For a time the workers seemed greatly pleased with their shorter hours. And then, from the Listening-in-Service, came the rumour of the strike. The first report of the strike gave me no clue to the grievance and I asked for fuller reports. When these came the next day I was shocked beyond belief. If I had anticipated anything in that interval of terror it was that my workers were to strike because their communications had been shut off or that they were to strike in sympathy for their fellows and demand that all hours be shortened like their own. But the grievance was not that. My men were to go on strike for the simple reason that their hours had been shortened! The catastrophe once started came with a rush, for when I reached the office the next day the psychologist was awaiting me and told me that the strike was on. I rushed out immediately and went down to the works. The psychologist followed me. As I entered the great industrial laboratories I saw all the men at their usual places and going through their usual operations. I turned to my companion who was just coming up, and said: "What do you mean; I thought you told me the strike was on, that the men had already walked out?" "What do you mean by 'walked out'?" he returned, as puzzled as I. "Walked out of the works," I explained; "away from their duties, quit work. Struck!" "But they have struck. Perhaps you have never seen a strike before, but do you not see the strike badges?" And then I looked and saw that every workman wore a tiny red flag, and the flag bore no imperial eagle. "It means," I gasped, "that they have renounced the rule of the Royal House. This is not a strike, this is rebellion, treason!" "It is the custom," said the labour psychologist, "and as for rebellion and treason that you speak of I hardly think you ought to call it that for rebellion and treason are forbidden." "Then just what does it mean?" "It means that this particular group of workers have temporarily withdrawn their allegiance to the Royal House, and they have, in their own minds, restored the old socialist regime, until they can make petition to the Emperor and he passes on their grievance. They will do that in their halls tonight. We, of course, will be connected up and listen in." "Then they are not really on strike?" "Certainly they are on strike. All strikes are conducted so." "Then why do they not quit work?" "But why should they quit work? They are striking because their hours are already too short--pardon, Herr Chief, but I warned you! "I think I know what you mean," he added after a pause; "you have probably read some fiction of old times when the workers went on strike by quitting work." "Yes, exactly. I suppose that is where I did get my ideas; and that is now forbidden--by the Emperor?" "Not by the Emperor, for you see these men wear the flags without the eagle. They at present do not acknowledge his authority."