t lengths," Julian declared. "Certain members
of this newly-formed Council of Labour have been in communication for
some months with the Socialist Party in Germany. From these latter they
have received a definite and authentic proposal of peace, countersigned
by the three most important men in Germany. That proposal of peace I am
here to lay before you, with the request that you act upon it without
delay."

Julian produced his roll of papers. The two men remained motionless. The
great issue had been reached with almost paralysing rapidity.

"My advice," Mr. Hannaway Wells said bluntly, "is that you,
sir,"--turning to his Chief--"refuse to discuss or consider these
proposals, or to examine that document. I submit that you are the head
of His Majesty's Government, and any communication emanating from a
foreign country should be addressed to you. If you ever consider this
matter and discuss it with Mr. Orden here, you associate yourself with a
traitorous breach of the law."

Mr. Stenson made no immediate reply. He looked towards Julian, as though
to hear what he had to say.

"Mr. Hannaway Wells's advice is, without doubt, technically correct,"
Julian admitted, "but the whole subject is too great, and the issues
involved too awful for etiquette or even propriety to count. It is for
you, sir, to decide what is best for the country. You commit yourself to
nothing by reading the proposals, and I suggest that you do so."

"We will read them," Mr. Stenson decided.

Julian passed over the papers. The two men crossed the room and leaned
over the Prime Minister's writing table. Mr. Stenson drew down the
electric light, and they remained there in close confabulation for about
a quarter of an hour. Julian sat with his back turned towards them and
his ears closed. In this atmosphere of government, his own position
seemed to him weird and fantastic. A sense of unreality cumbered his
thoughts. Even this brief pause in the actual negotiations filled him
with doubts. He could scarcely believe that it was he who was to dictate
terms to the man who was responsible for the government of the country;
that it was he who was to force a decision pregnant with far-reaching
consequences to the entire world. The figures of Fenn and Bright loomed
up ominously before him, however hard he tried to push them into
the background. Was it the mandate of such men as these that he was
carrying?

Presently the two Ministers returned to their places.