His speech rattled on with the utmost animation, his arms were constantly gesticulating, he would bring one fist down into his palm to register an emphatic point, and enforce certain ideas with a menacing forefinger.

At times Colonel House would show slight signs of impatience and interrupt the flow of talk.

But the Kaiser was clearly absorbed in the subject under discussion.

His entourage several times attempted to break up the interview.

The Court Chamberlain twice gingerly approached and informed His Majesty that the Imperial train was waiting to take the party back to Berlin.