The Washington times., 1937-10-18

Nations to impotency."
Lacheur glanced at the clock.
Lord MatreSser," he said. al
though we f n that we must offer
you our congratulations for the
manner in which you have con-
Quoted this amazing conversation,
you re without a doubt in need
of rest.
"YoH and I, DeSSelin, had better
go down to Rambouillet and meet
our frienG here again this after
noon. 1t is necessary that we con-
fer with the president at once.
"The final object of your mis-
sion, presume. Lord Watre ser,
is the cancellation of the orders
under which the French fleet is
at Sea?"
GAME OF CHESS
"Not in the least" Matresser as
sured him. 1T is quite understood
at our Admiralty that that sort of
business is only game of chess,
Automatically I hear that our
North Sea and Atlantic squadrons
are both on their way to the Chan
mel, which they will reaci. some
time before your heavier Tits.
"Our home "eet, too, is looking
forward to the "oportunity of en-
tertaining your people as soon as
their destination is known"
A few moments awkward silence
ensued, but Matresser was prompt
to show that, although he had
qualified in no school of diplo-
macy, he S+''l possessed a certain
share Of the layman's equivalent
tact.
Our southern Channel ports
complain so often of being neg
lected," he remarked. IT speak
only as an outsider now but
have heard it said that a visit
from the French Mediterranean
fleet was overdue and would prob
ably relieve the tension in certain
other quarters.
MY own opinion is that for two
great ana friendly nations there
is scarcely enough determination
between our militant forces"
May we know your movements
for the next few hours, Lord Mat
resser?" the premier asked. "It is
possible that the president may
desire to see you himself"
Il shall be at your disposal, "
was the somewhat weary reply
From here I shall go to our EN-
bassy to discover what arrange.
ments have been made for tenn
porary successor to Lord Somer-
by, and I shall probably sleep
there until I am sent for"
The two French statesmen took
formal leave Of their visitor. Mel
ther was willing to commit himself
to any definite expression. La
cheur touched the bell and a Sec
retary took the departing guest
in his charge.
X X
SCHEME FITS
1T will mean bringing the
Americans back to Paris" Desselin
pointed out as soon as the two
men were alone. The bourgeoi-
sic will be on their knees to us.
"One has not heard much of this
man MatreSSer but he seems hon.
est. The whole scheme fits in
with the reports we have had from
all our agents during the last few
months, except"
Lacheur nodded.
Except that it was impossible
to believe that England was not
going to ask a big price. Has she
anything up her sleeve with Wash
ington, do you SuppoSe?"
"ImpoSSible!" DesSelin declared.
"No one knows better than Eng.
land that the United States army
will never fight in Europe again.
1T makes a great headline for
the people," Lacheur reflected.
What do you think, my friend?
The greatest headline of the cen
tury-
FIFTY YEARS OF PEACE
PLEDGED"
Desselin was swinging his eye
glass recklessly, his mouth was
tWitching. He presented the ap-
pearance of a man tortured with
doubts.
His fingers we're upon the gate
which led into the promised land,
but fear and doubt still distracted
him.
IF one could only trust that
perfidious country" he muttered.
There came a morning after Ma
tresser's return from Paris when
his London telephone bell rang in
vain, when his servants in reply to
persistent questions could only re-
peat that his lordship had left
town for the country.
Mighty events were still shaping
themselves, all Europe was still in
convulsionS, but the danger point
had passed and Matresser and his
long gray car, with the little brown
dog curled up by his side, was rae
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