“I agree completely. At the present time General Grant is attacking the defenses of the road, taking his men south from Vera Cruz. He is an able officer, as we both know. If there is anyone in the world with the determination and the ability to cut that road — why he is the man.”

“I defer to your professional knowledge, General, but I assure you that we are of the same mind in this.”

“Then let us consider a different matter. Is there anything that can be done about that port at the other end of the road? You are a naval man. Is there any possibility of mounting an attack on the Pacific end?”

Fox pushed his chair back and took a drink of his port before he answered. “You are not the only one to consider that. I am preparing a report right now at the request of the Secretary of the Navy. It is theoretically possible. But to make a really strenuous effort, not just a hit-and-run attack, it would mean creating a two-ocean navy. Which in turn means doubling ship production. Not only that, but getting there would be very difficult. There are few coaling ports on the Atlantic coast of South America — none at all on the Pacific coast. Coaling ships would have to be positioned in seaports there. Then the attacking fleet would have to make the arduous journey south to the end of South America and around the Cape. The British have a sizeable Asian fleet already — and by the time our ships got to the Pacific coast of Mexico the enemy would be there to meet us. To sum it up — possible, but difficult and expensive — and with no guaranty of success at the end of the day.”

“Understood. Now let us look farther afield, if we may. If we don’t launch an attack against that Pacific port — are there any parts of the British Empire where our forces might strike, make some impact to draw their attention from this Mexican adventure?”

“Scarcely any. Since the Mutiny in India, and the fighting in China, they have troops stationed in Asia in goodly numbers. So much so that they can easily spare all the regiments they need for the coming invasion through Mexico.”

Lee was rubbing his jaw in exasperation. He drank and refilled his glass. “As you can tell by the tenor of my questions I have a military assignment. You will of course say nothing of this.”

“Of course, General.”

“I am afraid that my reputation has finally caught up with me. I have been known to fight battles where I was not expected, and to win them against superior odds. Now I must find a way to do this again — but against the British. And it is turning out to be hellishly difficult. The British must have enemies. Can we form an alliance with any of them?”

“I’m afraid not. They cooperate closely with the French — Victoria is most fond of the French Emperor. Her favorite uncle is King of Belgium. The Prussians, in fact most of the German nobility, are all relatives of hers. There is Russia, of course, still smarting over Crimea. But their navy is decrepit, their army terribly far from the British Isles.”

“What about England itself? We raided her shores during the War of 1812 — and the last war as well — we could do it again?”

“A possibility — but only a pinprick. Many coastal defenses have been built in recent years. They are an island race that now dominate the oceans of the world. If they are to be attacked they must be attacked from the sea. Therefore, down through the centuries, they have built coastal defenses like no other country.”

“Well damnation — if not raids — why can’t we hit them hard at one spot where they least expect it. Land our forces in great numbers and invade their island? They certainly would notice that!”

Fox shook his head unhappily. “It would be a nightmare, I would say almost impossible. Three thousand miles of ocean to cross before landings could be attempted — on a hostile and defended shore. If, say, we were allied with France, troops might be built up there, transports made ready and our warships refueled for a sudden attack across the English Channel. But that is too far-fetched to consider. France would never agree to such a plan.”

“No other possibilities?”

“None that come to mind…”

As he said this Fox’s eyes opened wide. He pushed his chair back, jumped to his feet and paced the room. Lee was silent. Fox went to the door and unlocked it, peered out into the empty hall, relocked it and turned around.

“There is… let me think… still another possibility. I shall speak the name to you just once. At this juncture no one must have an inkling of what we are considering. I am not being overdramatic, just realistic.”

He crossed the room, cupped his hand and bent over.

“ Ireland,” he breathed in a low whisper.

“I hear what you said, but I do not understand the import of your words. You must make your meaning more clear about this particular island whose name we must mention only in a whisper.”

“That I will surely do. You will have heard of the recent rebellions there, Rebel prisoners taken and incarcerated, their leaders hanged. Then you have to understand there are many loyal sons of that island in our army. I have been aiding them in setting up a new organization in — the old country — one that cannot be penetrated by spies and informers. An organization that will provide me with intelligence about matters in the British Isles. I am sure that you know of a certain brigade that we have in the army. From this same country. All loyal Americans now, ready to give their lives, if need be, for their new country. But being Americans now does not stop them from still being strongly attached to their native land. It is a strong emotion with them, a racial emotion if you will believe. I know of none other like it. German Americans still talk of the old country, get nostalgic about it when in their cups. But they never think about Prussian politics, nor have the slightest desire to return to their fatherland. Not so the men we are speaking of. They care for the country they left, care for their friends and relatives still there.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “The Fenian movement, the nationalist movement in Ireland, is strongly supported and there are branches of it in every regiment of the brigade. We could possibly utilize this in our war against the British. With help from us, the revolutionary organization will grow quickly. Then we can send them arms, another rebellion might very well succeed…”

Lee shook his head in a grim no. “While I am no student of political matters, I am learned in tactics and the military. Do the British station their own soldiers in this country?”

“They do. They have several large garrisons there.”

“Then a civilian revolt is doomed to failure. Particularly when you consider the proximity of England and Scotland.”

Fox nodded unhappily. “Yes, I can see that you are right.”

Fox reached for the decanter and occupied himself in topping up his glass. Preoccupied with this he did not see the calculating look on Lee’s face, nor the sudden smile.

“Do not be too quick to admit defeat, Mr. Fox. I never did, right to the very end.”

“I miss your meaning, General.”

“It is simply this. A rebellion will never succeed. But, aided and abetted by knowledgeable men on the ground there, why I do believe that there is every possibility of an invasion of that island, whose name we dare not speak too loudly lest it be overheard.” He smiled at the shocked expression on Fox’s face.

“Yes indeed. The American invasion and occupation of this certain island would surely take the enemy’s attention away from their Mexican adventure. With careful planning it could succeed. You say the populace would welcome our arrival?”

“With open arms, General, with open arms.”

“Then we investigate the possibility of such an invasion. I am sure that if the British awoke one morning and saw the stars and stripes flying there so close, just across the narrow sea, why I am sure they would be powerful upset. Perhaps upset enough to forget their Mexican adventure in order to concentrate on the defense of their homeland.”