rive to keep themselves in the
background."

"I wish you success."

"Before going to Antwerp, whither M. Penurot is to accompany me
to-morrow, I should like to make a report to the Imperial Chancellor.
May I ask you to let me have a boat to-morrow morning to go to
Flushing?"

"Certainly. You can have any boat you like."

"Then I should like the steam pinnace."

"Perhaps you know whether the Chancellor intends to stay long at
Flushing?"

"I cannot say. In many ways Antwerp would certainly be a better place;
but he has gone to Flushing to make a demonstration."

"To make a demonstration?" repeated the Commander in a tone of
astonishment.

"The English, of course, know that he is there, and his presence at
Flushing is bound to strengthen their belief that our main base of
operations will be the mouth of the Schelde."

"Is it not surprising that our Chancellor is always at the centre of
operations, though he is neither a general nor an admiral?"

"We have seen the same before in the case of Bismarck. If we follow the
history of the wars of 1864, 1866, and 1870-71 we get the impression
that Bismarck was in like manner the soul of all the operations,
although his military title was only an honorary one."

"That is true; but the circumstances are essentially different. Bismarck
was a trained official, diplomatist, ambassador, before he became
Chancellor. His authority was great in military matters, independently
of the generals; but our new Chancellor comes from quite a different
sphere."

"But he has the power of a strong personality, and it is that which
turns the scale in all great matters. The fine instinct of the people
feels that the Emperor has chosen rightly, and the Chancellor's general
popularity insures him powerful support even against the generals.
Besides, everyone must admire his practical understanding and his wide
range of vision. Is not the occupation of Antwerp a fresh proof of it?
The rest of Belgium is occupied by the French army, but the Chancellor
has arranged with the French Government for us to hold Antwerp, since
our fleet is in the Schelde. And I am sure we shall never give it up
again."

The Commander shook his head doubtfully.

"You really think we shall be able to keep Antwerp without further
trouble?"

"We must, and shall, have Antwerp. Belgium and the Netherlands may
continue to exist, for we cannot with any justification annex them. But
the Netherlands and Antwerp will ent