this accursed city.
Where is the first move?"

"We can't leave tonight," Maraton said. "I am addressing a meeting of
the representatives of the Amalgamated Railway Workers--that is, if
Peter Dale doesn't manage to stop it. He'll do his best."

"He won't succeed," Aaron declared eagerly. "I saw Ernshaw two hours
ago. They're on to Peter Dale and his move. Do you know why Peter Dale
was late here this afternoon? He'd been to Downing Street. I heard.
Foley's lost you, but he's holding on to the Labour Party. He's pitting
the Labour Party against you in the country." Selingman laughed
heartily.

"He's got it!" he exclaimed. "That's the scheme. I am all for a fight,
spoiling for it. Fighting and eating are the grandest things in the
world! What time is the meeting?"

"Seven o'clock," Maraton replied.

"Two hours we will give you," Selingman continued. "Nine o'clock, a
little restaurant I know in the West End, the four of us before we
start. We will do ourselves well."

"Before I leave London," Maraton said, "I must see Maxendorf once more."

Selingman stroked his face thoughtfully.

"Your risk," he remarked. "Don't you let these chaps think you are
mixed up with Maxendorf."

"I must see Maxendorf," Maraton insisted. "When I leave London
to-night, the die is cast. I have cut myself adrift from everything in
life. I shall make enemies with every class of society. There must be
one word more pass between Maxendorf and me before I hold up the torch."

"He's got it," Selingman declared. "The trick is on him already.
Maxendorf he shall see. I will arrange a meeting somewhere--not at the
hotel. Miss Julia, write down this address. This is where we all meet
at nine. Half-past six now. I will take you round to your meeting,
Maraton. Do you want any papers?"

"I want no papers," Maraton answered. "I speak to these men to-night as
I shall speak to them in the north. I take no papers from London with
me, no figures, nothing. It is just the things I see I want to tell
them."

Selingman nodded.

"You shall speak immortal words," he declared. "And I--I am the one man
in the world to transcribe them, to write in the background, to give
them colour and point. What giants we are, Maraton--you with your
stream of words, and I with my pen! Miss Julia," he added, "remember
that you are to be our inspiration as well as my secretary. Put on your
prettiest clothes to-night. It is our last holiday."

She looked at him coldly.