“I talk about the things I know of,” Norgate continued.  “By chance I have been associated during the last few weeks with the head of the German spies who infest this country.  I have joined his ranks; I have become a double traitor.  I do his work, but every report I hand in is a false one.”

“Do you realise quite what you are saying, Mr. Norgate?”

“Realise it?” Norgate repeated.  “My God!  Do you think I come here to say these things to you for dramatic effect, or from a sense of humour, or as a lunatic?  Every word I shall say to you is the truth.  At the present moment there isn’t a soul who seriously believes that England is going to be drawn into what the papers describe as a little eastern trouble.  I want to tell you that that little eastern trouble has been brought about simply with the idea of provoking a European war.  Germany is ready to strike at last, and this is her moment.  Not a fortnight ago I sat opposite the boy Henriote in a cafe in Soho.  My German friend handed him the money to get back to his country and to buy bombs.  It’s all part of the plot.  Austria’s insane demands are part of the plot; they are meant to drag Russia in.  Russia must protest; she must mobilise.  Germany is secretly mobilising at this moment.  She will declare war against Russia, strike at France through Belgium.  She will appeal to us for our neutrality.”

“These are wonderful things you are saying, Mr. Norgate!”

“I am telling you the simple truth,” Norgate went on, “and the history of our country doesn’t hold anything more serious or more wonderful.  Shall I come straight to the point?  I promised to reach it within five minutes.”

“Take your own time,” the other replied.  “My work is unimportant enough by the side of the things you speak of.  You honestly believe that Germany is provoking a war against Russia and France?”

“I know it,” Norgate went on.  “She believes—­Germany believes—­that Italy will come in.  She also believes, from false information that she has gathered in this country, that under no circumstances will England fight.  It isn’t about that I came to you.  We’ve become a slothful, slack, pleasure-loving people, but I still believe that when the time comes we shall fight.  The only thing is that we shall be taken at a big disadvantage.  We shall be open to a raid upon our fleet.  Do you know that the entire German navy is at Kiel?”

Mr. Wyatt nodded.  “Manoeuvres,” he murmured.

“Their manoeuvre,” Norgate continued earnestly, “is to strike one great blow at our scattered forces.  Mr. Spencer Wyatt, I have come here to warn you.  I don’t understand the workings of your department.  I don’t know to whom you are responsible for any step you might take.  But I have come to warn you that possibly within a few days, probably within a week, certainly within a fortnight, England will be at war.”

Mr. Wyatt glanced down at Hebblethwaite’s letter.