"The second is—did you read the Sun this morning? It seems that this little town of Hunston is having a violent spasm of politics right now. Rather lucky coincidence, I should say. The dispatch I read was pretty vague, but I gather that there's an interesting fight on between a strong machine and a small but firm reform movement."
"Ha! Occupation for you while I beat the woods for little Mary."
"I'll need it."
"Well, what was your other wonderful reason?"
"Don't you know? It is that sixty horse-power oath your uncle made you swear."
"Because it committed me, you mean?"
The door opened, men entered noisily, and Peter had to draw Varney aside to explain darkly: "Because it committed me to wondering what difficulties foxy old Carstairs made a point of concealing from you."
"Meet me upstairs in ten minutes," said Varney, "and we'll talk about plans."