"Mr. Dulac," he said. "Yes, he would have seen. Even to him it might have looked that way--it might. But I didn't--I didn't! You must believe me. I did not run to the police to have them charge the strikers again... Why should I?" "Why should you?" she repeated, coldly. "Let me tell you... I went there--out of curiosity, I guess. This whole strike came so suddenly. I don't understand why strikes and troubles like this must be, and I thought I might find out something if I went and watched... I wasn't taking sides. I don't know who is right and who is wrong. All I wanted was to learn. One thing... I don't blame the strikers for throwing bricks. I could have thrown a brick at one of our guards; a policeman shoved me and I could have thrown a brick at him.... I suppose, if there are to be strikes and mobs who want to destroy our property, that we must have guards and police... But they shouldn't aggravate things. I went around where I could see--and I saw the police charge. I saw them send their horses smashing into that crowd--and I saw them draw back, leaving men on the pavement,... There was one who writhed about and made horrible sounds!... The mob was against us and the police were for us--but I couldn't stand it. I guess I lost my head. I hadn't the least intention of doing what I did, or of doing anything but watch... but I lost my head. I did rush up to the police, Miss Frazer, and the strikers tried to mob me. I was struck more than once... It wasn't to tell the police to charge. You must believe me--you MUST.... I was afraid they WOULD charge again, so I rushed at them. All I remember distinctly is shouting to them that they mustn't do it again--mustn't charge into that defenseless mob.... It was horrible." He paused, and shut his eyes as though to blot out a picture painted on his mind. Then he spoke more calmly. "The police didn't understand, either. They thought I belonged to the mob, and they arrested me.... I slept--I spent the night in a cell in Police Headquarters." Ruth was leaning over the desk toward him, eyes wide, lips parted. "Is--is that the TRUTH?" she asked; but as she asked she knew it was so. Then: "I'm sorry--so sorry. You must let me tell Mr. Dulac and he will tell the men. It would be terrible if they kept on believing what they believe now. They think you are--" "I know," he said, wearily. "It can't be helped. I don't know that it matters. What they think about me is what--it is thought best for them to think. I am supposed to be fighting the strike." "But aren't you?" "I suppose so. It's the job that's been assigned to me--but I'm doing nothing. I'm of no consequence--just a stuffed figure." "You caused the strike." "I?" There was genuine surprise in his voice. "How?" "With that placard."