ng so. It was as if the Ute Indians had sought to capture Washington
and conduct the government. Just as ridiculous as that! The debate
seemed to be exhausted, and the long-suffering Mr. Doby was inquiring
for the fiftieth time if the House were ready for the question, when Mr.
Crewe of Leith arose and was recognized. In three months he had acquired
such a remarkable knowledge of the game of parliamentary tactics as to
be able, patiently, to wait until the bolt of his opponents had been
shot; and a glance sufficed to revive the drooping spirits of his
followers, and to assure them that their leader knew what he was about.

"Mr. Speaker," he said, "I have listened with great care to the masterly
defence of that corporation on which our material prosperity and civic
welfare is founded (laughter); I have listened to the gentleman's
learned discussion of the finances of that road, tending to prove that
it is an eleemosynary institution on a grand scale. I do not wish to
question unduly the intellects of those members of this House who by
their votes will prove that they have been convinced by the gentleman's
argument." Here Mr. Crewe paused and drew a slip of paper from his
pocket and surveyed the back seats. "But I perceive," he continued,
"that a great interest has been taken in this debate--so great an
interest that since yesterday numbers of gentlemen have come in from
various parts of the State to listen to it (laughter and astonishment),
gentlemen who hold Federal and State offices. (Renewed laughter and
searching of the House.) I repeat, Mr. Speaker, that I do not wish to
question the intellects of my fellow-members, but I notice that many
of them who are seated near the Federal and State office-holders in
question have in their hands slips of paper similar to this. And I have
reason to believe that these slips were written by somebody in room
Number Seven of the Pelican Hotel." (Tremendous commotion, and craning
to see whether one's neighbour has a slip. The faces of the redoubtable
three a study.)

"I procured one of these slips," Mr. Crewe continued, "through a
fellow-member who has no use for it--whose intelligence, in fact, is
underrated by the gentlemen in Number Seven. I will read the slip.

"'Vote yes on the question. Yes means that the report of the Committee
will be accepted, and that the Pingsquit bill will not pass. Wait for
Bascom's signal, and destroy this paper."'

There was no need, indeed, for Mr.