Carnac's Folly, Volume 3_

e confidence he had felt since the first day of Carnac's candidature. He had had temptation to announce to those who heard him the night before the poll what Luzanne had told; but better wisdom guided

slept heavily from midnight till morning on the eve of the election, an

o he came upon Junia and he was startled by the look she gave him. It was part of his punishment that Junia was the source of his undoing whe

he can't marry her, for he's already married; but he'll owe it all to her. If he wins! . . . No, he sh

"They're making strong play against us

he. "You've been at the game here for thirty years,

has all your gifts, and he's as clever as Old Nick besi

in-you thi

eu'. Here's a list of doubtful ones,

he, scanning the list. "I'd no

ve in him. Half the men on that list were affected by Tarboe's

ss it now," said the rueful member with a for

is tongue and freer with his hands. Carnac seemed everywhere, on every corner, in every street, at every polling booth; he laid his trowel against every brick in the wall. Carnac was not as confident as he seemed, but he was nearing the end of the trail; and his feet were free and his head clear. One good thi

ut he had seen him at three of his meetings, and he had evidence of arduous effort on his behalf. Tarboe had influenced many people in his favour, men of standing and repute, and the workmen of the Grier firm had come,

ver people. Yet, strange to say, the Church had somewhat reversed its position, and at the last had swung round to Barouche, q

on of decision at his will. It was folly electioneering on the day of the poll, and yet he saw a few labour leaders and moved them to greater work for him. One of these told him that at the Grie

hat was the source of the information? Who was responsible? He must go t

repudiate your wife. It'd be good to fight it now before it gets going. There's no truth in it, of course," he added with

. . . You've been a good friend to me in the figh

h, Grier. Don't make a

if a Protestant Britis

itant seat, it's the cli

t over when

ith thumping heart, for the stark uncertaint

t going too hard, I'm

I'd go down with you to

our own medicine to gi

and good l

n declaring that he, Carnac, was secretly married to a woman whom he repudiated, and was that the kind of man to have as member of Parliament? Presently Roudin was interrupt

sieu', that you was married, and you di

as to say No, but he gai

injure me? Is that what Monsi

k his head

oughtn't to hold the seat, he ought

' Barouche. I get it from better

is, eh? From the lad

he lady hers

re and let us have it o

dy here, if

know what I know, and I don't

r-there's no time to be lost. The poll closes in four hours. If you make such statements, prove them. It isn't playing the game- do you think so,

r," he kept crying as he came nearer.

a's, and he tore open the letter, which held the blue certificate of the marriage wit

CAR

and he was to have announced it last night, but I saw her first. You can now deny the story. The game is yours. Tell the man

nded that Roudin produce the woman! He was safe now, safe and free. It was no good any woman declaring she was

her to the polls. There is yet time, if you're telling th

Roudin with a snarl, and the crowd laughed, for

her maid

wered the ot

an name, since you kn

the game was with him, and he took the risks. His courage had

a story about a woman whose name he doesn't know.

eet it here face to face. I fear nothing. Out with your story, monsieur. Tell us why you haven't brought h

re he, Roudin, lodged. It had not been definite, and he had no proofs. He was a sensationalist, and he had had his hour and could say no more, because of Barode Barouche. He coul

s, but he wins th