The three strangers advanced. “Your names? Each one answer separately, please!” “Pasquin Leroy!” “Axel Regor!” “Max Graub!” “Of what nationality, Pasquin Leroy?” Leroy smiled. “Truly I claim none!” he said; “I was born a slave.” “A slave!” The words were repeated in tones of astonishment round the room. “Why, yes, a slave!” repeated Leroy quietly. “You have heard of black slaves,--have you not heard of white ones too? There are countries still, where men purchase other men of their own blood and colour;--tyrannous governments, which force such men to work for them, chained to one particular place till they die. I am one of those,--though escaped for the present. You can ask me more of my country if you will; but a slave has no country save that of his master. If you care at all for my services, you will spare me further examination on this subject!” Zegota looked enquiringly at Thord. “We will pass that question,” said the latter, in a low tone. Zegota resumed-- “You, Axel Regor--are you a slave too?” Axel Regor smiled languidly. “No! I am what is called a free-born subject of the realm. I do what I like, though not always how I like, or when I like!” “And you, Max Graub?” “German!” said that individual firmly; “German to the backbone--Socialist to the soul!--and an enemy of all ruling sovereigns,--particularly the one that rules _me_!” Thord smiled darkly. “If you feel inclined to jest, Max Graub, I must warn you that jesting is not suited to the immediate moment.” “Jesting! I never was more in earnest in my life!” declared Graub,--“Why have I left my native country? Merely because it is governed by Kaiser Wilhelm!” Thord smiled again. “The subject of nationality seems to excite all three of you,” he said, “and though we ask you the question _pro forma_, it is not absolutely necessary that we should know from whence you come. We require your names, and your oath of fealty; but before binding yourselves, I will read you our laws, and the rules of membership for this society; rules to which, if you join us, you are expected to conform.” “Suppose, for the sake of argument,” said Pasquin Leroy,--“that after hearing the rules we found it wisest to draw back? Suppose my friends,--if not myself,--were disinclined to join your Society;--what would happen?” As he asked the question a curious silence fell upon the company, and all eyes were turned upon the speaker. There was a dead pause for a moment, and then Thord replied slowly and with emphasis:-- “Nothing would happen save this,--that you would be bound by a solemn oath never to reveal what you had heard or seen here to-night, and that you would from henceforth be tracked every day and hour of your life by those who would take care that you kept your oath!” “You see!” exclaimed Axel Regor excitedly, “There is danger----”