he slaves in the Old World greet their kings with, while
the police stands by to make a note of the men as has n't yelled loud
enough." This taunt was wrung from him by the insufferable apathy of
Layton's manner; but even the bitterness of the sneer failed to excite
retort.

"Is this our shortest road?" was all the reply he made.

"No; this will save us something," said Heron, with the quickness of
one inspired by a sudden thought; and at the same instant he turned
into a narrow street on his left.

They walked briskly along for a few minutes without speaking, when,
suddenly turning the angle of the way, they found themselves directly
in front of the assembly-room, from whose three great doors the light
streamed boldly out across the great square before it. The place seemed
densely thronged, and even on the pillars outside persons were grouped,
anxious at this cheap expedient to participate in the pleasure of the
lecture. By this time all was hushed and quiet, and it was evident
by the rapt attention of the audience that all were eagerly bent on
listening to the words of the speaker.

"Why have we come this way?" asked Lay ton, peevishly.

"Jest that you might see that sight yonder, sir," said Heron, calmly;
"that you might carry away with you the recollection of a set of
hard-worked, horny-handed men, laborin' like Turks for a livin', and yet
ready and willin' to give out of their hard earnin's to listen to one
able to instruct or improve 'em. That's why you come this way, stranger.
Ain't the reason a good one?"

Layton did not reply, but stood watching with deep interest the scene
of silent, rapt attention in the crowded room, from which now not the
slightest sound proceeded. Drawn by an attraction he could not explain,
he slowly mounted the steps and gained a place near the door, but from
which he was unable to catch sight of the lecturer. He was speaking;
but, partly from the distance, and in part from the low tones of his
voice, Layton could not hear his words. Eager to learn by what sort of
appeal an audience like this could be addressed,--curious to mark the
tone by which success was achieved,--he pushed vigorously onward till
he reached one of the columns that supported the roof of the hall, and
which, acting as a conductor, conveyed every syllable to his ears. The
lecturer's voice, artificially raised to reach the limits of the room,
was yet full, strong, and sonorous, and it was managed with all the
sk