Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-20
By E.. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM-

little talk" he demonstrated.
~ cannot leave until the 2oth,e
Nikasti replied. II think It best that
I remain here. Your cocktail. sir"
good-humored little laugh.
WELL" he said, IT suppose you
know what you want to do. but
seems to me unnecessary. Say y
a anyg wrong with you? You seem
II am quite well." Nikasti declared
gravely.' Il am very we'll, indeed"
Fischer stared at him searchingly
from behind his spectacles.
You don't look it," he observed.
IF youll take my advice, you'll get
away from here and rest somewhere
quietly for few days. Why don't
you try one Of the summer hotels on
Long Island"
Mikasti shook his head.
Until I SAIL" he decided, II stay
here. 1t Is better So"
You know best. Of course" Fischen
replied: "Where's Mr. Van Teylr'
HE has gone out with his sister,
suite. Nikasti announced. -.
Fischer sighed for a.moment. Then
he finished his cocktail. drew on his
gloves, and turned TOWARD the door.
"Weli. good night" he said. "Pers
member always what it is that yoI
carry about with you"
Il shall remember" Nikasti prone
Used. e.. ~,
Fischer entered his automobile and
the neighborhood of 5th avenue. Are
rived here, he made his way to 4
room on the first floor. into which hS
was ushered by one of the headwaitS
ers; Won schwerin was already there.
talking with little company Of
men.
"Ah. our friend Fischer!" the latter
exclaimed THAT makes our number
complete"
A waiter handed around cocktaiisy
Fischer smiled as he raised his glasA
to his lips. .... ..-.,
ut is something, at least" he cont
fdad, ITO be back In country
where one can speak freely raise
men--To the Fatherland!"
They all drank fervently ana with
little cultural murmur WON Sch@
werin set down his empty glass. H4
was looking a little glum.
I'm many ways, my. dear Fischer.1
he, said, zone sympathiEes with that
speech of yours; hut the truth ID
best. and 1t Is to talk truths that we
have met this evening: We are gain.
that we are not losing"
and agitated silence.
1T is bad to hear" ono little man
seRn %o.ht with sis. but EhS
has caught hold of this country,
which blazes in the towns and
smolders in the country places. and
that is the fever Of money making.
Schmidt in Milwaukee has turned hid
great factories into ammunition
Won schwerin's eyes flashed.
Let him be careful" he muttered,
that one morning those are not
blackened walls upon which he looks!
We go to dinner, now. gentlemen,
and. until we are alone afterward,
not one word concerning the great
things.
The partition doors leading into the
dining room were thrown back, and
the little company OF men sat down
10 dine. There were fourteen Of
them and their names were known
throughout the world. There was q
steel millionaire, half dozen Wall
street maSnatcs. n clothing manu-.
facturer, whose house in 9Th avenue
was reputed to have cost $4,000, 900.
There was not one OF them who was
not a patriotic Germany. They ate
and drank through the courses Of an
abnormally lon, dinner with the
businesslike thoroughness Of their
race. When at last the coffee and
hQucuIS Htu DeeH served, the walters
by prearrangement disappeared, and
with little flourish Won Schweri
locked the door. Once more he raised
his glass.
ITO the kaiser and the fatherland!"
he cried In a voice thick with emo
ton.
For moment n little flash of some.
thing almost like spirituality light.
ened the gathering. They were at
least men with purpose. and an UNI
selfish purpse.
Oscar Fischer" Won schwerin said,
my friends. all of you. you know
how strenuous my labOrs have beeeYi
during the last year. You know that
three times the English ambassador
has almost demanded my recall, and
three times the matter has hung Id
the balance. I have watched events
In Washington, not through my own
but through a thousand eyes. MY
fingers are on the pulse of the counr
try, SO what I say to you needs nothS
Ing in the way Of standardization. The
truth Ia best. Notwithstanding all
my efforts. and the efforts of every
one OF you, the great momentum OF
public feeling. from California to
Massachusetts,, has turned slowly toI
ward the cause OF our enemies.
Washington is hopeless against 10.
The huge supplies which leave these
shores day by day for England and
France will continue. Fresh plants
are being laid down for the manu-.
facture of weapons and ammuni.
ton to be used against our country.
The hand OF diplomacy In DoWerleen