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His father had an office in the embassy: he spent about one week in three there. There was a painting of Kaiser Wilhelm on the wall and a framed photograph of Walter in lieutenant's uniform on the desk. Otto held in his hand a piece of pottery. He collected English ceramics, and loved to go hunting for unusual items. Looking more closely, Walter saw that this was a creamware fruit bowl, the edges delicately pierced and molded to mimic basketwork. Knowing his father's taste, he guessed it was eighteenth century.
With Otto was Gottfried von Kessel, a cultural attache whom Walter disliked. Gottfried had thick dark hair combed with a side parting, and wore spectacles with thick lenses. He was the same age as Walter and also had a father in the diplomatic service, but despite having that much in common, they were not friends. Walter thought Gottfried was a toady.
He nodded to Gottfried and sat down. "The Austrian emperor has written to our kaiser. "
"We know that," Gottfried said quickly.
Walter ignored him. Gottfried was always trying to start a pissing contest. "No doubt the kaiser's reply will be amicable," he said to his father. "But a lot may depend upon nuance. "
"His Majesty has not yet confided in me. "
"But he will. "
Otto nodded. "It is the kind of thing he sometimes asks me about. "
"And if he urges caution, he might persuade the Austrians to be less belligerent. "
Gottfried said: "Why should he do that?"
"To avoid Germany's being dragged into a war over such a worthless piece of territory as Serbia!"
"What are you afraid of?" Gottfried said scornfully. "The Serbian army?"
"I am afraid of the Russian army, and so should you be," Walter replied. "It is the largest in history-"
"I know that," said Gottfried.
Walter ignored the interruption. "In theory, the tsar can put six million men into the field within a few weeks-"
"I know-"
"-and that is more than the total population of Serbia. "
"I know. "
Walter sighed. "You seem to know everything, von Kessel. Do you know where the assassins got their guns and bombs?"
"From Slav nationalists, I presume. "
"Any particular Slav nationalists, do you presume?"
"Who knows?"
"The Austrians know, I gather. They believe the arms came from the head of Serbian intelligence. "
Otto grunted in surprise. "That would make the Austrians vengeful. "
Gottfried said: "Austria is still ruled by its emperor. In the end, the decision for war can be made only by him. "
Walter nodded. "Not that a Habsburg emperor has ever needed much of an excuse to be ruthless and brutal. "
"What other way is there to rule an empire?"
Walter did not rise to the bait. "Other than the Hungarian prime minister, who does not carry much weight, there seems to be no one urging caution. That role must fall to us. " Walter stood up. He had reported his findings, and he did not want to stay any longer in the same room as the irritating Gottfried. "If you will excuse me, Father, I'll go to tea at the Duchess of Sussex's house and see what else is being said around town. "
Gottfried said: "The English don't pay calls on Sundays. "
"I have an invitation," Walter replied, and went out before he lost his temper.
