I refrained from arguing this point and was patient while the prince turned the conversation on his favourite theme, the inferiority of a democratic to an autocratic form of government. “I have been studying the lives of your presidents,” he said, “and--really, how can one expect them to get good results with no training for their work and only a few years in office? Take men like Johnson, Tyler, Polk, Hayes, Buchanan, Pierce, Filmore, Harrison, McKinley. Mediocre figures, are they not? What do they stand for?” “What does the average king or emperor stand for?” I ventured, whereupon His Imperial Highness pointed proudly to the line of Hohenzollern rulers, and I had to admit that these were exceptional men. “The big men of America go into commercial and industrial pursuits rather than into politics,” I explained. “Exactly,” agreed the prince, “and the republic loses their services.” “No, the republic benefits by the general prosperity which they build up,” I insisted. With this the Imperial prisoner discussed the American Committee of Twenty-one and I was astonished to find what full knowledge he had touching their individual lives and achievements. He even knew the details of Asa G. Candler’s soda water activities. And he told me several amusing stories of Edison’s boyhood. “By the way,” he said abruptly, “I suppose you know that Thomas A. Edison is a prisoner in our hands?” “So we concluded,” said I. “Also Lemuel A. Widding.” “Also Lemuel A. Widding,” the prince admitted. “You know why we took them prisoners? It was on account of Widding’s invention. He thinks he has found a way to destroy our fleet and we do not want our fleet destroyed.” “Naturally not.” “You had a talk with Edison on the train last week. He knows all the details of Widding’s invention?” “Yes.” “And he believes it will do what the inventor claims? He believes it will destroy our fleet? Did he tell you that?” “He certainly did. He said he wouldn’t give five cents for the German fleet after Widding’s plan is put into operation.” “Ah!” reflected the Crown Prince. “Would Your Imperial Highness allow me to ask a question?” I ventured. His eyes met mine frankly. “Why, yes--certainly.” “I have no authority to ask this, but I suppose there might be an exchange of prisoners. Edison and Widding are important to America and--“. “You mean they might be exchanged for me?” his face grew stern. “I would not hear of it. Those two Americans alone have the secret of this Widding invention, I am sure of that, and it is better for the Fatherland to get along without a Crown Prince than without a fleet. No. We shall keep Mr. Edison and Mr. Widding prisoners.” He said this with all the dignity of his Hohenzollern ancestry; then he rose to end the interview. CHAPTER XX THIRD BATTLE OF BULL RUN WITH AEROPLANES CARRYING LIQUID CHLORINE