to his colleague.

"I feel I ought to tell you, Klein, that at first I was foolish enough to
feel a little--"

He broke off, hesitating to use a word which might hurt the other's
feelings.

"I know exactly what you mean, Tarleton, and I do not in the least blame
you. You are probably not aware that many of us Alsatians have German
names, but if you knew more of my life you would know what good cause I
have for hating the Germans more than any Englishman can possibly hate
them. Some day, perhaps, I shall have a chance of telling you."

Klein's eyes flashed under their drooping lids. Tarleton warmed to him
and began to talk about the committee and especially about the chairman.

"This has been a tremendous eye-opener to me, Klein," he said. "I must
tell you that, in my innocence, I never imagined that the proceedings of
a committee could be conducted in such a fashion. I must confess I do not
understand the object of it."

Klein smiled significantly.

"I do," he remarked.

"What do you mean, Klein?"

"It is quite simple. There are things which the Government does not
desire to be known, and that is why they selected a man like Bale for