cast down as he rode home after his last meeting but one, and
his reflections were again most deeply tinged with doubt as to the value
of these heroic exertions. Looked at here, in winter moonlight under a
sky of stars, this fevered strife seemed vain, and the particular
ambition to which he had devoted such tremendous application appeared
thin and doubtful--almost unworthy. He traversed the enterprise, dwelt
on outstanding features of it and comforted himself, as often he had
done of late, by reflecting that Estelle would be at his right hand. If,
after practical experience and fair trial, he found himself powerless to
serve their common interests, or advance their ideals, then he could
leave the field of Parliament and seek elsewhere for a hearing. His
ingenuous hope was to interest his leaders; for he believed that many
who possessed power, thought and felt as he did.

He had grown placid by the time he left South Street and turned into the
road for home. The night was keen and frosty. It braced him and he began
to feel cheerful and hungry for the supper that waited him at North
Hill.

Then, where the road forked from Bridetown and an arm left it for West
Haven, at a point two hundred yards from outlying farm-houses, a young,
slight figure leapt from the hedge, stood firmly in the road and stopped
Raymond's horse. The moonlight was clear and showed Ironsyde his son.
Abel leapt at the bridle rein, and when the rider bade him loose it, he
lifted a revolver and fired twice pointblank.

Ten minutes later, on their way back from the meeting and full of
politics, there drove that way John Best, Nicholas Roberts and a
Bridetown farmer. They found a man on his back in the middle of the road
and a horse standing quietly beside him. None doubted but that Raymond
Ironsyde was dead, yet it was not possible for them to be sure. They
lifted him into the farmer's cart therefore, and while Best and Roberts
returned with him to Bridport Hospital, the farmer mounted Ironsyde's
horse and galloped to North Hill with his news. Arthur Waldron was from
home, but Estelle left the house as quickly as a motor car could be made
ready, and in a quarter of an hour stood at Raymond's side.

He was dead and had, indeed, died instantly when fired upon. He had been
shot through the lung and heart, and must have perished before he fell
from his horse to the ground.

They knew Estelle at the hospital and left her with Raymond for a little
while.