"I mean it, Clutterbuck," he said; "I really mean it. All medicines are bitter at first; it's a big business, but it's the right way--I do assure you it's the right way. I suppose you've written about those Ruby Mines--postscripts, eh? A few cards I hope? A word or two to friends in the train? Mentioned them to the servants? They're very useful, servants are! Oh, and by the way, I ought to have told you--the parson. Parsons are splendid; so are doctors. But you can't have done them all yet." "Mr. Bailey," said Mr. Clutterbuck solemnly, "I haven't opened my lips in the matter; at least," he added, correcting himself, "only to my wife at dinner." "And Charlie 'Fitzgerald' was there no doubt. My Cousin Charlie?" asked William Bailey pleasantly. "I've just got past him on my list--at least not him, but his grandfather. 'Daniels--Fitzgerald 1838.' Jolly old man his grandfather, but a little greasy--I remember him. He was called Daniels--Daniel Daniels; son of old Moss Daniels, the Dublin sheeny, that came to people's help, you know; you ought to know about the Daniels; very old family; we used to call his wife's drawing-room the lions' den. She was my aunt, you know," he added cheerfully. "Cousin of mine, is Charlie." "Oh, but Mr. Bailey," groaned Mr. Clutterbuck, leaving all these irrelevancies aside, "what _am_ I to do?" "Oh, let 'em have it," said William Bailey in the serenity of his dissociation from politics and every other vanity. "Let 'em unseat me!" shrieked Mr. Clutterbuck. "You can't help it," said Mr. Bailey, "eh?" "But they can't prove anything," said his guest. He was excited and defiant. "There's nothing to prove!" "Oh, come," said Mr. Bailey, "come Mr. Clutterbuck. Don't go on like that. If they're going to unseat you, they're going to unseat you. And what's being unseated? Old Buffle was unseated three times." "I should die of it!" said Mr. Clutterbuck with a groan. "No you won't," said Mr. Bailey. "The Lord shall make your enemies your footstool; or, at any rate, His agent on earth will give you a good day's sport with them. Meanwhile you go on with those Ruby Mines. And, wait a minute, there's something to do to keep your mind off it meanwhile: there's a good agency in Fetter Lane; they have a lot of first-rate men. I remember a man called Bevan who did some very good work for an enemy of mine a little time ago. Go and give them a tenner and get them to find out who was behind that petition; though I think I know already. I'll come with you." * * * * *