“It has been suggested,” Julian said, “that even the Hohenzollerns, even the military clique of Germany, see before them now the impossibility of reaping the rewards of their successful campaigns.  Peace is becoming a necessity to them.  They would prefer, therefore, to seem to yield to the demands of their own Socialists rather than to foreign pressure.”

“That may be so,” Mr. Stenson admitted.  “Let us proceed.  The first part of your duty, Orden, is finished.  What else have you to say?”

“I am instructed,” Julian announced, “to appeal to you to sue at once, through the Spanish Ambassador, for an armistice while these terms are considered and arrangements made for discussing them.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I will not evade even that question.  Of the twenty-three members of the new Council of Labour, twenty represent the Trades Unions of the great industries of the kingdom.  Those twenty will unanimously proclaim a general strike, if you should refuse the proposed armistice.”

“In other words,” Mr. Stenson observed drily, “they will scuttle the ship themselves.  Do you approve of these tactics?”

“I decline to answer that question,” Julian said, “but I would point out to you that when you acknowledged yourself defeated by the miners of South Wales, you pointed the way to some such crisis as this.”

“That may be true,” Mr. Stenson acknowledged.  “I have only at this moment, however, to deal with the present condition of affairs.  Do you seriously believe that, if I make the only answer which at present seems to me possible, the Council of Labour, as they call themselves, will adopt the measures they threaten?”

“I believe that they will,” Julian declared gravely.  “I believe that the country looks upon any continuation of this war as a continuation of unnecessary and ghastly slaughter.  To appreciably change the military situation would mean the sacrifice of millions more lives, would mean the continuation of the war for another two years.  I believe that the people of Germany who count are of the same opinion.  I believe that the inevitable change of government in Germany will show us a nation freed from this hideous lust for conquest, a nation with whom, when she is purged of the poison of these last years, we can exist fraternally and with mutual benefit.”

“You are a very sanguine man, Mr. Orden,” Hannaway Wells remarked.

“I have never found,” Julian replied, “that the pessimist walks with his head turned towards the truth.”

“How long have I,” the Prime Minister asked, after a brief pause, “for my reply?”

“Twenty-four hours,” Julian told him, “during which time it is hoped that you will communicate with our Allies and pave the way for a further understanding.  The Council of Labour asks you for no pledge as to their safety.  We know quite well that all of us are, legally speaking, guilty of treason.  On the other hand, a single step towards the curtailment of our liberties will mean the paralysis of every industry in the United Kingdom.”