“But France is the ally of Russia, and if Russia is attacked, France must draw the sword on her behalf.
“You understand?—with the first shot which is fired by a British warship on the Russian flag, I shall be able to invade England.”
I understood indeed. Briefly and plainly Wilhelm II. had summed up the result of my own inquiries and reasonings.
“It is you,” the Emperor proceeded, “who have undertaken to secure this result.”
I bowed, intensely desirous to know exactly what it was that Petrovitch had pledged himself to do.
“I have just rewarded you for the services you have already rendered, by admitting you to my Family Order, an order which I intend shall take precedence of the Golden Fleece, and even the Garter. Should you carry out your present task to my satisfaction I shall consider no reward too great for you.”
I trembled as I listened to this wild vaporing. If such were the private thoughts of the Kaiser, no wonder some of his public utterances smacked of the visionary.
I could not doubt that he was thoroughly in earnest. Long brooding on the greatness of his ancestors, and his own importance as the sole European ruler who has kings for his satellites, had filled him with the fanatical spirit of a Mohammed or a Hildebrand. He believed, firmly and sincerely believed, that Providence had called him to the sovereignty of the globe, and authorized him to sweep every rival out of his path.
“Your majesty overwhelms me,” I murmured. “Consider, sire, that to be your servant is in itself an honor so great that no other reward is necessary.”