"Infernal job," he began, "having to talk business, 'specially when you've tasted freedom."
He filled his pipe, lit it carefully, and went on. "I got back to London early yesterday morning. Spent the day clearing up my worldly affairs.… Don't look scared, Roddy. I've thrown up the Professorship—that's all."
"Why, in the world?" I wanted to know.
"You may put it," he answered easily, "that, as the clerics say, I've had a higher call."
"Don't understand," said I; "unless you're telling us that Travers—" "Travers?" His eyebrows went up. "Oh, I see what you mean. No: Travers hasn't been running around and finding me a better-paid job as a solatium. He's a good fellow and quite capable of it. Even hinted at something of the sort when I broke it to him verbally, yesterday afternoon. I thanked him, but wasn't taking any. I get quite as much money as I want at the Silversmiths'; and I've saved a little, too. It's freedom, not money, I want; as a means to my little end. I want complete freedom for a couple of years, perhaps for three, or maybe even for longer. It may be I shall have to buy myself an annuity. I'd ask for absolute independence if it could be had—independence of all my fellow-creatures but one. But it can't be had: so I've come to you for help."
"Say on," I commanded.
"It's this way, Roddy. Like the late General Trochu, I have a Plan. Unlike his, it's a Great Plan.… Yes, I'll give you a glimpse of it by and by. It involves—or may involve—the cutting of all human ties—that is of all but one. Well, as you know, I haven't many, and those clients of Farrell's have lightened me of worldly furniture. What's become of Farrell, by the way?"
"He's retiring from the contest, and has been advised to travel for the good of his health. The Sunday papers settled it with their reports of the Police Court proceedings.… What! Haven't you heard?"
"Now I come to think of it, Travers tried to tell me some story… but I wasn't listening.… In trouble, is he? Good. Not going to hang him, are they? Good."
"The actual decision," said I, "was taken at the Whips' Office yesterday morning. Farrell goes. There's just time to put up a working-man candidate in his stead. But the seat's lost."