“Certainly,” Bernstorff promptly replied.  He hastened to add, however, that he was speaking unofficially.  He had had no telegraphic communication from Berlin for five days, and therefore could not definitely give the attitude of his government.  But he was quite sure that the Kaiser would be glad to have President Wilson take steps to end the war.

The possibility that he might play a part in bringing hostilities to a close now occurred to Mr. Straus.  He had come to the dinner determined to avoid the subject altogether, but Count Bernstorff had precipitated the issue in a way that left the American no option.  Certainly Mr. Straus would have been derelict if he had not reported this conversation to the high quarters for which Count Bernstorff had evidently intended it.

“That is a very important statement you have made, Mr. Ambassador,” said Mr. Straus, measuring every word.  “May I make use of it?”

“Yes.”

“May I use it in any way I choose?”

“You may,” replied Bernstorff.

Mr. Straus saw in this acquiescent mood a chance to appeal directly to President Wilson.

“Do you object to my laying this matter before our government?”

“No, I do not.”

Mr. Straus glanced at his watch; it was 10:15 o’clock.

“I think I shall go to Washington at once—­this very night.  I can get the midnight train.”

Mr. Speyer, who has always maintained that this proceeding was casual and in no way promoted by himself and Bernstorff, put in a word of caution.

“I would sleep on it,” he suggested.

But, in a few moments, Mr. Straus was speeding in his automobile through Westchester County in the direction of the Pennsylvania Station.  He caught the express, and, the next morning, which was Sunday the sixth, he was laying the whole matter before Secretary Bryan at the latter’s house.  Naturally, Mr. Bryan was overjoyed at the news; he at once summoned Bernstorff from New York to Washington, and went over the suggestion personally.  The German Ambassador repeated the statements which he had made to Mr. Straus—­always guardedly qualifying his remarks by saying that the proposal had not come originally from him but from his American friend.  Meanwhile Mr. Bryan asked Mr. Straus to discuss the matter with the British and French ambassadors.

The meeting took place at the British Embassy.  The two representatives of the Entente, though only too glad to talk the matter over, were more skeptical about the attitude of Bernstorff than Mr. Bryan had been.

“Of course, Mr. Straus,” said Sir Cecil Spring Rice, “you know that this dinner was arranged purposely so that the German Ambassador could meet you?”

Mr. Straus demurred at this statement, but the Englishman smiled.

“Do you suppose,” Sir Cecil asked, “that any ambassador would make such a statement as Bernstorff made to you without instructions from his government?”