Vaulting ambition had inspired these things, the overmastering obsession of a supposed divine right of empire. The proud possessor of a giant’s power had sought, and found, some pretext for gigantic deeds. And now the cup of humiliation had been presented to those proud lips. Like the great emperors of the past, whose dynasties had long lain in the dust, the modern monarch had to learn that kings propose, but One alone disposes; that He alone, above the water floods, “remains a King for ever.” This, indeed, was no triumphal entry into England’s capital. Not as William the Conqueror, but as William the Conquered, Kaiser William stood on English soil. But if there was humiliation on the one side, there was on the other not only righteous wrath, but kingly magnanimity. Of what precisely passed between the two august sovereigns no written record was preserved. They spoke as man to man. Nor was there any occasion for a formal treaty between the high contracting parties. King Edward, with the advice of his ministers, had already decided on the minimum of his requirements as representing the just demands of a great nation. Those requirements--absolutely inflexible, and not to be varied in any one particular--were as follows: Heligoland was to be restored to the British Crown. The captured warships were to be incorporated in the British Navy. If the new naval base on the North Sea were not forthwith dismantled and abandoned, the British fleet would bombard every German port in Europe. It was said that the Kaiser listened with knitted brow, and, after a brief pause, asked quietly: “What assurances does your Majesty require?” “Your Majesty’s word of honour,” was the answer. “It is not intended to treat me as a hostage?” “Your Majesty is free.” CHAPTER XXXVI THE BROTHERHOOD OF DEATH Far from the madding crowd of London, beyond sound of all the shouting and the tumult, they laid to rest, “each in his narrow cell,” Father Francis and Billy of Mayfair. The priest, after lingering for two days, had died in Charing Cross Hospital from heart failure, resulting from the injuries he had sustained in the memorable meeting in Trafalgar Square. For the moment, and to all seeming, the Bottle had triumphed over the Bible; but the preacher of the higher truth, being dead, yet spoke to the hearts of thousands, and many journeyed down from London to attend his funeral.