“Because fatuously believing in pacific ideals, it did not protect itself. Equally fatuously you believed that you could impoverish other nations by economical pressure without their having recourse to primitive methods of retaliation. That is what happened. Europe, unable to meet the competition of America, founded first the central state of Europe, and by means of the Electronoid ray discovered in the laboratories of Europa, obliterated American civilization, prior to the subjugation of Asia. These, Bogardus, are what are known as the world wars.” Candora, at a nod from Manfreda, resumed her seat. Several of the council strained forward as though to question me, but Manfreda with a slight peremptory gesture of her uplifted fingers, enforced silence. “Bogardus,” she began, in her ever dispassionate voice, “you have heard of the reasons which culminated in the final world catastrophe, and the end of the male civilization. Later on you will be given an opportunity to study it in more detail. Now, if you are ready, I should like to put to you some questions of a general nature.” I bowed and glanced around the semi-circle, noting at once, a whispered consultation to my left. All at once Stella spoke: “Manfreda, without desiring in any way to influence the witness, does it not seem only fair that he should be informed of the real purpose of this inquiry?” “I regard the interruption as unfortunate,” said Manfreda, acidly, “and designed only to affect the impartiality of the testimony.” “Permit me, in the interests of justice, to record my objection with Stella’s,” said Dulcina. Though I did not then grasp the full import of the dissension, I was not without certain suspicions. “Would it not be better if I were represented by counsel?” I said, ironically. This question seemed to perplex my auditors. “By counsel? What do you mean, Bogardus?” said Manfreda. “In my day,” I answered facetiously, “when a board of inquiry was held to discover the truth, each witness always appeared with one or more lawyers who advised him when to refuse to answer.” “But if the object was to discover the truth, what right had he to refuse to answer?” “For fear of incriminating himself.” “But if he were guilty?” “He could not be proved guilty unless the board had equally good lawyers--and all traditions were scrupulously observed.” “If I may remark,” said Doctrina, who had been fidgetting, “Bogardus is speaking of a time when the curiously archaic jury system existed and judges were regarded as presiding legal hosts. It is well to remember that in those days of male-made justice, that it was necessary to convince every one of twelve jurors to procure a verdict. If one disagreed the accused was acquitted.” “Oh, more than that,” I added, “he was entitled to consider himself as publicly vindicated. I gladly surrender to your jury system, Doctrina.”