“On those terms, yes, I think so, provided I was sure of the guarantor, and that he was a man from whom I could take the money.”

“Well, you can soon judge of that, doctor, for it is I, Samuel Strong, and I’ll deposit 10,000 pounds in the hands of a trustee before you write your letter of acceptance.  No, don’t thank me.  I do it for two reasons—­first, because, having no chick or kin of my own, I happen to have taken a fancy to you and wish to push you on.  The world has treated you badly, and I want to see you one of its masters, with all these smart people who look down on you licking your boots, as they will sure enough if you grow rich and powerful.  That’s my private reason.  My public one is that you are the only man in Dunchester who can win us the seat, and I’d think 10,000 pounds well spent if it put those Tories at the bottom of the poll.  I want to show them who is “boss,” and that we won’t be lorded over by bankers and brewers just because they are rich men who have bought themselves titles.”

“But you are a rich man yourself,” I interrupted.

“Yes, doctor, and I spend my money in helping those who will help the people.  Now, before you give me any answer, I’ve got to ask you a thing or two,” and he drew a paper from his pocket.  “Are you prepared to support the abolition of ‘tied’ houses?”

“Certainly.  They are the worst monopoly in England.”

“Graduated income-tax?”

“Yes; the individual should pay in proportion to the property protected.”

“An Old Age Pension scheme?”

“Yes, but only by means of compulsory insurance applicable to all classes without exception.”

“Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church?”

“Yes, provided its funds are pooled and reapplied to Church purposes.”

“Payment of members and placing the cost of elections on the rates?”

“Yes, the door of Parliament should not be shut in the face of all except the very rich.  Election expenditure is at present only a veiled form of corruption.  If it were put upon the rates it could be reduced by at least a half, and elections would be fewer.”

“Home Rule—­no, I needn’t ask you that, for it is a dead horse which we don’t want to flog, and now-a-days we are all in favour of a big navy, so I think that is about everything—­except, of course, anti-vaccination, which you’ll run for all it’s worth.”

“I never said that I would, Mr. Strong,” I answered.

He looked at me curiously.  “No, and you never said you wouldn’t.  Now, doctor, let us come to an understanding about this, for here in Dunchester it’s worth more than all the other things put together.  If this seat is to be won, it will be won on anti-vaccination.  That’s our burning question, and that’s why you are being asked to stand, because you’ve studied the thing and are believed to be one of the few doctors who don’t bow the knee to Baal.  So look