Produced by Donald Lainson THE COMING CONQUEST OF ENGLAND by August Niemann Translated by J. H. Freese CONTENTS I. THE COUNCIL OF STATE II. THE OFFICERS’ MESS III. A RUSSIAN COMRADE IV. THE CIRCASSIAN BEAUTY V. THE CAPTAIN’S WIFE VI. THE OUTRAGE VII. THE MAHARAJAH VIII. THE PAMIRS IX. THE GERMAN EMPEROR X. FIVE LAKHS OF RUPEES XI. THE MOBILISATION XII. THE CAMP OF LAHORE XIII. THE BATTLE XIV. IN THE PANIC-STRICKEN CITY XV. THE COURT-MARTIAL XVI. THE PROFESSOR XVII. DOWNING STREET XVIII. THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CAPTAIN OF DRAGOONS XIX. ON THE ROAD TO SIMLA XX. A FRIEND IN NEED XXI. EDITH’S ADVENTURES XXII. THE ETHICS OF ESPIONAGE XXIII. HOMEWARD BOUND XXIV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALEDONIA XXV. A SUSPICIOUS FISHING-SMACK XXVI. CAMILLE PENUROT XXVII. EBERHARD AMELUNGEN XXVIII. THE FATE OF A SPY XXIX. A WOMAN’S TREACHERY XXX. EDITH’S LAST JOURNEY XXXI. THE STOLEN DOCUMENT XXXII. NEWS OF AN OLD FRIEND XXXIII. THE LANDING IN SCOTLAND XXXIV. THE BATTLE OF FLUSHING XXXV. AT HAMPTON COURT AUTHOR’S PREFACE I recall to mind a British colonel, who said to me in Calcutta: “This is the third time that I have been sent to India. Twenty-five years ago, as lieutenant, and then the Russians were some fifteen hundred miles from the Indian frontier; then, six years since, as captain, and the Russians were then only five hundred miles away. A year ago I came here as lieutenant-colonel, and the Russians are right up to the passes leading to India.” The map of the world unfolds itself before me. All seas are ploughed by the keels of English vessels, all coasts dotted with the coaling stations and fortresses of the British world-power. In England is vested the dominion of the globe, and England will retain it; she cannot permit the Russian monster to drink life and mobility from the sea. “Without England’s permission no shot can be fired on the ocean,” once said William Pitt, England’s greatest statesman. For many, many years England has increased her lead, owing to dissensions among the continental Powers. Almost all wars have, for centuries past, been waged in the interests of England, and almost all have been incited by England. Only when Bismarck’s genius presided over Germany did the German Michael become conscious of his own strength, and wage his own wars. Are things to come to this pass, that Germany is to crave of England’s bounty--her air and light, and her very daily bread? or does their ancient vigour no longer animate Michael’s arms? Shall the three Powers who, after Japan’s victory over China, joined hands in the treaty of Shimonoseki, in order to thwart England’s aims, shall they--Germany, France, and Russia--still fold their hands, or shall they not rather mutually join them in a common cause?