With his quick eye for detail he had caught the Cincinnati button worn by Edestone, and said:
“I see that you are the descendant of a soldier, which gives you a greater claim upon my imperial favour. What was your ancestor’s rank?”
“He was a general, Your Majesty,” replied Edestone with a firmness that seemed to attract and slightly offend him.
He scowled. He was so accustomed to seeing strong men quail before him that the coolness of the other man shocked his sense of propriety. “General von Lichtenstein tells me,” his face brightening up again, “that you have made a very interesting invention, which may be of great service to me in bringing to a successful end sooner than I had expected this cruel war, which has been forced upon me by those grasping English. He tells me that you have motion pictures of this invention in actual war practice, which the representative of the American Ambassador has so kindly invited me here to see.”
Turning to Jones, he said with great show of condescension: “I thank you, Mr. Secretary.” Then looking at Edestone sharply, and with rather a sarcastic turn in his voice, he continued: “I will gladly see your pictures, and what is perhaps of more interest to you, no doubt, I will, if I like it, buy your invention at a good price.”
And then, as if addressing the entire company, who stood waiting to applaud his every sentiment, he said: “Germany expects and is able to pay large prices for American goods now.” And then, as if to cut short any possible protest that Edestone might presume to make, he turned his back upon him and said very abruptly to the Secretary: “Where are these pictures?”
“In the next room,” replied the Secretary, “and if you please, Mr. Edestone will show them to Your Majesty at once. Edestone,” he said, “has everything been arranged?”
“Yes,” nodded Edestone. Though boiling with rage he kept a perfectly calm exterior.
The entire company led by the Emperor and the Secretary moved into another room where Black had installed the apparatus.
Edestone, with his usual modesty, had obliterated himself, and bringing up the rear was about to go around through the other rooms to reach his place in front of the screen when his attention was called by General von Lichtenstein, who had fallen back apparently with the intention of speaking to him apart from the others.