his cigar.
“The situation,” ventured Carruthers, “is not a novel one.”
“Fortunately for our business no,” said Groom calmly. “The novelty of the Ixanian situation is the way in which these people allow the most corrupt and incompetent bureaucracy in Europe to handle home affairs while they themselves spend their time annoying other nations. The royal blood, of course; there’s a sort of seedy imperialist philosophy with a lacing of Fascism behind it all. That sort of fancy dress is splendid when the country concerned can pay its bills, but the peasants in Ixania are a poor lot and can’t pay their taxes. The trouble with the aristocratic party is that they are fervent patriots and therefore, with one notable exception, stupid: well-intentioned perhaps, but irrevocably stupid.” Groom shook his head sadly. “Somebody once called the munition industry the bloody international. He must have forgotten the flagmakers.”
He looked up with his cold, faintly contemptuous smile on his lips. “You can’t blame engineers for supplying what the world is so fervently anxious to buy. If I didn’t, somebody else would. The only power that can legislate for fools is God.”
“Or reason,” put in Carruthers.
“Ah, but we were talking of patriotism,” said Groom quickly. “And,” he went on thoughtfully, “of one patriot in particular; the one who, heaven only knows how, manages to combine intelligence with patriotism. That person is the real ruler of Ixania. Her name is Countess Schverzinski.”
Carruthers remained very still.
“An amazing woman, Professor,” Groom continued. “I can think of few European diplomats capable of outwitting her. As a negotiator she is superb. She has all the Ixanians’ love of intrigue and dissimulation with a Gallic sense of reality. Givena less sketchy background than that of her fatherland she would be a power in Europe. Even the best of card players cannot win with a hopeless hand. But with the Kassen invention as a trump card, the situation is materially altered. Last week Ixania rejected a customs union with a neighbouring state although the government had previously signified its agreement to the terms of the union. It was finally rejected as a result of representations made to the President by Prince Ladislaus, brother of La Schverzinski and titular leader of the aristocratic party. His instructions came, of course, from his sister. She has other plans for the restoration of Ixania’s fortunes.”
“Very interesting, Mr. Groom,” said Carruthers politely, “but …”
“One moment, Professor. I will come to the point. I am, unfortunately, known to the Countess through past business relations. You will, I think, appreciate that under the circumstances my presence in Zovgorod would not be deemed desirable by the government. I had hoped to enter Ixania undetected. I have been disappointed. For some reason, the Countess is accompanying the London representative back to Zovgorod. She was the last person I expected to travel by this train. But there it is; she recognized me the moment she saw me. She gave no sign of having done so, but I am not such a fool as to suppose that she didn’t. Her inspection of you confirms it.”
“Then …?”
“Exactly, Professor. The lady you were talking to in the corridor a short time ago is Magda, Countess Schverzinski.”
Carruthers digested this information for a moment. He had played into her hands. Seeing him with Groom she had made it her business to find out where he stood. His lame talk of photography had been seen through immediately. He looked at Groom again.
“Will we be stopped at the Ixanian frontier?”
Groom shook his head.
“I think not. The relations between Cator & Bliss and the Ixanian Government are ostensibly cordial. The company’s representative is
persona grata
in Zovgorod. The damage is that we shall no doubt be under close surveillance during our stay. Every precaution will be certainly taken
“The situation,” ventured Carruthers, “is not a novel one.”
“Fortunately for our business no,” said Groom calmly. “The novelty of the Ixanian situation is the way in which these people allow the most corrupt and incompetent bureaucracy in Europe to handle home affairs while they themselves spend their time annoying other nations. The royal blood, of course; there’s a sort of seedy imperialist philosophy with a lacing of Fascism behind it all. That sort of fancy dress is splendid when the country concerned can pay its bills, but the peasants in Ixania are a poor lot and can’t pay their taxes. The trouble with the aristocratic party is that they are fervent patriots and therefore, with one notable exception, stupid: well-intentioned perhaps, but irrevocably stupid.” Groom shook his head sadly. “Somebody once called the munition industry the bloody international. He must have forgotten the flagmakers.”
He looked up with his cold, faintly contemptuous smile on his lips. “You can’t blame engineers for supplying what the world is so fervently anxious to buy. If I didn’t, somebody else would. The only power that can legislate for fools is God.”
“Or reason,” put in Carruthers.
“Ah, but we were talking of patriotism,” said Groom quickly. “And,” he went on thoughtfully, “of one patriot in particular; the one who, heaven only knows how, manages to combine intelligence with patriotism. That person is the real ruler of Ixania. Her name is Countess Schverzinski.”
Carruthers remained very still.
“An amazing woman, Professor,” Groom continued. “I can think of few European diplomats capable of outwitting her. As a negotiator she is superb. She has all the Ixanians’ love of intrigue and dissimulation with a Gallic sense of reality. Givena less sketchy background than that of her fatherland she would be a power in Europe. Even the best of card players cannot win with a hopeless hand. But with the Kassen invention as a trump card, the situation is materially altered. Last week Ixania rejected a customs union with a neighbouring state although the government had previously signified its agreement to the terms of the union. It was finally rejected as a result of representations made to the President by Prince Ladislaus, brother of La Schverzinski and titular leader of the aristocratic party. His instructions came, of course, from his sister. She has other plans for the restoration of Ixania’s fortunes.”
“Very interesting, Mr. Groom,” said Carruthers politely, “but …”
“One moment, Professor. I will come to the point. I am, unfortunately, known to the Countess through past business relations. You will, I think, appreciate that under the circumstances my presence in Zovgorod would not be deemed desirable by the government. I had hoped to enter Ixania undetected. I have been disappointed. For some reason, the Countess is accompanying the London representative back to Zovgorod. She was the last person I expected to travel by this train. But there it is; she recognized me the moment she saw me. She gave no sign of having done so, but I am not such a fool as to suppose that she didn’t. Her inspection of you confirms it.”
“Then …?”
“Exactly, Professor. The lady you were talking to in the corridor a short time ago is Magda, Countess Schverzinski.”
Carruthers digested this information for a moment. He had played into her hands. Seeing him with Groom she had made it her business to find out where he stood. His lame talk of photography had been seen through immediately. He looked at Groom again.
“Will we be stopped at the Ixanian frontier?”
Groom shook his head.
“I think not. The relations between Cator & Bliss and the Ixanian Government are ostensibly cordial. The company’s representative is
persona grata
in Zovgorod. The damage is that we shall no doubt be under close surveillance during our stay. Every precaution will be certainly taken
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