concerned. But Sweden is ours, body and soul. More than any
other of these vassal states, it is our master's plan to bring her into
complete subjection. We need her lusty manhood, the finest cannon food
in the world, for later wars, if indeed such a thing should be. She has
timber and minerals which we also need. But there--it is enough. First
of all men in this country, my friend, you Von Ragastein, have gazed
upon this picture of the future."

"This is marvellously conceived," Dominey muttered, "but what of Russian
with her millions? How is it that we propose, notwithstanding her
countless millions of men, to help ourselves to her richest provinces,
to drive a way through the heart of her empire?"

"This," Seaman replied, "is where genius steps in. Russia has been ripe
for a revolution any time for the last fifteen years. We have secret
agents now in every city and country place and throughout the army. We
shall teach Russia how to make herself a free country."

Dominey shivered a little with an almost involuntary repulsion. For the
second time that almost satyr-like grin on Seaman's face revolted him.

"And what of my own work?"

Seaman helped himself to a liqueur. He was, as a rule, a moderate man,
but this was the third time he had replenished his glass since his hasty
meal.

"My brain is weary, friend," he admitted, passing his hand over his
forehead. "I have a great fatigue. The thoughts jump about. This last
week has been one of fierce excitements. Everything, almost your
daily life, has been planned. We shall go over it within a day or so.
Meanwhile, remember this. It is our great aim to keep England out of the
war."

"Terniloff is right, then, after all!" Dominey exclaimed.

Seaman laughed scornfully.

"If we want England out of the war," he pointed out, "it is not that we
desire her friendship. It is that we may crush her the more easily
when Calais, Boulogne and Havre are in our hands. That will be in three
months' time. Then perhaps our attitude towards England may change a
little! Now I go."

Dominey folded up the map with reluctance. His companion shook his head.
It was curious that he, too, for the first time in his life upon the
same day, addressed his host differently.

"Baron Von Ragastein," he said, "there are six of those maps in
existence. That one is for you. Lock it away and guard it as though it
were your greatest treasure on earth, but when you are alone, bring it
out and study it