t had he there? From looks cast in their direction it was
plain that others were asking the same question. His thought received a
sudden and unexpected exposition from the platform from no less a person
than Mr. Wigglesworth himself to whom as one of the oldest officials in
Unionised Labour in the town had been given the honour of introducing
the distinguished visitor and delegate.

In flowing periods and with a reckless but wholly unauthorised
employment of aspirates he "welcomed the (h)audience, (h)especially the
ladies, and other citizens among 'oom 'e was delighted to (h)observe
a representative of the (h)employing class 'oo was for the present 'e
believed one of themselves." To his annoyed embarrassment Captain Jack
found himself the observed of many eyes, friendly and otherwise. "But 'e
would assure Captain Maitland that although 'e might feel as if 'e 'ad
no right to be 'ere--"

"'Ere! 'Ere!" came a piercing voice in unmistakable approval,
galvanising the audience out of its apathy into instant emotional
intensity.

"(H)I want most (h)emphatically to (h)assure Captain Maitland,"
continued Mr. Wigglesworth, frowning heavily upon the interrupter, "that
'e is as welcome--"

"No! No!" cried the same Cockney voice, followed by a slight rumbling
applause.

"I say 'e is," shouted Mr. Wigglesworth, supported by hesitating
applause.

"No! No! We don't want no toffs 'ere." This was followed by more
definite applause from the group immediately surrounding the speaker.

Mr. Wigglesworth was much affronted and proceeded to administer a rebuke
to the interrupter.

"I (h)am surprised," he began, with grieved and solemn emphasis.

"Mr. Chairman," said the owner of the Cockney voice, rising to his
feet and revealing himself a small man with large head and thin wizened
features, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to protest right 'ere an' naow against
the presence of (h)any representative of the (h)enemy class at--"

"Aw, shut up!" yelled a soldier, rising from his place. "Throw out the
little rat!"

Immediately there was uproar. On every side returned soldiers, many of
whom had been in Captain Jack's battalion, sprang up and began moving
toward the little Cockney who, boldly standing his ground, was wildly
appealing to the chair and was supported by the furious cheering of a
group of his friends, Old Country men most of whom, as it turned out,
were of the extreme Socialist type. By this time it had fully been borne
in upon Capt