Part 17 (1/2)

”It is going a long way,” Norgate said cautiously, ”to approve of a form of discipline so stringent.”

”But not too far--oh, believe me, not too far!” Selingman insisted. ”If that war should come, it would come solely with the idea of sweeping away this Government, which is most distasteful to all German politicians. It would come solely with the idea that with a new form of government here, more solid and lasting terms of friends.h.i.+p could be arranged between Germany and England.”

”A very interesting theory,” Norgate remarked. ”Do you believe in it yourself?”

Selingman paused to give an order to a waiter. His tone suddenly became more serious. He pointed to the menu.

”They have dared,” he exclaimed, ”to bring us _Hollandaise_ sauce with the asparagus! A gastronomic indignity! It is such things as this which would endanger the _entente_ between our countries.”

”I don't mind _Hollandaise_” Norgate ventured.

”Then of eating you know very little,” Herr Selingman p.r.o.nounced. ”There is only one sauce to be served with asparagus, and that is finely drawn b.u.t.ter. I have explained to the _maitre d'hotel_. He must bring us what I desire. Meanwhile, we spoke, I think, of our two countries. You asked me a question. I do indeed believe in the theories which I have been advancing.”

”But wouldn't a war smash up your crockery business?” Norgate asked.

”For six months, yes! And after that six months, fortunes for all of us, trade such as the world has never known, a settled peace, a real union between two great and friendly countries. I wish England well. I love England. I love my holidays over here, my business trips which are holidays in themselves, and for their sake and for my own sake, I say that just a little wrestle, a slap on the cheek from one and a punch on the nose from the other, and we should find ourselves.”

”War is a very dangerous conflagration,” Norgate remarked. ”I cannot think of any experiment more hazardous.”

”It is no experiment,” Selingman declared. ”It is a certainty. All that we do in my country, we do by what we call previously ascertained methods. We test the ground in front of us before we plant our feet upon it. We not only look into the future, but we stretch out our hands. We make the doubtful places sure. Our turn of mind is scientific. Our road-making and our bridge-building, our empire-making and our diplomacy, they are all fas.h.i.+oned in the same manner. If you could trust us, Mr.

Norgate, if you could trust yourself to work for the good of both countries, we could make very good and profitable use of you during the next six months. Would you like to hear more?”

”But I know nothing about crockery!”

”Would you like to hear more?” Selingman repeated.

”I think I should.”

”Very well, then,” Selingman proceeded. ”Tomorrow we will talk of it.

There are some ways in which you might be very useful, useful at the same time to your country and to ours. Your position might be somewhat peculiar, but that you would be prepared for a short time to tolerate.”

”Peculiar in what respect?” Norgate asked.

Selingman held his gla.s.s of yellow wine up to the light and criticised it for a moment. He set it down empty.

”Peculiar,” he explained, ”inasmuch as you might seem to be working with Germany, whereas you were really England's best friend. But let us leave these details until to-morrow. We have talked enough of serious matters.

I have a box at the Gaiety, and we must not be late--also a supper party afterwards. This is indeed a country for enjoyment. To-morrow we speak of these things again. You have seen our little German lady at the Gaiety?

You have heard her sing and watch her dance? Well, to-night you shall meet her.”

”Rosa Morgen?” Norgate exclaimed.

Selingman nodded complacently.

”She sups with us,” he announced, ”she and others. That is why, when they spoke to me of going back for bridge to-night, I pretended that I did not hear. Bridge is very good, but there are other things. To-night I am in a frivolous vein. I have many friends amongst the young ladies of the Gaiety. You shall see how they will welcome me.”

”You seem to have found your way about over here,” Norgate remarked, as he lit a cigar and waited while his companion paid the bill.