but I said there were no Tories in Australia, only Labour and
Liberals. That fetched a cheer, and I woke them up a bit when I
started in to tell them the kind of glorious business I thought could
be made out of the Empire if we really put our backs into it.

Altogether I fancy I was rather a success. The minister didn't like
me, though, and when he proposed a vote of thanks, spoke of Sir
Harry's speech as 'statesmanlike' and mine as having 'the eloquence
of an emigration agent'.

When we were in the car again my host was in wild spirits at
having got his job over. 'A ripping speech, Twisdon,' he said.
'Now, you're coming home with me. I'm all alone, and if you'll
stop a day or two I'll show you some very decent fishing.'

We had a hot supper--and I wanted it pretty badly--and then
drank grog in a big cheery smoking-room with a crackling wood
fire. I thought the time had come for me to put my cards on the
table. I saw by this man's eye that he was the kind you can trust.

'Listen, Sir Harry,' I said. 'I've something pretty important to
say to you. You're a good fellow, and I'm going to be frank.
Where on earth did you get that poisonous rubbish you talked tonight?'

His face fell. 'Was it as bad as that?' he asked ruefully. 'It did
sound rather thin. I got most of it out of the PROGRESSIVE MAGAZINE
and pamphlets that agent chap of mine keeps sending me. But you
surely don't think Germany would ever go to war with us?'

'Ask that question in six weeks and it won't need an answer,' I