Part 31 (1/2)

In the lane, a group of men with tickets in their hats were loitering about the bridge. They comprised a Peaceful Picket within the meaning of the Act. They had been there since daybreak, and so far no one had shown any wish to dispute their position.

The war-kite and the picket in the lane were the ”eyes” of the opposing belligerents.

The League had nothing to gain by submitting the issue to the arbitrament of lead and fire. No one had anything to gain by it, but after a bout at fisticuffs a defeated child will sometimes pick up a dangerous stone and fling it. The League had accepted the challenge of those who marched beneath the red banner for war on const.i.tutional lines. Some of those who marched beneath the red banner were now disposed to try the effect of beating their ploughshares into swords, and however much the League might have preferred them to keep to their bargain, the most effective retort was to turn their own pacific sickles into bayonets.

In the staff room Salt was addressing his a.s.sociates--half military, half political--who now represented the innermost Council of the League.

Some of them had been members of former Ministries, others soldiers who had worn the insignia of generals, but they rendered to this unknown man among them an unquestioning allegiance, because of what he had already done, because he inspired them with absolute reliance in what he would yet succeed in doing, and, not least, because he had the air that fitted the position.

”More than two years ago,” he was saying, ”the first draft of the formation and operations of the League contained a section much to the following effect:

”'It is an essential feature of the plan that the League should work on const.i.tutional lines from beginning to end and in contemplation of bringing about the desired reforms without firing a solitary shot or violating a single law.

”'Nevertheless, it is inevitable that when the position becomes acute civil disorders will arise out of the involved situation, and demonstrations of the affected people will threaten the Government of the day on the one hand and the proposed League on the other.

”'In these circ.u.mstances it will be prudent to contemplate, as a last phase of the struggle, an organised military attack on the property of the League, masked under the form of a popular riot, but instigated or connived at by responsible authorities. I propose, therefore, to establish the League stores in a position naturally suited for defence, and to adopt such further precautions as will render them secure against ordinary attack.'

”We have now reached that closing phase of the struggle,” continued Salt. ”On the evidence of this report from Sir John Hampden we may a.s.sume that within twenty-four hours our aggressive work will be over.

Will our opponents, in the language of the street, 'go quietly'?”

”It has fallen to my lot to read the Riot Act on three occasions,” said one of the company, ”and I have seen disturbances in Ireland; but I have never before known an unorganised mob to surround a position completely and then to sit down to wait for night.”

”Lieutenant Vivash wishes to speak to Mr Salt personally,” said a subordinate, appearing at the door.

Salt stepped into the ante-room, and spoke through the telephone.

”Yes, Vivash,” he said to the man in the kite a quarter of a mile away.

”What is it?”

”Two general service wagons with bridge-making tackle have just been brought up, and are waiting in Welland Wood,” reported Vivash. ”There is a movement among the colliers over Barfold Rise. With them are about two hundred men carrying rifles. They are not in uniform, but they _march_.”

Salt turned to another instrument and jerked the switch rapidly from plate to plate as he distributed his orders.

”Captain Norris, strengthen the Territorials at the outer wire North.”

”Send up two star rockets to recall the motor-cycle scouts.”

”Tell Disturnal to have the searchlights in immediate readiness.”

”Fire brigade, full strength, turn out with chemical engine, and stand under earthwork cover at central tank.”

He turned again to the kite telephone to ask Vivash a detail. There was no response.

”Get on with Lieutenant Vivash as soon as you can, and let me know at once,” he said to the one who was in charge, as he returned to the staff room.

In less than a minute the operator was at the door again.

”I am afraid there is something the matter, sir,” he explained. ”I can get no reply either from Lieutenant Vivash or from the kite section.”

”Ring up the despatch room. Let some one go at once to Mr Moore and return here with report.”