was now, shimmering in the moonlight, bathed in luminous shadow, lace-like and mysterious. [Pg 4] He was still absorbed in this fairy vision when Bloem rejoined him. Even in the half-light of the terrace, Stewart could see that he was deeply moved. His face, usually glowing with healthy color, was almost haggard; his eyes seemed dull and sunken. “No bad news, I hope?” Stewart asked. Without answering him, Bloem signaled the waiter to pour the coffee, and sat watching him in silence. “That will do,” he said in German; “we will ring if we have need of you.” Then, as the waiter withdrew, he glanced nervously about the terrace. It was deserted save for a noisy group around a table at the farther end. “There is very bad news, my friend,” he added, almost in a whisper. “There is going to be—war!” Stewart stared for an instant, astonished at the gravity of his tone. Then he nodded comprehendingly. [Pg 5] [Pg 5] “Yes,” he said; “I had not thought of it; but I suppose a war between Austria and Servia will affect Germany more or less. Only I was hoping the Powers would interfere and stop it.” “It seems it cannot be stopped,” said Bloem, gloomily. “Russia is mobilizing to assist Servia. Austria is Germany’s ally, and so Germany must come to her aid. Unless Russia stops her mobilization, we shall declare war against her. Our army has already been called to the colors.” Stewart breathed a little deeper. “But perhaps Russia will desist when she realizes her danger,” he suggested. “She must know she is no match for Germany.” “She does know it,” Bloem agreed; “but she also knows that she will not fight alone. It is not against Russia we are mobilizing—it is against France.” “Against France?” echoed the other. “But surely——” “Do not speak so loud, I beg of you,” Bloem cautioned. “What I am telling you is not yet generally known—perhaps the dreadful thing we fear will not happen, after all. But France is Russia’s ally—she will be eager for war—for forty years she has been preparing for this moment.” [Pg 6] [Pg 6]
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