War-time Silhouettes

nsider his personality. Careful scrutiny reveals that he is a skilful imitation. On the other hand, he is not just a fa?ade, for there is will behind the mask. His imitation is, i

ieved that all that was necessary in order to "arrive" was to will it sufficiently. Up to a point his career supports his theory, but not altog

ersonally interested. In most men this defect would have proved an insuperable obstacle to success, but it has not been so with Sir Matthew b

n to make his living at an early age, and while sti

ection, Bale turned his back on bookmaking and started finance with large plate-glass win

ng eye discovered a promising additional partner in the person of Maurice Blum, who had survived two startling bankruptcies and an action against him for fraud. Bale, Dumbarton, and Blum now did so thriving a business that Bale started an elegantly appointed flat in Mayfair, drove a phaeton and pair (it was

might be some connection between this rather unexpected event and Lord Belfast's heavy losses on the Stock Exchange and subsequent directorships and holdings of shares in his future son-in-law's companies. Whether this supposition w

ss, presented an ultimatum. If Mr. Bale wanted to be a politician, Blum had no objection, but that meant, at all events

s treachery was deep. But his prudence and astuteness did not fail him; he knew Blum's value, and he was aware that even if he were himself a

derable strain. And, as a matter of fact, his financial position was precarious and depended entirely upon the fluctuating and speculative income he derived from the business of Blum & Co. Obviously, therefore, Mr. Maurice Blum was not a person with whom B

ss asserted itself. This crisis in his private affairs took place when the country was torn by dissensions over Tariff Reform. He had early learnt to fish in troubled

s straight back from the forehead. He dresses with a certain quiet elegance, and he has a way of drawing down his cuffs as he talks to you, and of placing the tips of his fingers together so that you notice his nicely kept nails. He speaks in a low tone, which he only raises when he forgets hi

think he is regarded as an elegant exotic. A constant saying of his is "Keep your eye on labour," but, t

ble object of these convenient arrangements may be, their usual purpose is to throw dust in the eyes of the public, to burke discussion, and to save the face o

chairman of the Government Committee "to consider and report on the measures to be adopted during the war wi

f it he might secure the immediate desire of his heart, a Privy Councillorship; once a "Right Honourable" he could aspire to any

s chief, and informed that he had been selected fo

d to enemy trading and proceedings under the Defence of the Realm Act will largely depend upon the result of its deliberations. In

ial, and had received nothing but praise for his services, he was too much a gentleman to push himself, and this mo

ealist. His first interview with Sir Matthew Bale mad

ite his secretary, pulled down his cuffs, put t

on it depend vital questions of Government policy. I am not going too far in saying that the future of the Government

a little set speech with which to impress his secretary, who now sat looking at him

continued, "that you have not hitherto had

r Matthew,

subject of our deliberations is a delicate one, and that it will be necessary for us to remember that a grave responsibility rests upon us in the selection of our witnesses. In other words, Mr. Tarleton"-the chairman leaned back in his seat and scrutinized his secretary-"we must, in

y hesitated

thew, that we are not

the committee there are three prominent Labour Members. Now you will understand that-er-er-while I have the greatest-er-respect for the views of these-er-er-gentlemen, there are limits to the influence I possess with them, and it is in

e, Sir Matthe

no thoughts except on th

ings, but uppermost there was already vaguely forming itself in his mind a

mittee, and had unduly hastened the selection of its members. Sir Matthew had been called in at short notic

le; at his next interview he was enabled to form an opinion of his administrative methods. He was again seated opposite the chairman, who leaned back in his chair with an air of indolent ease. Tarleton was pointing out to him the considerable difficulty there would be i

Minister's wish that I should have every facility, and as to staff, look at these." As he spoke

m all sorts of individuals offering their voluntary services. There were letters from retired officers, judges, tea-planters, cowboys, fellow

e gentlemen would be suitable for this sort of work. Y

me have a look through them. Now, here's one-this is the sort of man that I like;

atthew, have you

his eyeglass and ex

and a very good name too-

Sir Matthew, in the prese

man's name is Klein-As a matter of fact, when I was dining with a member of the Cabinet a few evenings ago, I met a most charming person called Schmerz, and, I have reason for knowing, a

poke, too, with an accent which Tarleton distrusted, although Klein assured him that he was a French Alsatian, and as proof thereof showed the

tant secretary. That'll flatter him-then ask anythi

nd porters. Urged by Sir Matthew, he harried the Office of Works till they provided ample accommodation in a fine building in a central position; from H.M. Stationery Office he promptly ordered all sorts of indispensable supplies, and within

d the right man, Mr. Tarleton, trust me. I always believe in demanding

h of this observation, and he dis

nions and great obtuseness, by whose social prestige Sir Matthew was greatly impressed; on his left Mr. Doubleday, the leader of the Lab

im by Tarleton, met with an Excellent recept

d and talked from morning till evening. Beyond receiving important persons, he did nothing. He was as incapable of composing a letter as of making a speech, and Tarleton had to write both for him. He would arrive in the morning when Tarleton was trying to get on with urgent correspondence or to frame questions to be asked of witnesses, and so take up his unfortunate secretary's time that it was almost impossible for him to get his work finished for the n

ng, and sensitive, he had never so far encountered an individual like Sir Matthew Bale, who outraged all his finer feelings and susceptibilities a dozen times a day.

m, and he felt he had done him an injustice, for w

tentions of the chairman and understood that the chief purpose of the committee was th

and Sir Matthew had at last taken his departure, Tarleton would join him. It frequently happened that they did not finish their labours until nearly midnight. On such occasions Tarleton would go to his club to dine, whilst Klein would make his way to some neighbo

Klein, that at first I was fo

to use a word which might

f us Alsatians have German names, but if you knew more of my life you would know what good cause I have for hating t

Tarleton warmed to him and began to talk about

at, in my innocence, I never imagined that the proceedings of a committee could be

led signi

" he r

you mea

re to be known, and that is why they selected a man like Bale for chairm

eton, "and I think it's-someth

an be done,"

ow

u've heard of

at him. "No, I've n

s firm, and Mr. Blum would be an

his chair. "Good Lord!" he sai

lum is Bale's partner, and he's one of the biggest scamps in the City.

s. Here was retribution for Sir Matth

ink? I mean, wouldn't it be tr

y. For my part, the only thing that matters is that if we are able to exp

lly mean t

Swedenborg Coal and Iron Smelting Company, in Stockholm; they have sold and are sell

now?" ejaculated Tarle

eyes on the othe

City for twelve years f

's chairman is a tradition in the Government service. And though I despise Bale,

ider the true interest of the nation? Now, is it in the true interest of th

. Indeed, none was needed,

previous sitting by one of the Labour Members who had desired to hear certain evidence, but the witness had suddenly left the country. The Labour Members had withdrawn t

r discussion. Before the next meeting he and the minister involved would get t

his manner was genial and urbane. He smiled towards Mr. Small, the recalcitran

ght regarding this witness which-er-preclude our going any further into the matter. The fact is, gentlemen"-Sir Matthew; lowered his voice significantly-"he is a particular friend of the-er-er-diplomatic representative of a friendly Powe

lution was agreed to unanimously, and once more he congratulated hi

l call the next witness. Mr

please, Si

hey came from the immediate right of the chairman, who turned with surprise tow

hat we call before us, without delay, Mr. Maurice B

st choking him. By a supreme effort he partially regained his self-possession and managed to assume an ordinary expression. With one rapid and comprehensive glance he

w much did he know? While these thoughts flash

ns. The firm are large holders of shares in a smelting concern called the Swedenborg Coal and Iron Smelting Company, and there is also a probabil

g himself for once in the unusual position of having something to say and saying it. There was a buzz

his usual place, sat Tarleton at his table covered with papers. The secretary's face was white and drawn; he wa

stout form of Mr. Small. It was Klein. The two men's eyes met. It was only for a fraction of a moment, but it was long enough. In the concentrated gaze of the Alsatian there was n

ford's nephew, Lord Reginald Dumbarton, was also partner." Sir Matthew paused a moment and smiled towards his neighbour. "For some years my interest has been confined to a sleeping partnership; I have been completely ignorant of the details of the business. While I need hardly tell you that the situation in which I find myself is very trying, I support Lord Milford's suggestion that the affairs of the firm sh

ing up his papers, Sir Matthew walked with a