The news of the decision of our committee seemed to have spread with quite unexampled rapidity. We came straight from the meeting, and we found that Lady Moyne had already recognized the necessity for flight. "I'm glad you're going," said Moyne, "and I'm glad you're taking Marion with you. But how did you know? Who told you what--?" "That young man who's Mr. Conroy's secretary," said Lady Moyne. "I forget his name." "Bob Power," I said. "He came in to see Marion, and he told us." Bob must have known beforehand what the committee's decision was to be. I realized that Conroy must have had the whole plan cut and dried; that the meeting at which Moyne presided was simply a farce. However, there was nothing to be gained by discussing that. "I think," I said, "that Moyne ought to go with you. I don't think Belfast is particularly safe for him just now; and--" "Moyne must stay, of course," said Lady Moyne. "There'll be trouble afterwards," I said. "He ought not to be mixed up in it. If he clears out at once--" Lady Moyne looked at me with an expression of wonder on her face. Her eyes opened very wide. "Surely," she said, "you don't expect him to run away." "Of course not," said Moyne; "of course not. And there's really no risk. I'll--" "That's not the kind of people we are," said Lady Moyne. "I'll join you at Castle Affey in a couple of days," said Moyne. "Castle Affey," said Lady Moyne. "I'm not going to Castle Affey. I'm going to London." "What for?" I said. "And how are you going to get there? There are no steamers on Sunday night." "I'm taking possession of Mr. Conroy's yacht," said Lady Moyne. "She's lying off Bangor, and that young man, Mr. Power, said we could have her. We'll get across to Stranraer this evening, and I'll have a special train and be in London to-morrow morning." "London!" said Moyne. "But why London? Surely Castle Affey--" "I must see the Prime Minister early to-morrow. He must be persuaded--he must be forced if necessary--to telegraph orders to Belfast. Don't you realize? I don't blame you, I don't blame either of you for the failure of your meeting this afternoon. I'm sure you did your best. But--but what will happen here to-morrow? We can't leave the people to be shot down like dogs. After all, they're _our_ people." "But what can you do?" said Moyne. "The Prime Minister won't see you." "If necessary I shall force him," said Lady Moyne. "He shall see me." Lady Moyne is, as I have always said, a remarkable woman. Many members of her sex have been trying for years to force their way into the presence of the Prime Minister. They have hitherto failed. "I am afraid," I said, "that Marion won't be much use to you if you're going to come into collision with the police in any way." Lady Moyne smiled. "I hope I shan't be reduced to those methods," she said; "but if I am I shall leave Marion at home."