u for that
purpose."

"Very well," he said. He seized a pen and wrote with a steady hand.
"There," he said presently, "will that do?"

"Yes, that'll do perfectly. And believe me, Mr. Leicester, I am as sorry
as any man. And you'll forgive me, but my advice to you is, get out of
the town as quickly as you can. But don't leave by the Taviton Station.
There'll be a crowd there to watch every train, and that crowd means to
mob you."

"I'll see about that," said Leicester, his eyes flashing.

"Don't go to Taviton Station, Mr. Leicester. No doubt you could have the
law on them afterwards; but it's no use fighting the rabble. They think
you've lost them the election. My advice is, get a cab up quietly, and
drive to West Billington, a little wayside station five miles away. From
there you can get to London without coming through Taviton at all. I am
awfully sorry, Mr. Leicester, but I am sure you understand my position."

Leicester wanted to shout in his anger--he longed to pour curses upon
his visitor, upon the town, the election, upon every one. But he
controlled himself.

"Good-morning," he said.

Mr. Grayburn held out his hand, but Leicester would not see it. When he
had gone, he closed the door behind him, and sat down to think. His
breakfast was untouched, a number of letters which lay on the table
before him were unopened. What should he do? He did not notice the
waiter who came to remove the breakfast which he had not eaten; he sat
with closed eyes, thinking and brooding.

Presently he picked up a Bradshaw, and began to study it. Now and again
he would lift his eyes and stare into vacancy, then he would turn
eagerly to the time-table again, not to study the trains so much as the
map of the various railway lines.

About midday he rang for some sandwiches, and asked the waiter to send
the proprietor to him.

"I'm sorry for what has taken place, Mr. Leicester," that gentleman said
when he came.

"Very creditable of you, Jenkins," he said; "meanwhile you can get me a
carriage, and send me my bill."

"Yes, sir. Of course Mr. Grayburn told you I should have to get you out
of the town on the sly. This I must say, though, since you sent in your
resignation they are talking more kindly about you."

"How considerate of them! But that does not alter my plans. I wish to be
driven to West Billington."

"Yes, sir. From there you return to London?"

"I don't know. I presume, moreover, that where I go is remarkably