He must obtain a balance on his side, but one in which the scale would lean so slightly to his side that Mr.
Vigil's eyes might be deceived.

Those who knew Mr.Vigil best were inclined to surmise that such an arrangement was somewhat beyond Mr.Nogo's political capacity.

There is a proverb which goes to show that a certain little lively animal may be shaved if he be caught napping; but then the difficulty of so catching him is extreme.
Mr.Nogo, at the head of the list, put Mr.Vigil himself.

This, of course, was a necessity to him--would that he could have dispensed with it! Then he named sundry supporters of the Government, sundry members also of the opposition; and he filled up the list with certain others who could not be regarded as sure supporters of one side or the other, but with whom, for certain reasons, he thought he might in this particular case be safe.
Undy Scott was of course not among the number, as Mr.Nogo would only have damaged his cause by naming a man known to have a pecuniary interest in the concern.
The member for Mile End was doubtless sharp, but Mr.Vigil was sharper.

His object was, in fact, merely to do his duty to the country by preventing a profuse and useless expenditure of money.
His anxiety was a perfectly honest one--to save the Exchequer namely.