often the only law!

[Pg 42]

“At any rate,” pursued the landlady, at last, “I have heard that great intrenchments are being built all along there, and that supplies for a million men have been assembled. There has been talk of war many times before, and nothing has come of it; but there have never been such preparations as these.”

“Let us hope it is only the Kaiser rattling his sword again—a little louder than usual. I confess,” he added more soberly, “that as an American I haven’t much sympathy with Prussian militarism. I have sometimes thought that a war which would put an end to it once for all would be a good thing.”

The woman shot him a glance surprisingly quick and piercing.

“That is also the opinion of many here in Germany,” she said in a low voice; “but it is an opinion which cannot be uttered.” She checked herself quickly as the ugly waiter approached. “How long will the gentleman remain in Aachen?” she asked, in another tone.

“I am going on to Brussels this evening. There is a train at six o’clock, is there not?”

[Pg 43]

[Pg 43]

“At six o’clock, yes, sir. It will be well for the gentleman to have a light dinner before his departure. The train may be delayed—and the journey to Brussels is of seven hours.”

“Very well,” agreed Stewart, rising. “I will be back about five. How does one get to the cathedral?”

“Turn to your right, sir, as you leave the hotel. The first street is the Franzstrasse. It will lead you straight to the church.”

Stewart thanked her and set off. The Franzstrasse proved to be a wide thoroughfare, bordered by handsome shops, but many of them were closed and the street itself was almost deserted. It opened upon a narrower street, at the end of which Stewart could see the lofty choir of the minster.

Presently he became aware of a chorus of high-pitched voices, which grew more and more distinct as he advanced. It sounded like a lot of women in violent altercation, and then in a moment he saw what it was, for he came out upon an open square covered with market-stalls, and so crowded that one could scarcely get across it. Plainly the frugal wives of Aachen were laying in supplies against the time when all food would grow scarce and dear, and 

 Prev. P 25/186 next