The Secret War Read Free

“That’s so. Half the people in Europe refuse to face the fact that the nations are divided into two great camps. In the event of a blow-up some of the smaller states would come in with us, of course, just as they did in the last Great War, but others would remain neutral, and others, again, would be forced to join the anti-League block, because of their geographical position. As things are, neither Britain nor France can possibly afford to back the League to the limit. If they did, either of them might get let in for a war on account of some trivial sideshow, which would give the nations outside the League an excuse to combine against them. Whatever happens, we mustn’t risk another wholesale slaughter.”
    â€œYou think Van Der Meer is right, then, and that as there always has been war in the world there always will be?”
    â€œGod knows I hope not, but it looks like it.”
    For a moment Christopher Penn did not speak. He was staring across the room with a far-away look in his eyes. “There will be,” he said softly, “as long as there are people like the man who is coming to speak to me now. I’ve been waiting for him.”
    Lovelace followed his glance with quick interest. “Who is he?”
    â€œSergius Benyon. They say he’s made another couple of million out of this war already.”
    Benyon was a big, jolly-faced fellow with little twinkling eyes. He paused at the table and nodded cheerfully. “They told me outside that you wanted a word with me, Penn.”
    â€œI do. Sit down a moment. This is Sir Anthony Lovelace.”
    â€œGlad to know you.” Benyon drew up a chair. “Well, Penn, how’s the lovely Valerie? I see she brokeanother record with that plane of hers the other day.”
    â€œShe’s fine, thanks.”
    â€œThat’s good. Now what’s the worry?”
    â€œIt’s yours, not mine, I think.” The grave dark eyes of the younger man’s pale face held the other. “I suppose you’re doing pretty well out of this Abyssinian trouble?”
    â€œSure thing! Long may the battle rage, my boy—not that I wish the poor devils any harm, of course, but we’ll pay a dividend this year it’ll be grand to handle. You’d better get your broker to nail you a wad of our shares before the mob get in. They’ll go a lot higher yet.”
    â€œThanks. You’d really like to see this war go on, then, and maybe spread to other countries?”
    â€œWell, war certainly is a terrible thing, but it happens to suit my business. It’s not our affair if they want to go cutting each others’ throats on the other side. We’re neutral and we’ll keep neutral, so no harm’s coming to us. Think what it means to our people! Employment for thousands of extra hands! Big bonuses for all the regular workers! Why, it’s the best break my company’s had in years. But—what are you driving at?”
    â€œI was wondering if you really felt that way: so, well—so completely detached. Able to enjoy your profits without a thought that they’re the product of human suffering.”
    A frown creased the big man’s jolly face. “What the hell’s bitten you, Penn?” he asked in a puzzled voice. “I’m just an ordinary business man, aren’t I? Where d’you get these fool ideas, anyway?”
    â€œFrom something that happened to-day.” Penn spoke very quietly. “Have you ever heard of the
Millers of God?
”
    â€œWhat!” Benyon clutched at the arms of his chair and half rose out of it. His face showed sudden intense anger and, Lovelace thought, just a trace of fear. He hunched himself forward and glared into Penn’s paleface. “What the devil do
you
know of this bunch of thugs who call themselves the
Millers of God?
”
    â€œNothing, but it seems that you
have
heard of them before.”
    â€œBy God I have! Rumours,