ject of his own wrongs. And so important had this brewery
question become that he was listened to with every sign of interest
when he told the people for how many years Bungall and Tappitt had
brewed beer for them, there in Baslehurst. Doubtless he was met by
sundry interruptions from the Rowanites.

"What sort of tipple has it been, T.?" was demanded by one voice.

"Do you call that beer?" said a second.

"Where do you buy your hops?" asked a third.

But he went on manfully, and was buoyed up by a strong belief that he
was fighting his own battle with success.

Nor was Rowan slow to answer him. He was proud to say that he was
Bungall's heir, and as such he intended to continue Bungall's
business. Whether he could improve the quality of the old tap he
didn't know, but he would try. People had said a few weeks ago that
he had been hounded out of Baslehurst, and did not mean to come back
again. Here he was. He had bought property in Baslehurst. He meant
to live in Baslehurst. He pledged himself to brew beer in Baslehurst.
He already regarded himself as belonging to Baslehurst. And, being
a bachelor, he hoped that he might live to marry a wife out of
Baslehurst. This last assurance was received with unqualified
applause from both factions, and went far in obtaining for Rowan that
local popularity which was needful to him. Certainly the Rowan
contest added much to the popular interest of that election.

At the close of the poll on that evening it was declared by the mayor
that Mr. Butler Cornbury had been elected to serve the borough in
Parliament by a majority of one vote.

CHAPTER X.

THE BASLEHURST GAZETTE.

By one vote! Old Mr. Cornbury when he heard of it gasped with dismay,
and in secret regretted that his son had not been beaten. What seat
could be gained by one vote and not be contested, especially when
the beaten candidate was a Jew clothier rolling in money? And what
sums would not a petition and scrutiny cost? Butler Cornbury himself
was dismayed, and could hardly participate in the exultation of his
more enthusiastic wife. Mr. Hart of course declared that he would
petition, and that he was as sure of the seat as though he already
occupied it. But as it was known that every possible electioneering
device had been put in practice on his behalf during the last two
hours of the poll, the world at large in Baslehurst believed that
young Cornbury's position was secure. Tappitt and some few others
w