Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/231

 "I feel in a position now, however, to say disagreeable things with more confidence than has hitherto been the case."

"I'm sure I never objected to them, and I hope you are not under the illusion that you have refrained from them during the past."

"Perhaps not, perhaps not. You see, I had a sort of free and independent training. I am first of all a journalist, and a secretary only in a secondary capacity. As a journalist I hate to see futility around me. I wish to talk with you like a rich uncle on the failure of your last two schemes."

"If you so dislike futility, may I point out that the proper time to have spoken was before my plans were put into practice?"

"Ah, yes; but before they were put into practice I was merely a poor, sweated minion of my lord. Now I address you as a man of substance."

"All right. Go ahead. I know from experience you can't be stopped, but before you begin, I should like to protest against your calling my last scheme a failure. I did what I set out to do. I captured the most obstreperous section of the Government, and straightway kidnapped the contingent. I gave them an object lesson that won't be forgotten."