“What do you mean?”
“Why, somebody just flashed a message to the ship that they were the British cruiser Essex and that war had been declared between England and Germany and——”
He got no further. De Garros’s hands flew out and seized his shoulders.
“Zat was no joke, mon ami,” he exclaimed; “it was zee truth.”
“The truth? How do you know?” asked the naturally astonished Jack.
“It has been in zee air for months in diplomatic circles. I thought zee declaration would have come before this. It was for that that I was in Amerique buying aeroplanes.”
“What, is France in this, too?” demanded the astonished Jack.
“Yes, and Russia also. Russia declared war two days ago. Then came France, zee second member of zee Triple Entente, as zee is called, and now, as was expected, comes England to help against the German barbarians.”
“But how did you know all this?” demanded Jack. “There was nothing in the papers when we left New York, but something about a row between Austria and Servia.”
“Which caused all the trouble,” came the reply; “or, rather, zee match to zee powder. But zee ask me how I know zee declaration of war of Russia and France. I am not the only man on zee ship zat does. Captain Rollok, he knows, zee officers know, like me zey have been getting wireless messages in code. Zey have been warned to look out for English cruisers in case England joined France and Russia. Zis Gerrman ship with six million dollars in gold on board would be a fine prize for Great Britain. My friend, before many hours have passed, you are going to have some excitement.”