There was another period during which he seemed to be unaware
of my presence, and I took advantage of it to size up my man. He
impressed me as being one of those intolerable, typically English
icicles, which only that nation seems able to produce in her public
servants. Presumably through a century-long contact with the races of
the East, the English diplomat of the Sir Edward Grey type presents
the bland, imperturbable, non-committal, almost inane expression of
the Oriental that hardly gives one any criterion of the tremendous
power of perception and concentration beneath the mask.
After twirling his fingers, he said:
"I presume you are familiar with Germany's naval activity."
"Up to a certain point, sir."
"What point?" he asked quickly.
"I am familiar only with the Intelligence Department of the
Admiralty," I replied.
"Their system?" he asked. "Is it so extensive and efflcient as we
have been led to believe?"
"That cannot be exaggerated."
At this Sir Edward began to throw out innuendoes to which I replied in
like vein. The interview was not progressing. Finally he came out
with what was in his mind.
Do you know if any officials or naval officers are selling or
negotiating to sell information to Foreign Intelligence Departments?"
Although he had not said English officers or officials, I knew what he
meant, but I made up my mind not to tell everything I knew.
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