of whom,
endowed with little grey eyes, a stubbly beard, and that mysterious
something only found in those who have been mayors, rose at once and
came towards him.

"Mr. Courtier, I believe," he said bluffly. "Glad to see you, sir. Most
distressed to hear of this outrage. Though in a way, it's done us good.
Yes, really. Grossly against fair play. Shouldn't be surprised if it
turned a couple of hundred votes. You carry the effects of it about with
you, I see."

A thin, refined man, with wiry hair, also came up, holding a newspaper
in his hand.

"It has had one rather embarrassing effect," he said. "Read this

"'OUTRAGE ON A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

"'LORD MILTOUN'S EVENING ADVENTURE.'"

Courtier read a paragraph.

The man with the little eyes broke the ominous silence which ensued.

"One of our side must have seen the whole thing, jumped on his bicycle
and brought in the account before they went to press. They make no
imputation on the lady--simply state the facts. Quite enough," he added
with impersonal grimness; "I think he's done for himself, sir."

The man with the refined face added nervously:

"We couldn't help it, Mr. Courtier; I really don't know what we can do.
I don't like it a bit."

"Has your candidate seen this?" Courtier asked.

"Can't have," struck in the third Committee-man; "we hadn't seen it
ourselves until an hour ago."

"I should never have permitted it," said the man with the refined face;
"I blame the editor greatly."

"Come to that----" said the little-eyed man, "it's a plain piece of
news. If it makes a stir, that's not our fault. The paper imputes
nothing, it states. Position of the lady happens to do the rest. Can't
help it, and moreover, sir, speaking for self, don't want to. We'll have
no loose morals in public life down here, please God!" There was real
feeling in his words; then, catching sight of Courtier's face, he added:
"Do you know this lady?"

"Ever since she was a child. Anyone who speaks evil of her, has to
reckon with me."

The man with the refined face said earnestly:

"Believe me, Mr. Courtier, I entirely sympathize. We had nothing to
do with the paragraph. It's one of those incidents where one benefits
against one's will. Most unfortunate that she came out on to the green
with Lord Miltoun; you know what people are."

"It's the head-line that does it;" said the third Committee-man;
"they've put what will attract the public."

"I don't