'And the public interest? The purity of politics? Cæsar's wife?' Liffey, in his turn, allowed himself an ironical smile.
'He will resign his place—not his seat, but his place. Isn't that enough? It's the end of his chosen career.'
'Have you spoken to him?'
'No. But of course I can make him. What choice has he? Is it true there's to be a question? I heard that Alured Cummins meant to ask one.'
'Between ourselves, it's a point that I had hardly made up my mind on.'
'Ah, I knew you were behind it!'
'It would have been just simultaneous with my second article. Effective, eh?'
'Have you anything quite definite—besides the speculation, I mean?'
'Yes. One clear case of—well, of Fricker's knowing something much too soon. I've got a copy of a letter our gentleman wrote. Clarkson gave it me. It's dated the 24th, and it's addressed to Fricker.'
'Good gracious! May I tell him that?'