Then Vesuvius began to rumble.
"Mr. Cooke," said the senator, "may I suggest something which seems
pertinent to me, though it does not appear to have occurred to you?"
His tone was the calm one that the heroes used in the Celebrity's novels
when they were about to drop on and annihilate wicked men.
"Certainly, sir," my client replied briskly, bringing himself up on his
way back to the overhang.
"You have announced your intention of 'standing by' Mr. Allen, as you
express it. Have you reflected that there are some others who deserve to
be consulted and considered beside Mr. Allen and yourself?"
Mr. Cooke was puzzled at this change of front, and unused, moreover, to
that veiled irony of parliamentary expression.
"Talk English, my friend," said he.
"In plain words, sir, Mr. Allen is a criminal who ought to be locked up;
he is a menace to society. You, who have a reputation, I am given to
understand, for driving four horses, have nothing to lose by a scandal,
while I have worked all my life for the little I have achieved, and have
a daughter to think about. I will neither stand by Mr. Allen nor by
you."
Mr. Cooke was ready with a retort when the true significance of this
struck him. Things were a trifle different now.
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