air cannon, the old type aeroplane was almost useless for
offence purposes. The dirigible balloon, being lighter than air, was
not always dependable, and having also to operate from a great height,
the rarefied air in those regions seriously affected the gas carriers.

The Belgian "Heliocoptre" carried its propellers above the machine; the
axles, having "universal" joints, enabled them to revolve in any plane,
whilst engines, operating by means of powerful, non-clogging explosives,
generated the enormous power. These "Heliocoptres" were armed with great
"Thermit" shells, which, when they struck and burst, would not only set
free a paralysing gas, but would also produce a molten "thermit" mass of
a heat of over 5000 degrees, which could burn its way even through
armored plate.

It is too recent for me to detail, at length, the remarkable
circumstances following the prescribed day, when these machines
simultaneously rose in various cities, and after but a week's reign of
terror took possession of all Governments in the Humanist nations.

The people generally were not antagonistic to a change of rule. They
were tired of the unnatural life and almost listlessly waited
developments. These did not tarry, for within a very short period the
present systems of Commission Governments were adopted, and Royalties
were recalled to their various kingdoms as governing figureheads.

I only briefly mention this, the shortest war in history, because it was
so recent. Yet it had the greatest bearing upon human development.

Belgium came through it untouched, though it held the centre of
operations.

I shall never forget that wonderful month of war, and the almost
superhuman energy Madame displayed in assisting to direct operations. It
was not strange that her constitution collapsed under the remarkable
strain, and that for a while death hovered round the sick room. Her
complete recovery called for a long sea voyage, which explained why we
entered Sydney Harbor some weeks later.

CHAPTER XXXII.

What Happened in Australia.

I found Australia in a strange way.

Every State had a "socialistic" Government, and yet all public works
were controlled by combines of capitalists. The business interests of
these combines were so interlocked as to be one huge concern generally
known as the "Syndicate." It carried out all constructional works at a
percentage on the cost. The percentage and interest on the capital
invested were rai