1917

An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes

nine o'clock at night second of August- the most terrible August history world One thought already that God's curse hung heavy over degenerate world, for an awesome hush and feeling of vague expectation sultry and stagnant air The sun had long set, but one blood-red gash like an open wound lay low distant west Above, the stars were shining brightly, and below, the lights shipping glimmered bay The two famous Germans stood beside the stone parapet garden walk, long, low, heavily gabled house behind them, looked down broad sweep beach foot great chalk cliff Von Bork, like some wandering eagle, had perched himself four years before They stood with their heads close together, talking in low, confidential tones From below the two glowing ends cigars the smouldering eyes of some malignant fiend looking down darkness

remarkable man this Von Bork- man hardly be matched among all the devoted agents Kaiser his talents which had first recommended him English mission, the most important mission of all, but since he had taken it over those talents had become more and more manifest half-dozen people who were really in touch truth was his present companion, Baron Von Herling, the chief secretary legation, whose huge 100-horse-power Benz car was blocking the country lane as it waited to waft its owner back to London

" as judge the trend of events, probably be back in Berlin week," the secretary was saying " get there, my dear Von Bork, surprised welcome receive I happen thought highest quarters of your work country " huge man, the secretary, deep, broad, and tall, with slow, heavy fashion of speech which his main asset political career

Von Bork laughed

" very hard to deceive," he remarked "A more docile, simple folk imagined "

"I don't know ," said the other thoughtfully " strange limits and one must learn to observe them It surface simplicity of theirs which makes trap stranger One's first impression is entirely soft Then one comes suddenly upon something very hard, and that reached the limit and must adapt yourself fact , for example, their insular conventions which simply observed "

"Meaning, 'good form' sort of thing ? " Von Bork sighed as one who had suffered much

"Meaning British prejudice in all its queer manifestations As an example quote one own worst blunders- afford blunders, for my work well enough aware successes on my first arrival invited to week-end gathering country house of cabinet minister The conversation was amazingly indiscreet "

Von Bork nodded "I've been there," said he dryly

"Exactly Well, I naturally sent resume information to Berlin Unfortunately our good chancellor is little heavy-handed matters, and he transmitted remark which showed that aware of what said This, , took the trail straight up You've no idea the harm did me nothing soft about our British hosts occasion, assure you two years living it down Now you, sporting pose of yours-"

"No, no, don't call it pose pose is an artificial thing quite natural born sportsman I enjoy it "

"Well, that makes it the more effective You yacht against them, you hunt , you play polo, you match them in every game, your four-in-hand takes the prize at Olympia even heard that you go the length of boxing young officers the result ? Nobody takes you seriously 'good old sport,' 'quite decent fellow for German,' hard-drinking, night-club, knock-about-town, devil-may-care young fellow And all the time this quiet country house of yours centre of half the mischief in England, sporting squire the most astute secret-service man in Europe Genius, my dear Von Bork- genius ! "

"You flatter me, Baron But certainly claim that my four years country unproductive I've never shown you my little store Would you mind stepping in for moment ? "

The door study opened straight on terrace Von Bork pushed it back, and, leading the way, he clicked the switch electric light He then closed the door behind the bulky form which followed him and carefully adjusted the heavy curtain over the latticed window Only when all these precautions taken and tested did he turn his sunburned aquiline face guest

"Some papers ," said he "When my wife household left yesterday for Flushing they took the less important , , claim the protection embassy others "

" has already been filed as personal suite no difficulties or your baggage , just possible that not have England may leave France to her fate no binding treaty "

"And Belgium ? "

"Yes, and Belgium, too "

Von Bork shook his head "I don't see how that definite treaty there never recover from such humiliation "

" have peace moment "

"But her honour ? "

"Tut, my , we live in utilitarian age Honour is mediaeval conception Besides England ready an inconceivable thing, but even our special war tax of fifty million, which one would think made our purpose as clear we had advertised it front page Times, roused these people from their slumbers Here and there one hears question my business an answer Here and there also an irritation my business to soothe it But assure you that essentials go- the storage of munitions, the preparation for submarine attack, the arrangements for making high explosives- nothing is prepared How, then, can England come in, especially when stirred her up such devil's brew of Irish civil war, window-breaking Furies, and God knows what her thoughts at home "

" think of her future "

"Ah, another matter I fancy that our own very definite plans about England, your information very vital to-day or to-morrow with Mr John Bull If he prefers to-day perfectly ready to-morrow more ready still think wiser to fight with allies than without them, but their own affair This week is their week of destiny But you were speaking of your papers " He sat armchair light shining upon his broad bald head, while he puffed sedately at his cigar

The large oak-panelled, book-lined room had curtain hung further corner was drawn it disclosed large, brass-bound safe Von Bork detached small key watch chain, and after some considerable manipulation lock he swung open the heavy door

"Look ! " said he, standing clear, with wave hand

The light shone vividly opened safe, secretary embassy gazed with an absorbed interest rows of stuffed pigeon-holes furnished Each pigeon-hole had its label, eyes as he glanced along them read long series titles as "Fords," "Harbour-defences," "Aeroplanes," "Ireland," "Egypt," "Portsmouth forts," "The Channel," "Rosythe," and score of others Each compartment was bristling with papers and plans

"Colossal ! " said the secretary Putting down his cigar he softly clapped his fat hands