n has weakened with prosperity, so that her limbs have lost
their suppleness and her finger joints have stiffened, so surely does
the plunderer come in good time. The nation which loses its citizen army
drives the first nail into its own coffin. I do not say who will invade
you, or when, although, to my thinking, any one could do it. I simply
say that in your present state invasion from some one or other is a sure
thing."

"Without admitting the truth of a single word you have said, my dear
Prince," the Prime Minister remarked, "there is another aspect of the
whole subject which I think that you should consider. If you find us in
so parlous a state, it is surely scarcely dignified or gracious, on the
part of a great nation like yours, to leave us so abruptly to our fate.
Supposing it were true that we were suffering a little from a period
of too lengthened prosperity, from an attack of over-confidence. Still
think of the part we have played in the past. We kept the world at bay
while you fought with Russia."

"That," the Prince replied, "was one of the conditions of a treaty which
has expired. If by that treaty our country profited more than yours,
that is still no reason why we should renew it under altered conditions.
Gratitude is an admirable sentiment, but it has nothing to do with the
making of treaties."

"We are, nevertheless," Bransome declared, "justified in pointing out to
you some of the advantages which you have gained from your alliance with
us. You realize, I suppose, that save for our intervention the United
States would have declared war against you four months ago?"

"Your good offices were duly acknowledged by my Government," the Prince
admitted. "Yet what you did was in itself of no consequence. It is as
sure as north is north and south is south that you and America would
never quarrel for the sake of Japan. That is another reason, if another
reason is needed, why a treaty between us would be valueless. You and
I--the whole world knows that before a cycle of years have passed Japan
and America must fight. When that time comes, it will not be you who
will help us."

"An alliance duly concluded between this country--"

The Prince held out both his hands.

"Listen," he said. "A fortnight ago a certain person in America wrote
and asked you in plain terms what your position would be if war between
Japan and America were declared. What was your reply?"

Bransome was on the point of exclaiming, but