"Ah, now we can get down to business!" said Belfield in a tone of relief. "This conversation is, of course, entirely confidential. We've looked at matters from that point of view, and--er--taken some advice. Wigram here says it can be done comfortably for twelve hundred--that's two hundred within the maximum. You needn't shake your head before I've finished! We think you ought to put up some of it, and to guarantee a certain sum annually towards Wigram's expenses. I'll tell you what we've decided to ask you for--two-fifty for the contest, and a hundred a year." "Now just think it over, Mr. Hayes, and tell us if you see your way to that." "But the rest?" asked Andy, half-bewildered; for the last great ditch looked as if it were being stormed and crossed. Because--yes, he might be able to--yes, with care, and prosperity at Gilbert Foot and Co.'s, he could manage that! Belfield wrote on a bit of paper: "Meriton, £250; Rock, £250; Belfield, £500." He pushed it across the table. "That leaves a little margin. We can easily raise the balance of the annual expenses." "Oh, but I couldn't possibly--!" "My dear Andy, it's constantly being done," Belfield expostulated. "Our friend Belfield, for reasons that you'll appreciate, feels that he would like to bear a share of the expenses of this fight, which under--well, other circumstances--would naturally have fallen entirely on him. My contribution is given for public reasons, Mr. Hayes, though I'm very glad that it should be of service to you personally." Meriton broke into a smile. "I expect I needn't tell you why old Jack Rock's name is there. We should have got into pretty hot water if we hadn't let him into it!" Belfield leant over to Andy, and said in a lowered voice, "Atonement's too strong a word, Andy, but I don't want the party to suffer through anything that's occurred. I don't want it left in the lurch. I think you'd like to help me there, wouldn't you?" Harry's father was against Harry. Harry's father urged him to step into Harry's shoes. "I think we've made you a practical proposition; it tides us over the next election anyhow, Mr. Hayes. By the time another Parliament has run its course, I hope you'll be in a position where ways and means will present no difficulty. Soon enough to think about that when the time comes, anyhow." "I think I can guarantee you success, Mr. Hayes," said Wigram. All the difficulties seemed to have vanished--if only he could take the offered help. "I feel rather overwhelmed," he said slowly. Meriton shrugged his shoulders. "We must hold the seat. If you don't let us do this for you we shall probably have to do it for some fellow we never saw, or else put up with some bounder who's got nothing to recommend him except his money. I don't want to press you unduly, Mr. Hayes, but in my opinion, if your private affairs don't make it impossible, it's your duty to accept. Would you like time to consider?" "Just five minutes, if you don't mind, Lord Meriton."