"Your pardon, Mr. President—Ahlbeck, a fishing village; to be sure, on Warnow ground. Warnow itself lies further inland; the church tower is just visible above the outlines of the dunes."
The President let fall the eye-glasses through which he had tried in vain to see the point of the church tower. "What sharp eyes you have, General, and how quickly you get your bearings!"
"It is true I have been there only once," replied the General; "but since then I have had only too much time to study this bit of coast on the map."
The President smiled. "Yes, yes, it is classic soil," said he; "there has been much contention over it—much and to no purpose."
"I am convinced that it was fortunate that the contention was fruitless—at least had only a negative result," said the General.
"I am not sure that the strife will not be renewed again," replied the President; "Count Golm and his associates have been making the greatest efforts of late."
"Since they have so signally proved that the road would be unprofitable?"
"Just as you have shown the futility of a naval station here!"
"Pardon, Mr. President, I had not the deciding voice; or, more correctly, I had declined it. The only place at all adapted for the harbor would have been there in the southern corner of the bay, under cover of Wissow Point, that is on Warnow domain. To be sure, I have only the guardianship of the property of my sister——"
"I know, I know," interrupted the President; "old Prussian honesty, which amounts to scrupulousness. Count Golm and his associates are less scrupulous."