"Oh, my lord," he groaned, and his teeth chattered and his knees trembled, "I'm a reformed character--I am indeed. Perhaps if your lordship would kindly please to walk this way," and he opened a side door off the landing. "Knowing your lordship's generosity, and your lordship's interest in the family, and my own unworthiness, your lordship wouldn't be too hard upon a poor man whose repentance is genuine, and I could tell your lordship something of the very highest importance to her ladyship, and to Lady Ursula, and to your lordship, and to the whole family." I knew the man to be a clever scoundrel, and saw that he evidently had some information which might prove of value. A mystery did exist--of that I had had abundant evidence. Was I justified in refusing to find the key?--besides, if this man really possessed some secret, could it be in more dangerous hands? This last consideration decided me, and I followed the returned convict to a little sanctum of his own, which opened off the pantry, from which I emerged five minutes later a wiser if not a better man. "What a time you have been!" said Broadhem. "I suppose you have been arguing the point with my mother?" "No, I left that to Drippings here." I did not know his name, but my spirits were high, and I gave him the first my imagination suggested. "You have no idea what a treasure your mother has got in this man. I assure you there is no knowing what you may not owe to the influence for good of one devoted Christian servant of this kind--the proof of it is, as you see, that Lady Broadhem is perfectly willing that you should do what you like for the rest of the evening. Good-night, Drippings," and I passed the bewildered James, who evidently thought that both I and the terrified-looking butler had gone suddenly mad. "Broadhem," said I, "I have hit upon an entirely new and original idea. I am thinking of trying it myself, and I want you to try it too." "Well," said Broadhem, "I am never surprised at anything you say or do; what is it?" "It has been suggested to me by what I have seen at your mother's this evening--and you may depend upon it there is a great deal to be said in its favour; it is an odd thing it has not occurred to anybody before, but that leaves all the better opening for you and me." "Go on," said Broadhem, whose curiosity was getting excited. "Don't be in a hurry; it is possible you may not like the idea when you hear it, and under no circumstances must you tell it to anybody." "All right," said Broadhem, "but I hope it has nothing to do with companies--I hate dabbling in companies. I believe one does more harm to one's name by making it common than one gets good through the money one pockets." "Well, there is more truth than elegance of expression in that remark: it needs not have to do with companies unless you like." "Now, if it has anything to do with politics, I am your man."