Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/118

 you both. I must get home early and cogitate over this crisis."

The two men remained silent for some time after the young earl had taken his departure. It was Sir George who spoke first.

"There goes," he said, "the greatest danger to the Conservative Party."

"Oratory or cash?" asked Corbitt.

"Oh, his oratory will come to very little one way or another. But just imagine if he filled the war-chest of the Radicals with one million, two million or three million pounds? He could do it without feeling the loss, and the amount judiciously expended would sweep the reformers in by an overwhelming majority, merely by organisation, paid stump speakers, and thousands of motor cars on election day; all without in the least infringing on your Corrupt Practices Act."

"What an appalling prospect! Long and favourably as I have known Stranleigh, I should follow him now and sandbag him. By jove, I'll do it!" continued Corbitt, rising suddenly.

"Do what?" cried Sir George in alarm.

"I'll sandbag him."

"Nonsense, nonsense!" warned Selwyn. "Sit