"Is my veracity called in question?" cried Captain Cannon.
"Am I an ignoramus?" asked Mr. Twinkle.
"Order, gentlemen!" said the President, rapping the table.
"Allow me to make a suggestion," exclaimed Harvey. "As there is such a diversity of opinion about the buffalo, and the members of the club seem to be very hazy about the land in which he lives, I propose that a committee of—say five—be appointed to go to America and make a report."
This proposition was received with favor.
"Make it a substantive motion," said the President, "and I will take the sense of the meeting on it."
This was done, and the motion being put to the vote, it was carried, nem. con.
"Gentlemen," exclaimed Mr. Oldfoguey, "the power of appointment belongs, I believe, to me."
"It does, by virtue of the office you hold," replied Mr. Twinkle.
"Then I appoint as members of this investigating committee, Mr. Harkaway, Professor Mole, Captain Cannon, and Mr. Twinkle, with Mr. Harvey as Secretary, each gentleman paying his own expenses. The committee will start within a month for New York and report to us once a week."