“Well,” answered General Mainwarren, “I’ll relieve you of any suspense. I’ve been summoned to Court to confer with the Emperor and his Chancellor regarding certain operations contemplated by the Coal Trust, of which,” he added with an explanatory wave of the hand to the Professor and Kearns, “I am the head.” “Yes, yes,” interjected the Colonel; “but what’s the nature of these new operations?” “Simply this,” replied the General carelessly; “it has been decided, to describe the plan briefly, to withhold the output of coal and to force up the price during the coming winter to fifteen crowns the ton.” “No, no; surely not!” cried the Colonel. “It has been decided and will be done,” said General Mainwarren firmly. “The Sovereign, the Chancellor and the Imperial Council are much exercised, I understand, in view of the effect it is likely to have upon the masses. Hence my summons to Court! And,” continued the General, turning to the Professor, “what do you say to this plan? You had certain experiences of this kind in your day, did you not?” “I must decline to express an opinion,” answered the Professor coldly. “I’m not sufficiently familiar with existing conditions to express an opinion. How am I to know what will be the effect upon the people at large?” “It will result in widespread suffering and distress; in misery of the most dreadful kind,” said the Colonel, sadly. “Say, if you like,” replied General Mainwarren with brutal directness, “that it will result in widespread desolation and death. You may speak out. I’m not thin-skinned and don’t mind hearing the truth. Many factories must close and tens of thousands will be thrown out of work; to say nothing of the misery and death which will ensue from actual cold. Hence the Court is exercised; hence it sends for me, but--it will be in vain!” “And you,” said the Professor, turning horror-stricken eyes upon the speaker, “realizing all these things, will still persist in your course!” “Absolutely and unalterably,” answered the General sternly. “I’ve been sent for to present myself at Court. I’ll be wheedled, pleaded with, threatened and cajoled, but--it will be for naught. Ah, you seem astonished. What, then, is the view you take?”