.

"Ginty," said McMunn, "get some tumblers. And now Baron----"

"Captain," said Von Edelstein.

"Well get to business. What's in them twenty-two cases that was dumped
into our hold today?"

"Ah," said Von Edelstein, smiling. "A little surprise. I hope, I feel
confident, a pleasant surprise, for my comrades of the Ulster Volunteer
Force."

Ginty entered the cabin carrying three tumblers and a corkscrew. The
beer was opened and poured out Von Edelstein raised his glass.

"To the Ulster Volunteer Force," he said, "and to the day when the
pleasant little surprise we have prepared for you may prove a very
unpleasant surprise for--the enemy."

He bowed and drank.

"What's in them cases?" said McMunn.

"Gentlemen," said Von Edelstein, "something that will be of great value
to you--machine guns."

"We didn't order them," said McMunn, "and I'm not going to pay for
them."

"I am not authorized," said Von Edelstein, "to reveal secrets of State;
but I think I may trust your discretion so far as to say that one
very highly placed desires that the Ulster Volunteer Force should be
thoroughly equipped for war. It is his wish:----"

"Baron," said McMunn, "here's a bill drawn on my firm for the price of
the rifles. I'll trouble you for a receipt, and in the matter of the
contents of them cases--I don't say they're not machine guns, but I've
no way of knowing at present. If it turns out that they're any use to us
we may strike a bargain, but I'll no pay for a pig in a poke."

He laid his bill and a form of receipt on the table. Von Edelstein
pushed them aside.

"Gentlemen," he said, "between comrades in arms there is no question
of payment. It is the wish of one who is very highly placed that your
army----"

"But look here," said Lord Dunseverick, "we are not comrades in arms, as
you call it."

"Ah," said Von Edelstein. "Not to-day, not to-morrow perhaps. But
who knows how soon? When the word is given, and some batteries of our
artillery land in Belfast to support your excellent infantry----"

"What's that?" said Ginty.

"And a regiment of Prussian Guards----"

"There'll be no Prussians in Belfast," said Ginty, "for we'll not have
it."

"I am afraid," said Lord Dunseverick, "that you've got some wrong idea
into your head."

"But," said Von Edelstein, "you cannot fight alone. You would be--what
do you call it?--you would be wiped out Even the English Army could do
that. You have no artillery. You have no cava