The advertisers had apparently changed their minds, for what they now wanted to know was, 'What are the Irish M.P.'s going to do for the Boers ?' Clearly Mr.O'Rourke could have nothing to gain by insisting on an answer to such a question.

The public were puzzled but pleased.

The bill-stickers of the city foresaw the possibility of realizing a competence, for the next morning the satisfied inquirers published the result of their investigations.

'The Em Pees '(it was thus that they now referred to the honourable members of Parliament) 'are supporting the infamies of England.' It was at this point that the eye of a Castle official was caught by one of the placards as he made his way to the Kildare Street Club for luncheon.
He discussed the matter with a colleague, and it occurred to them that since they were paid for governing Ireland, they ought to give the public some value for their money, and seize the opportunity of doing something.

They sent a series of telegrams to Mr.Chesney's London house, which were forwarded by his private secretary to the Riviera.
The replies which followed kept the Castle officials in a state of pleasurable excitement until quite late in the evening.