"A mistake: they were shouting against war. The British government will not dare to strike: even if they do, they will be too late. We are ready: they are not. Before they have made up their minds we shall be across the Belgian frontier and into France." The conversation continued for a few minutes longer, then the visitor rose to go. Acting on impulse, Kenneth ran out of his room, and was nearing the foot of the staircase as the two men came from the drawing-room. He had the _Cologne Gazette_ in his hand. "Have you read Sir Edward Grey’s speech?" he asked Hellwig. "Not yet. Is it worth the trouble?" replied Hellwig in his smooth mocking tones. "I thought you hadn’t, or you wouldn’t be so cock-sure," Kenneth returned. "I rather think the British government have already made up their minds." "So you have been eavesdropping?" said Hellwig quickly. "You are a spy!" cried Kenneth--"you and your friend." "Is that any concern of yours?" "Only to this extent; that I’ll have nothing more to do with you," said Kenneth hotly, conscious at the moment that it was a foolish thing to say, and feeling the more irritated. "That will kill me," sighed Hellwig. "And Max shall know it," Kenneth went on. "He doesn’t know that you’ve been up to this sort of thing, I’m sure." "Certainly; Max shall know that I am doing something for my country. You are, no doubt, doing wonders for yours." "I wouldn’t do such dirty work as yours," cried Kenneth, more and more angry under Hellwig’s calmness. At this moment the outer door opened, and Frieda came in from the street. "What is the matter?" she asked, looking from Kenneth’s flushed face to Hellwig’s smiling one, upon which, however, there flickered now a shade of embarrassment. "The fellow is a spy!" Kenneth burst out. "I was explaining, my dear cousin, that I am doing at least something for my country," Hellwig said. "We should have preferred that it were anything else," said Frieda coldly. "Come, Ken, I’ve something to say to you." She hurried along the corridor, not heeding Hellwig’s bow as she passed. Kenneth followed her. Hellwig shrugged, and left the house with his friend. "How did it come out?" asked Frieda, when Kenneth was alone with her in the drawing-room. "They were talking under my window. He accused me of eavesdropping. I couldn’t help hearing them at first; and when I found out what they were at, of course I listened. You have come back alone?" "Yes. I met Father. He says that your government has sent us an ultimatum, and war is certain. You must go home at once. Father sent me to tell you." "All right. He sneered about my doing wonders for my country. I’ll do something better than spying. I’ll volunteer for the Flying Corps." "Oh, don’t do that! It’s so dangerous." "No more dangerous than being in the firing line." "But why do anything at all--of that sort, I mean? War is horrible--horrible!"