`That's right! That's right!' Christopher whispered, and Valerie turned to look at him. His dark eyes shone with a sombre fire, two pools of blackness in the matt pallor of his handsome face. He was trembling slightly and seemed almost carried out of himself by his fanatical zeal for this secret war that was to end all wars. For the hundredth time since she had left her home on Long Island, she told herself : `It is a Crusade ... a Crusade ... and he needs my help. I mustn't let him down.'
Her glance shifted to Lovelace. The older man was quietly puffing at his pipe. His was a stronger face, tanned to a permanent brown by years of travel in hot countries, and lined a little at the corners of the mouth and eyes. His lids were lowered and he appeared quite impassive. She would have given a lot to know what thoughts were passing behind that unrevealing mask. He had said that if, by giving his life, he could prevent another war he would endeavour to screw up his courage to it, and she had little doubt about his courage; but she did not believe that he gave his full approval to the methods of the Millers of God. Suddenly he spoke
`Did you give this fellow any warning?'
Barrotet nodded. `Yes and he refused to take it'
`Well, that was fair enough, I suppose. He certainly deserved death according to your standards.'
`None who is sentenced by the Millers of God does not.'
'Go ahead then. What is Penn's particular job to be? The Frenchman sat silent for a moment. 'Do you know why this war was started?' he asked.
`I know the usual reason given. The Italian need for expansion.'
`That is what the Italians believe themselves, but only because they have been made to do so by intensive propaganda. The truth is very different and known only to those behind the scenes. Abyssinia is practically the only black man's country which has so far remained closed to the white man's exploitation. It is rich in minerals and there is good reason to suppose that great quantities of oil could be obtained from a certain district of the country. For years whites of many nationalities have been pestering the Emperor to grant concessions. he has refused to do so because he considers it better that his people should remain semi barbarous and free from work in mine gangs than flaunt the tawdry trappings of western civilisation,
`Having failed to secure concessions by arguments or temptations, those interests, which we do not need to specify, decided to force the Emperor's hand. His country is not rich by our standards. If it were compelled to sustain a war the necessary money to purchase armaments would become a vital necessity. What has Abyssinia to sell? Nothing except concessions. You follow me?'
`The devils! Christopher snapped. 'So they worked on the minds of the Italian people until they lost all sense of reason and began to clamour for a war which would revenge the defeat at Adowa. Just think of it ?
That happened in the time of the grandfathers of those poor wretches who're dying out there today. Hardly one of them could have given it a thought until they were stirred up by this vile propaganda.'
Barrotet bowed. 'To come now to the present situation. War has been made but those who made it have not yet secured their concession and, although they are reaping profits, the war is small. The corpse is not big enough for the vultures. They hope to secure their concession shortly now, but war is even more profitable than concessions and, if they get it, they intend to use it to bring about another general conflagration.'
Lovelace shook his head. 'They won't succeed. In spite of all the mud that's been slung Britain and Italy are still friendly at rock bottom. Besides, Mussolini must realise that Italy would be bound to lose in a war against the British Empire, even if the other members of the League ratted on us.'
Perhaps, although it is admitted that the hundred and eighty mile stretch of sea which separates Italy from North Africa is too wide for the British Fleet to close against Italian transports. Also that Italian bombing planes have sufficient range to attack Alexandria and return to their bases on the Libyan frontier. However, that is by the way. All that I say now has application not only to the tension over Abyssinia. The war there may burn itself out If it does, other equally grave situations are certain to be fermented and made use of for the same purpose, by the enemies of peace, in the future, Let us concede that Britain could master Italy alone. Could she, at the same time, defend herself from Germany?'
`Germany!' Lovelace exclaimed. `But for years past Germany and Britain have been drawing closer together. We can't understand her ill treatment of her Jewish citizens, but that's about the only difference of opinion between us.'
'You may think so and I, a Frenchman, agree that at heart Britain is nearer to Germany than she is to France, but there is a far more serious question between you than Germany's determination to become one hundred percent. Aryan. Have you soon forgotten that the whole of her Colonial Empire was taken from her after the great War, and that Britain annexed her most valued possessions?'
`Of course she'd like to have German West and Tanganyika Territory back but we're not willing to give them up that's true.'
`It is. Germany raised the question of the return of her Colonies before she left the League, but she received no satisfaction. The soulless intelligence we have to fight misses nothing. It has worked upon the minds of the German people ever since. Never for a day are they allowed to forget what they consider to be this great injustice and insult to their pride as a nation. Why have they made their country an armed camp again? Not to crush France, although they hate us. They have been preparing for the chance which will soon be given them: the opportunity to regain their lost Empire.'
Lovelace showed a keener interest now. This was no longer a question of high moral principle alone. It touched in him a deeper and more primitive chord the welfare of his own country. `How will they try to bring Germany in?' he asked quickly.
The plump Frenchman leaned forward and tapped the table. `We return now to their immediate intention. Their present plan; you understand me? If they secure this Abyssinian concession they will tempt Germany into purchasing it at a very reasonable price. An arrangement has already been made to that effect.'
`But surely that would set the Germans and Italians at loggerheads?'
Barrotet smiled a little pityingly. `On the contrary, it will bring them together. The concession is a double edged weapon in that it will provide Abyssinia with just enough money to make things difficult for the Italians. Mussolini dare not retreat and throw in his hand. If he is forced to it he ,will go down fighting. His people already consider Britain to be behind the Abyssinian resistance, and that she is doing her best to hamstring Italy by the application of these, only partially successful, sanctions, Yet he is no fool, and before he allows his countrymen to force him he will seek; allies.'
And then?'
'He will say to the Germans. “These concessions which you have purchased in Abyssinia are no good until you can operate them fully. I will offer you something better. For many months Britain has been concentrating her strength in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and the Sudan. At home she is almost defenseless. I will attack and hold her main forces in Africa while you devastate London and her principal centre’s of population from the air. Afterwards we will divide the British Empire between us.” '