While he was in his office, despatches were continually arriving from Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, Brest, and Cherbourg.  The intelligence department of the entire north coast was under Heideck’s control.

Except for isolated naval engagements, the strategic position had, on the whole, remained unaltered for months.  Both sides hesitated to risk a decisive battle.  The English fleets did not venture to attack the enemy’s harbours; the combined squadrons of the continental Powers seemed no more inclined to try their fortune on the open sea.  Each was endeavouring to get in touch with the other, waiting for the favourable moment when his adversary’s weakness might offer the prospect of successful action.

“The risks these dwellers on the coast run are astonishing,” said one of Heideck’s staff.  “They cross the Channel in their fishing-boats and slip by the warships.  The man who brought the last English papers told me that he passed close by them to give the impression that there was nothing wrong.  It needed considerable courage to risk that.”

“But the enemy’s spies are equally efficient.  Yesterday, more by accident than any merit of my own, I caught a herring fisher in the mouth of the Schelde who was in English pay; I think I have hit on an apparently important clue, which I intend to follow up in Antwerp, after reporting myself to the Chancellor.”

“He is no longer in Flushing.  He has left for Antwerp with the Minister for War and the chief of the General Staff; I am told he has matters of importance to arrange with the chief of the French General Staff.”

“Have you heard anything more definite as to the nature of these matters?”

“Only that the question of further mobilisation is to be discussed.  Apparently, however, the six army corps, which we now have on a war footing, are thought to be enough on our side.  We are not waging war by land; why then should the burden of a further mobilisation be imposed upon the people?”

“Certainly, the sacrifices entailed by this war are enormous without that; trade and industry are completely ruined.”

“The only gainer by this universal conflagration is America.  Since the war broke out, the United States has supplied England with everything she used to get from the Continent.”

“Well, it will all come right in the end.  Now, as there seems nothing urgent for me to do here, it is time I went to Antwerp.”

. . . . . . .

Eberhard Amelungen was unable to conceal his confusion, when an officer in the uniform of the Prussian General Staff appeared at the door of his private office.

Amelungen was a man about sixty years of age, a typical specimen of a substantial, respectable merchant.

“I am somewhat surprised, sir,” he said in measured tones.  “What can I do for you?”

Heideck introduced himself, and without wasting words told him the reason of his visit.