n in the constituency, and the other side will be sure to
ask ugly questions."

"Let them ask."

"Very well, sir. Then you'll let me arrange things in my own way, and
make what explanation I think fit."

"Yes, anything you like. And look here, Smith, spare neither money nor
lies. It seems they are both necessary. Only, as you say, let everything
be judiciously managed." And he laughed bitterly.

"Trust me for that, sir, trust me for that. You wouldn't like to go
round to the Central Committee Rooms, sir? I've arranged to meet the
principal workers there."

"No, I'll not go just now. Don't let me detain you Smith. I shall want
something to eat, and a little time to think of my speech. And, by the
way, I don't want to be disturbed by any one, until a quarter of an hour
before the meeting. You understand that?"

"Quite, Mr. Leicester. I'm glad you approve of the steps I've taken."

"Delighted, delighted. You've done marvels."

"I've worked like a slave all day; there's been a thousand things to
arrange. But I'm what the Americans call a bit of a hustler, and I mean
to win. One must not be too squeamish at times like these, you know. I
was afraid a few weeks ago that you were going to hamper me with foolish
restrictions, but I am glad you give me a free hand."

"Yes, go ahead, only be judicious. Don't give the other side any chance
of making us come a cropper."

"I'll see to that," and the agent departed.

When he was gone, Leicester lay back in his chair and laughed bitterly.

"What's the odds?" he said. "Let him do what he likes. I don't care. The
whole business is a piece of jobbery. Smith thinks he's clever, and is
trying to outwit the agent on the other side, while he in his turn is
trying to outwit Smith. Well, let them. I'll get into Parliament, and
I'll play the game, and yes, I'll make Olive Castlemaine come to me on
bended knees. I hurt her pride, did I, by making her the subject of a
wager? Well, she would listen to no explanation afterwards, and now she
shall take the consequences. I see the meaning of Osborne's action.
John Castlemaine will have sent him some account of this business,
and--and--well, it's no use worrying. I'll make them all squirm before
I've finished; yes, and I'll win my wager too!"

His eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "High ideals! Moral purpose!
Raise the standard of politics! Those were her watchwords!" And he
laughed mockingly.

He was sitting in a private room in th