-a monstrous burden would be lifted, and there would be
some chance of betterment,--but as this can never be, other remedies
must be sought and found. It's pure hypocrisy to talk of love for
children, when every day we read of mothers selling their offspring for
so much cash down,--lately in China during a spell of famine parents
killed their daughters like young calves, for food. Ugly facts like
these have to be looked in the face--it's no use putting them behind
one's back, and murmuring beautiful lies about 'mother-love' and such
nonsense. As for the old Mosaic commandment 'Honour thy father and
mother'--it's ordinary newspaper reading to hear of boys and girls
attacking and murdering their parents for the sake of a few dollars."

"You've got the ugly facts by heart"--said Gwent slowly--"But there's
another and more cheerful outlook--if you choose to consider it.
Newspaper reading always gives the worst and dirtiest side of
everything--it wouldn't be newspaper stuff if it was clean. Newspapers
remind me of the rotting heaps in gardens--all the rubbish piled
together till the smell becomes a nuisance--then a good burning takes
place of the whole collection and it makes a sort of fourth-rate
manure." He paused a moment--then went on--

"I'm not given to sentiment, but I dare say there are still a few folks
who love each other in this world,--and it's good to know of when they
do. My sister"--he paused again, as if something stuck in his throat;
"My sister loved her boy,--Jack. His death has driven her silly for the
time--doctors say she will recover--that it's only 'shock.' 'Shock' is
answerable for a good many tragedies since the European war."

Seaton moved impatiently, but said nothing,

"You're a bit on the fidgets"--resumed Gwent, placidly--"You want me to
come to business--and I will. May I smoke?"

His companion nodded, and he drew out his cigar-case, selecting from it
a particularly fragrant Havana.

"You don't do this sort of thing, or I'd offer you one,"--he
said,--"Pity you don't, it soothes the nerves. But I know your 'fads';
you are too closely acquainted with the human organism to either smoke
or drink. Well--every man to his own method! Now what you want me to do
is this--to represent the force and meaning of a certain substance
which you have discovered, to the government of the United States and
induce them to purchase it. Is that so?"

"That is so!" and Roger Seaton fixed his eyes on Gwent's ha