“And they won’t resent that?” snapped the prelate, now thoroughly irritated.

Father Jervis lifted a pacific hand.

“My dear friend, the Germans—­like all other educated nations—­believe that their ruler is meant by God to rule them.  And they also believe that Catholicism is the true religion.  Very well, then.  When a ruler is Catholic they obey him implicitly, because they know that he will be kept straight in all matters of right and wrong by the Pope, who is the Representative of God.  In non-vital matters they will obey him because he is their ruler, and therefore they are bound in conscience to do so.”

“And when the ruler is not Catholic?”

“Again, in non-vital matters they will obey him.  And in vital matters—­supposing, that is, he passed a law against Christianity (which, of course, nowadays no man could certainly do)—­then they would appeal to the Pope, and, if the law was enforced, disobey it and take the penalties.”

“Then the Pope is the real ruler—­the final court of appeal?”

“Certainly.  Who else should be?  Isn’t he the Vicar of Christ?”

There was a pause.

“There,” said the priest more easily.  “And now we really must get back to the point.  I said just now that the conversion of the Emperor will mean a tightening up of repressive measures against the infidels everywhere.  They won’t be allowed to congregate, or disseminate their views any longer.”

“Yes?”

“Well, the point is, what will happen?  There must be an explosion or a safety-valve.  And even if there is an explosion there must be a safety-valve afterwards, or there will be another explosion.”

“What you told me about America——­”

“That was on the tip of my tongue,” said Father Jervis.  “And I expect that’ll be the solution.”

“Let’s see,” said Monsignor reflectively, “you told me there were certain cities in America where infidels were tacitly allowed to have things their own way—­I think you mentioned Boston?”

“I did.”

“And you think that that will be officially authorized now—­I mean that there will be definite colonies where the infidels will be allowed complete liberty?”

“Under restrictions—­yes.”

“What sort of restrictions?”

“Well, they won’t be allowed to have an army or an aery——­”

“Eh?”

“An aery,” repeated Father Jervis—­“an air-fleet, I mean.  That wouldn’t do:  they might make war.”

“I see.”

“I don’t see what better safety-valve could be suggested.  They could work out their own ideas there as much as they liked.  Of course, details would come later.”

“And the rest of the Proclamation?” asked the other, lifting the sheet.

“I think we’ve got at the essentials,” said the priest, glancing again at his own copy, “and at the immediate results.  Of course, all his other measures don’t come into force till the Houses pass them.  In fact, nothing of the Proclamation has force until that happens.  I expect the Bill for the Establishment of Catholicism will take some time.  We shall get ours through before that.  They’ll pass a few small measures immediately, no doubt—­as to the Court chaplains and so on.”