e Red Lion Hotel, and, as he had
said, he was glad that he was to have the liberty of the hotel, rather
than suffer the restrictions which a private house would place upon him.
Moreover, Bridget Osborne, as the friend of Olive Castlemaine, would
learn something of the truth, and it would be impossible for him to stay
there.

"I will keep up the farce of respectability," he said; "reports have
been spread that I've turned teetotaler. Well, I'll play the hypocrite."

He rang the bell and a waiter appeared.

"I'll have dinner alone here at seven o'clock," he said.

"Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?"

"Yes, a bottle of soda-water."

"Nothing with it, sir?"

"No, nothing."

He laughed as the man left the room. The old peculiar look had returned
to his eyes. After the waiter had brought a bottle of soda-water and a
tumbler, he went to his portmanteau, and took therefrom a bottle of
whisky. He poured a large portion into the glass, added a little
soda-water, and drank greedily.

"I shall suffer the torments of hell if I keep up this," he said; "but I
don't care. It's better than eternally brooding. Now I'll set to work on
my speech. Oh yes, she'll be sure to get a copy of the Taviton papers,
trust a woman for that,--well, she shall see that I can do without her."

His brain was still clear, and he showed no outward signs of drinking.
Men had said that his nerves were of steel, and that no spirits ever
distilled could affect him. He outlined the address he intended to
publish next day, and then sketched the speech he meant to deliver that
night. He laughed as his pen moved quickly across the paper.

"They want lies," he laughed, "they want pious platitudes; well, they
shall have them, and they shan't suspect that the man who utters them is
drunk, and that he's living in hell."

Again and again did he replenish his glass, and as often did he empty
it; but it still had no outward effect, save that his eyes became
glazed, and dull, and his face assumed an unhealthy look. His hand did
not shake, his writing was as clear as ever. His thoughts were expressed
in clear and convincing form.

"Yes," he said presently, "that will do. Olive's illness explained in
vague terms, but still explicit enough to satisfy every one. I'll arouse
their sentimental feelings, and get their votes. Of course the truth
will come out presently, but what do I care? Further lies will put
everything right. They want lies and they shall have them--