PRIME MINISTER

If nothing! Bring me some claret out of that inexhaustible cabinet of
yours.

[_He draws his pen through a section of the message. The_ MINISTER
OF WAR _goes to a cabinet in the rear wall and brings forth a
decanter of claret and glasses._

MINISTER OF WAR

[_Pouring a glassful for the_ PRIME MINISTER.

Here, dear old Titan.

PRIME MINISTER

[_Gulping it down._

Thanks. More. And cigars.

[_The_ MINISTER OF WAR _refills the glass and brings cigars.
The_ PRIME MINISTER _wreathes himself in smoke._

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_With his back still turned to the others._

I planned this campaign first some twenty years ago. But there was no
navy then to speak of, and no airships. It is more intricate now, but
very much more interesting as an intellectual problem.

PRIME MINISTER

[_Indicating his glass._

Another, good man.

MINISTER OF WAR

You're smelling blood when you drink like that.

PRIME MINISTER

[_Turning to the_ CHIEF OF STAFF.

Here! You old death's head! You are prepared, you say?

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_Calmly._

I have been making my plans for twenty years. The present plans have
been complete, except for slight revisions, for three years.

PRIME MINISTER

The army and navy are fully equipped?

MINISTER OF WAR

Down to the last shoe-string.

PRIME MINISTER

[_To_ CHIEF OF STAFF.

Would you say it would be better to wait a week or a month or even a
year--or to strike at once?

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_Firmly and quietly._

Strike at once.

MINISTER OF WAR

You dreamers, you theorists! How about the King's negotiations?

PRIME MINISTER

[_Rising, with the message in his hand._

Gentlemen, I have seen fit to abbreviate the King's message. I have not
altered a word nor added a word. I have merely omitted all that did not
seem to me pertinent or useful. The message reads as follows: "The King
sent for the Ambassador of the Republic this afternoon and outlined a
plan that would satisfy the royal government. The Ambassador regretted
that he was unable to consider any compromise. The King replied that
then he could have nothing more to say in the matter."

MINISTER OF WAR

There's ginger, by Heaven! The other was a dove-peep to a parley. This
is a trumpet call of defiance.

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_With quiet delight._

The Republic will never swallow that.

PRIME MINISTER

They are not supposed to. They will declare war, and