iable principles demand the sacrifice. He had
met Benham several times, since the latter had taken to frequenting
music-halls and drinking-shops, and had enjoyed some argument with him,
in which the loss of temper had been entirely on Benham's side. Francois
gave his order, sat down, lit his cigarette, and listened to his
friend's denunciation of the Government and its works.

Presently the company, having drunk as much as it wanted or could pay
for, or being weary of Benham's philippic, went its various ways, and
Francois was left alone with his opponent. Benham had been consuming
more small glasses of cognac than were good for him, and had reached the
boastful and confidential stage of intoxication. He ranged up beside
Francois, besought that unbending though polite man to eschew his evil
ways, and hinted openly at the folly of those who pinned their faith on
the Premier.

"He does not go all my way," responded Francois, with a smile and a
shrug, "but he goes part. Well, we will go that part together."

Benham leant over him and whispered huskily, bringing his fist down on
the counter--

"I can crush him, and I will."

"My dear friend!" murmured Francois. "See! Do not drink any more. It
destroys the generally excellent balance of your mind."

"Ah, you may laugh, but I can do it."

Francois used the permission; he laughed gaily and freely.

"All your party tries," said he, "and it does not do it. And you will do
it alone! Ah, _par exemple_!"

His cool scepticism unloosed Benham's tongue, when an eager curiosity
might have revived his prudence and set a seal on his lips. He had
chafed at being thought a nobody so long: Kilshaw's injunctions against
gossip had been so hard to follow: he could not resist trying what
startling effect a hint would have.

"I know enough to ruin him," he whispered, and something in his look or
tone convinced Francois that he believed what he said. "Yes, and I'm
going to do it. Others have got the money and'll back me--I've got the
information. We shall ruin him, Mr. G-Gaspard, we shall drive him from
the country, and where'll your precious party, and your precious
schemes, and your precious meetings be then? Tell me that!"

"He would be a great loss," remarked Francois calmly. "But, come, what
is this great thing that is to ruin him?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Eh, my friend, immensely!" smiled Francois, who spoke the mere truth,
for all he took care to speak it very care