Tuesday Night.—"A bad Cass, a very bad Cass," murmured Old Morality, moving uneasily on his seat. It was Seven o'clock. Things certainly looking very bad. At Question-time, Atherly-Jones, who had been watching the case for some time, asked the Home Secretary whether he had made inquiry into the Regent Street affair, and if so, what was the result? Home Secretary had, from the first, blundered hopelessly. When first questioned peremptorily refused to interfere. Then Chamberlain interposed and backed up claim for inquiry. Matthews with ludicrous haste knuckled down and gave desired promise. This was on Friday last. Now went back from promise and declined to have anything to do with affair. House evidently angry. Atherly-Jones moved adjournment; supported by over a hundred, and debate entered upon. Caine and Dodds struggled for honour of seconding Motion. Dodds won. Seems Miss Cass's father is one of his constituents and a most respectable man.
"On the watch."
"Why," cried Member for Stockton with sudden access of energy, "he leads the brass band in the Malleable Iron Works."
That settled it. Thenceforward Matthews regarded as a doomed man. Chamberlain made speech conclusively showing innocence of Miss Cass. Not only was her father leader of the brass band, but it was clear she had not been out of the house on the nights the policeman swore he saw her in Regent Street. Attorney-General came to rescue of colleague, but movement ineffectual. Old Morality uttered some ponderous commonplaces without avail. Caine, revelling in temporary freedom, lashed the Home Secretary. Grandolph, that pink of chivalry, finding his old friend and colleague down, joyously jumped on him.
"I made him Home Secretary, and when I kicked over the traces of course I expected him to resign with me. But he stuck to office and salary. I said nothing, but I thought the more. Waited for my chance, and here it is."
So Grandolph prodded Matthews in the back, buffetted him about the head, and made him begin to wish that he'd resigned long ago. Motion for adjournment of House carried to a Division, and Government defeated by Majority of Five!
"A bad Cass—a very bad Cass!" repeated Old Morality, as he picked up his papers, and went off in unexpectedly good time for dinner.
Business done.—The Home Secretary's.
Wednesday.—Henry Matthews spent pleasant quarter of an hour this afternoon. Smith came down, and surrendered unconditionally in the Cass case. Promised to make the inquiry which Matthews had refused. John Dillon suggested that, in order to save time, Ministers should in future make up their minds what to do before the Division was taken. Matthews said nothing. Rather sorry for him. Thought I'd cheer him up a bit.