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Updated: June 8, 2025
"Miller!" he exclaimed, a little aimlessly. "Why not?" was the almost challenging reply. "You are not the only great statesman who needs to step off the treadmill now and then." There was a certain quiet contempt in Tallente's uplifted eyebrows. The contrast between the two men, momentarily isolated on the little platform, was striking and extreme.
The inspector completed his climb and stood in the little circle of light. He took note of the rope and of Tallente's condition. "My presence here, sir," the inspector announced, "is connected with the disappearance of the Honourable Anthony Palliser." "Confidence for confidence," Tallente replied. "So is mine." The inspector moved to the palisading.
"Are you Mr. Miller, the Democrat M.P.?" she asked, "the Mr. Miller who was making those speeches at Hellesfield last week?" "At your ladyship's service," he replied, with a low bow. "I am afraid if you are a friend of Mr. Tallente's you must look upon me as a very disagreeable person."
"There's no harm in Tallente's ratting, quitting his order and coming amongst us Democrats, but what I do object to is his bringing the mannerisms and outlook of Eton and Oxford amongst us. When I am with him, he always makes me feel that I am doing the wrong thing and that he knows it." Dartrey frowned a little impatiently. "This is rubbish, Miller," he pronounced.
Come and have an easy-chair by the fire and tell me how every one's been behaving." Dartrey, with his arm around her waist, turned to Tallente. "An entirely unrehearsed exhibition, I can assure you, Tallente," he declared. Nora pouted and passed her other arm through Tallente's. "That's just like Stephen," she complained, "advertising his domestic bliss.
On his way up Parliament Street he met Miller, who turned and walked by his side. "Heard the news?" the latter asked curtly. "No. Is there any?" was the quick reply. "Tallente's broken the truce," Miller announced. "There was rather an acid debate on the Compensation Clauses of Hensham's Allotment Bill. Tallente pulled them to pieces and then challenged a division.
Tallente came to himself with a little start. "I'm afraid my mind was wandering," he confessed. His companion smiled knowingly. He was conscious of Tallente's aloofness, but determined to break through it if he could. After all, this caste feeling was absurd. He was, in his way, a well-known man, a Member of Parliament, a future Cabinet Minister. He was the equal of anybody. "Don't wonder at it!
Tallente's head had been the wonder even of members of the Alpine Club, years ago in Switzerland. He found himself now in this strangest of all positions, absolutely steady and unmoved. Sheer below him, dark, rushing waves broke upon the rocks, sending showers of glittering spray upwards. Above, the little lookout with its rustic paling seemed almost more than directly overhead.
He bowed stiffly in response to the little chorus of farewells and followed the butler down the hall. The latter, who was something of a politician, did his best to indicate by his manner his appreciation of Tallente's position. "You are sure you won't allow me to order a car, sir?" he said, with his hand upon the door. "I know her ladyship would be only too pleased.
Just now you may exercise the privilege of your sex unhindered and better your own acquaintance with our host." The girl laughed up into Tallente's face. "Very likely Mr. Tallente doesn't wish to improve his acquaintance with me," she said. Tallente hastened to reassure her. Somehow, the presence of these two did much to soothe the mental irritation which Miller had set up in him.
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