that both the old people were occupied for a
moment. "Why, just to congratulate you, dear lady . . . just to
congratulate you." His eyes burned into hers, and his voice was
shaking. "Why else, Joan, why else?"

Then Mrs. Sutton began to talk, and the conversation became general.

"It's about these German prisoners; they're giving a bit of trouble,"
Vane said in answer to her question. "And so we've formed a sort of
board to investigate their food and general conditions . . . and--er--I
am one of the board."

"How very interesting," said the old lady. "Have you been on it for
long?"

"No--not long. In fact," said Vane looking fixedly at Joan, "I only
got my orders last night. . . ." With the faintest flicker of a smile
he watched the tell-tale colour come and go.

Then she turned on him, and her expression was a little baffling. "And
have you any special qualification, Captain Vane, for dealing with such
an intricate subject?"

"Intricate?" He raised his eyebrows. "I should have thought it was
very simple. Just a matter of common sense, and making . . . er . . .
these men--well--get their sense of proportion."

"You mean making them get your sense of proportion?"

"In some cases there can be only one," said Vane gravely.

"And that one is your own. These--German prisoners you said, didn't
you?--these German prisoners may think it their duty to disagree with
your views. Doubtless from patriotic motives. . . ."

"That would be a great pity," said Vane. "It would then be up to me to
make them see the error of their ways."

"And if you fail?" asked the girl.

"Somehow I don't think I shall," he answered slowly. "But if I do--the
trouble of which I spoke will not diminish. It will increase. . . ."

"We pander too much to these swine," grumbled Mr. Sutton. "It makes me
sick when I hear of the way our boys are treated by the brutes. A damn
good flogging twice a day--you'll pardon my language, is what they
want."

"Yes--drastic measures can be quite successful at times," said Vane,
with a slight smile. "Unfortunately in our present advanced state of
civilisation public opinion is against flogging. It prefers violence
against the person to be done mentally rather than physically. . . .
And it seems so short-sighted, doesn't it? The latter is transitory,
while the other is permanent. . . ."

Joan rose and looked at him quietly. "How delightful to meet a man who
regards anything as permanent