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I don't fancy the law of this Principality would see you out of any trouble if they got an idea that you were an English Secret Service man." Roche laughed shortly. "Exactly my own idea," he admitted. "However, we've got to see it through. I sha'n't consider I've done my work unless I hear something of what Grex and the others have to say to Douaille the next time they meet."
It is a gloomy and terrible task that lies before us, but at the other end of it is the glory that never fades." "If America," Douaille remarked, "were to have an inkling of your real objective, her own fleet would come to the rescue." "Why should America know of our ultimate aims?" Selingman rejoined. "Her politicians to-day choose to play the part of the ostrich in the desert.
Monsieur Douaille for the first time stretched out his hand and drank some of the wine which stood by his side. His cheeks were very pale. He had the appearance of a man tortured by conflicting thoughts. "I should like to ask you, Selingman," he said, "whether you have made any definite plans for your conflict with the British Navy? I admit that the days of England's unique greatness are over.
You have merely to say the word." He turned towards the door, closely followed by Douaille, who, in a state of great excitement, refused to listen to Selingman's entreaties. "No, no!" the former objected, shaking his head. "I will not stay. I will not be associated with this meeting. You are bunglers, all of you. I came only to listen, on your solemn assurance of entire secrecy.
"Douaille will be here the day after to-morrow, if he has not already arrived," the newcomer continued. "It was given out in Paris that he was going down to Marseilles and from there to Toulon, to spend three days with the fleet. They sent a paragraph into our office there. As a matter of fact, he's coming straight on here. I can't learn how, exactly, but I fancy by motor-car."
Great Britain has possessions which she is not strong enough to hold. Germany is strong enough to wrest them from her, and means to do so. The English fleet must be destroyed. South Africa, then, will come to Germany, India to Russia, Egypt to France. The rest follows as a matter of course." "And what is the rest?" Monsieur Douaille asked. Herr Selingman was content no longer to sit in his place.
Permit me to assure you that your speech on that occasion was one which no patriotic Englishman is likely to forget." Monsieur Douaille inclined his head in thanks. His manner was not altogether free from embarrassment. "I trust that you are enjoying your holiday here?" he asked. "I have only this moment arrived," Mr. Simpson explained. "I am looking forward to a few days' rest immensely.
Our people are already warned as to the long conferences which have taken place between Grex and Selingman. They mean something there's no doubt about that. And then this invitation to Douaille, and his coming here so furtively. Everything points the same way, but a few spoken words are better than all the surmises in the world.
Simpson remarked, "that politicians are at a serious disadvantage compared with business men, inasmuch as, with important affairs under their control, they have few opportunities of meeting those with whom they have dealings. It would be a great pleasure to me to discuss one or two matters with you." Monsieur Douaille departed, with a few charming words of assent.
I honestly and truthfully assure you that I speak for the powers that are behind the Government of Russia when I tell you that the English dream of a triple alliance between Russia, England, and France will never be accepted by my country." Monsieur Douaille sipped his champagne. "This is candour," he remarked, "absolute candour.
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