“I understand, Mr. Tarleton,” the chairman continued, “that you have not hitherto had any experience as secretary of committees?”
“Oh yes, Sir Matthew, excuse me—”
“I mean,” interrupted the chairman, “of Government committees. Now, this one has been appointed by the Prime Minister himself, and I think I may say, without indiscretion that he has largely consulted me as to its composition. The—er—terms of reference will indicate to you that the subject of our deliberations is a delicate one, and that it will be necessary for us to remember that a grave responsibility rests upon us in the selection of our witnesses. In other words, Mr. Tarleton”—the chairman leaned back in his seat and scrutinized his secretary—“we must, in the true interest of the nation—for of course that is the paramount consideration—be careful to avoid anything in the nature of disclosures which at this critical juncture might—er—undermine the—er—confidence which rightly is reposed in the Government. D’you follow me, Mr. Tarleton?”
The secretary hesitated for a moment.
“Do you mean, Sir Matthew, that we are not to accept evidence—”
“I mean, Mr. Tarleton, that we must discriminate in the selection of our witnesses before we decide to call them. You are aware, perhaps, that I am in the confidence of the Labour Party, and you will notice that Amongst the members of the committee there are three prominent Labour Members. Now you will understand that—er—er—while I have the greatest—er—respect for the views of these—er—er—gentlemen, there are limits to the influence I possess with them, and it is in the highest degree desirable that no witness should come before them who would be likely to prejudice in their eyes those who—er—indirectly perhaps have—er—associations or connections—er—political or otherwise, in the highest quarters.”
“But excuse me, Sir Matthew, I thought—”
“No ‘buts,’ Mr. Tarleton; no thoughts except on the lines indicated by me.”
Oswald Tarleton withdrew from this preliminary interview with mingled feelings, but uppermost there was already vaguely forming itself in his mind a profound distrust, and still more a cordial dislike, of Sir Matthew Bale.