hur, smiling. "I appreciate them. Just the
same, we must have every one working on the case, and if I should fail
the others must be ready to play their parts."

"Command us all," said the Captain with spirit. "You have Lord
Constantine in London. He's a host. But remember we are in the midst of
the trouble, and home influence won't be a snap of my finger compared
with the word of the Minister."

"Then the Minister's our man," said Anne with decision. "If Arthur fails
with him, then every soul of us must move on London like an Irish army,
and win or die. So, my dear Honora, take the puckers out of your face,
and keep your heart light. I know a way to make Quincy Livingstone dance
to any music I play."

The smiles came back to Honora's face, hearts grew lighter, and Arthur
started for London, with little confidence in the good-will of
Livingstone, but more in his own ability to force the gentleman to do
his duty. He ran up against a dead wall in his mission, however, for the
question of interference on behalf of American citizens in English jails
had been settled months before in a conference between Livingstone and
the Premier, although feeling was cold and almost hostile between the
two governments. Lord Constantine described the position with the
accuracy of a theorist in despair.

"There's just a chance of doing something for Ledwith," he said
dolorously.

"By your looks a pretty poor one, I think," Arthur commented.

"Oh, it's got to be done, doncheknow," he said irritably. "But that
da--that fool, Livingstone, is spoiling the stew with his rot. And I've
been watching this pot boil for five years at least."

"What's wrong with our representative?" affecting innocence.

"What's right with him would be the proper question," growled his
lordship.

"In Ledwith's case the wrong is that he's gone and given assurances to
the government. He will not interfere with their disposition of Fenian
prisoners, when these prisoners are American citizen. In other words, he
has given the government a free hand. He will not be inclined to show
Ledwith any favor."

"A free hand," repeated Arthur, fishing for information. "And what is a
free hand?"

"Well, he could hamper the government very much when it is trying an
American citizen for crimes committed on British soil. Such a prisoner
must get all the privileges of a native. He must be tried fairly, as he
would be at home, say."

"Well, surely that strong instinct of fa