therefore desired that you should endeavour
to obtain information as to his intentions; and that, if
the Fixed Period be not abandoned altogether, with a clear
conviction as to its cruelty on the part of the inhabitants
generally, you should cause him to be carried away and
brought to England.

To enable you to effect this, Captain Battleax, of H.M.
gunboat the John Bright, has been instructed to carry
you out. The John Bright is armed with a weapon of great
power, against which it is impossible that the people of
Britannula should prevail. You will carry out with you 100
men of the North-north-west Birmingham regiment, which will
probably suffice for your own security, as it is thought
that if Mr Neverbend be withdrawn, the people will revert
easily to their old habits of obedience.

In regard to Mr Neverbend himself, it is the especial
wish of H.M. Government that he shall be treated with all
respect, and that those honours shall be paid to him which
are due to the President of a friendly republic. It is to
be expected that he should not allow himself to make an
enforced visit to England without some opposition; but
it is considered in the interests of humanity to be so
essential that this scheme of the Fixed Period shall not be
carried out, that H.M. Government consider that his absence
from Britannula shall be for a time insured. You will
therefore insure it; but will take care that, as far as
lies in your Excellency's power, he be treated with all
that respect and hospitality which would be due to him were
he still the President of an allied republic.

Captain Battleax, of the John Bright, will have received
a letter to the same effect from the First Lord of the
Admiralty, and you will find him ready to co-operate with
your Excellency in every respect.--I have the honour to be,
sir, your Excellency's most obedient servant,

HATFIELD.

This I read with great attention, while they sat silent. "I
understand it; and that is all, I suppose, that I need say upon the
subject. When do you intend that the John Bright shall start?"

"We have already lighted our fires, and our sailors are weighing the
anchors. Will twelve o'clock suit you?"

"To-day!" I shouted.

"I rather think we must move to-day," said the captain.

"If so, you must be content to take my dead body. It is now nearly
eleven."

"Half-past