with the worthy object of detaining you from the House of Commons. I
must explain to you, that all through this evening I have had a
servant waiting in Trafalgar Square with instructions to bring me word
as soon as the light over the House of Commons had ceased to burn. The
light is now out, and the object for which we plotted is attained."

The Baronet glanced keenly at the man with the black pearl, and then
quickly at his watch. The smile disappeared from his lips, and his
face was set in stern and forbidding lines.

"And may I know," he asked icily, "what was the object of your plot!"

"A most worthy one," the other retorted. "Our object was to keep you
from advocating the expenditure of many millions of the people's money
upon more battleships. In a word, we have been working together to
prevent you from passing the Navy Increase Bill."

Sir Andrew's face bloomed with brilliant color. His body shook with
suppressed emotion.

"My dear sir!" he cried, "you should spend more time at the House and
less at your Club. The Navy Bill was brought up on its third reading
at eight o'clock this evening. I spoke for three hours in its favor.
My only reason for wishing to return again to the House to-night was
to sup on the terrace with my old friend, Admiral Simons; for my work
at the House was completed five hours ago, when the Navy Increase Bill
was passed by an overwhelming majority."

The Baronet rose and bowed. "I have to thank you, sir," he said, "for
a most interesting evening."