'Jolly good. What about Bickersdyke?'

Psmith looked sad.

'I cannot make Comrade Bickersdyke out,' he said. 'You would think that
a man would be glad to see the son of a personal friend. On the
contrary, I may be wronging Comrade B., but I should almost be inclined
to say that my presence in the Senior Conservative Club tonight
irritated him. There was no _bonhomie_ in his manner. He seemed to
me to be giving a spirited imitation of a man about to foam at the
mouth. I did my best to entertain him. I chatted. His only reply was to
leave the room. I followed him to the card-room, and watched his very
remarkable and brainy tactics at bridge, and he accused me of causing
him to revoke. A very curious personality, that of Comrade Bickersdyke.
But let us dismiss him from our minds. Rumours have reached me,' said
Psmith, 'that a very decent little supper may be obtained at a quaint,
old-world eating-house called the Savoy. Will you accompany me thither
on a tissue-restoring expedition? It would be rash not to probe these
rumours to their foundation, and ascertain their exact truth.'




10. Mr Bickersdyke Addresses His Constituents


It was noted by the observant at the bank next morning that Mr
Bickersdyke had something on his mind. William, the messenger, knew it,
when he found his respectful salute ignored. Little Briggs, the