The Kingdom of the Blind

and made two other calls on his way home. His secretary met him in the spacious hall of his

e an appointment by telephone, sir," he announced. "His na

s had come together in a hard, unpleasant line. It wa

ld see the gentleman when he arrived in England. You had better bring hi

ticity, however, had gone from his footsteps and he seated himself before his desk with the air

gloomily. "Even the greatest of us," he added, with a m

nd the secretary reappeared, us

ney, sir," he an

a discrete mixture of reserve and condescension. His manner changed, however, the momen

glad if you will explain the purport of your visit in as few words as possible. You will, I

th the utmost sobriety. He accepted the chair without undue haste, adjust

gn accent, "I am here to make certain proposals to you on be

y and tapped the desk by his s

and from the first that I am not in a position to deal with any messages or comm

r remarked drily, "my me

gloom and apprehension of Lord Romsey's mann

he demanded.

equence," was the

lf an ambassador to me from a country with whom England is at war. Even a discussion

ectric bell which stood on his stud

us about my nationality, there is no harm in telling you that I am an American citizen, that I have hel

ity for temporising asserted itself and hi

s your own country, and having grossly and traitorously deceived a personage who has always treate

nister declared passionately, "and

denly changed. He lean

a certain personage was dated June second. I have a co

ber enough of it,"

u know what that will mean-your political ruin, your everlasting disgrace. What use will this country, blinded at the present moment by

ted. "There is no purpose in

. You are responsible for this

me with a responsibility like this, simply because my personal sympat

Sidney returned swiftly. "In black and white you pledg

rmany was thinking of tearing up treaties, of enterin

word that your Government would never declare war against Germany. You alluded to the French enten

d expected to find this an unpleasant intervie

th which I was associated would declare war against Germany. Even now, let me tell you that there isn't a sou

t my mission. I am here to state our terms for refraining from sending

y sprang t

u know what you are s

"I told you that my errand was

m into an ugly chapter of his future. He saw the headlines in the newspapers, the leading articles, the culmination of all the gossip and mutterings of the last few months, the end of

all she wished to have accomplished by this war, and she is still as strong as eve

ey shook

," he began, "it isn't a matter of the Govern

is responsible for this war. But for your solemn words pledging your country to neutrality, Germany would never have forced the issue as she has done. Now it is for y

k in his chair. His was

he said simply, "to order ou

y rose to

ind traces of your influence. You have two colleagues, at least, who are pacifists at heart. Take them on one side, talk in a whisper at fi

the Teuton or the American in his appearance or accent. His voice was characterless, his restraint almost unnat

cate with you, Mr.

. "When I think it advisable I

can or a German o

n which took place between you and the Kaiser on the terrace of the Imperial Palace at Potsdam between three and four o'clock on the afternoon of April the seventh. You gave

the Minister int

, sir. The issue is before you now quite plainly. Let us soo

his visitor took a grave and decorous leave.

my experiences in Brussels. I was American chaplain at the new church there when the war broke out

s trying to get off early, however, and he

e servants fetch you a

e, in fact, invited to take up a pastorate here. I wish you good-day, sir. I have had a most inter

ailed a passing taxicab which drew up at once by the side of the kerb. In stepping in, he brushed

pardon," h

ld, incurious face of the man in an officer's uniform who was already moving away,

clumsy of me,

ouched his cap

ight," he sa