for ever, but with luck I propose to play it long enough to
confuse Fritz's little plans.'

His face became serious and wore the air that our corps commander used
to have at the big pow-wow before a push.

'I'm not going to give you instructions, for you're man enough to make
your own. But I can give you the general hang of the situation. You
tell Ivery you're going North to inquire into industrial disputes at
first hand. That will seem to him natural and in line with your recent
behaviour. He'll tell his people that you're a guileless colonial who
feels disgruntled with Britain, and may come in useful. You'll go to a
man of mine in Glasgow, a red-hot agitator who chooses that way of
doing his bit for his country. It's a darned hard way and darned
dangerous. Through him you'll get in touch with Gresson, and you'll
keep alongside that bright citizen. Find out what he is doing, and get
a chance of following him. He must never suspect you, and for that
purpose you must be very near the edge of the law yourself. You go up
there as an unabashed pacifist and you'll live with folk that will turn
your stomach. Maybe you'll have to break some of these two-cent rules
the British Government have invented to defend the realm, and it's up
to you not to get caught out ... Remember, you'll get no help from me.
You've got to wise up about Gresson with the whole forces of the
British State arrayed officially against you. I guess it's a steep
proposition, but you're man enough to make good.'

As we shook hands, he added a last word. 'You must take your own time,
but it's not a case for slouching. Every day that passes Ivery is
sending out the worst kind of poison. The Boche is blowing up for a big
campaign in the field, and a big effort to shake the nerve and confuse
the judgement of our civilians. The whole earth's war-weary, and we've
about reached the danger-point. There's pretty big stakes hang on you,
Dick, for things are getting mighty delicate.'

* * * * *

I purchased a new novel in the shop and reached St Pancras in time to
have a cup of tea at the buffet. Ivery was at the bookstall buying an
evening paper. When we got into the carriage he seized my _Punch_ and
kept laughing and calling my attention to the pictures. As I looked at
him, I thought that he made a perfect picture of the citizen turned
countryman, going back of an evening to his innocent home. Everything
was right--his neat t