“I was the author. Yes, but that does not constitute treason.” “And why not?” “Because,” I replied, taking a long chance, “I am certain as the incident cannot have happened before, that no law can be on the statute books dealing with the case. I appeal to the Council and wait for a reply.” My surmise was correct, as a hurried consultation and furtive whispering showed me. “The question is, of course, one of a technical defence,” said Manfreda. “If you were appealing to a jury of men, accustomed daily to see justice miscarry, by appeals to legal mystification, you could evade the issue in the name of Justice. But--” “No buts, Manfreda,” I said, smiling at the immediate relief visible in the council at this extraordinary reply. “Your answer does credit to your sex, but in my day I have heard just as ingenuous answers from your prehistoric sisters. I pass to the next point. I am accused of rebellion against the State. A very serious charge. But on what grounds? Because I have urged my fellow men to demand social and political equality and to become total abstainers until their rights shall have been granted? Am I right?” I waited, but already a certain defiance of my legal acumen had become evident. There was a pause but no precipitation to reply. Finally Manfreda, forced to meet the issue, said: “And how do you reply to this charge you yourself have formulated?” “Ah, Manfreda, you are subtle but you are evading the issue, and you know it. Is this or is this not _your_ complaint against me?” For the first time I observed that adamantine temperament, show a touch of human resentment. “Yes, it is,” she snapped back irritably. “Good. Observe, you yourself, you the great Manfreda, have said it. It is treason for me to stir up my fellow men to insist upon equality. That is right, is it not, oh, Manfreda?” I think she perceived the trap, for she twisted in her seat and made as though to answer, but it was too late. “Your silence is consent, but it would have been franker to have said it,” I continued, for in humiliating Manfreda before the assembly I knew was my one chance of escape. “Now I appeal to every woman present. Was I the first to launch the cry of ‘Votes for Men’? Before I came was there not a party already formed who sought to rehabilitate my sex? Hasn’t the discussion been open and has there been any concealment that here even in this council its proponents have urged their views? Again I ask, am I right and pause for an answer? No one protests. I continue. If it was not treason to the State to urge male equality before I came, I submit that it cannot be treason for me to do so now. Again I appeal to the council that the second charge as the first charge has no bearing in fact, and ask that both be dismissed.” There was a burst of applause from the great crowd outside, to whom every word evidently was being transmitted, mingled with shouts of: “Votes for Men!” “Hurrah for Bogardus!”