the world is
built on lies. Then I'll have a fine high-sounding attack on the
Government. Oh, I'll play the moral card, showing that their downfall is
a judgment from heaven. That'll please the pious Nonconformists. After
that I'll finish up with the statement that the battle of this election
is a battle between sobriety and drunkenness, between the friends of
temperance and the brewers and whisky distillers. I'll have a fine
peroration on the evils of drink; I'll picture a hundred and fifty
thousand poor devils staggering down to drunkards' graves every year.
That'll fetch 'em. Of course I shall be drunk all the time, but what
does that matter? In the old days I made my best speeches when I was
drunk, and to-night I'll give them a masterpiece. Of course the other
side will inquire here about what I've taken to drink, and the waiter
will say I've only had a bottle of soda-water!"

He laughed grimly at the thought, then noting the time he went into his
bedroom and carefully washed out his glass.

He caught a reflection of himself in a mirror, and the sight gave him a
start.

"My God," he said, "I've aged ten years in three days, and my head feels
a bit unsteady. I must be careful. It would spoil everything if I were
bowled over."

When a quarter to eight came, Leicester was ready for the advent of his
chief supporters. He was faultlessly dressed, and he looked calm and
dignified. He received the chairman of the meeting with grave courtesy,
and after a few minutes' conversation he walked with them to the Public
Hall, which was only a few yards away.

As may be imagined, the hall was crowded. Although the country had
expected the Government either to resign or to dissolve for weeks past,
the news of dissolution seemed sudden. The political fires were lighted,
and all the town was agog with excitement. People wanted to hear news
first hand, and they imagined that Leicester would bring it. They also
expected one of the brilliant speeches for which he was noted. Never
before, they reflected, had such a chance been given him, and they felt
sure that he would make the most of it. Therefore when the chairman,
followed by Leicester and the leading magnates of the town, came upon
the platform, the meeting rose _en masse_, and shouted until they were
hoarse. The fight which they had so long desired had commenced, and the
leader of the battle was before them.

Exactly as the clock struck eight the chairman rose. It was not hi