Великий военный синдикат

           Thenoteconcludedbyearnestlyurgingthedesignation,withoutlossoftime,ofaplaceofoperations.ThisanswerwasreceivedinLondonintheevening,andallnightitwasthesubjectofearnestandanxiousdeliberationintheGovernmentoffices.Itwasatlastdecided,amidgreatopposition,thattheSyndicate’salternativemustbeaccepted,foritwouldbetheheightoffollytoallowtherepellertobombardanyportsheshouldchoose.Whenthisconclusionhadbeenreached,theworkofselectingaplacefortheproposeddemonstrationoftheAmericanSyndicateoccupiedbutlittletime.Thetaskwasnotdifficult.NowhereinGreatBritainwasthereafortifiedspotofsolittleimportanceasCaerdaff,onthewestcoastofWales.Caerdaffconsistedofalargefortonapromontory,andanimmensecastellatedstructureontheothersideofasmallbay,withalittlefishingvillageattheheadofsaidbay.Thecastellatedstructurewasratherold,thefortresssomewhatlessso;andbothhadlongbeenconsidereduseless,astherewasnoprobabilitythatanenemywouldlandatthispointonthecoast.Caerdaffwasthereforeselectedasthespottobeoperatedupon.NoonecouldforamomentimaginethattheSyndicatehadminedthisplace;andifitshouldbedestroyedbymotor-bombs,itwouldprovetothecountrythattheGovernmenthadnotbeenfrightenedbythetricksofacraftyenemy.AnhourafterthereceiptofthenoteinwhichitwasstatedthatCaerdaffhadbeenselected,theSyndicate’sfleetstartedforthatplace.