’s leaders; and then one day the Government came to the conclusion that something definite and drastic must be done. A deputation, consisting of the prime minister, the foreign secretary, four leading financiers, and a well-known Nonconformist divine, made its way to the offices of the paper. At the door leading to the editorial department the way was barred by a nervous but defiant office-boy.

“ ‘You can’t see the editor nor any of the staff,’ he announced.

“ ‘We insist on seeing the editor or some responsible person,’ said the prime minister, and the deputation forced its way in. The boy had spoken truly; there was no one to be seen. In the whole suite of rooms there was no sign of human life.

“ ‘Where is the editor?’ ‘Or the foreign editor?’ ‘Or the chief leader-writer? Or anybody?’