er's manner, Lord
Danesbury merely turned from the papers before him to say, 'Ah, indeed!
it would be very well done. We were talking about that, were we not,
yesterday? What was it?'

'The Greek--Kostalergi's daughter, my lord?'

'To be sure. You are incredulous about her, ain't you?'

'On the contrary, my lord, I opine that the fellow has told us the truth. I
believe he has a daughter, and destines this money to be her dowry.'

'With all my heart; I do not see how it should concern me. If I am to pay
the money, it matters very little to me whether he invests it in a Greek
husband or the Double Zero--speculations, I take it, pretty much alike.
Have you sent a telegram?'

'I have, my lord. I have engaged your lordship's word that you are willing
to treat.'

'Just so; it is exactly what I am! Willing to treat, willing to hear
argument, and reply with my own, why I should give more for anything than
it is worth.'

'We need not discuss further what we can only regard from one point of
view, and that our own.'

Lord Danesbury started. The altered tone and manner struck him now for the
first time, and he threw his spectacles on the table and stared at the
speaker with astonishment.

'There is another point, my lord,' continued Atlee, with unbroken calm,
'that I should like to ask your lordship's judgment upon, as I shall in
a few hours be in Ireland, where the question will present itself. There
was some time ago in Ireland a case brought under your lordship's notice
of a very gallant resistance made by a family against an armed party who
attacked a house, and your lordship was graciously pleased to say that some
recognition should be offered to one of the sons--something to show how the
Government regarded and approved his spirited conduct.'

'I know, I know; but I am no longer the Viceroy.'

'I am aware of that, my lord, nor is your successor appointed; but any
suggestion or wish of your lordship's would be accepted by the Lords
Justices with great deference, all the more in payment of a debt. If, then,
your lordship would recommend this young man for the first vacancy in the
constabulary, or some place in the Customs, it would satisfy a most natural
expectation, and, at the same time, evidence your lordship's interest for
the country you so late ruled over.'

'There is nothing more pernicious than forestalling other people's
patronage, Atlee. Not but if this thing was to be done for yourself--'

'Pardon me