"I pursue my theory, then. The issue of this war leaves you
indifferent, so long as the people come to their own?"
"My work for the last few weeks amongst those men of whom you have
been speaking," she pointed out, "should prove that."
"We are through the wood and in the open, then," he declared, with
a little sigh of relief. "Now I am prepared to trade secrets with
you. I am not a friend of this country. Neither my Chief nor my
Government have the slightest desire to see England win the war."
"That I knew," she acknowledged.
"Now I ask you for information," he continued. "Tell me this?
Your pseudo-friends have presented the supposed German terms of
peace to Mr. Stenson. What was the result?"
"He is taking twenty-four hours to consider them."
"And what will happen if he refuses?" the Baron asked, leaning a
little towards her. "Will they use their mighty weapon? Will
they really go the whole way, or will they compromise?"
"They will not compromise," she assured him. "The telegrams to
the secretaries of the various Trades Unions are already written
out. They will be despatched five minutes after Mr. Stenson's
refusal to sue for an armistice has been announced."
"You know that?" he persisted.
"I know it beyond any shadow of doubt."
He nodded slowly.
"Your information," he admitted, "is valuable to me. Well though
I am served, I cannot penetrate into the inner circles of the
Council itself. Your news is good."
"And now," she said, "I expect the most amazing revelations from
you.
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