"You see," objected Benham, "from what I can learn you're only in office from day to day, so to speak, and where shall I be if you get turned out?"
"We're safe anyhow till the Assembly meets, ten days hence."
"All right. I'll give you till then. And really, Jimmy Medland, little reason as I have to love you, I should advise you not to be a fool. Here's my address. You can write."
"I shan't write. I may send or come."
Benham laughed.
"He's got some wits about him, after all! Good-night. Mind giving me a fair start? You used to be a hot-tempered fellow and—however, I suppose Premiers can't afford the luxury of assaults."
"I'm sorry to say they can't," said Mr. Medland. "I'll wait five minutes where I am."
"All right. Good-night," and Mr. Benham disappeared among the trees.
At the end of five minutes the Premier resumed his interrupted walk and soon reached his home. His study showed signs of his daughter's presence. Her fan was on the table, her gloves beside it; on the mantelpiece lay a red rose, its stalk bound round with wire. Medland recognised it as like