In the taxicab Groves talked of nothing but the lack of originality in invention in reference to aeroplanes. He seemed to take it as a personal affront that no workable adaptation of the aeroplane had been made to short-distance passenger traffic. Indeed, it was not till after "tea"--in Groves' case an euphemism for whisky and soda--that he would approach the subject of Thrale's visit. "The fact is, my dear fellow," he said, "that our campaign hasn't caught on. I'm going to let it down gently and drop it after to-day's edition. You see, we've got to get the Government out this session, and I'm going to start a new campaign. Can't give you any particulars yet, but you'll see the beginning of it next Monday." Like Maxwell, Groves differentiated between the uses of the singular and plural pronouns in speaking of his work. There was a distinction to be inferred between the initiation and responsibilities of the editor and those of his proprietors. Groves was not at all impressed by any earnestness or forebodings. He seemed to think that a touch of the plague in London might be rather a good thing in some ways. People wanted waking up--especially to the importance of getting rid of the present Government. It appeared that Thrale's articles on other subjects would be acceptable to the readers of the Evening Chronicle, but there was no suggestion that he should go out to Russia as a special commissioner. 3 Grant Lacey, of The Times, listened seriously to Thrale's exposition, and then, in a finely delivered speech which lasted twenty minutes, proved to his own complete satisfaction that Thrale's premises, deductions, and whole argument were thoroughly unsound. Lacey, however, was greatly interested in the condition of Russia, and promised Thrale magnificent terms if he would tour St Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Warsaw--and then return and contribute a special series of articles. References to the new plague would not be prohibited in the series if Thrale still found any cause for alarm. In all, Thrale had interviews with the editors of nine important journals; the other six developed on the general lines already indicated--either he was not taken seriously or was told that the danger was greatly exaggerated. The real causes of his failure were two:--first, the critical position of the Government; second, the precocious campaign of the Evening Chronicle--the latter had taken the wind out of the sails of less enterprising journals. Thrale's next step was to obtain introductions to Ministers and prominent members of the Opposition; but from them he received even less attention--he did not obtain interviews on many occasions--and, if possible, less encouragement. The President of the Local Government Board informed him that the matter was already engaging that department's energies; the others were all manifestly preoccupied with more immediate interests.