"Are you an ordained or accredited minister of any of
the--ah--dissenting bodies?"

"Not exactly, sir."

"Then, sir," demanded the Rector, "may I ask by what authority you
presume to exercise the functions of the holy ministry and in my
parish?"

"Well--really--sir, I do not know why I--"

"Then, sir, let me tell you this will not be permitted," said the Rector
sternly. "There are regularly ordained and accredited ministers of the
Church and of all religious bodies represented in this neighbourhood,
and your ministrations are not required."

"But surely, sir," said the evangelist hurriedly as if anxious to get in
a word, "I may be permitted in this free country to preach the Gospel."

"Sir, there are regularly ordained and approved ministers of the Gospel
who are quite capable of performing this duty. I won't have it, sir. I
must protect these people from unlicensed, unregulated--ah--persons, of
whose character and antecedents we have no knowledge. Pray, sir," cried
the Rector, taking a step toward the man on the platform, "whom do you
represent?"

The evangelist drew himself up quietly and said, "My Lord and Master,
sir. May I ask whom do you represent?"

It was a deadly thrust. For the first time during the encounter the