War-time Silhouettes

is a public man, and such h

tical parties. He could have a baronetcy for the asking, but he has no children a

pendence. His hobby is what he calls "picking winners"-men, not horses. He likes to "spot" some young fellow who he thinks has it in him to get on, then he backs him. He believes that noth

her chair with his feet near the fender, a silver tea-service resplendent under a high silver lamp bes

er, in spite of the latter's being almost the only man who did no

I know what y

is loud and its tone bullying, as of one accustomed to ordering people about and to having his way. Somehow this

it of buttered toast and

" he

the Red Cross Matinee or a subscriptio

shrewd grey eyes, and examining the muffin di

in," he

of the corner of his eye as he put a cigar in his mouth and ligh

. A friend of mine, Mrs. Stillwe

tle voice, and he spoke slo

llwell. I was best man to Tom when he m

aid nothing, and there was a moment's

o girls to provide for. I advised her to sell the pictures long ago, but she couldn't bear to part with th

wor

o you a

s for themselves." Then, as though it were an a

Daubigny, I believe. The Corot is s

es she want

price; she asked me, but there's one thing I won

ed; he flicked the ash

Then why the devil

smiled at

iends, Stephen. I'm sure you'll t

h moved

to fix their price before they come to me, then I can take it or l

. I thought you'd be pleased

ith his hand, dismissing the subjec

. He said good-bye, and was just leaving

es-I should like to

es

an they

ocket and handed it to Ringsmith without comment.

me; I'll see what can be done, but

replied, and went g

man was said to be the cleverest picture-buyer in the country. He came in, a tall, thin man, clean-shaven, with wrinkles a

to Peter Whelan of Philadelphia?

I do, Mr.

-hand what we ma

it, and what we sold it for. There were a lot of expenses on that deal."

hat were t

ch Joyce sold for us at Christie's. You remember we wer

avy eyebrows m

he said

500. He's a hard

ou to go and call at this place, hav

n from Mr. Ringsmith's, asking him to look at the pictures, and expressing her regret that she could not show them

embarrassment. She had never had anything to do with gentlemen like Mr. MacTavish before, and hardly knew whether she ought to shake hands with him or not; but she did so with a gracious a

Mr. MacTavish?" she asked, n

ined politely, and cam

over with Mr. Ringsmit

repared to buy the thre

l half-rose f

uch, thank you very m

y not be aware that in these times buying p

ed! I did

lanched at the w

eep them for a considerable time.

ose not, Mr

ble to fix a price

k so. I have no idea what th

ey are worth just what they can be

ndeed!

onsidered in the circumstances a very handsome price for the

. Ringsmith." Mrs. Stillwell was quite asto

nded her a cheque, and in a f

in occupied the deep leather cha

look in for a moment. No, thanks." Thi

told me about th

re you sa

idn't answer

y thing-miracle almost. He's made a marvellous recovery, thanks entirely to a motor ambulance being handy. T

. I don't give mone

p at Ringsmith-"you'd feel like giving me another little cheque. You know these ambulanc

. It's give, give, give. You seem to t

y bottomles

Look at this." He took a type-written letter from the table and handed it to hi

yours, telling you they've got so many orders they can't execute them, and t

if this goes on. D'you think giving employment to hundreds of workmen isn't worth something, too? I'm thinking very seriously of closing Crossways Hall altogether; in fact, I should,

Peter, who made no

day. Seems he's come over on a large Government contract for shells. He asked after you. T

y was irritable. Peter Knott stopped putting on

rice? He tol

ou any idea what kind of expenses the

slightest

not many people who have the antipathy to

Knott moved

e murmured, and closed

morning Peter Knott recei

R P

ed for the motor ambulance fund. I never like refusing you, but I shou

rs

N RING

ter was a cheq

ot the Mauve and the Daubigny for nothing