position a little. He was facing them all now.

"My friends," he said, "that is one thing of which you need have no
fear. Our methods may be different, we may work in different ways, but
we shall work towards the same goal. Remember this, and remember always
that whether we fight under the same banner or not, I have told it to
you solemnly and from the bottom of my heart. I am a people's man!"

He turned towards the door and laid his hand upon Aaron's shoulder.
Julia, too, rose and followed him.

"I think," he added, "that the people will have cleared off by now. I
am going to try and get back to the hotel. I have messages to send
away, and an early train to catch in the morning."

They were passing out of the room almost in silence, but Henneford
struck the table with his fist.

"Come," he exclaimed, "we seem in a queer humour to-night! Don't let
Mr. Maraton think too hardly of us. Wherever his place may be in the
future, he's done us a grand service to-night, and don't let's forget
it. He's waked these people up as none other of us could have done.
He's started this strike in such a fashion as none other of us could.
Don't let's forget to be grateful. The education and the oratory isn't
all on the other side now. If we don't see you again to-night, Mr.
Maraton, or before you leave for London, here's my thanks, for one, for
to-night's work, and I'll lay odds that the others are with me."

They crowded around him after that, and though Graveling stood on one
side and Peter Dale still maintained his attitude of doubt, they all
parted cordially enough. They reached the back door of the hall and
found the shelter of a four-wheeled cab. Before they could start,
however, they were discovered. People came running from all directions.
Looking through the window, they could see nothing but a sea of white
faces. The crazy vehicle rocked from side to side. The driver was
lifted from his seat, the horse unharnessed. Slowly, and surrounded by
a cheering multitude, they dragged the cab through the streets.
Julia, sitting by Maraton's side, felt herself impelled to hold on to
his arm. Her body, her every sense was thrilled with the hoarse,
dramatic roll of their voices, the forest of upraised caps, the strange
calm of the man, who glanced sometimes almost sadly from side to side.
She clutched at him once passionately.

"Isn't it wonderful!" she murmured. "All the time they call to
you--their liberator!"

He smiled, and there