“I will post up one if everyone else will do the same,” he said. The chairman looked slowly round him. “I agree to put up one,” he said deliberately. There was another silence, during which the two Vanes consulted each other’s countenances. The same thought had occurred to each. What was to prevent them from taking a copy of the treasonable document and discreetly disposing of it in private? The Hon. Gerald St. John shrugged his shoulders. “If Stuart is going to post one up, I shall do the same, though I don’t agree with it.” The Chevalier Vane rose to his feet with considerable emotion. “Give me a copy, and I will do my duty,” he said sublimely. “I answer for my brother as well.” Mr. St. Maur had meanwhile been deciding on his private course of action. Convinced that the present proceedings must be taken seriously by the authorities, he had resolved to earn his own pardon by a whole-souled repentance. He lowered his eyes to the ground, as he said: “For my part I am compelled to dissociate myself from this manifesto at such a time. I desire that my protest may be recorded in the minutes of the Guild.” The Chevalier and his brother exchanged alarmed glances. The idea that their courageous undertaking might be recorded in writing had not occurred to them. “Surely there will be no record taken of to-night’s meeting!” Egerton exclaimed. “These proceedings are confidential!” Des Louvres hastened to reassure him. He had conceived a suspicion from St. Maur’s manner, and determined to balk him. “I am in the hands of the committee,” he said. “But in my opinion it will be best to make no entry beyond the names of those present, and to state that the proceedings were of a private character.” Basil Dyke sprang to his feet. “In that case I shall withdraw at once!” he declared. “I consider you had no right to bring us here without warning us of what you were going to propose. This is high treason. I shall resign my membership of the Guild.” “I move that Mr. Dyke’s resignation be accepted,” said Alistair swiftly, going through the necessary formalities, as the irate novelist made his way to the door. Wickham Vane cast a reproachful glance at his brother. “If there is going to be any record of to-night’s meeting, I shall go as well,” he announced. Des Louvres saw that he must give way. “Have it as you please,” he remarked. “As I said, I am in your hands.” Then, with a warning glance in St. Maur’s direction, he added: “That concludes the business of the meeting. Those who have undertaken to post up copies of the Assertion had better remain behind to consult as to the most appropriate places.” The informer was obliged to take the hint. “Very well, gentlemen,” he said, as he rose to go. “Remember that if this lands you in trouble, I have done my best to save you.” “That fellow means to betray us,” said Des Louvres, as the door closed behind the Irishman. “He will turn King’s evidence if the police get on our track.”