"Well?"
Lakely smiled. "We all know that Sefborough's ministry is
--well, top-heavy," he said. "Sefborough is building his card
house just a story too high. It's a toss-up what 'll upset
the balance. It might be the army, of course, or it might be
education; but it might quite as well be a matter of foreign
policy!"
They looked at each other in comprehensive silence.
"You know as well as I that it's not the question of whether
Russia comes into Persia, but the question of whether Russia
goes out of Persia when these Hazaras are subdued! I'll lay
you what you like, Chilcote, that within one week we hear that
the risings are suppressed, but that Russia, instead of
retiring, has advanced those tempting twenty miles and
comfortably ensconced herself at Meshed--as she ensconced
herself on the island of Ashurada. Lakely's nervous,
energetic figure was braced, his light-blue eyes brightened,
by the intensity of his interest.
"If this news comes before the Easter recess," he went on,
"the first nail can be hammered in on the motion for
adjournment.
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