Mr. Nape, the eminent editor, sat before his desk in the editorial
offices of the _Aristocrat_. His long black hair was rumpled, his
pen-holder bore marks of a severe biting. Before him were pigeon-holes
neatly labelled "Government--Attack on," "Imperialism and Crime,"
"Comprenez Vous?" (this was the already famous rival column to "On Dit"
in a rival sheet), "New Ideas," "Notes for Leader" and similar
comprehensive titles. There was a pigeon-hole marked "Advertisements,"
but this was empty.
Mr. Nape was sore, for the _L. & L. Mail_ had discovered the identity of
the _Aristocrat's_ editor, and had referred to him as "a peddling
crimemonger" and a "contemptible plagiarist," to say nothing of calling
him "a pseudo Holmes."
In consequence, he had for three days, devoted himself to a feverish
hunt into the antecedents of Mr. R. B. Rake.
He learned that Mr. Rake had at one period of his career been engaged as
schoolmaster--a peg to hang "priggish pedagogue" upon--that he drew
inspiration for his leaders from Hydeholme ("gregarious gramophone"),
that he was a gentleman of loud voice and aggressive self-confident
manner--"pomp and circumstance" wrote Mr. Nape cleverly, and other more
or less important items, all of which went into the Leader.
In truth Mr. Nape's reply to the slanderous innuendoes of the _L. & L.
Mail_ might be described as having been effective and complete.
Now Mr. Nape was in a quandary, because he was engaged in a distasteful
task.
This was none other than the booming of the Tuppy party and, worst of
all, the editing of a letter of apology.
It would appear in the first case, that in honour of our distinguished
neighbour, Lord Tupping, Mrs. Stanley Terrill would give a reception at
her house; that amongst others the following eminent people would be
present. Sir Harry Tanneur, the Mayor of Brockley, the Vicar, Captain
Hal Tanneur (9th R.W. Kents) and others too numerous to mention.
Bewildered that the citadel of the Duke's fiancee should shelter the
arch enemy, Mr. Nape had commenced a long and scathing satire entitled
"The Pier Master" (a happy description of Sir Harry), when peremptory
orders came for its suppression and the substitution of laudatory
notices concerning the forthcoming function.
It had required all the Duke's powers of persuasion to induce Tuppy to
accept the invitation.
"It's a plant," said Tuppy furiously, "it's the old Tanner bird showin'
off the captive at his chariot's wheel: he's dazed that poor dear lady
into givin' a party--I'm not goin'. High Jupiter! Devastin' Ulysses!"
he swore, "did that dear old thing Guy Tuppin' go down on the stricken
field of Crecy, all mucked about with two handed sword an' maces an'
things, for this! Did----"
"You cannot escape a tea-party by reference to your alleged ancestors,"
said the Duke calmly, "in the stricken field time of business Tanner can
give you a stone and a beating. Tuppy, you've got to go."
So Mr. Nape sat, though his soul revolted, engaged in writing pleasantly
and amiably and heartily, a fore-notice of the reception which was to
introduce Lord Tupping to his awe-stricken neighbours.
His task was made all the more difficult by the knowledge that already
public interest had been aroused in the attempt to jockey the Duke from
the suburbs. That letters signed "Fair-play" and "Pro Bono Publico" had
begun to arrive, that a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association had been
projected, and that there were not wanting other signs of the Duke's
growing popularity in the neighbourhood. Mr. Nape had suddenly found
himself a political force; he had the satisfaction of knowing that he
was behind the scenes; crowning joy of all, he had been referred to as a
"wire puller" and had displayed the significant phrase, with an
affectation of nonchalance, to Hank.
"He means a leg puller," said Hank.
"We don't think you treat this matter seriously enough," said Mr. Nape
severely; "we have a certain duty to our party; a certain responsibility
to our public; the whole district is ripe for change; the job of
dismissing the water-cart man has roused considerable feeling; the
appointment of the workhouse master's son to the position of rate
collector is a scandal--people are asking how long, how long?"
"How long?" demanded the Duke.
"How long," repeated Mr. Nape.
"I mean how long have they been asking that remarkable question?"
Mr. Nape coughed modestly.
"It coincided with the appearance of our little leaderette on
'Subconscious Corruption,'" he admitted.
As to the letter of apology, the Duke silenced criticism with
extraordinary brusqueness. The change in the policy of the _Aristocrat_
was revolutionary. It affected Mr. Nape dismally, it affected Mr. R. B.
Rake, editor of the _L. & L._ staggeringly--it had a paralysing effect
upon the household at Hydeholme.
"Now what on earth is the meaning of this," demanded the knight. He
stabbed the newspaper with his short forefinger. The article it referred
to was headed "An Open Letter."