the preponderance of Serb population. These two
provinces, in spite of Russia, belong to Austria."

"I suppose the Servians are awful people. Always quarrelling and
fighting, and that kind of thing," and Nancy crept closer to Bob as she
spoke.

"It's a wonderfully interesting part of Europe, although it was so
little known before the war of the Balkan States with the Turks. I
say, Nancy, wouldn't it be fun to go there for our honeymoon?"

"It would be like going into a savage country."

"Oh, no, not so bad as that. I was talking a few weeks ago with a man
who was a war correspondent during their squabble, and he told me a lot
about Montenegro and Servia and Roumania. He fairly fired my
imagination, and made me long to go. It would be great fun."

Nancy shook her head. "No, Bob," she said, with a blush, "when that
time comes, we'll go to some lovely spot somewhere on the Rhine, where
we shall be among civilised people, and where there will be no
possibility of meeting these half-civilised races. But what do you
think the Austrians will do?"

"Oh, of course, if this murder is simply a revolt of the anarchists,
the murderers will be executed, and I suppose that will be the end of
it; but if there is evidence which goes to show that they were
emissaries of the Servian Government, it will lead to all sorts of
complications."

"What complications?"

"Well, of course, Austria will want an explanation from Servia, and if
Servia doesn't give a satisfactory reply, there will be trouble. It's
common knowledge that Austria doesn't like Slav influence, and she'll
use this as an excuse for crushing all Slav ideals. It might end in
Austria practically administering Servian affairs."

"That would be the best way, wouldn't it? Austria is a civilised
country, while the Servians are savages. One of the girls I went to
school with, spent a winter in Vienna, and she had a lovely time. She
says that Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and
the Austrians are such charming people."

"That would be easier said than done," replied Bob, smiling at her
school-girl fashion of settling European difficulties. "You see,
directly Austria tried to do this, Russia would step in. Russia is
practically under a contract to protect the Servians, and to help them
in need. Russia, which is a great Slav Empire, wouldn't stand by and
see Austria swallow up Slav Servia."

"And then there might be a war between Rus