"If I
understand that it is your intention to offer me a peerage, let us have
no misunderstanding about the matter. It is refused, absolutely and
finally."
The Prime Minister stared at his visitor for a moment in amazement.
Then he unlocked a drawer in his desk, drew out several letters and
threw them over to Tallente.
"And will you tell me what the devil you mean by authorising your
secretary to write these letters?" he demanded.
Tallente picked them up, read them through and gasped.
"Written by Palliser, aren't they?" Mr. Horlock demanded.
"Without a doubt," Tallente acknowledged. "The amazing thing, however,
is that they are entirely unauthorised. The subject has never even been
discussed between Palliser and myself. I am exceedingly sorry, sir," he
went on, "that you should have been misled in this fashion, but I can
only give you my word of honour that these letters are entirely and
absolutely unauthorised."
"God bless my soul!" the Prime Minister exclaimed. "Where is Palliser?
Better telephone."
"Palliser left my service a week or more ago," Tallente replied.
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