Chapter 3 third chapter

"Yes, sir, yes," said Lord Judham. He has said the same thing three times, each time hoping to end the interview with it and get him out of it.He didn't like standing here listening to George Lomax babbling.He was now standing on the steps of this extremely restricted London club.He himself was a member of the club. Clement Edward Alister Brent was the ninth Lord of Judham.He was a little gentleman, dressed in shabby clothes, and he was not at all the marquis that most people imagined.He had pale blue eyes, a long narrow, melancholy nose, and a dull, but polite manner. Sir Judham's chief misfortune had been to succeed his brother as the Eighth Marquis four years earlier. ·It turned out that the former Marquess of Judham was a prominent figure and a household name in the whole of England.He was Foreign Secretary for a time, and was a great figure in the minds of the common people of the British Empire.His rural Fuxie "Chimney Mansion" has a reputation for making people feel at home.He was assisted by his wife, the Duchess of Porter, and often held formal weekend parties at The Chimney House.In such gatherings, many historically important events were negotiated, or agreements were annulled.It can be said that there is almost no one who is not a British dignitary - in other words, a European dignitary - who has not been here.

This is indeed very good.The ninth Lord Judham recalled his brother with awe.Henry was brilliant at that kind of thing.The Marquess of Judham objected to his treating Chimney House as a state property rather than merely a private country house.The Marquess of Judham is bored by nothing more than politics, unless it is a politician.He was therefore impatient with the eloquence of George Lomax.George Lomax was a stocky man, tending to put on weight, with a red face, prominent eyes, and a pompous air. "You see what I mean, Jadham? We can't—simply can't gossip now. It's a very difficult situation."

"It has always been the case," said Lord Jadham, with irony. "My man, I can know the delicate situation." "Ah, not bad, not bad." Marquis Judhan resumed his previous defensive tactics. "If this Hezoslav thing gets a little bit wrong, we're screwed. The most important thing is that the oil rights should be awarded to an American company. You pay attention, okay?" "Of course, of course." "King Michael Oborovitch is here this weekend. It can be done under the cover of a hunt." "I was thinking of traveling abroad this week," said Lord Judham.

"Nonsense, my dear Jadham! Nobody travels abroad in the first half of October." "My doctor seems to think I'm in poor health," said Lord Jadham, looking wistfully at the taxi slowly crawling ahead. Even so, it was impossible for him to flee to freedom immediately.For Lomax had a very nasty habit.He had a habit of holding on to you when he was in serious conversation with others—no doubt the result of long experience.As far as the current situation is concerned, he is pulling hard on the collar of Marquis Jadhan's jacket. "My man, I leave this matter to you with all due respect. In such a time of national emergency, as this impending..."

Lord Jadham writhed uneasily.It occurred to him that he would rather have many more guests than listen to George Lomax quoting his own speeches incessantly.He knew from experience that Lomax could definitely go on for another twenty minutes without stopping at all. "Okay," he said quickly. "I'll do it, I suppose, and you'll arrange everything?" "There's nothing to arrange, man. The Chimney House's location is ideal, apart from the historical connection. I'll be in the Abbey, less than seven miles away. I'm sorry if I'm a guest at this party. "

"Of course it's inconvenient," agreed Lord Judham, but he didn't know why not.He was not at all interested in why. "Perhaps you have no objection to having Bill Eversley on board, though? He's very useful and can carry a message." "It is a great honor," said Lord Judham.He felt a little excited, "Bill's shooting skills are not bad. Bondo likes him very much." "Hunting is of course not important. It can be said that it is just an excuse." The Marquis of Judham looked listless again. "That's all, then. King O'Paul Vichy, his suite, Bill Eversley Herman Eshastan—"

"Who?" "Herman Ershastein. The representative of the syndicate I spoke to you about." "A syndicate of banks representing England at all?" "Yes, why?" "Nothing—nothing—I'm just wondering. These people tend to have weird names." "Then, of course, there should be an outsider or two in it—just to give it an appearance of sincerity. The Marchioness of Irene will notice that—young, uncritical, and apolitical." "Bando will notice that." "I'm a little confused now." Romax seemed to suddenly think of something.

"Do you remember what I just told you?" "You said many things." "No, no, I mean the unfortunate accident"—he lowered his voice, in a mysterious whisper. "The memoirs—the memoirs of Lord Stiptitch." "I thought you were wrong about that," said the Marquess of Judham, trying not to yawn. "One likes to know the inside information about a scandal. Damn it!I myself like to read memoirs, and read them with gusto. " "The question isn't whether the average person reads memoirs - they're going to scramble to read them - but publishing them at this juncture is screwing everything up - everything! Hezoslavs Hope to restore, and is ready to support King Michael. At the same time, he is also supported and encouraged by His Majesty the Emperor "Then who is going to grant the oil mining rights to Mr. Herman Ershastein and his company in return for lending them a hundred Thousands of pounds or so to fund restoration? "

"Jardham, Jadhan," Lomax implored him in a distressed whisper. "Be cautious, I beg you, above all be cautious." "The most important thing is..." Marquis Judhan continued with some interest, but he lowered his voice as the other person wanted. "The memoirs of Earl Stiptitch's memoirs would have screwed things up. Generally speaking, there would have been the brutality and injustice of the royal family of the Oborovitches, wouldn't it? When Parliament was in session, someone would Questions like this? Why change the present lenient democracy into an ancient tyranny. Why turn it into a bloodsucking capitalist arbitrary policy and such measures? Huh?"

Romax nodded. "And, there could be worse outcomes," he said, taking a breath. "Supposing—and this is only a supposing—supposing someone talks about—talking about that unfortunate disappearance—you'll probably see what I mean." Lord Judham was watching him intently. "No, I don't understand. What disappearance?" "You must have heard? Ah, that happened when they were at Chimney House. Almost ruined his career." "You thus interest me very much," said Lord Judham. "Who's missing? What's missing?" "Romax leaned forward, put his mouth next to Judhan and said something. The latter quickly shrank back.

"For God's sake, don't hiss into my ear." "Did you hear what I said?" "Yes, I heard it." Marquis Jadhan said reluctantly. "Now I remember hearing people talk about it. It was a very strange thing. Don't know who did it. Was the thing not recovered?" "No. We should, of course, handle the matter with the utmost care that the missing story should not be given away. But Lord Stiptitch was there at the time. He knew some things. Not all, but only some. We had a quarrel or two with him about the Turkey question. If he had written the whole thing out in the open air out of sheer resentment, imagine the controversy. Just think how far-reaching the results could be.Everyone will say - why is it suppressed? " "Of course they think so," said Lord Judham, obviously interested. Romax's voice had risen to a very sharp level.He is trying to control himself now. "I have to keep calm," he murmured. "I must keep my composure. But man, I'm going to ask you this. If he didn't mean to be mischievous, why did he send this manuscript to London in such a devious way?" "Strange, indeed. Do you believe that what you say is true?" "Absolutely. We—oh—we have intelligence agents in Paris. The memoirs had been secretly sent elsewhere a few weeks before his death. " "Yes, it looks as if there must be something in it," said Judham with the interest he had shown before. "We found out that the manuscripts were addressed to a man named Jimmy—that is, James—McGrath, a Canadian currently in Africa." "Paint is a great thing, isn't it?" said Lord Judham briskly. "James McGrath arrives tomorrow—Thursday—on the Grannaborg." "What are you going to do about this?" "Of course we're going to find him right away, point out to him the possible serious consequences, and then beg him to delay publication of that memoir, at least for a month, and, at any rate, to have the manuscripts carefully - oh - edited." "What if he said 'No, sir!' or 'Fuck you!' or something as clever and arrogant as that?" said Lord Judham. "That's what worries me," said Lomax simply. "So it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to have him at Chimney House too. He would naturally feel flattered, and Qiran would be invited to meet King Michael.In this way, it is easier to deal with him. " "I won't do that." Marquis Jadhan said hastily. "I don't get along with Canadians, never get along — especially Canadians who've lived in Africa a lot." "You might find him a nice fellow—a rough diamond, you know?" "No, Lomax. I'm absolutely against it. You'll have to find someone else to deal with him." "It happened to me," said Lomax. "A woman might be useful. We ask her to know just enough, but not too much. Do you understand? A woman handles this very delicately, very tactfully--makes him understand the situation, so to speak." so as not to offend him. Not because I approve of women in politics—St. Stephen's is in ruins, utter ruins. But women can do wonders within their sphere. Look at Henry's Wife, see how much she owes him. Marsha is marvelous, extraordinary indeed, a perfect political hostess." "You're not going to invite Marsha to this party, are you?" Marquis Jadhan's face turned pale when he heard him mention his formidable aunt.He said so feebly. "No, no, you know what I mean. I'm talking about the influence women have in general. I propose a young woman, a woman of imagination, virtue, and intelligence." "Didn't you suggest Bundo? Bundo is useless. She's a fierce socialist at best. She laughs when you suggest that." "I'm not thinking of the Marquise Irene. The daughter is lovely, downright ridiculous, but quite a child. What we want is a girl with artifice, poise, and worldliness—oh, of course, she's me. The desired candidate—my cousin Virginia." "Mrs. River?" Lord Judham became all smiles.He gradually felt that in this way, he might like such a party very much. "Romax, that's a very good suggestion of yours. She's the loveliest woman in London." "She is also very familiar with Hesoslav's affairs. You remember, her husband worked in the embassy there. Moreover, she can be said to be a woman with great shoe power." "A very pleasant woman," said Jadham in a low voice. "Then, that's it for sure." Mr. Lomax let go of Lord Jadham's collar.The latter quickly took advantage of this great opportunity. "Bye! Lomax! You'll take care of everything, won't you?" He hops into a taxi.If an upright, Christian gentleman might loathe another upright, Christian gentleman, Lord Judham loathed Lord George Lomax very much.He hated his puffy red cheeks, his heavy breathing, and his protruding serious blue eyes.He thought about the upcoming weekend party and sighed.a nuisance.Very nasty thing!Later, thinking of Virginia Redford, he became interested. "A delightful creature," he murmured to himself, "a very lovely creature!"