. I may come before--I may give you the
whole day for your own. I make no promise. Your address--write it
down. I have no memory."

Maraton wrote it and passed it over. Selingman thrust it into his
pocket.

"I go to work," he cried. "Some part of the genius of your voice shall
tremble to-morrow in the genius of my prose. I promise you that.
'Listen,' our friend Maxendorf would say, 'to the vainest man in
Europe!' But I know. No man knows himself save himself. Adieu!"

CHAPTER XXVII

The lengthy reports of his Sheffield visit and speeches, of which the
newspapers made great capital, an extraordinary impression of the same
in Selingman's wonderful prose, and the caprice of a halfpenny paper,
made Maraton suddenly the most talked about man in England. A notoriety
which he would have done much to have avoided was forced upon him.
Early on the morning following his return, his house was besieged with a
little stream of journalists, photographers, politicians, men and women
of all orders and degrees, seeking for a few moments' interview with the
man of the hour. Maraton retreated precipitately into his smaller study
at the back of the house, and left Aaron to cope as well as he might
with the assailing host. Every now and then the telephone bell rang,
and Aaron made his report.

"There are fourteen men here who want to interview you," he announced,
"all from good papers. If you won't be interviewed, some of them want a
photograph."

"Send them away," Maraton directed. "Tell them the only photograph I
ever had taken is in the hands of the Chicago police."

"There's the editor here himself from the _Bi-Weekly_."

"My compliments and excuses," Maraton replied. "I will be interviewed
by no one."

"There's a representative from the _Oracle_ here," Aaron continued, "who
wants to know your exact position in connection with the Labour Party.
What shall I say?"

"Tell him to apply to Mr. Dale!" Maraton answered.

"Mr. Foley and Lady Elisabeth Landon are outside in a car. Mr.
Foley's compliments, and if you could spare a moment, they would be glad
to come in and see you."

Maraton hesitated.

"You had better let them come in.

"Shall I go?" Julia asked.

Maraton shook his head.

"Stay where you are," he enjoined. "Perhaps they will go sooner, if
they see that I am at work with you."

Mr. Foley was in his best and happiest mood. He shook hands heartily
with Maraton. Elisabeth said nothing at all, but Maraton