, the
whole nation will come forward--the whole Empire will fight."

"And what have the English thought of the German victories?"

"That they are merely passing phases," was Bob's reply; "but this I
will tell you: the greatest impetus to volunteers coming forward has
been the news of a German victory. Officers have repeatedly told me
that our new volunteers, eagerly do more work in a week and learn more
of the art of war in a few days than the men learned in six months in
time of peace. In England we have no need for conscription, because
the best manhood of our nation pleads to be allowed to fight for the
country."

"And yet the English hate war?" Again there was a sneer in the voice.

"That is why we are eager to fight," was Bob's reply, "and we shall
never rest until German militarism is destroyed root and branch; until
this War God which dominates Germany is thrown down, and crushed to
atoms; until this poisonous cancer of war which has thrown its venomous
roots into the heart of Europe is cut out for ever. We shall never
cease fighting until that is done, and when that is done, we shall have
peace."

Bob had almost forgotten where he was by this time--forgotten the
circumstances under which he spoke, and to whom he spoke; he did not
seem to realise that he was in the heart of the German camp--that he
was speaking to one in high command in the German army; he had got away
from the mere material aspect of the question--he was dealing with
spiritual things.

"And if you win"--and still there was a sneer in the other's
voice--"what do you expect to gain?"

"As a nation, sir?"

"As a nation."

"Nothing, sir; I've never heard of an Englishman speaking of any gain
that might be ours when we win."

"Then what do you suppose will happen?"

"Justice and peace will come, sir; Belgium will have justice."

"Belgium! If she had obeyed our commands, she need never have
suffered."