and when he went down to Portsmouth the other day to see the
American ship that was there, he took him with him. And the man took a
camera and was found photographing where no photography is allowed. Did
you see anything of a camera when the Emperor came to Ashbridge?"

Michael thought.

"Yes; one of his staff was clicking away all day," he said. "He sent a
lot of them to my mother."

"And, we may presume, kept some copies himself," remarked Aunt Barbara
drily. "Really, for childish simplicity the English are the biggest
fools in creation."

"But do you mean--"

"I mean that the Germans are a very knowledge-seeking people, and that
we gratify their desires in a very simple fashion. Do you think they are
so friendly, Michael? Do you know, for instance, what is a very common
toast in German regimental messes? They do not drink it when there are
foreigners there, but one night during the manoeuvres an officer in
a mess where Tony was dining got slightly 'on,' as you may say, and
suddenly drank to 'Der Tag.'"

"That means 'The Day,'" said Michael confidently.

"It does; and what day? The day when Germany thinks that all is ripe
for a war with us. 'Der Tag' will dawn suddenly from a quiet, peaceful
night, when they think we are all asleep, and when they have got all the
information they think is accessible. War, my dear."

Michael had never in his life seen his aunt so serious, and he was
amazed at her gravity.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of their spies all over England," she
said, "and hundreds of their agents all over America. Deep, patient
Germany, as Carlyle said. She's as patient as God and as deep as the
sea. They are working, working, while our toy soldiers play golf. I
agree with that adorable pianist; and, what's more, I believe they think
that 'Der Tag' is near to dawn. Tony says that their manoeuvres this
year were like nothing that has ever been seen before. Germany is a
fighting machine without parallel in the history of the world."

She got up and stood with Michael near the fireplace.

"And they think their opportunity is at hand," she said, "though not
for a moment do they relax their preparations. We are their real enemy,
don't you see? They can fight France with one hand and Russia with the
other; and in a few months' time now they expect we shall be in the
throes of an internal revolution over this Irish business. They may be
right, but there is just the possibility that they may be asto