u
think, for instance, that the Russians would have conquered India if the
economic conditions of the natives had been better?"

"Certainly not. Even a great man must have the soil prepared on which to
prove his strength. And I think that our Chancellor has appeared on the
scene just at the right moment."

Heideck took leave of the Commander and retired to his cabin to draw up
a report and take a well-deserved rest.

When he sent for M. Camille Penurot on the following morning, he found a
striking alteration in him. That foppish gentleman no longer showed
the dejection of the day before, his dark eyes were bright and full of
confidence. By daylight, Heideck saw that his captive was a good-looking
man about thirty years of age, more like a Spaniard than a Netherlander.

He bowed politely to Heideck and then asked, with a certain amount of
confidence, "Pardon me, Herr major, if I serve the German Empire well,
may I count on an adequate reward?"

"I have already told you, M. Penurot, that we are prepared to pay more
than the English."

"Oh, that was not what I meant. You mustn't class me with Maaning
Brandelaar and people of that sort."

Heideck smiled.

"Will you be good enough to tell me, then, M. Penurot, with whom I am to
class you?"

"I am willing from this moment to devote all my energies to the cause of
the allies."

"Granted. But what are your wishes in the matter of reward?"

"I should like you to use your influence to obtain me the honour of an
order."

Heideck was unable to conceal his astonishment at this strange request.

"Such distinctions are, as a rule, only given in Germany for acts of
bravery or for services which cannot be adequately requited in hard
cash."

"What I am willing to do requires bravery."

"You are only going to help me to find out the spies in Antwerp."

"But they are dangerous people to make enemies of--people whose tools
would be capable of anything."

"Rest assured, M. Penurot, that your reward will correspond with the
services rendered. You know that I have no order to bestow, and besides,
I do not quite understand of what importance a decoration can be to
you."

"You rate my sense of honour too low, Herr major! But in order that you
may understand me, I will tell you a secret. I am in love with a lady of
very good family, and her people would be more ready to welcome me, if I
had an order."

"Then you have fixed your affections very high, I suppose?"

"That'