uption of our enemies, on their lack of unity. God will aid us by
sowing confusion among these detested people. In a few days you will see
His hand. Revolution is going to break out in France at the same time
as war. The people of Paris will build barricades in the streets and
the scenes of the Commune will repeat themselves. Tunis, Algiers and all
their other possessions are about to rise against the metropolis."

Argensola seized the opportunity to smile with an aggressive
incredulity.

"I repeat it," insisted Hartrott, "that this country is going to have
internal revolution and colonial insurrection. I know perfectly
well what I am talking about. . . . Russia also will break out into
revolution with a red flag that will force the Czar to beg for mercy on
his knees. You have only to read in the papers of the recent strikes
in Saint Petersburg, and the manifestations of the strikers with the
pretext of President Poincare's visit. . . . England will see her
appeals to her colonies completely ignored. India is going to rise
against her, and Egypt, too, will seize this opportunity for her
emancipation."

Julio was beginning to be impressed by these affirmations enunciated
with such oracular certainty, and he felt almost irritated at the
incredulous Argensola, who continued looking insolently at the seer,
repeating with his winking eyes, "He is insane--insane with pride." The
man certainly must have strong reasons for making such awful prophecies.
His presence in Paris just at this time was difficult for Desnoyers to
understand, and gave to his words a mysterious authority.

"But the nations will defend themselves," he protested to his cousin.
"Victory will not be such a very simple thing as you imagine."

"Yes, they will defend themselves, and the struggle will be fiercely
contested. It appears that, of late years, France has been paying some
attention to her army. We shall undoubtedly encounter some resistance;
triumph may be somewhat difficult, but we are going to prevail. . . .
You have no idea to what extent the offensive power of Germany has
attained. Nobody knows with certainty beyond the frontiers. If our foes
should comprehend it in all its immensity, they would fall on their
knees beforehand to beg for mercy, thus obviating the necessity for
useless sacrifices."

There was a long silence. Julius von Hartrott appeared lost in reverie.
The very thought of the accumulated strength of his race submerged him
in