andpoint, there was nothing very alarming in the
word rifles.

Two days later Moyne motored over to my house. He seemed greatly
disturbed, so I took him into my study and gave him tea. While we were
drinking it he told me what was the matter with him.

"Look here, Kilmore," he said, "do you know anything about a rumour
that's flying about?"

"There are so many," I said.

"About the importation of arms into this country."

I had my suspicions, rather more than suspicions, for I had been
thinking over the somewhat remarkable performances of Bob Power and
the _Finola_. I did not, however, want to say anything definite until
I knew how much information Moyne had. After all Bob Power had now
arranged to be my son-in-law. I do not know what the law does to
people who import arms into a peaceful country; but the penalty is
sure to be severe, and I did not want Marion's wedding-day to be
blighted by the arrest of the bridegroom.

"They say," said Moyne, "that some of the cargoes have been landed
here under your windows."

"I can only assure you," I said, "that I have never in my life
imported so much as a pocket pistol."

"I had a long letter from Babberly this morning," said Moyne. "He had
an interview with the Prime Minister yesterday. It appears that the
Government has some information."

"Why doesn't the Government act upon it then?"

"They are acting. They want me and Babberly to come out and denounce
this kind of thing, to discountenance definitely--"

"That's all well enough," I said, "but I don't see why you and
Babberly should be expected to get the Government out of a hole. In
fact it's your business to keep them in any holes they fall into."

"Under ordinary circumstances," said Moyne, "we shouldn't, of course,
stir hand or foot. We'd let them stew in their own juice. And I may
tell you that's the line Babberly thinks we ought to take. But I don't
know. If there's any truth in these rumours, and there may be, you
know, it seems to me that we are face to face with a very serious
business. Party politics are all right, of course; and I'm just as
keen as any man to turn out this wretched Government. They've done
mischief enough, but--well, if there's any truth in what they say, it
isn't exactly a question of ordinary politics, and I think that every
loyal man ought to stand by--"

"If there's any truth in the rumours--" I said.

"The country's in a queer state," said Moyne. "I don't understand
what's