 the drink is in them, I shouldn't like your responsibility. You
might as well drive bulls to roar on our side as bribe a set of colliers and
navvies to shout and groan.«
    »A lawyer may well envy your command of language, Mr Holt,« said Jermyn,
pocketing his bills again, and shutting up his pencil; »but he would not be
satisfied with the accuracy - a - of your terms. You must permit me to check
your use of the word bribery. The essence of bribery is, that it should be
legally proved; there is not such a thing - a - in rerum natura - a - as
unproved bribery. There has been no such thing as bribery at Sproxton, I'll
answer for it. The presence of a body of stalwart fellows on - a - the Liberal
side will tend to preserve order; for we know that the benefit clubs from the
Pitchley district will show for Debarry. Indeed, the gentleman who has conducted
the canvass at Sproxton is experienced in parliamentary affairs, and would not
exceed - a - the necessary measures that a rational judgment would dictate!«
    »What! you mean the man who calls himself Johnson?« said Felix, in a tone of
disgust.
    Before Jermyn chose to answer, Harold broke in, saying, quickly and
peremptorily, »The long and short of it is this, Mr Holt: I shall desire and
insist that whatever can be done by way of remedy shall be done. Will that
satisfy you? You see now some of a candidate's difficulties?« said Harold,
breaking into his most agreeable smile. »I hope you will have some pity for me.«
    »I suppose I must be content,« said Felix, not thoroughly propitiated. »I
bid you good-morning, gentlemen.«
    When he was gone out, and had closed the door behind him, Harold, turning
round and flashing, in spite of himself, an angry look at Jermyn, said -
    »And who is Johnson? an alias, I suppose. It seems you are fond of the
name.«
    Jermyn turned perceptibly paler, but disagreeables of this sort between
himself and Harold had been too much in his anticipations of late for him to be
taken by surprise. He turned quietly round and just touched the shoulder of the
person seated at the bureau, who now rose.
    »On the contrary,« Jermyn answered, »the Johnson in question is this
gentleman, whom I have the pleasure of introducing to you as one of my most
active helpmates in electioneering business
