“Ah--the ‘Word’--‘I believe in the Word.’ Quite so. Hardly so effective. Everybody has believed in the ‘Word’ since the time of Moses. But the ‘sword,’ it takes a big man just now--just at the moment--to believe in the sword.” “He doesn’t believe in it, that’s the whole point.” Helen’s voice grew a little strained. “It’s a mistake, just a ghastly mistake. On no account, he says, must the speech be circulated. It will do so much harm, not only in this country, but in America, where he has so many friends.” “So many friends in America. How interesting!” Again the head of the good boy received a gentle, fatherly pat. “Don’t you see--that a speech like that--may undo a reputation--a reputation that it has taken years--years--to build up?” “You think so?” The soul of a courtier was in the throbbing warmth of that faint whisper. “Well, you are always right.” What in the mouth of any one else would have been a gross compliment became in that of the Colossus a sober presentment of fact. “It is of vital importance that the speech, at any rate the U. P. version, shall not appear in to-morrow’s _Planet_ or _Mercury_.” “Quite.” Mr. Hartz nodded indulgently. “One appreciates that ... at least ... one appreciates his feeling about it ... dear fellow!” “He has an important meeting at Hellington to-morrow.” “Quite.” Again the indulgent nod. “And the U. P. must circulate an unconditional withdrawal to overtake as quickly as possible the harm it has already done.” There was not an instant’s hesitation. “If he wants that, he’s entitled to have it certainly.” “But there’s so little time,” said Helen urgently. “It is only with the utmost difficulty that Mr. Fuller has been persuaded to keep the provincial _Mercury_ off the machines until a quarter to twelve, in the hope of being able to get your permission to omit the speech altogether. There’s only five minutes now, I’m afraid.” “Much may happen in five minutes at the headquarters of the planetary bodies.” The playfulness of the Colossus was delightful. It was also reassuring. For it had been said of him that inside five minutes he was fully competent to knock Saturn out of the firmament and put it back again. “Have I your authority to stop the _Mercury_?” Her eagerness was a little pathetic. “Why, of course,--of course.” The tone was thistledown. “If I may use your telephone----” She was on her feet, the woman of action. “Sit down, please, and go on reading his clever book while I myself speak a little word to the Office. These rubs will arise, don’t you know, in the best regulated families, as Lucifer, Son of the Morning, is said to have remarked on a much-celebrated occasion to President Wilson.” With the air of a very kindly, rather boyish, old gentleman having a game of romps with a favorite grandchild, he forced her back to her chair and her book. And then with a kind of elephantine humor he made for the door.