Belturbet, questing round in the hope of finding the
originator of the trouble, with a vague idea of being able to
induce him to restore matters to their normal human footing, came
across an elderly club acquaintance who dabbled extensively in
some of the more sensitive market securities. He was pale with
indignation, and his pallor deepened as a breathless newsboy
dashed past with a poster inscribed: "Premier's constituency
harried by moss-troopers. Halfour sends encouraging telegram to
rioters. Letchworth Garden City threatens reprisals. Foreigners
taking refuge in Embassies and National Liberal Club."
"This is devils' work!" he said angrily.
Belturbet knew otherwise.
At the bottom of St. James's Street a newspaper motor-cart, which
had just come rapidly along Pall Mall, was surrounded by a knot of
eagerly talking people, and for the first time that afternoon
Belturbet heard expressions of relief and congratulation.
It displayed a placard with the welcome announcement: "Crisis
ended. Government gives way. Important expansion of naval
programme."
There seemed to be no immediate necessity for pursuing the quest
of the errant Duke, and Belturbet turned to make his way homeward
through St.
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