"I am an American," Julien replied.
"And your profession?"
"A newspaper editor. I edit The Coming Age."
"This is not altogether in order," the tall man declared. "The meeting which we are holding to-night is not one in which the Press is interested. We are here to discuss one man, and one man only. I do not think that you would hear anything you could print, and as you do not belong to our direct association here I think it would be better if you did not enter."
Kendricks stood his ground, however.
"I must appeal," he said, "to your secretary."
The little man in spectacles came forward. Kendricks stated his case with much indignation.
"Here am I," he announced, "editor of the only socialist paper in London worthy of the title. I come over because I hear of this meeting. I bring with me my American friend, the editor of The Coming Age. For no other reason have we visited Paris than for this. If you refuse us admission to this meeting, the whole of the English branch will consider it an insult."
"And the American," Julien put in firmly.
The two men whispered together. The taller one, still grumbling, stood on one side.