e places, given a hot supper, and
provided with a comfortable bed. I know, too, while the lads were under
the influence of the Y.M.C.A., no harm would happen to them, that they
would be surrounded by good and healthy influences, and that as many of
them who had no homes in England could stay at the Hostels during their
leave.

But there were other influences at work. Not only were there these noble
bands of workers, who existed for our soldiers' comfort and
salvation,--there were scores of evil women who hovered around waiting
like vultures to swoop upon their prey.

It is difficult to write about, difficult to contemplate. Scores of
these boys, who for months had been away at the front, living without
many refining influences, living, too, under strict discipline amidst all
the stress and horror of war, were suddenly given their liberty, and let
loose in our great City. Most of them would have plenty of money, for
there are few opportunities of spending at the front, and they would be
freed from all restrictions. Then their danger began. Lads, many of
them inspired by no religious ideals, excited by their liberty, with no
restraint of any sort placed upon them, became an easy prey to those who
looked upon them as victims. The angels of light were there to help
them, but there were also many creatures of darkness who lured them to
destruction, and these creatures of darkness were allowed to ply their
ghastly trade often without let or hindrance.

I could not help feeling the tragedy of it. These lads who had been
living from hour to hour, and from minute to minute, amidst the roar of
great guns, the shriek of shells, the pep-pep-pep of machine-guns, never
knowing when death would come, were suddenly and without preparation
thrown upon the bosom of our great modern Babylon; and on their return
they were met by these creatures.

'It is ghastly, it is hellish!' said Edgecumbe, as we returned across
Waterloo Bridge.

'What can be done?' I asked helplessly.

'These fellows should be safeguarded,' he replied. 'Oh, I know the
difficulties, but those creatures should be dealt with with a strong
hand; they should not be allowed in such places. The boys coming home
from danger and death should be protected from such temptations. It is
not a thing to talk about, not a thing to discuss in public; but think of
the inwardness of it, think of the ghastly diseases, the loss of manhood,
the corruption of soul, that fol