this time Maraton was standing with the door in one hand and
his other hand upon the shoulder of the man whom he was endeavouring to
get rid of. His grasp suddenly tightened. The door was closed and the
reporter was outside. Maraton turned to Aaron, with whom, as yet, he
had scarcely exchanged a word. The latter was sitting at a table,
sorting letters.

"How long will those fellows be?" he asked.

Aaron glanced at the clock.

"On their way here by now, I should say," he replied. "They are all
coming. They tried to leave David Ross behind, but he wouldn't have
it."

Maraton nodded grimly.

"Too many," he muttered.

Aaron leaned a little forward in his place. His long, hatchet-shaped
face was drawn and white. His eyes were full of a pitiful anxiety.

"They were talking like men beside themselves at the Clarion and up at
Dale's house last night," he said. "They were mad about your having
gone to Foley's. Graveling--he was the worst--he's telling them all
that you're up to some mischief on your own account. They are all
grumbling like a lot of sore heads. If they could stop your speaking
here to-night, I believe they would. They're a rotten lot. Before they
got their places in Parliament, they were perfect firebrands. Blast
them!"

"And you, Aaron--"

Maraton suddenly paused. The door was softly opened, and Julia stood
there. She was wearing her hat and coat, but her hands were gloveless;
she had just returned from the street.

"Come in," Maraton invited. "So you're looking after Aaron, are you?"

"I couldn't keep away," Julia said simply. "I thought I'd better let
you both know that the street below is filling up. They've heard that
you are here. People were running away from before the Midland as I
came round the corner."

Maraton glanced out of the window. There was a hurrying crowd fast
approaching the front of the hotel. He drew back.

"I was just on the point of asking Aaron," he remarked, "exactly what it
is that is expected from me to-night. Tell me what is in your mind?"

Her face lit up as she looked at him.

"We are like children," she replied, "all of us. We have too much
faith. I think that what we are expecting is a miracle."

"Is it wise?" Maraton asked quietly. "Don't you think that it may lead
to disappointment?"

She considered the thought for a moment and brushed it away.

"We are not afraid, Aaron and I."

"You are belligerents, both of you."

"And so are you," Julia retorted s