"We have heard enough," pronounced the whining voice. "You have no other first-hand witnesses from overseas!"
"No, your lordships," admitted Juggins reluctantly.
"Then further talk is fruitless," he went on, while his colleagues nodded their sleepy assent. "We are agreed that there seems to be some difference of opinion concerning this measure. Were it not for the fact that his Majesty's Governor of New York appears to favor the bill, we should consider the case made out against it unanswerable. But in view of Governor Burnet's approval we are resolved that the matter shall be referred back to him with a request for a full report upon the issues raised, and pending the receipt of this report and a decision being reached his Majesty's Government will not take action in the premises.
"Good relations with the Government of his Most Catholic Majesty must be preserved, and the utmost care should be maintained that no injustice be done, however unwittingly, to any of the subjects of the two countries.
"What is the next case for consideration?"
The petitioners, much gratified, flocked around Murray and his ape-like servant, and I followed Master Juggins from the chamber and out into Whitehall.
"The scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "But 'twas no more than I had expected."
"And what will happen next?" I asked.
"If I know Governor Burnet as well as I think I do, Murray and his French friends will draw slight comfort from their triumph today."
"Why? What can he do?"