If we make peace now, we'll be a German colony in twenty years,
thanks to Mr. Stenson and you and the rest of them. A man can be
a pacifist all right until his head has been punched. Afterwards,
there's another name for him. Is there anything more I can get
you to-night before I leave, sir?"
"Nothing, thanks. I'm sorry about Fred."
Julian, conscious of an intense weariness, undressed and went to
bed very soon after the man's departure. He was already in his
first doze when he awoke suddenly with a start. He sat up and
listened. The sound which had disturbed him was repeated,--a
quiet but insistent ringing of the front-door bell. He glanced at
his watch. It was barely midnight, but unusually late for a
visitor. Once more the bell rang, and this time he remembered
that Robert slept out, and that he was alone in the flat. He
thrust his feet into slippers, wrapped his dressing gown around
him, and made his way to the front door.
Julian's only idea had been that this might be some messenger
from the Council. To his amazement he found himself confronted
by Catherine.
"Close the door," she begged. "Come into your sitting room."
She pushed past him and he obeyed, still dumb with surprise and
the shock of his sudden awakening. Catherine herself seemed
unaware of his unusual costume, reckless of the hour and the
strangeness of her visit. She wore a long chinchilla coat,
covering her from head to foot, and a mantilla veil about her
head, which partially obscured her features.
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