"It is indeed, and I love its peace. I love the quiet ways of the people. I saw a house yesterday which captivated, charmed me. Tre-Trelyon, yes, that's it; Trelyon, I was told it was called, and I hear it is for sale, or to let, I don't know which." "Yes, it is, and it is one of the finest places in the district. Why, it belongs to Admiral Tresize, whom perhaps you saw on the links this afternoon." "What, that stout, hearty, John Bull gentleman? Oh, yes, I saw him! What a splendid specimen of your British thoroughness. It belongs to him, eh?" "Yes, it formerly belonged to his wife's family, the Trelyons. I'm sure he'd be glad of a good tenant." "Ah, but that is pleasant. I could perhaps deal with him personally? I am, I suppose, what you would call a rich man, but I hate dealing with agents, and lawyers, and that kind of thing. He is--friendly, this, what do you call him, Admiral----" "Oh, yes, he's most friendly." "He's in the Navy, I suppose?" "He's retired from active service, but he is still one of the most influential men in our Admiralty." "Ah, yes, but I'm afraid I have but little knowledge of these things. I am a man of peace. I hate war of every sort. I am at one with what you English people call--Quakers. But ah, it looks like war again now." "You mean the Servian trouble?" "Yes. At first I thought the Austrians were going to be kind and reasonable. But they have Germany behind them, and now, I suppose, they've sent impossible demands to Servia. It is here in the evening paper. It seems, too, that Russia is going to back up Servia, and that will mean trouble." "How?" "I am not an authority on European politics, but I am sure that if Russia espouses the cause of Servia, Germany will throw in her lot with Austria. Don't you see what follows?" "You mean that Germany would declare war on Russia too?" "Yes, and that is not all. France, my own country, although I am an Alsatian, is bound to be dragged in. And I am a man of peace. I hate war." "I am with you there," cried Bob eagerly. "War was born in hell." "Ah, you say so, and you are a young man! That is good! But still you need not fear. England, in spite of the _Entente Cordiale_, holds to her policy of splendid isolation. She will not be dragged into the turmoil?" "No, I think that is impossible. You see we are not a military nation, in spite of a section of the community. Our Army is small, and will, I hope, remain small." "Stick to that, my friend--stick to that. Big armies only breed war, and war is a crime. But about my desire to buy Tre-Trelyon--ah, your English names are hard to pronounce--do you, who know the owner, this bluff John Bull, Admiral--what do you call him?" "Admiral Tresize." "Admiral Tresize, yes. Do you think it would be possible for me to see him?" "I'm quite sure it would be," replied Bob, who remembered what the Admiral had said. "I'm dining at his house to-morrow night. I'll tell him what you have said."