All for a Scrap of Paper Part 8

"A remarkable feat, my boy," he said again and again. "To be five down to a man like Trevanion, and then to beat him, means not only skill, but nerve. That's the thing I like about it--the nerve, the pluck."

"A game is never lost until it's won, sir," said Bob sententiously.

"That's it, my boy. Stick to that. What did I hear about your plan to go into Parliament? Do you mean it?"

"If I have good luck, sir."

"A great career, my lad, and you should do well. I am so glad you've given up the idea of being a book-worm. Of course your scholars.h.i.+p will come handy to you in Parliament, so perhaps you've been wise to stick to your books. But the country wants men who can _do_ things."

"I mean to do them too, sir."

"Trelawney blood," laughed the old man. "Well, there's no reason in the world why you shouldn't do big things. I always had hoped that Roger would go into Parliament; indeed, he was as good as nominated for St. Ia. But he was killed in the Boer War, poor fellow. A fine lad too, as fine a lad as ever stepped in shoeleather," and his eyes became moist. "Thank G.o.d we are at peace now!" he added.

"You are coming back with me to Penwennack?" he went on, when presently the party were leaving the Club House.

"I'd love to, sir, but I can't. I must get back. I promised mother."

"Ah well, stick to your mother. A lad who keeps his promise to his mother seldom goes wrong. But come up to dinner to-morrow night, and bring your mother with you."

"You may depend on me," cried Bob. "Thanks very much, Admiral, we shall be delighted."

"Bob," said Nancy, "you've done more to soften dad to-day, and to prepare the way for me, than if you had got ten fellows.h.i.+ps. He loves a plucky fight, and hates a coward."

"And I'll fight," cried Bob, "because I shall fighting for you, Nancy."

"I wish you were going to spend the evening with us," she said ruefully. "I do want you with me."

"And don't I wish it too! But I told you how things stood. Till to-morrow then."

"Be sure to come early," cried Nancy, as she drove away.

Bob made his way over the Towans towards St. Ia, as happy as a king.

Everywhere the sun seemed to be s.h.i.+ning. At his feet the wild thyme grew in profusion. Acres upon acres were made purple by this modest flower. The sea was glorious with many coloured hues, the whole country-side was beautiful beyond words. What wonder that he was happy! He was young and vigorous, the best and most beautiful girl in the world loved him, and his future was rosy hued.

In order to reach his mother's house, he had to pa.s.s through St. Ia, and he had barely entered the little town when he saw Count von Weimer, who had expressed his congratulations so fervently on the golf links.

"Ah, this is lucky!" cried the Count. "I was wondering if I should haf the good fortune to meet you again. May I walk with you? That is goot!"

"You are a stranger to St. Ia," said Bob.

"Yes. I have been drawn here by the beauty of the place, and--and because I want peace." He still spoke in broken English, although I will no longer try to reproduce it.

"You love peace?" Bob ventured.

"Love it! Ah, young sir, you little know. I am one of those unfortunate men who are placed in an awful position. I am, although I bear a German name, French on my mother's side. I love France too, and am at heart a Frenchman. But then my house is in Alsace--Alsace, you understand. France under German Government. I can say here, what I could not say there. I hate Germany, I hate her government, her militarism, her arrogance. The Germans suspect my loyalty, and so I have come to England."

"And you like England?"

"Ah, who can help loving it? Your British flag means liberty, wherever it flies. It stands for peace, brotherhood, progress. That is why I think of buying a house near St. Ia, and settling down. Realising my position in Alsace, you can understand. Besides, what can be more beautiful than this?" and he waved his hand toward the sunlit bay.

"Yes, it's the most beautiful spot on earth!" cried Bob.

"It is indeed, and I love its peace. I love the quiet ways of the people. I saw a house yesterday which captivated, charmed me.

Tre-Trelyon, yes, that's it; Trelyon, I was told it was called, and I hear it is for sale, or to let, I don't know which."

"Yes, it is, and it is one of the finest places in the district. Why, it belongs to Admiral Tresize, whom perhaps you saw on the links this afternoon."

"What, that stout, hearty, John Bull gentleman? Oh, yes, I saw him!

What a splendid specimen of your British thoroughness. It belongs to him, eh?"

"Yes, it formerly belonged to his wife's family, the Trelyons. I'm sure he'd be glad of a good tenant."

"Ah, but that is pleasant. I could perhaps deal with him personally?

I am, I suppose, what you would call a rich man, but I hate dealing with agents, and lawyers, and that kind of thing. He is--friendly, this, what do you call him, Admiral----"

"Oh, yes, he's most friendly."

"He's in the Navy, I suppose?"

"He's retired from active service, but he is still one of the most influential men in our Admiralty."

"Ah, yes, but I'm afraid I have but little knowledge of these things.

I am a man of peace. I hate war of every sort. I am at one with what you English people call--Quakers. But ah, it looks like war again now."

"You mean the Servian trouble?"

"Yes. At first I thought the Austrians were going to be kind and reasonable. But they have Germany behind them, and now, I suppose, they've sent impossible demands to Servia. It is here in the evening paper. It seems, too, that Russia is going to back up Servia, and that will mean trouble."

"How?"

"I am not an authority on European politics, but I am sure that if Russia espouses the cause of Servia, Germany will throw in her lot with Austria. Don't you see what follows?"

"You mean that Germany would declare war on Russia too?"

"Yes, and that is not all. France, my own country, although I am an Alsatian, is bound to be dragged in. And I am a man of peace. I hate war."

"I am with you there," cried Bob eagerly. "War was born in h.e.l.l."

"Ah, you say so, and you are a young man! That is good! But still you need not fear. England, in spite of the _Entente Cordiale_, holds to her policy of splendid isolation. She will not be dragged into the turmoil?"

"No, I think that is impossible. You see we are not a military nation, in spite of a section of the community. Our Army is small, and will, I hope, remain small."

"Stick to that, my friend--stick to that. Big armies only breed war, and war is a crime. But about my desire to buy Tre-Trelyon--ah, your English names are hard to p.r.o.nounce--do you, who know the owner, this bluff John Bull, Admiral--what do you call him?"

"Admiral Tresize."

"Admiral Tresize, yes. Do you think it would be possible for me to see him?"

"I'm quite sure it would be," replied Bob, who remembered what the Admiral had said. "I'm dining at his house to-morrow night. I'll tell him what you have said."