"Of course Ulster has a case," the other answered sharply. "Nobody but a fool denies it. I'm attacking the Government, not Ulster. Let them restore law and order in Ireland. That's their first job. When they've done that it'll be time enough to consider Ulster's grievances. Where's all this going to lead us?" "Hell," said the Colonel gloomily. He was, indeed, more miserable than he had ever been in his life. Other old Service men he met, who loathed the Government, looked on with amused or spiteful complacency at the part the Army was playing in the huge conspiracy against the Crown. The Colonel saw nothing but the shame of it, its possible consequences, and effect on opinion, domestic, imperial and European. He walked about as one in a maze: he could not understand. Then Mr. Geddes came to see him. The tall minister was very grave; and there was no question what he came about--the Army Conspiracy. The Colonel looked out of the window and twisted his long legs as he heard the other out. "Dear little Gough-y!" he murmured at the end. "The straightest thing that walks the earth." He felt curiously helpless, as he had felt throughout the Campaign; unable to meet his adversaries except by the evasion and casuistical tricks his spirit loathed. Mr. Geddes rose. "Well, Colonel," he said. "I see no alternative but to resign my membership of the League. It's perfectly clear that if your scheme goes through it must be run by officers at the War Office. And I'm afraid I must add that it seems equally clear now that it will be run for political purposes by men who put their party before their country." The Colonel turned slowly round. "You've very kindly lent us St. Andrew's Hall for a meeting of the League next Friday. Do you cancel that?" he asked. "Certainly not, Colonel," answered the minister. "By all means hold your meeting. I shall be present, and I shall speak." ... It was not a happy meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, but it was a crowded one: for the vultures had sniffed the battle from afar. The Liberals came in force, headed by Mr. Pigott; while Joe Burt led his wolves from the East-end. Ernie was there, very quiet now as always, with Ruth; and Bobby Chislehurst, seeing them, took his seat alongside. Fighting with his back to the wall, and well aware of it, the Colonel was at his very best: witty, persuasive, reasonable. What the National Service League advocated was not aggression in any shape, but insurance. He sat down amid considerable and well-earned applause. Then Mr. Geddes rose.