Sir John Westwood, who was known to have been suffering from insomnia, stood, haggard and silent, by one of the windows, while Lord Malvern expounded to him and a few others his personal views as to the drastic measures required to meet the crisis. His lordship was of opinion that the King, who unfortunately still lay ill at Windsor Castle, should be advised to summon a special session of Parliament for the purpose of passing an Act for the suppression of the League, after the precedent adopted many years earlier in dealing with the Land League in Ireland. “I doubt whether we want more legislation, my lord,” said Westwood. “But we do need a stronger executive.” “I agree with Sir John,” said one of the group--Mr Justice Wigham, a man of downright type and resolute manner. “The plain fact is that the civil power has broken down. When that happens order can only be restored by the military arm.” “Hear, hear!” chimed in several; for the group was now growing larger. “Kitchener would be the man, if he were back from India,” said the Master of the Rolls. “He is back, my lord; he arrived yesterday; but he’s ill,” said the Solicitor-General. “Everybody’s ill,” observed Mr Justice Barling. “Illness has its advantages at the present time. I think I shall be ill myself.” The pleasantry was received with coldness. The learned judge was known to be a judicial joker of an inveterate type, but his brethren of the bench considered there was a “time for all things.” Similarly, Mr Harrowden, the well-known merrymaker of the magisterial bench, talking to some colleagues at the other end of the room, received no encouragement when he essayed to launch a little witticism and support it with a laugh. “Order, order!” exclaimed the Chief Justice, raising his voice. “This is quite unseemly.” “My brother Barling shouldn’t set such a bad example,” whispered Mr Justice Hartmill to his neighbour. “Things are pretty bad, but I suppose you know there is a possibility of something worse behind?” The speaker was Sir Gwilliam Ranthorn, a well-known judge, amongst whose excellent qualities a discreet reticence could not be numbered. “I had it on excellent authority,” said his lordship. “Had what?” asked some one. “Why, Germany is working at the wires, as usual. All this domestic disorder in England is being utilised abroad. Don’t be surprised at anything you hear within the next few days.” He nodded wisely. “Of course we’ve all heard rumours,” said Sir George Wigham, rather bluntly. “But even if they mean war, England can’t be attacked without some reasonable pretext.” “A pretext, if you like, but not necessarily a reasonable one,” returned Sir Gwilliam, warmly. “When will their army be stronger; and hasn’t the Kaiser got all the ships he wanted while we’ve been twiddling our thumbs?”