ent's notice, war six months too soon!
Don't you know that every shipbuilding yard in Germany is working
night and day? Don't you know that every nerve is being strained,
that the muscles of the country are hammering the rivets into our
new battleships? There is but one chance for this country, and if
her statesmen read that document they will know what it is. It is
open to them to destroy the German navy utterly, to render themselves
secure against attack."

"They would never have the courage," Kahn declared. "They might
make a show of defending themselves if they were attacked, but to
take the initiative--no! I do not believe it."

"There is one man who has wit enough to do it," Streuss said. "He
may not be in the Cabinet, but he commands it. Kahn, wake up, man!
You and I together have never known what failure means. I tell you
that that document is still to be bought or fought for, and we must
find it. This morning Mademoiselle drove into the city and called
at the offices of a stockbroker within a dozen yards of Crooked
Friars' Alley. She was there a long time. The stockbroker himself
came out with her into the street, took her to see the entry, stood
with her there and returned. What was her interest in him, Kahn?
His name is Laverick. Four days ago he was on the brink of ruin.
To the amazement of every one, he met all his engagements. Why did
Mademoiselle go to the city to see him? He was at his office late
that Tuesday night. He had a partner who has disappeared."

Kahn looked at his companion with admiration.

"You have found all this out!" he exclaimed.

"And more," Streuss declared. "For twenty-four hours, this man
Laverick has not moved without my spies at his heels."

"Why not approach him boldly?" Kahn suggested. "If he has the
document, let us outbid Mademoiselle Louise, and do it quickly."

Streuss shook his head.

"You don't know the man. He is an Englishman, and if he had any
idea what that document contained, our chances of buying it would
be small indeed. This is what I think will happen. Mademoiselle
will try to obtain it, and try in vain. Then Bellamy will tell him
the truth, and he will part with it willingly. In the meantime, I
believe that it is in his possession.

"The evidence is slender enough," objected Kahn.

"What if it is!" Streuss exclaimed. "If it is only a hundred to one
chance, we have to take it. I have no fancy for disgrace, Adolf,
and I know ver