ery side were seen men, strong men, with
tears streaming down their faces. A nobler spirit seemed to fall upon
them all. In the silence that followed, Mr. Maitland rose.

"Mr. Mayor," he said quietly, "we have all suffered together in this
war. I, for one, want to do the fair thing by our men. Let us meet them
and talk things over before any fair-minded committee. Surely we who
have suffered together in war can work together in peace." It was a
noble appeal, and met with a noble response. On all sides and from all
parties a storm of cheers broke forth.

Then the Reverend Murdo Matheson rose to his feet. "Mr. Mayor," he said,
"I confess I was not hopeful of the result of this meeting. But I am
sure we all recognise the presence and influence of a mightier Spirit
than ours. From the outset I have been convinced that the problems in
the industrial situation here are not beyond solution, and should yield
to fair and reasonable consideration. I venture to move that a committee
of five be appointed, two to be chosen by each of the parties in this
dispute, who would in turn choose a chairman; that this committee meet
with representatives of both parties; and that their decision in all
cases be final."

Mr. Farrington rose and heartily seconded the motion.

At this point Jack, who was sitting near the platform and whose eyes
were wandering over the audience, was startled by the look on the face
of McNish. It was a look in which mingled fear, anxiety, wrath. He
seemed to be on the point of starting to his feet when McGinnis broke
in:

"Do I understand that the decision of this committee is to be final on
every point?"

"Certainly," said the Reverend Murdo. "There is no other way by which we
can arrive at a decision."

"Do you mean," cried McGinnis, "that if this committee says I must hire
only union men in my foundry that I must do so?"

"I would reply," said the Reverend Murdo, "that we must trust this
committee to act in a fair and reasonable way."

But Mr. McGinnis was not satisfied with this answer.

"I want to know," he cried in growing anger, "I want to know exactly
where we are and I want a definite answer. Will this committee have the
right to force me to employ only union men?"

"Mr. Mayor," replied the Reverend Murdo, "Mr. McGinnis is right in
asking for definiteness. My answer is that we must trust this committee
to do what is wise and reasonable, and we must accept their decision as
final in every case.