"Why, not forty, even after ten years' captivity. He is the only man who can bring back the ancient glory and prestige of the Kingdom. Once in our midst, the people will rally round him with enthusiastic loyalty. If well organised, it will be a bloodless revolution, Hartwell, a glorious and thankful reversion to the old system of man's government for man and woman. It is best suited to the British nation. We've tried something else and it's proved a failure." "A d----d failure," agreed the General, heartily. "We've given way to cranks and noisy, shrill-voiced women; to vapouring politicians; to socialism and all the other isms. We had a notion that we could ante-date the millennium and work the scheme of national life according to ideas of equality and uniformity. It can't be done. Experience proves that anomalies work well when logical systems fail. It's a conceited age, a puffed up generation. We are not really wiser than our fathers, though we think we are. Let us try to revert to first principles." "I'm your man, heart and soul," said General Hartwell, and the two old friends grasped hands across the table. "I knew you would be!" There was a shine as of tears in the Judge's eyes. "But you and I can't work this thing alone. We must have colleagues; not many, but some, or at least one," and he looked at Linton Herrick. "I'm with you too, sir," said the young man simply, "show me the way, that's all." "We three alone at present, with loyal hearts and silent tongues," said Sir Robert, gravely. "The Three Musketeers!" ventured Linton. "By Jove, yes," agreed the old officer. "And we undertake everything that serves the State," added Sir Robert, solemnly. They rose by mutual understanding and clinked their glasses. "All for one! and one for all!" they cried with one accord. And Major Wardlaw, opening the door at that moment, stared amazed. CHAPTER VI. THE REVOLT OF WOMAN. England was agitated by two items of the latest intelligence. The same journal which announced the sudden and serious illness of President Jardine also recorded a bold move in the campaign of the Lady Catherine Kellick, Vice-President of the Council of State. Enormous interest was roused, not so much by the advertised notice of a public meeting on affairs of State, as by the rumours of its real object. Ostensibly, the people of London were invited, so far as the accommodation of the Queen's Hall would permit, to hear a statement as to the position of public affairs and to consider questions of national importance. But it was well understood that the real aim of the convener of the meeting was to strengthen her grip on the helm of State by means of her rumoured forward policy, in the interests of the sex which she claimed to represent.