"
Mr. Hannaway Wells prided himself upon never being surprised.
This time the only way he could preserve his reputation was by
holding his tongue.
"We are now prepared to hear your mission," Mr. Stenson continued,
turning to his visitor.
"I imagine," Julian began, "that you know something about this new
Labour Council?"
"What little we do know," Mr. Stenson answered, "we have learnt
with great difficulty through our secret service. I gather that a
small league of men has been formed within a mile of the Houses of
Parliament, who, whatever their motives may be, have been guilty
of treasonable and traitorous communication with the enemy."
"Strictly speaking, you are, without doubt, perfectly right,"
Julian acknowledged.
Mr. Stenson switched on an electric light.
"Sit down, Orden," he invited. "There is no need for us to stand
glaring at one another. There is enough of real importance in the
nature of our interview without making melodrama of it."
The Prime Minister threw himself into an easy chair. Julian, with
a little sigh of relief, selected a high-backed oak chair and
rested his foot upon a hassock. Hannaway Wells remained standing
upon the hearthrug.
"Straight into the heart of it, please, Orden," Mr. Stenson
begged. "Let us know how far this accursed conspiracy has gone."
"It has gone to very great lengths," Julian declared. "Certain
members of this newly-formed Council of Labour have been in
communication for some months with the Socialist Party in Germany.
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