r word,
every coal pit in England would cease work, every furnace fire would go
out, every factory would stand empty. The trains would remain on
their sidings, or wherever they might chance to be when the edict
was pronounced. The same with the 'buses and cabs, the same with the
Underground. Not a ship would leave any port in the United Kingdom, not
a ship would be docked. Forty-eight hours of this would do more harm
than a year's civil war. Forty-eight hours must procure from the Prime
Minister absolute submission to our demands. Ours is the greatest power
the world has ever evolved. We shall use it for the greatest cause the
world has ever known--the cause of peace."

"This, in a way, was inevitable," Julian observed. "You remember the
conversation, Bishop," he added, "down at Maltenby?"

"Very well indeed," the latter acquiesced.

"The country went into slavery," Julian pronounced, "in August, 1915.
That slavery may or may not be good for them. To be frank, I think it
depends entirely upon the constitution of your Council. It is so much to
the good, Bishop, that you are there."

"Our Council, such as it is," Fenn remarked acidly, "consists of men
elected to their position by the votes of a good many millions of their
fellow toilers."

"The people may have chosen wisely," was the grave reply, "or they may
have made mistakes. Such things have been known. By the bye, I suppose
that my durance is at an end?"

"It is at an end, whichever way you decide," Catherine declared. "Now
that you know everything, though, you will not hesitate to give up the
packet?"

"You shall have it," he agreed. "I will give it back into your hands."

"The sooner the better!" Fenn exclaimed eagerly. "And, Mr. Orden, one
word."

Julian was standing amongst them now, very drawn and pale in the
dim halo of light thrown down from the hanging lamp. His answering
monosyllable was cold and restrained.

"Well?"

"I trust you will understand," Fenn continued, "that Bright and I were
simply carrying out orders. To us you were an enemy. You had betrayed
the trust of one of our members. The prompt delivery of that packet
meant the salvation of thousands of lives. It meant a cessation of this
ghastly world tragedy. We were harsh, perhaps, but we acted according to
orders."

Julian glanced at the hand which Fenn had half extended but made no
movement to take it. He leaned a little upon the Bishop's arm.

"Help me out of this place, sir, wil