The Napoleon of Notting Hill
power and government of this great nation is on my side and not yours, and I defy you to defy it."
"In what sense," cried Barker, with his feverish eyes and hands, "is the Government on your side?"
With one ringing movement Wayne unrolled a great parchment on the table. It was decorated down the sides with wild water-colour sketches of vestrymen in crowns and wreaths.
"The Charter of the Cities," he began.
Buck exploded in a brutal oath and laughed.
"That tomfool's joke. Haven't we had enough—
"And there you sit," cried Wayne, springing erect and with a voice like a trumpet, "with no argument but to insult the King before his face."
Buck rose also with blazing eyes.
"I am hard to bully," he began—and the slow tones of the King struck in with incomparable gravity—
"My Lord Buck, I must ask you to remember that your King is present. It is not often that he needs to protect himself among his subjects."
Barker turned to him with frantic gestures.
"For God's sake don't back up the madman
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