Part 44 (1/2)

The figures came in thick and fast now, and the tale they told was of Medland's utter defeat. By twelve o'clock the issue in seventy-five seats was declared; of the other five, four were safe for Sir Robert; and Medland had only twenty-nine supporters. Puttock and Sir Robert were returned, and Kilshaw had a triumphant majority. His was among the last announcements, and it was greeted with an angry roar of such volume that the Club window filled in a moment. The crowd, tired of their disappointing watch, turned away from the Jubilee Hall, and flocked together underneath the window.

”Why don't you return thanks?” asked Captain Heseltine.

Kilshaw was drinking a gla.s.s of brandy and soda-water. He jumped up, gla.s.s in hand, and, going to the window, bowed to the angry mob and drank a toast to his own success before their eyes. Mr. Todd's gross bulk pushed its way to the front.

”Come down here,” he shouted, ”and talk to us, if you dare!”

Kilshaw smilingly shook his head.

”Three cheers for Sir Robert!” he cried.

”How's your friend Benham?” shouted one.

”We'll serve you the same,” yelled another; ”come down;” and a third, whose partisans.h.i.+p outran his moral sense, proposed a cheer for Mr.

Francois Gaspard.

”I think you'll have to sleep here,” said the Captain.

”Not I,” answered Kilshaw. ”They daren't touch me.”

”Hum!” said the Captain, doubtfully regarding the crowd. ”I don't know that I'd care to insure you, if you go down now.”

”We'll take you through,” cried half-a-dozen young men, the sons of well-born or rich families, who were heart and soul with him, and asked for nothing better than a ”row,” with any one indeed, but above all with the mob which they scorned, and which had out-voted them in their own town.

The tramp of horses was heard outside. Two lines of mounted police were making their way slowly down the street. A moment later two voices sounded loud in altercation. The officer in command of the force was remonstrating with Big Todd; Big Todd was a.s.serting that he had as much right as any one else to stand in the middle of Victoria Street and speak to his friends; the officer, strong in the letter of the law, maintained that no one, neither Big Todd nor another, had a right to adopt this course of action, or to do anything else than walk along the street whither his business might lead him.

”And they call this free speech!” cried Big Todd.

”Get on with you,” said the officer.

”Now's your time,” remarked the Captain. ”Slip in between the two lines and you'll get through.”

Kilshaw and his volunteer escort accepted the suggestion, and, linking arms, walked down-stairs. The Captain, after a brief inward struggle, followed them. Their appearance at the Club door was the signal for fresh hoots and groans.

”Now then, are you going?” said the officer to Big Todd.

The burly fellow cast a look round on his supporters.

”When I'm tired o' being here,” he answered.

Kilshaw's band slipped in between the first and second rank. The officer touched his horse with the spur, and it sprang forward. Big Todd, with an oath, caught the bridle, and another man seized the rider by the leg. He struck out sharply, and the line of police moved forward.

”Stand up to 'em, boys,” cried Big Todd, and he aimed a blow with his stick at his antagonist.

The young men round Kilshaw looked at one another and began to press forward. They wanted to join in.

A voice from behind them cried out warningly,