"No. I beg your pardon, President--that is Ahlbeck, a fishing village, which is, however, on the Warnow estates. Warnow itself lies farther inland. You can just see the church tower over the edge of the dunes."
The President dropped the eye-glass with which he had vainly searched for the tower.
"You have sharp eyes, General, and are quick at finding out your bearings!"
"I have only been there once, it is true," answered the General; "but since then I have had only too much cause for studying this line of coast on the map."
The President smiled.
"Yes, yes; it is classical ground," said he; "it has been long fought over--long and vainly."
"And I am convinced that it was right that the struggle should be in vain: at least, that it should have only a negative result," said the General.
"I am not sure that it will not be taken up again," answered the President. "Count Golm and Co. have been making immense efforts lately."
"After you have so clearly proved that it is impossible that the railway should pay?"
"And you that the harbour would be useless!"