then be the
aggressors.

MINISTER OF WAR

[_Exultantly._

Our God of old lives yet and will not let us perish in disgrace!

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_Looking about._

My helmet. Damn it! Where is my helmet? I am going to dig at the plans
once more. If God lets me lead the armies in such a fight, the devil can
come when I'm through and fetch away the old carcass.

PRIME MINISTER

[_To_ MINISTER OF WAR.

Where's your Secretary?

MINISTER OF WAR

[_Crossing to door._

Secretary, here!

[SECRETARY _enters._

PRIME MINISTER

[_Handing him the paper._

To the telegraph-operator with this. It is to be sent to every news
bureau in the city and to all our embassies abroad.

MINISTER OF WAR

Tomorrow, the mobilization!

CHIEF OF STAFF

Tonight! I need those twelve hours for my plans.

[_The_ SECRETARY _holds the door open for the_ CHIEF OF
STAFF _who is about to go out when suddenly in the doorway appears
a young man of thirty, pale, dark, timid. He hesitates on the
threshold._

SECRETARY

[_Taken aback, bowing._

Your Majesty!

CHIEF OF STAFF

[_Drawing back._

My King!

[PRIME MINISTER _and_ MINISTER OF WAR _bow._

KING

[_Courteously._

I trust I am not breaking in upon a matter that does not concern me?

PRIME MINISTER

There is nothing that the King's servants may do that does not concern
the King.

KING

True. But sometimes the King is kept in ignorance nevertheless.

[_To the_ SECRETARY.

What paper is that you have there, if you please?

SECRETARY

[_With an uneasy glance at the others._

Here, your Majesty.

MINISTER OF WAR

[_Aside to_ SECRETARY.

Get out!

[_Exit_ SECRETARY.

PRIME MINISTER

It is the report of your Majesty's interview with the Ambassador.

KING

[_Glancing at the paper and speaking in quick, excited tones._

My message has been altered. It was conciliatory. It is a challenge now.
Who did this?

PRIME MINISTER

Your Majesty sees the culprit before you.

KING

Are you trying to make war?

PRIME MINISTER

I am trying, your Majesty, to save the country from the results of your
Majesty's indiscretion in calling the Ambassador to your palace without
consulting your Ministers. If we do not strike now we lose our prestige
as a great nation, our national honor is dragged in the dust. We have to
fight. We cannot afford to back down.

KING

[_Striding across the room, agitatedly._

But this