Читаем Stone's Fall полностью

Here it comes, I thought. They've been talking about it, they've agreed a joint strategy. Rouvier, I knew, had been bombarded by the Rothschilds all day, one banker after another presenting the case for intervention, for reversing the policy, and offering who knew what inducements; he was the only senior French figure who wasn't there. Delayed by the Chambre des Députés, someone said. Will be along when he can leave. No doubt those who wished to pursue the matter and go ahead had also been putting their case as well. The Count was about to give the first hint of which side had triumphed.

'I imagine the interest rate that the Bank of France would charge for lending gold to the Bank of England will be very high. Naturally, you cannot expect the Russian government to accept a lower reward.'

Better than saying there could be no deal at all. But he could still set the price so high that it would be unpayable.

'I never expected for a moment that would be the case,' Goschen said a little grumpily. 'Of course, your assistance would be rewarded, and acknowledged in public, if you so wish.'

'Can you give me any reason why we should in any way give assistance to Great Britain?'

'From our point of view, or from yours? I can think of many.'

'Really? It is in Russia's interests to weaken Britain as much as possible, surely? India, the Ottoman Empire, the Mediterranean, the Balkans. In all these areas our policies are diametrically opposed.'

'That is true. But I do not think your Government believes that Afghanistan is the major problem you face at the moment.'

'And what would you say that is?'

'Bismarck has gone. The treaty you had with Germany went with him. You have no allies, no friends, and you have a gigantic border facing the most powerful army in the world.'

'And England will come to our aid in exchange for a few bars of gold?'

'No. No more than it will help France recover Alsace. But you, as a military man, know that the Russian army is woefully unprepared for modern war. It has no railways to ferry troops and supplies; not enough factories to produce armaments; a navy which would scarcely trouble Nelson, even if the sailors were well trained. You are a vast empire, and a military pygmy. You have the men, but lack the more important aspect of modern warfare. Which is money.'

Good point, I thought, and nicely put. Goschen was revealing a combative streak I had not suspected he possessed.

'What we offer is to let the French assist you. They seem open to the proposal.'

'You want to buy us with other people's money?'

'Britain's banks are supreme in the world. For the past twenty years they have made a fortune out of South America. That, as you know, has now come to an abrupt end. So they will be looking for new markets. They will crowd France out of any they choose to concentrate on. We offer the French a free hand in Russia. We will offer only a token competition for form's sake. France will be able to grow its banking sector, strengthen it in ways it could not otherwise do. And you will get all the money you desperately need.

'The point is,' Goschen continued, 'if there is a general financial crisis, France will not be in a position to lend you a single centime. If the banks of London are crippled, so will many French banks be. Capital will evaporate, loans vanish like morning mist. If you want a modern army or navy, then you must leave your money in Barings' vaults. What is more, you know this perfectly well.'

The Russian frowned. 'I have been told similar things by my advisers. The doctrine that you must strengthen your enemy in order to defeat him I find a bizarre one.'

'It is nonetheless the case. I could name you at least six French banks which would be badly wounded if Barings fails. All hold Barings paper, all have loaned Russia money.'

'There must be more than that. You paint me a picture of paradox, where it becomes logical for us to help our worst enemy. But, in return, our worst enemy must help us.'

'Go on.'

Here it comes, here comes the bill, I thought.

'You are afraid of Russian influence; you must help us increase that influence. You fear our interference in the Ottoman Empire; you must make our interference more effective. You fear we want to build a fleet to challenge you in the Black Sea, the Straits, the Mediterranean itself. You must help us build a fleet that can defeat you. That is the price, Mr Goschen. The Russian navy needs a shipyard on the Black Sea coast, capable of building and maintaining everything that floats. The latest weapons, the best facilities. If you agree to that, then I will believe you are serious, and we can then discuss Barings.'

'I'm afraid that would be impossible,' Goschen replied instantly. 'Even were we minded to do so, it could not be done. No government would survive such a thing; any which tried would fall within weeks, and be replaced by one who promised to oppose it absolutely.'