ment. They had a notebook before them and several papers spread out upon the seat. Norgate, who was really weary, closed his eyes again, and it seemed to him that he dreamed f

hem when they were made. We have received copies of every alteration. We know to a metre how far the guns will carry, how many men are required to man them, what stocks of ammunition

inaudible. In a moment or

ance. What I should like here, what our records need at present, is a list of the principal inhabitants with their approximate i

ugh his eyelids had quivered with a momentary excitement, he was careful to remain as

te," he whispered. "H

rising country eastwards from Antwerp. At some spot between six and eight miles from the city, on a slight incline and commanding the River Scheldt, we desire to purchase an acre of land for the erection of a factory. You can say that

Antwerp

r pursed

that our plans of the Antwerp fortifications are more carefully worked out in detail than the plans held by the Belgians themselves. Here i

rridor was heard all down the train. Selingman and his companion followed the general example, opening the door of the carriage and the window opposite. A draught blew through the compartment. One of the small folded slips of paper

atter?" Norgate

nversation has not disturbed you. This is my agent from Brussels-Mr. Meyer. He sells our

-rimmed spectacles, neat clothes, and a timid

help you," he remarked, yawning. "I can imagine t

r," Mr. Meyer replied, "but he i

d, "but there is more of it. Let us go round to the restaurant ca

pers there, Herr Selingman. Just as I woke up I saw a small slip fluttering along the seat. You

ave. He went through the papers one by o

ing, I hope?"

man's face

of my agents in England. I cannot find it. In a sense it is unimportant, y

out into the ni

ng to rain," he remarked, "the slip of paper which I saw blow

e sleeping berths. Then they made their way down to the

e industrial forces of the world-Belgium, England, and Germany. We are the three countries

with apparent eff

have connections with it, you can tell me one thing which has always puzzled me. Why is it that Belgium, which is, as you say, a commercial and peace-loving countr

lingman asked, his eyes narrowing a

rom an article which I read not long ago in a magazine. I had always looked upon Belgium as being outside the

man cleared

which I do not understand. Mr. Meyer here, who is a citizen of Brussels, will bear me out. It is the book of a clever, intelligent, but misguided Germ

y of them," No

do not understand the world policy of a great nation such as Germany. Germany will make no war upon any one, save commercially. She will never again invade France except under the bitterest provocation, and if ever she should be driven to defend herself, it will assuredly not be at the expense of her broken pledges. Th

the situation admirably," Mr

you foreigners," he added, with an envious sigh. "The way you all speak th

ian and ha

h almost without acce

sisted, "that is necessary. All

apture our trade,

ny and England remain friends, they can divide the commerce of the world between them. It is our greatest happiness, we who have a business relying upon the good-will of the two nations, to think that ye

hrew back his head as he followed suit

'll go and turn in. I dare say you two still have some busines

the fitful slumber usually engendered by night travelling. At the frontier he sat up and answered the stereotyped questions. Herr Sel

" he en

so," Norg

," Herr Selingman

ith some soda-water. Herr Selingman's head vanished for a mome

eal English fashion," he

is it not? Now w

ut his hand fo

od of you,"

nk, with his legs far apart to steady himself, "I myself enjo

of sensations which he had once experienced before in the dentist's chair. He could see Selingman distinctly, and he fancied that he was watching him

more beaming than ever, was seated upon a ridiculously inadequate camp-s

I envy you, it is that capacity for sleep. You all have it, you English. Your heads touch t

Beyond a slight headache, he was feeling as

nd soda did I have l

lingman

flask. I remembered that I had an English travelling companion, and I sent for some soda-wa

in his bunk and sl

uttered sleepily, "but it