Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/206

 I carried in a little brown bag one million pounds in Bank of England notes."

The Minister's face grew serious.

"What became of them?" he asked.

"They are back in their birthplace. It seems that even when insensible I clung to the bag with the tenacity of my caste, or perhaps you would say like Judas, who also carried a bag, though not so well-filled, I fancy."

At first the right honourable gentleman smiled, then his face became grave, and indeed, menacing.

"For whom was that money intended, my lord?" he asked.

"I hoped to place it in your hands," replied Stranleigh.

The other did not speak for a few minutes, then he said slowly:—

"You mentioned your caste a moment ago. It is true that I hold it in scant respect, but I never went so far as supposing it foolish enough to believe I could be bribed into abandoning the course I have marked out for myself."

Lord Stranleigh blushed a delicate pink, and his embarrassment interfered with his utterance. He almost stuttered.

"You m-mustn't think that because I am a