d made a ghastly mess of improving the condition
of the underdog before the masses in other countries had time to lose
their heads. I've no doubt that he will be the next Chancellor of
Austria, and that when he gets the reins of power in his hands, he'll
keep a firm hold on them, which is more than any one else has done----"

"What do you suppose has brought him to this country?"

"I fancy he has come to obtain the moral support of the American
Government in whatever plan he may have made for putting Austria on her
feet again."

"Have you any idea of what that plan may be?" Clavering was watching
her intently, his ear attuned to every inflection of her voice. But
her tones were as impersonal as if reciting a page out of ancient
history, and her gaze was frank and direct.

"I can only guess. Personally I should think his present plan would be
an alliance with Bavaria and other South German States--a South German
Confederacy. That would make a powerful combination, and as Bavaria
has always hated Prussia, she would be the last to lend herself to any
schemes of vengeance the north may cherish--particularly if she remains
a republic. And, of course, she would assume her share of the Allied
debt. . . . It would be a wonderful thing if it could be brought off.
Vienna"--her eyes sparkled--"Vienna, of course, would be the
capital--and again one of the great capitals of Europe. Perhaps the
greatest."

"Were you ever closely associated with Hohenhauer in any of his
schemes?"

"He had no immediate schemes then. He only awaited events. While the
old Emperor lived no move was possible; he was most illogically adored
by his people. But Hohenhauer told me more than once that he was only
biding his time."

"And what of that preposterous estate of his in the old
Galicia--sixteen million acres, wasn't it? Did he expect to hang on to
that under a popular form of government?"

"He would have retained the castle and a few hundred acres, for he
naturally had a great affection for his birthplace; and divided the
rest among the people, whose natural inheritance it was. But he could
do nothing until the proper time, for such an act would undoubtedly
have resulted in confiscation and banishment. He would have
accomplished no good, and lost his immediate power for usefulness
besides. Like all those old-world statesmen, he knows how to play a
waiting game."

"Sounds like a great man--if there are any such."

"I should