Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/112

 "I was just being lectured by Sir George here on my deficiencies. I don't think you can better his censure, but there's no harm in trying."

"My dear Corbitt; I shouldn't venture to censure you. I merely happened to meet Sir William Ramsay in the library, and he was extremely kind to me, settling some points about radium that I never understood before. But there is a deeper mystery than radium, which perhaps Sir William could have solved, yet I didn't like to ask him, so I kept the question for you."

"All right; fire away. I'll answer it if I can."

"The mystery is, why should Sir William be so polite and courteous?"

"Why shouldn't he be?"

"Because, Corbitt, he was born in Glasgow."

Sir George Selwyn laughed so heartily that finally Corbitt joined him. Stranleigh went on seriously, unheeding the mirth.

"I came here, Sir George, to consult with Corbitt anent my political duty during the coming election."

"And I," said Corbitt, "refuse to be consulted about a thing that doesn't exist."

"What doesn't exist?" demanded Stranleigh.

"Your political duty. You haven't any political duty except to keep out of the fight. You might