Caroline shook hands kindly with her husband’s protege, and Dominey exchanged a solemn handshake with him.

“You, too, are one of those, then, Captain Bartram, who are convinced that Germany has evil designs upon us?” the former said, smiling.

“I have just returned from Germany after twelve months’ stay there,” the young soldier replied.  “I went with an open mind.  I have come back convinced that we shall be at war with Germany within a couple of years.”

The Duke nodded vigorously.

“Our young friend is right,” he declared.  “Three times a week for many months I have been drumming the fact into the handful of wooden-headed Englishmen who have deigned to come to our meetings.  I have made myself a nuisance to the House of Lords and the Press.  It is a terrible thing to realise how hard it is to make an Englishman reflect, so long as he is making money and having a good time.—­You are just back from Africa, Everard?”

“Within a week, sir.”

“Did you see anything of the Germans out there?  Were you anywhere near their Colony?”

“I have been in touch with them for some years,” Dominey replied.

“Most interesting!” his questioner exclaimed.  “You may be of service to us, Everard.  You may, indeed!  Now tell me, isn’t it true that they have secret agents out there, trying to provoke unsettlement and disquiet amongst the Boers?  Isn’t it true that they apprehend a war with England before very long and are determined to stir up the Colony against us?”

“I am very sorry,” Dominey replied, “but I am not a politician in any shape or form.  All the Germans whom I have met out there seem a most peaceful race of men, and there doesn’t seem to be the slightest discontent amongst the Boers or any one else.”

The Duke’s face fell.  “This is very surprising.”

“The only people who seem to have any cause for discontent,” Dominey continued, “are the English settlers.  I didn’t commence to do any good myself there till a few years ago, but I have heard some queer stories about the way our own people were treated after the war.”

“What you say about South Africa, Sir Everard,” the young soldier remarked, “is naturally interesting, but I am bound to say that it is in direct opposition to all I have heard.”

“And I,” the Duke echoed fervently.

“I have lived there for the last eleven years,” Dominey continued, “and although I spent the earlier part of that time trekking after big game, lately I am bound to confess that every thought and energy I possess have been centered upon money-making.  For that reason, perhaps, my observations may have been at fault.  I shall claim the privilege of coming to one of your first meetings, Duke, and of trying to understand this question.”

His august connection blinked at him a little curiously for a moment behind his glasses.

“My dear Everard,” he said, “forgive my remarking it, but I find you more changed than I could have believed possible.”