By a supreme effort he regained some of his former fire and eloquence.

He drove home exhausted, and going straight to bed slept like a dog till morning.
The servant who woke him brought a newspaper to the bedside.
"Something to interest you, sir." Paul looked at the headline indicated by the man.
"Hickney Heath Election.

Liberal Candidate's Confession.

Extraordinary Scene." He glanced hurriedly down the column and read with amazement and stabbing pain the matter that was of interest.

The worst had happened--the thing which during all his later life Silas Finn had feared.