_
PRIME MINISTER
[_Handing him the paper._
To the telegraph-operator with this. It is to be sent to every news
bureau in the city and to all our embassies abroad.
MINISTER OF WAR
Tomorrow, the mobilization!
CHIEF OF STAFF
Tonight! I need those twelve hours for my plans.
[_The_ SECRETARY _holds the door open for the_ CHIEF OF
STAFF _who is about to go out when suddenly in the doorway appears
a young man of thirty, pale, dark, timid. He hesitates on the
threshold._
SECRETARY
[_Taken aback, bowing._
Your Majesty!
CHIEF OF STAFF
[_Drawing back._
My King!
[PRIME MINISTER _and_ MINISTER OF WAR _bow._
KING
[_Courteously._
I trust I am not breaking in upon a matter that does not concern me?
PRIME MINISTER
There is nothing that the King's servants may do that does not concern
the King.
KING
True. But sometimes the King is kept in ignorance nevertheless.
[_To the_ SECRETARY.
What paper is that you have there, if you please?
SECRETARY
[_With an uneasy glance at the others._
Here, your Majesty.
MINISTER OF WAR
[_Aside to_ SECRETARY.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28