For that
news had an unfortunate and unexpected result. The Committee, which up
till then had consisted of eight reputable members, now swelled,
rapidly and mysteriously, to fourteen. Six new gentlemen, including the
unspeakable Mr. Hopkins, got themselves enrolled, and all six of them,
as was afterwards made manifest, were persons of questionable
integrity. By dint of small donations to the fund varying from five to
fifteen francs, they had contrived to have their names put down; it was
worth while, they thought, to risk a small sum on the chance of getting
a slice out of old Koppen's half-million which could not possibly be
used up in the rent or purchase of a three-roomed Sanatorium.
A committee of ladies and gentlemen, formed for charitable purposes,
should be like Caesar's wife. This one had come to resemble the spouse
of Claudius. Had the upright and intelligent Mr. Freddy Parker still
been its guiding spirit, he would soon have weeded out these
undesirable elements and kept the pickings for himself.
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