Page 208 of Fall of Giants (The Century 1)

There was no postal service between Germany and England.

He left his room, went downstairs, put on a hat and a heavy overcoat with a fur collar, and went out into the shivering streets of Berlin.

He met Gus Dewar in the bar of the Adlon. The hotel maintained a shadow of its prewar dignity, with waiters in evening dress and a string quartet, but there were no imported drinks-no Scotch, no brandy, no English gin-so they ordered schnapps.

"Well?" said Gus eagerly. "How was my message received?"

Walter was full of hope; but he knew that the grounds for optimism were slight, and he wanted to play down his excitement. The news he had for Gus was positive, but only just. "The kaiser is writing to the president," he said.

"Good! What is he going to say?"

"I have seen a draft. I'm afraid the tone is not very conciliatory. "

"What do you mean?"

Walter closed his eyes, remembering, then quoted: " 'The most formidable war in history has been raging for two and a half years. In that conflict, Germany and her allies have given proof of our indestructible strength. Our unshakable lines resist ceaseless attacks. Recent events show that continuation of the war cannot break our resisting power. . . ' There's a lot more like that. "

"I see why you say it's not very conciliatory. "

"Eventually it gets to the point. " Walter brought the next part to mind. " 'Conscious of our military and economic strength and ready to carry on to the end, if we must, the struggle that is forced upon us, but animated at the same time by the desire to stem the flow of blood and bring the horrors of war to an end'-here comes the important part-'we propose even now to enter into peace negotiations. ' "

Gus was elated. "That's great! He says yes!"

"Quietly, please!" Walter looked around nervously, but it seemed no one had noticed. The sound of the string quartet muffled their conversation.

"Sorry," Gus said.

"You're right, though. " Walter smiled, allowing his feeling of sanguinity to show a little. "The tone is arrogant, combative, and scornful-but he proposes peace talks. "

"I can't tell you how grateful I am. "

Walter held up a warning hand. "Let me tell you something very frankly. Powerful men close to the kaiser who are against peace have supported this proposal cynically, merely to look good in the eyes of your president, feeling sure the Allies will reject it anyway. "

"Let's hope they're wrong!"

"Amen to that. "

"When will they send the letter?"

"They're still arguing about the wording. When that is agreed, the letter will be handed to the American ambassador here in Berlin, with a request that he pass it to the Allied governments. " This diplomatic game of pass-the-parcel was necessary because enemy governments had no official means of communication.

"I'd better go to London," Gus said. "Perhaps I can do something to prepare for its reception. "

"I thought you might say that. I have a request. "

"After what you've done to help me? Anything!"

"It's strictly personal. "

"No problem. "

"It requires me to let you into a secret. "

Gus smiled. "Intriguing!"

"I would like you to take a letter from me to Lady Maud Fitzherbert. "

"Ah. " Gus looked thoughtful. He knew there could be only one reason for Walter to be writing secretly to Maud. "I see the need for discretion. But that's okay. "

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