Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/237

 which, after all, was a likeness not far out of the way. To older people he recalled John B. Gough, the temperance lecturer, who began a discourse with almost trembling diffidence, but who roused the coldest audience the moment his coat-tails commenced to wave. This similitude was defective in one particular. Kirkstall Wilmot never suffered from moments of diffidence, trembling or otherwise.

"I've learned from Wynn the particulars about your venture regarding the coastguard stations, and of course I was one of the seven whom you kidnapped, so needed no account of that at second-hand. Now, you'd have been saved all the trouble you've taken if you had studied the subject deeply enough to acquaint yourself with the fact that an invasion of England is impossible. Perhaps you are prepared to admit that your two attempts to influence the mind of the Government have been neither more nor less than ghastly failures."

"Oh, yes; some friends of mine have been kind enough to point that out."

"Very good. Would you, then, be content to hear where the real danger lies?"

"Most interested, I'm sure."

"Have you ever visited Malta, or Gibraltar?"

"Both places, several times."