This was done, and the motion being put to the vote, it was carried, _nem. con._ "Gentlemen," exclaimed Mr. Oldfoguey, "the power of appointment belongs, I believe, to me." "It does, by virtue of the office you hold," replied Mr. Twinkle. "Then I appoint as members of this investigating committee, Mr. Harkaway, Professor Mole, Captain Cannon, and Mr. Twinkle, with Mr. Harvey as Secretary, each gentleman paying his own expenses. The committee will start within a month for New York and report to us once a week." "On the subject of the buffalo?" asked Captain Cannon. "Precisely." No objection was made to this, and those named on the committee accepted the honor imposed upon them. Jack was willing enough to go to America, because Miss Van Hoosen was also going to that country, and he thought sufficiently well of her to wish to enjoy her society. When all was settled, the meeting adjourned, and Jack went to apprise Mr. Mole of his selection as one of the Buffalo Investigating Committee. The professor was still sleeping calmly, but he had attracted the attention of Lord Maltravers. This scion of the aristocracy was about twenty-five years of age, very rich and extremely haughty. His father died when he was young. He was educated by a private tutor who let him have his way in everything. His mother doted on and spoilt him. Young, rich, titled, handsome, what wonder was it, that he was arrogant and thought himself cast in a superior mold to his fellow-creatures, whom he despised and looked down upon. Maltravers hated Jack Harkaway, in the first place because Jack paid him no deference, and secondly because he fancied Lena Van Hoosen preferred the dashing Jack to himself. Knowing that Professor Mole was a friend of Jack's he lost no opportunity of insulting him. Seeing him asleep, he twisted a piece of paper into what boys call a 'jigger,' and lighting it at both ends, placed it on the old man's nose. He was accompanied by a young man who was his toady; his name was Simpkins, and in consideration of many favors bestowed upon him by Lord Maltravers, Simpkins was his most devoted servant. "Ha! ha!" laughed Simpkins, "what an excellent joke; that will wake the old boy up." "He's no right to sleep in a club, by Jove," remarked his lordship. "Certainly not; it is not the proper place." Presently the flame began to burn the skin of the professor's nasal organ, and he awoke with a cry of affright. His hands instinctively sought his nose and he pulled off the 'jigger.' "Confound it," he exclaimed, "my face is burnt. Who has done this?" The two young men began to laugh loudly and were evidently enjoying their practical joke. "I did it," said Lord Maltravers. "Is there anything else you want to know?" Mr. Mole regarded him with indignation. "If I wasn't an old man, I would chastise you for your insolence," he cried. "Don't fall back on your age," replied Maltravers. "I am here to take the consequences of anything I may have done."