determined to be able to assure me that nothing should induce him
to give up my statement or prevent him from obtaining and
cherishing as many copies as possible. (I quote this as an
example to the House of Lords of the right thing to say in such
emergencies). So the program had to be modified. The minority
could not prevent the enraged majority from refusing to examine
me further; nor could the Chairman refuse to communicate that
decision to me. Neither could the minority object to the
secretary handing me back such copies as he could collect from
the majority. And at that the matter was left. The doors were
opened; the audience trooped in; I was called to my place in the
dock (so to speak); and all was ready for the sacrifice.


THE EXECUTION

Alas! the majority reckoned without Colonel Lockwood. That hardy
and undaunted veteran refused to shirk his share in the scene
merely because the minority was recalcitrant and the majority
perhaps subject to stage fright. When Mr Samuel had informed me
that the Committee had no further questions to ask me with an
urbanity which gave the public no clue as to the temper of the
majority; when I had jumped up with the proper air of relief and
gratitude; when the secretary had handed me his little packet of
books with an affability which effectually concealed his dramatic
function as executioner; when the audience was simply
disappointed at being baulked of the entertainment of hearing Mr
Robert Harcourt cross-examine me; in short, when the situation
was all but saved by the tact of the Chairman and secretary,
Colonel Lockwood rose, with all his carnations blazing, and gave