mountains."

"And now," I said, "having won, you have the greatest of human
experiments before you. Your business is to show that the Saxon
stock is adaptable to a republic."

It seemed to me that they exchanged glances.

"We are not pedants," said Mr. Fish, "and have no desire to
dispute about the form of a constitution. A people may be as
free under a king as under a senate. Liberty is not the lackey
of any type of government.

These were strange words from a member of a race whom I had
thought wedded to the republicanism of Helvidius Priscus.

"As a loyal subject of a monarchy," I said, "I must agree with
you. But your hands are tied, for I cannot picture the
establishment of a House of Washington and--if not, where are you
to turn for your sovereign?"

Again a smile seemed to pass among the four.

"We are experimenters, as you say, sir, and must go slowly. In
the meantime, we have an authority which keeps peace and property
safe. We are at leisure to cast our eyes round and meditate on
the future."

"Then, gentlemen," said I, "you take an excellent way of
meditation in visiting this museum of old sovereignties. Here