“Germany seems determined to back up Austria in her demands on Serbia, and I don't think Serbia will eat quite all of the dish of dirt Francis Joseph has set before her,” Cappy answered seriously. “Austria seems determined to make an issue of the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. If she does, Matt, there'll be the most awful war in history. All Europe will be fighting.”
Matt was silent and thoughtful all the way home, but just before they left the carriage he turned to Cappy.
“If there's war,” he remarked, “England will, doubtless, control the seas because of her superior navy. German commerce will absolutely cease.”
“The submarine will have to be reckoned with, also,” Cappy suggested. “England's commerce will doubtless be knocked into a cocked hat.”
“There'll be a shortage of bottoms, and vessels will be in brisk demand,” Matt predicted. “There'll be a sharp rise in freight rates on all commodities the instant war breaks out, and the American mercantile marine ought to reap a harvest.”
“My dear boy,” said Cappy acidly, “why speak of the American mercantile marine? There ain't no such animal.”
“There will be—if the war in Europe ever starts,” Matt retorted; “and, what's more, I'm going to bet there will be war within thirty days.”
He did not consider it advisable to mention to Cappy that he was going to bet ten thousand dollars!