"Here they are. My secretary wrote twice to Palliser last week and received no reply. That is why I sent you a telegram." "I was on my way to see you, anyway," Tallente observed. "I thought that you were going to offer me a seat." Mr. Horlock shook his head. "We simply haven't a safe one," he confided, "and there isn't a soul I could ask to give up, especially, to speak plainly, for you, Tallente. They look upon you as dangerous, and although it would have been a nine days' wonder, most of my people would have been relieved to have heard of your going to the Upper House." "I see," Tallente murmured. "In plain words, you've no use for me in the Cabinet?" "My dear fellow," the Prime Minister expostulated, "you have no right to talk like that. I offered you a post of great responsibility and a seat which we believed to be perfectly safe. You lost the election, bringing a considerable amount of discredit, if you will forgive my saying so, upon the Government. What more can I do?" Tallente was watching the speaker curiously. He had thought over this interview all the way up on the train, thought it out on very different lines. "Nothing, I suppose," he admitted, "yet there's a certain risk about dropping me, isn't there? You might drive me into the arms of the enemy." "What, the old Whig lot? Not a chance! I know you too well for that." "No, the Democrats." Horlock moved restlessly in his chair. He was eyeing his visitor steadfastly. "What, the people who have just voted solidly against you?" "Hasn't it occurred to you that that might have been political strategy?" Tallente suggested. "They might have maneuvered for the very situation which has arisen--that is, if I am really worth anything to anybody." Horlock shook his head. "Oil and water won't mix, Tallente, and you don't belong to that crowd. All the same," he confessed, "I shouldn't like you with them. I cannot believe that such a thing would ever come to pass, but the thought isn't a pleasant one." "Now that you have made up your mind that I don't want to go to the House of Lords and wouldn't under any possible consideration," Tallente asked, "have you anything else to suggest?" Mr. Horlock was a little annoyed. He considered that he had shown remarkable patience with a somewhat troublesome visitor. "Tallente," he said, "it is of no use your being unreasonable. You had your chance at Hellesfield and you lost it; your chance in my Cabinet and lost that too. You know for yourself how many rising politicians I have to satisfy. You'll be back again with us before long, of course, but for the present you must be content to take a rest. We can make use of you on the platform and there are always the reviews." "I see," Tallente murmured.