e interests of their own infernal trade? And lastly does not
history prove that Britain is the great robber nation of the world? And
does he not think that it is time she was driven from her high place by
a nation which is her superior, commercially, socially, intellectually
and every other way?"

As if by a preconcerted signal it seemed as if the whole top gallery
broke into a pandemonium of approving yells, while through other parts
of the house arose fierce shouts, "Throw him out." Mr. Allen rose and
stood quietly waiting till the tumult had ceased.

"If the gentleman wishes to engage me in a discussion on socialism, my
answer is that this is not the time nor place for such a discussion. The
question which I have been considering is one much too grave to be mixed
up with an academic discussion of any socialistic theories."

"Aha! Aha!" laughed Holtzman scornfully.

"As for Britain's history, that stands for all the world to read. All
the nations have been guilty of crimes; but let me say that any one who
knows the history of Germany for the last three hundred years is aware
that in unscrupulous aggression upon weaker neighbours, in treachery to
friend and foe, Germany is the equal of any nation in the world. But
if you consider her history since 1864 Germany stands in shameless
and solitary pre-eminence above any nation that has ever been for
unscrupulous greed, for brutal, ruthless oppression of smaller peoples,
and for cynical disregard of treaty covenants, as witness Poland,
Austria, Denmark, Holland and France. As to the treachery of the Krupps,
I believe the gentleman is quite right, but I would remind him that
the Kaiser has no better friend to-day than Bertha Krupp, and she is a
German."

From every part of the theatre rose one mighty yell of delight and
derision, during which Holtzman stood wildly gesticulating and shouting
till a hand was seen to reach his collar and he disappeared from view.
Once more order was restored and the chairman on the point of closing
the meeting, when Larry said to his friend Smart:

"I should dearly love to take a hand in this."

"Jump in," said Smart, and Larry "jumped in."

"Mr. Chairman," he said quietly, "may I ask Mr. Allen a question?"

"No," said the chairman in curt reply. "The hour is late and I think
further discussion at present is unprofitable."

But here Mr. Allen interposed. "I hope, Mr. Chairman," he said, "you
will allow my young friend, Mr. Gwynne, of