tes, and
was straightway mired in a ploughland of tramway finance and
sticky statistics. After ten minutes of this he turned a furrow,
so to speak, and zigzagged off into Education "Provided" and
"Non-Provided," lunging and floundering with the Church Catechism and
the Rate-Book until I dare say his audience mistook the two for one
single composition.

"Poor old Jack!" I thought. "This will be boring him stiff." . . .
And with that I sat up of a sudden, listening. Sure as fate I heard
the damned thing coming . . . coming . . .

"This brings me," said Mr. Farrell, "to the subject of Grants--Grants
from the Imperial Exchequer and Special Grants from the London County
Council to certain University Colleges, of which you have one in your
midst--" It was at this point that I sat up.

"I may claim," went on Mr. Farrell, "to be no foe of Higher
Education. I am all for the Advancement of Science. In my own way
of business I have frequently had occasion to consult scientific
experts, and have derived benefit--practical benefit--from their
advice. I freely own it. What's more, ladies and gentlemen, I am
all for Research, provided you keep it within limits.

"What do I mean by limits? . . . I have here, in my hand, ladies and
gentlemen, a document. It is signed by a number of influential
persons, including several ladies of title. This document alleges--
er--certain practices going on in a certain University College not
five hundred yards from where I stand at this moment; and it asks me
what I think of them, and if public money--your money and mine--
should be voted to encourage that and similar forms of Research--"

"Great Scott!" groaned Jimmy, and touched my arm. "Otty, look at the
Professor's face! To think we--"

"I have also," pursued Mr. Farrell, "a supplementary paper,
extensively signed in the constituency, supporting the document
mentioned and asking for a Public Inquiry; asking me if I am willing
to press for a Royal Commission. It was put into my hands as I
entered the hall; but I have no hesitation whatever in answering that
question.

"A certain Professor is mentioned--I have not the pleasure of his
acquaintance--and a certain--er--" Mr. Farrell consulted his papers--
"Laboratory of Physiological Research. I made my own way in the
world. But I am an Englishman, I hope; and when such a document as
this, influentially signed, is put into my hands and an answer
demanded of me, what sort of answ