"Who can tell? The German-Americans are very powerful indeed all through the West, and then the pacifists will join them. You see, I believe that although the soul of the country is with the Allies, England is the most tactless country in the world. She is always giving little pinpricks to the Government over here, either about maritime law or one thing or another. Then all those articles in the papers about America being too proud to fight, the sneering tone of some, even, of the leading reviews, did a lot of harm. Uncle Theodore is going to stand for what they call the true neutrality. That is to say, no munitions, no help for either side." "Well, I don't know anything about American politics," Lutchester confessed, "but I shouldn't think he'd have an earthly chance." "Money is immensely powerful," she went on reflectively, "and many of the great money interests of the country are controlled by German-Americans. Mr. Fischer has almost thrown me over politically, but Uncle Theodore is crazy about the idea of a German pledge to protect America against Japan. That is going to be the great argument which he will keep up his sleeve until after the nomination." "Fischer's trump card," Lutchester observed. "He hasn't shown you a certain autograph letter yet, I suppose?" She shook her head. "He may have shown it to Uncle Theodore. I'm afraid he doesn't mean to approach me again. He seems to have completely changed his attitude towards me since the night he saw us at the Ritz-Carlton dining together. He was going to show me the letter the first day after his arrival in Washington. Instead of that, he has been in the house for hours at a time without making the slightest attempt to see me." "Faithless fellow!" Lutchester murmured. "Nothing like an Englishman, after all, for absolute fidelity." "Do you really think so?" Pamela inquired anxiously. "Do you think I should be safe in trusting my heart and future to an Englishman?" "To one particular Englishman, yes!" was the firm reply. "I was rather hoping you might have made up your mind." "Too many things to think about," she laughed. "How long are you going to stay in Washington?" "A few hours or days or weeks--until I have finished the work that brought me here." "And what exactly is that?" "You ask me lightly," he replied, "but, if you are willing, I have decided to take you into my confidence. Our friend Nikasti will be here to-morrow. He was to have sailed for Japan yesterday, but he has postponed his voyage for a few days. Do you know much about the Japanese, Miss Pamela?" "Very little," she acknowledged.