de the advance Freistner claims for it, and I agree
with our friends, Mr. Cross and Mr. Sands here, that you ought to be
very sure that Freistner is not deceived before you take this extreme
measure."

"We are content to trust to our brothers in Germany," Fenn declared.

"I am not convinced that we should be wise to do so," Julian intervened.
"I am in favour of our taking a few more days to consider this matter."

"And I am against any delay," Fenn objected hotly. "I am for immediate
action."

"Let me explain where I think we have been a little hasty," Julian
continued earnestly. "I gather that the whole correspondence between
this body and the Socialist Party in Germany has been carried on by Mr.
Fenn and Freistner. There are other well-known Socialists in Germany,
but from not one of these have we received any direct communication.
Furthermore--and I say this without wishing to impugn in any way
the care with which I am sure our secretary has transcribed these
letters--at a time like this I am forced to remember that I have seen
nothing but copies."

Fenn was on his feet in a moment, white with passion.

"Do you mean to insinuate that I have altered or forged the letters?" he
shouted.

"I have made no insinuations," Julian replied. "At the same time, before
we proceed to extremities, I propose that we spend half an hour studying
the originals."

"That's common sense," Cross declared. "There's no one can object to
that. I'm none so much in favour of these typewritten slips myself."

Fenn turned to whisper to Bright. Mr. Stenson rose to his feet. The
glare of the unshaded lamp fell upon his strained face. He seemed to
have grown older and thinner since his entrance into the room.

"I can neither better nor weaken my cause by remaining," he said. "Only
let this be my parting word to you. Upon my soul as an Englishman, I
believe that if you send out those telegrams to-night, if you use your
hideous and deadly weapon against me and the Government, I believe that
you will be guilty of this country's ruin, as you certainly will of her
dishonour. You have the example of Russia before you. And I will tell
you this, too, which take into your hearts. There isn't one of those
men who are marching, perhaps to-night, perhaps tomorrow, to a possible
death, who would thank you for trying, to save their lives or bodies
at the expense of England's honour. Those about to die would be your
sternest critics. I can say no more.