“Germany wants peace,” his visitor continued calmly. “She may not have accomplished all she wished to have accomplished by this war, and she is still as strong as ever from a military point of view, but she wants peace. I need say no more than that.” Lord Romsey shook his head. “Even if I had the influence, which I haven’t,” he began, “it isn’t a matter of the Government at all. The country would never stand it.” “Then you had better convert the country,” was the prompt reply. “Look upon it as your duty. Remember this--you are the man in all this world, and not the Kaiser, who is responsible for this war. But for your solemn words pledging your country to neutrality, Germany would never have forced the issue as she has done. Now it is for you to repair the evil. I tell you that we want peace. The first overtures may come ostensibly through Washington, if you will, but they must come in reality from you.” The Minister leaned back in his chair. His was the calmness of despair. “You might as well ask me,” he said simply, “to order our Fleet out of the North Sea.” Mr. Sidney rose to his feet. “I think,” he advised, “that you had better try what you can do, Lord Romsey. We shall give you little time. We may even extend it, if we find traces of your influence. You have two colleagues, at least, who are pacifists at heart. Take them on one side, talk in a whisper at first. Plant just a little seed but be careful that it grows. We do not expect impossibilities, only--remember what failure will mean to you.” Lord Romsey looked steadfastly at his visitor. Mr. Sidney was tall and spare, and there was certainly nothing of the Teuton or the American in his appearance or accent. His voice was characterless, his restraint almost unnatural. Relieved of his more immediate fears, the Minister was conscious of a renewed instinct of strong curiosity. “How can I communicate with you, Mr.--Sidney?” he asked. “In no way,” the other replied. “When I think it advisable I shall come to see you again.” “Are you an American or a German or an Englishman?” “I am whichever I choose for the moment,” was the cool response. “If you doubt my credentials, I can perhaps establish myself in your confidence by repeating the conversation which took place between you and the Kaiser on the terrace of the Imperial Palace at Potsdam between three and four o’clock on the afternoon of April the seventh. You gave the Kaiser a little character sketch of your colleagues in the Cabinet, and you treated with ridicule the bare idea that one or two of them, at any rate, would ever consent--” “That will do,” the Minister interrupted hoarsely. “Just as you will,” the other observed. “I wish you good-day, sir. The issue is before you now quite plainly. Let us soon be able to appreciate the effect of your changed attitude.” Lord Romsey touched his bell in silence and his visitor took a grave and decorous leave. He walked with the secretary down the hall.