sk you, Mr. Ramage, without meaning in any
way to be offensive, why you're doing your utmost to stir it up over
here?"

The other put down his knife and fork and stared at Vane thoughtfully.
"Because," he remarked in a curiously deep voice, "that way lies the
salvation of the world. . . ."

"The machine-gun at the street corner," answered Vane cynically, "is
certainly the way to salvation for quite a number."

Ramage took no notice of the interruption. "If labour had controlled
Europe in 1914, do you suppose we should have had a war? As it was, a
few men were capable of ordering millions to their death. Can you
seriously contend that such a state of affairs was not absolutely
rotten?"

"But are you going to alter it by fanning class hatred?" demanded Vane
going back to his old point.

"Not if it can be avoided. But--the issue lies in the hands of the
present ruling class. . . ."

Vane raised his eyebrows. "I have generally understood that it was
Labour who was bringing things to a head."

"It rather depends on the way you look at it, doesn't it? If I possess
a thing which by right is yours, and you demand the return of it, which
of us two is really responsible for the subsequent fight?"

"And what does the present ruling class possess which Labour considers
should be returned to it?" asked Vane curiously.

"The bond note of slavery," returned the other. "If the present rulers
will tear up that bond--willingly and freely--there will be no
fight. . . . If not. . . ." He shrugged his shoulders. "Labour may
be forcing that issue, Captain Vane; but it will be the other man who
is responsible if the fight comes. . . . Labour demands fair
treatment--not as a concession, but as a right--and Labour has felt its
power. It will get that treatment--peacefully, if possible; but if
not"--and a light blazed in his eyes--"it will get it by force."

"And the referee as to what is just is Labour itself," said Vane
slowly; "in spite of the fact that it's the other man who is running
the financial risk and paying the piper. It sounds wonderfully fair,
doesn't it? Surely some rights must go with property--whether it's
land or a coal mine, or a bucket shop. . . . Surely the owner must
have the principal say in calling the tune." For a few moments he
stared at the man opposite him, and then he went on again, with
increasing earnestness--with almost a note of appeal in his voice. "I
want to get at your point of vi