was, no doubt, a moving man in Percycross. Sir Thomas could at any rate promise that he would ask such questions, as Mr. Spicer certainly had friends who might be conducive to the withdrawal of the petition. Sir Thomas could at any rate put himself into correspondence with the War Office. Mr. Trigger also thought that Sir Thomas might judiciously study the subject of Italian rags, in reference to the great paper trade of the country. No doubt the manufacture of paper was a growing business at Percycross. Mr. Trigger returned all the applications, and ended his letter by hinting that the cheques might as well be sent at once. Mr. Trigger thought that "a little money about the borough," would do good at the present moment. It need hardly be said that this view of things was not pleasant to the sitting member, who was still confined to his house at Fulham by an arm broken in the cause. Sir Thomas had at once sent the L50 towards the Christmas festivities for the poor of the borough, and had declared his purpose of considering the other matters. Then had come a further letter from Mr. Trigger, announcing his journey to London, and Mr. Trigger and Sir Thomas had their first meeting after the election, immediately upon Mr. Neefit's departure from the chambers. "And is it to be?" asked Stemm, as soon as he had closed the door behind Mr. Trigger's back. "Is what to be?" "Them petitions, Sir Thomas? Petitions costs a deal of money they tell me, Sir Thomas." Sir Thomas winced. "I suppose you must go on now as your hand is in," continued Stemm. "I don't know that at all," said Sir Thomas. "You'll find as you must. There ain't no way out of it;--not now as you are the sitting member." "I am not going to ruin myself, Stemm, for the sake of a seat in Parliament." "I don't know how that may be, Sir Thomas. I hope not, Sir Thomas. But I don't see how you're not to go on now, Sir Thomas. If it wasn't for petitions, one wouldn't mind." "There must be petitions, of course; and if there be good cause for them, they should succeed." "No doubt, Sir Thomas. They say the bribery at Percycross was tremenjous;--but I suppose it was on the other side." "If it was on our side, Stemm, it was not so with my knowledge. I did all I could to prevent it. I spoke against it whenever I opened my mouth. I would not have given a shilling for a single vote, though it would have got me the election." "But they were not all that way, Sir Thomas;--was they?" "How can I tell? No;--I know that they were not. I fear they were not. I cannot say that money was given, but I fear it." "You must go on now, Sir Thomas, any way," said Stemm with a groan that was not reassuring. "I wish I had never heard the name of Percycross," said Sir Thomas. "I dare say," replied Stemm. "I went there determined to keep my hands clean."