"'Absurd, wasn't it? I, a citizen of the best and freest country on earth to be making common cause with a lot of crack-brained theorists who would replace constitutional government by the "Lion's Mouth" and the "Council of Ten"--a world ruled by a secret terror. But it seemed all right at the time. What was my life or any one man's life to the progress of civilization? It was only when I came to look at the means apart from the end that I realized the horrible fallacy of it all.' "'You withdrew, of course.' "'You don't quite understand. One doesn't withdraw from the "Dawn." He may cease to be identified actively with the propaganda, but he is still subject to be called upon for a term of "service"--that's the ghastly euphemism they use. You remember this and the night I received it?' "He took a pasteboard box from his pocket and handed it to me. It contained a small, red button, fashioned out of some semiprecious stone resembling Mexican opal. "'It was the first summons,' continued Estes, 'and within three days I should have been on my way to Berlin--to receive my instructions.' "'You refused, then?' "'There was Betty,' said the boy, simply. "'You must understand,' he went on, 'that this "service" can only be demanded once of a member. He may refuse compliance, if he chooses, but in that case there is a forfeit to be paid, and it becomes due after the third warning.' "'Well?' "'Must be paid, you understand. If not by the recalcitrant himself, then by the agent of the "Forty" through whom the summons comes. That makes it clear, doesn't it--Balencourt and his debt of honor?' "'When did you know--about him, I mean?' "'Here is the second button. Balencourt slipped it into my hand just before we went out to dinner to-night.' "'It is incredible. Balencourt is a man and you are but a boy. To take advantage of an act of youthful folly--' "'You forget that it is his life or mine,' interrupted Estes, quietly. "'But, George, it is unthinkable. When he knows--but you did tell him--about Betty--' "'That's just it, old chap. Balencourt asked her to marry him a week ago, just before I received the first red button.' "The monstrousness of the thing struck me all of a heap. 'The police,' I said, vaguely, but Estes shook his head. "'It is but postponing the bad quarter of an hour,' he said, gently, 'and I don't think that I could put up with this sort of thing indefinitely. Moreover, it wouldn't be fair to--to Betty. "'No,' he went on, 'it's better to have a limit set, just as it is now--for at least Balencourt will keep his word. Once past the 1st of August, I am safe.' "'We'll work within the limit, then,' I said, cheerfully. 'If we three--Crawfurd, you, and I--can't match wits with one polyglot son of the "Dawn," we might as well let the bottom drop out of the Monroe Doctrine and be done with it.' "We had arrived at the club. For an instant our hands met. 'Not a word to Betty,' he whispered.