"The greatest man in Germany," Estermen continued, "when he heard of your misfortune, declared at once that the peace of Europe was no longer assured. I am here to-night, Sir Julien, without credentials, it is true, but I am the spokesman of a very great person indeed. He is anxious to know your plans."
"I have no plans."
"Your political future, then—"
"I have no political future," Julien interrupted. "That is finished for me."
"But the thing is absurd!" protested Estermen. "There is no other man but you capable of dealing tactfully and diplomatically with my country. Your blundering predecessors brought us twice within an ace of war. If the man takes your place to whom rumor has already given it, I give Europe six weeks' peace—no more. We are a sensitive nation, as you know. You learned how to humor us. No one before you tried. You kept your alliance with France, but you were not afraid to show us the open hand. There are those in Berlin, Sir Julien, who consider you the greatest statesman England ever possessed."
"I listen," Julien said. "Pray proceed."
"It cannot be," Estermen went on, "that you mean to accept the situation?"
"I have no alternative," Julien answered.
"It is not, then, a question of money?" Estermen ventured slowly. "The
Press tell us that you are poor."
"Money, in this case, would scarcely help," Julien remarked.