The Baronet glanced keenly at the man with the black pearl, and then quickly at his watch. The smile disappeared from his lips, and his face was set in stern and forbidding lines. “And may I know,” he asked icily, “what was the object of your plot!” “A most worthy one,” the other retorted. “Our object was to keep you from advocating the expenditure of many millions of the people’s money upon more battleships. In a word, we have been working together to prevent you from passing the Navy Increase Bill.” Sir Andrew’s face bloomed with brilliant color. His body shook with suppressed emotion. [Illustration: 16 What was the object of your plot?] “My dear sir!” he cried, “you should spend more time at the House and less at your Club. The Navy Bill was brought up on its third reading at eight o’clock this evening. I spoke for three hours in its favor. My only reason for wishing to return again to the House to-night was to sup on the terrace with my old friend, Admiral Simons; for my work at the House was completed five hours ago, when the Navy Increase Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority.” The Baronet rose and bowed. “I have to thank you, sir,” he said, “for a most interesting evening.” The American shoved the wine-card which Joseph had given him toward the gentleman with the black pearl. “You sign it,” he said. THE END. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Fog, by Richard Harding Davis