“What does the average king or emperor stand for?” I ventured, whereupon His Imperial Highness pointed proudly to the line of Hohenzollern rulers, and I had to admit that these were exceptional men.
“The big men of America go into commercial and industrial pursuits rather than into politics,” I explained.
“Exactly,” agreed the prince, “and the republic loses their services.”
“No, the republic benefits by the general prosperity which they build up,” I insisted.
With this the Imperial prisoner discussed the American Committee of Twenty-one and I was astonished to find what full knowledge he had touching their individual lives and achievements. He even knew the details of Asa G. Candler’s soda water activities. And he told me several amusing stories of Edison’s boyhood.
“By the way,” he said abruptly, “I suppose you know that Thomas A. Edison is a prisoner in our hands?”
“So we concluded,” said I. “Also Lemuel A. Widding.”
“Also Lemuel A. Widding,” the prince admitted. “You know why we took them prisoners? It was on account of Widding’s invention. He thinks he has found a way to destroy our fleet and we do not want our fleet destroyed.”
“Naturally not.”
“You had a talk with Edison on the train last week. He knows all the details of Widding’s invention?”