At first he read with only half his mind. He had been greatly excited by the meeting he had attended, and for the first few minutes constantly found himself thinking rather of the speeches than of the book. Presently, however, a sentence gripped him, and then he forgot everything else. He realised that he was reading, not simply the opinions and sentiments of a single individual, but of the ruling caste of the German Empire. As he read, he rubbed his eyes. He could not believe that he saw aright. He had expected windy vapourings, instead he found cold, reasoned statements--a kind of Machiavellian philosophy. Hour after hour he read, regardless of time, his mind absorbing the author's arguments as a sponge sucks up water. An hour after midnight he rose from his chair and flung the book from him as though it were something unclean. CHAPTER XII It is not my purpose to analyse the book which moved Bob so profoundly, and I am only referring to it because of its effect on his thoughts. It must be remembered that he had been reared to regard war as something born in hell, something which meant, in the words of the Prime Minister of England, "Hell let loose." He had never heard any one speak of it as something to be desired. At best it was only a "ghastly necessity," something which should not be resorted to until "all the resources of civilisation were exhausted." Here, however, he found war not only gloried in, but set forth as a necessity to the well-being of nations. War was not only a necessity, it was a virtuous thing, it was the will of God, it was taught by Christ. A score of sentences burnt like flames of fire before his eyes. Sentences, not written in the heat of passion, but in cold, measured terms. And they were accepted as the Gospel of Germany. "_Without war,_" said the writer, "_inferior and decaying nations would easily choke the growth of healthy and budding elements, and universal decadence would follow. . . ._ "_It is not the possessor, but the victor who has the right. . . ._ "_Might is at once the supreme right_, AND THE DISPUTE AS TO WHAT IS RIGHT IS SETTLED BY THE ARBITRAMENT OF WAR. . . . "_Reflection shows that not only is war an unqualified necessity, but that it is justifiable from every point of view. . . ._ "_If we sum up our arguments, we shall see that from the most opposite aspects the efforts directed towards the abolition of war must not only be termed foolish, but_ ABSOLUTELY IMMORAL, _and must be stigmatised as unworthy of the human race. . . ._ "_According to peace treaties, 'the weak nation is to have the same right to live as the powerful and vigorous nation.' . . . this is absolutely immoral. . . ._ "_Efforts for peace would, if they attained their goal, not merely lead to general degeneration, but would have a damaging and unnerving effect. . . ._ "_Every means must be employed to oppose those who work for peace. . . ._"