"You remember an interview in these chambers a little time ago, when you gave me a certain promise?" Farquhar remembered the incident well. "Yes, I gave you a certain promise. You have come to remind me of it?" "Are you overwhelmed with briefs?" "I cannot exactly say I am overwhelmed with them, but I have enough to keep me going." "I see," said Moreno quietly. He had cast aside his gay and chaffing mood; he was quite serious. "Can you depute those to somebody?" "If it were imperative, I could." Moreno rose and laid his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Good! Then I claim your promise. Pack your bag to-morrow morning and come with me to Spain. I am going to outwit them again. I might do it single-handed, but your assistance will be invaluable. Will you come?" "It is to help Guy Rossett?" "It is to help Isobel Clandon through Guy Rossett. I will explain everything as we travel together to-morrow." "I adhere to my promise," said Farquhar. "I will make all my arrangements in the morning. I shall be at your disposal after twelve. How long will you want me for?" "A week at the outside." Moreno stifled a yawn. In spite of his vigorous constitution, he was very tired. "Let us turn in, old man. I feel as if I could sleep the clock round." CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Contraras paid a flying visit to London. It was a secret visit, that is to say he stayed in an obscure hotel in the East of London, not venturing to his house in Fitzjohn's Avenue. His wife and daughter believed him to be still in Spain, from where he wrote letters to them at irregular intervals. He was far too busy to attend closely to domestic correspondence. Moreover, like many great reformers, he had little in common with his family. His wife openly sneered at his doctrines; privately she thought he was a hypocrite who lacked the courage to practise what he preached, to lead the simple life which he was inculcating upon others. Their only child fully endorsed the mother's sentiments. Moreover, she was in love with a young man who had been attracted to her by the report of her father's wealth. He was a poor cadet of an old and aristocratic family, and conservative to the backbone. The slightest word of this somewhat empty-headed young man outweighed the most profound arguments of the intellectual Contraras. She was very dissatisfied with her parent, with what she considered his nonsensical theories of perfect equality. Miss Contraras was quite content to take the world as she found it. She did not trouble her head about the woes of the humbler classes. As long as she could live softly and have plenty of new frocks, she was happy. Why should people with brains trouble to keep those who could not keep themselves? Contraras came over to be present at a special meeting of the English section of the brotherhood, held, as usual, at Maceda's restaurant. The great _coup_ had failed, but he was still undaunted, still full of resolution.