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said that if, by giving his life, he could prevent another war he would endeavour to screw up his courage to it, and she had little doubt about his courage; but she did not believe that he gave his full approval to the methods of the
Millers of God
. Suddenly he spoke:
    â€œDid you give this fellow any warning?”
    Barrotet nodded. “Yes … and he refused to take it.”
    â€œWell, that was fair enough, I suppose. He certainly deserved death according to your standards.”
    â€œNone who is sentenced by the
Millers of God
does not.”
    â€œGo ahead then. What is Penn’s particular job to be?”
    The Frenchman sat silent for a moment. “Do you know why this war was started?” he asked.
    â€œI know the usual reason given. The Italian need for expansion.”
    â€œThat is what the Italians believe themselves, but only because they have been made to do so by intensive propaganda. The truth is very different and known only to those behind the scenes. Abyssinia is practically the only black man’s country which has so far remained closed to the white man’s exploitation. It is rich in minerals and there is good reason to suppose that great quantities of oil could be obtained from a certain district of the country. For years whites of many nationalities have been pestering the Emperor to grant concessions. He has refused to do so because he considers it better that his people should remain semi-barbarous and free from work in mine gangs than flaunt the tawdry trappings of western civilisation.
    â€œHaving failed to secure concessions by arguments or temptations, those interests, which we do not need to specify, decided to force the Emperor’s hand. His country is not rich by our standards. If it were compelled to sustain a war the necessary money to purchase armaments would become a vital necessity. What has Abyssinia to sell? Nothing except concessions. You follow me?”
    â€œThe devils!” Christopher snapped. “So they worked on the minds of the Italian people until they lost all sense of reason and began to clamour for a war which would revenge the defeat at Adowa. Just thinkof it! That happened in the time of the grandfathers of those poor wretches who’re dying out there to-day. Hardly one of them could have given it a thought until they were stirred up by this vile propaganda.”
    Barrotet bowed. “To come now to the present situation. War has been made but those who made it have not yet secured their concession and, although they are reaping profits, the war is small. The corpse is not big enough for the vultures. They hope to secure their concession shortly now, but war is even more profitable than concessions and, if they get it, they intend to use it to bring about another general conflagration.”
    Lovelace shook his head. “They won’t succeed. In spite of all the mud that’s been slung Britain and Italy are still friendly at rock-bottom. Besides, Mussolini must realise that Italy would be bound to lose in a war against the British Empire, even if the other members of the League ratted on us.”
    â€œPerhaps, although it is admitted that the hundred-and-eighty mile stretch of sea which separates Italy from North Africa is too wide for the British Fleet to close against Italian transports. Also that Italian bombing planes have sufficient range to attack Alexandria and return to their bases on the Libyan frontier. However, that is by the way. All that I say now has application not only to the tension over Abyssinia. The war there may burn itself out. If it does, other equally grave situations are certain to be fermented and made use of for the same purpose, by the enemies of peace, in the future. Let us concede that Britain could master Italy alone. Could she, at the same time, defend herself from Germany?”
    â€œGermany!” Lovelace exclaimed. “But for years past Germany and Britain have been drawing closer