The Double Traitor

ain attendant with a view to changing his place. His errand, however, was in vain. The train, it seemed, was crowded. He returne

there with grey, was seated in the vacant place. He had with him a portmanteau covered with a linen case, his boots were a bright shade of yellow, his tie was of white satin with a design of lavender

t to ourselves, is it n

his disgust of Germany and all things in it,

d in English. "I d

tisfaction w

is practice for me. We will talk English together, you and I. These comic papers, they do not amuse. A

te confessed gruffl

ined, apparently, full of the conviction that

nderful. For the last three nights I have been up reading reports of my English customers, going through their purchases. Now it is finished. I am well posted. I am off to sell crockery in London, in Manche

p in his corner. "Personally, I can't see why we can't make ou

ifle hurt, but his efforts to make

n produce forty per cent. cheaper than your makers, and, mind you, that is not because I save in wages. It is because of the system in the various departments. I do not like to save in wages," he went on. "I like to see my people healthy and strong and

d, "but from the little I have seen of it I call it a bea

Then he gave a little grunt. There was not the slightest ill-hum

hat you, perhaps, are tired. You have met with disappointmen

pages of his book with the utmost cautiousness, moved on tiptoe once to reach down more pape

orgate heard him whisper,

rose to his feet, stretched himself, and was w

atter remarked, "and now, is it not so

" Norgate admitted. "

mph. It was the reward of geniality,

see. I like best the beer," he explained, turning sidewise to get out of the door, "but it is not the best for

he restaurant car and seated

sure to me to entertain an Englishman. I make many friends travelling. I like to make friends. I remember them all, and sometimes we meet again. Kellner, some tea

ou, I'm sure,"

lingman

r, so world-conquering, do not take the trouble to make yourselves with the languages of

ly. "To tell you the truth, at the

ccupa

eying a huge portion of rusk to his mout

Every one must work, or must take up the army as a permanent profession. You are, per

shook

her hard during the last five or six years. It is

f unable to gratify it. In any case, after his denial of any knowledge of the German language

t some post. Well, there are others. I should not, I think, be far away from the tr

" Norgate

and my country. But sometimes I have fancied that among your official classes those who are ever so slightly employed in Gov

te admitted, "who do not look u

neys, furnaces everywhere. And further on-what? Well-tilled lands, clean, prosperous villages, a happy, domestic people. I t

few miles you see barracks. These simple peasants you speak of carry themselves with a different air from ours. I don't know much about it, but I should call it the effect of

man explained earnestly

ul artillery, your Zeppelins and your navy,

nothing the most warlike German desires more fervently than to keep the peace. We are strong o

ense and taken a great deal of trouble for nothing. I don't know much about these things

laid his finger

ong we arm. That is everything. It will never be Germany who clenches her fist, who draws down the black clouds of war over Europe. It will never be Germany, I tell you. Why, a war would ruin ha

r you say so," Norgate admitted. "I

n caught him

rhaps it is because you live upon an island. You do not expand. You have small thoughts. You are not great like

his lips and cl

muttered. "See

he length of the train, smoked a cigarette, and returned to his compa

a great fondness for detail. I know everything. I carry with me particulars of everyt

locked it wi

r, is it not so

s well," Norgate as

of crockery made a highly satisfactory and important meal. Norga

ome. Afterwards, over a cigar, you shall tell me what troubles you have, and I will give you sound adv

I am afraid," he said, "t

e of my agents. He will travel with us to the next station. It is my way of doing business, this. It is better than alighting and wasting a day in a

e replied. "I shall pro

lingman explained, "but I have many competitors, and I l

I am not an English

te re

tily. His stomach shook, an

ot think so! I cannot see you with your sleeves turned up, walking amongst

as he turned away. "I can promise, at least, that I shall not und

face. It almost seemed as though he had discovered some