In train to Manchester.

The Minister,

As Mr Murphy did not reach here yesterday, I was compelled to phone to Dublin in order to get settled the question of your talk with the King.

Batterbee said the King was most anxious to have a good full talk with you because of his close personal interest in the question of the Seal and the Palace staff knowing this wanted to give you a fairly good interval at a time when the King would not be fatigued. Two days cancelled appointments from this week had been crowded in to the coming week and Thursday a.m. they thought would be satisfactory. On receipt of your message through Mr Fahy I definitely booked Thursday next at about 11.am.

So far as the British were concerned Batterbee said that, whilst they would be glad to arrange for a talk between yourself and J.[ames] H. T.[homas] prior to your audience with the King, if, as seemed likely, such a talk could not be fitted in in the time there was no reason why you should not go direct to the King. Batterbee remarked that what you were submitting to the King represented an agreed solution on the lines of the note which he drew up with Joe Walshe and consequently the way was clear for you to go direct to the King.

I am in Manchester all Monday, leaving there for return to London on Monday midnight.