War-time Silhouettes

ed, the ascent of the five flights of stairs became a serious matter. His heart was none too sound, and the th

dridden brother were borne down the steep stairs and out of the

is pensioned retirement. Philip had spent his energy freely in the Indian Civil Service, and the two middle-aged brothers

He rose early and put in a good eight hours' day at various unpaid labours. He became churchwarden of the parish, joined the vestry, and was a much value

nything else in his life, although to his small circle he loved, in a guileless way, t

lettered heroes for whom he had slaved in the distant past. He insisted on the appreciation that these forgotten lions had shown of his work; but, however that migh

great patience with those who admire the modern to the exclusion of the old, or whose allegiance to one sc

these were successful playwrights or novelists whose work he revised for publication at a minimum rate and whose additional recog

re to ask him questions, knowing that they would not have time to wait for his replies. For these reasons the agile in body and mind avoided encounters with him, but

fringe of grey hair about the ears, seemed to sink into his chest, upon which the bearded chin reposed as though the whole affair were too heavy to support. At suc

tiently for an opening, and once he secured it, would maintain his opinion

ere advanced with which he disagreed. It was not difficult to make merry at his expense, for he suspected no one, and

ses, especially the one that consists in lying on the ground face downwards and raising yourself several times in succession by your arms, were trying to a man of his weight and proportions, but about the time he was beginning to pride himself on his military pro

with him and that David's earnings were smaller than ever since the War, would gladly have offered him some pecuniary as

to attempt direct interrogation. He felt his way by inquiries as to the general situation of Art, and David was soon enlarging on the

eisurely way as he raised himself painfully from his cha

rogeneous collection of manuscripts and books; the latter were piled up eve

ying a word or two and then pausing as though to tak

xamined it, David meanwh

st line engravers-his name is Macmanus

ther before

silver point-isn't i

ul," repl

o you know, Plimsoll is one of the most gifted"-he was holding a match to his pipe as he spoke-"gifted young artists in the countr

was sympathetic-"but after all, they're

and pulled at his pipe ref

m-strong, Knott. They'd

to be done? Everybody's in the same boat. The writers

but the regular journalists-the people on the staffs-are all right-of course I know cases-there's a man called-er, let me see-I've g

d briskly, "I saw your f

more began relighting his p

ou? How is he? I haven't

ly. "He seems to be getting on very

ht. He's a beautiful

entirely to you. I introduced him to Ringsmith entirely on your recommendation two years

d his beard

ore the War-it must have

," Peter could not

king, and seemed

quisite study-on the wall yonder." He pointed

at it a moment, and s

sfied, I've got

almost condescending smile stole over David's eye

watch. "Anything doing in your own line, Saunde

ffed at

ow-that's rather a good thing

s wandered over the unwieldy

constable?"

ffed com

nt," he

t dropped

ime of life, and obliged to work for his living, i

ed in a su

Knott-we relieve the-younger men

t the thought of David tackling a lusty

laid up, injured in

"I go on-duty at-two-very quiet then-lovely it is-on fine

ott pulled out his watc

d whether you'd go down to Rendlesham for a few weeks. He wants a catalogue of his prints, and there are s

t down h

experienced men-one doesn't know what-may happen." He had got on his feet and had gradually reached the door of

flights below when

hear of-a secret

the words out Peter K

onsibilities a large family entailed on him, took counsel with his old friend as to what could be done next. There was reason for believing that David's

n account and say you need the catalogue soo

other, and the suggestion wa

eedy-looking individual called at Portland Plac

ng letters, tossed it over to his secretary. T

RBERT [

who has been kindly helping me with the work since my little accident, will explain the different points to you and take your instructions, I am so

rs

.

listening while he went on signing the papers befo

ccident,' Miss Milsome?

Sir He

appen? Let's

an glanced

Mr. Wyat

tered and was asked cou

d to my cousin?"

d embarrassed b

t want much said about that. His great wish is that I should be given ce

s a note of anxiety in his

son and Miss Milsom

ell me if anything is wro

ded Miss Mi

id he's r

some as he spoke. Her expression

, that he has been a

t Saunders

n he slipped on a curbstone owing to the darkness. Fortunately it was close to his own place, and he was able, though with difficulty, to make his way slowly up to his flat.

yatt

?" There was evident apprehen

be spared in these times for important cases. He gave me quite a lecture about it. The charwoman came in

mple madness!" Sir Herb

ouple of days he went on working again, but of course he couldn't write. He joked about it. He see

laughed ve

I'll call for him." Sir Herbert looked at his table, covered with papers, and then a

he telephone from t

rson rose hurriedl

" he ordered as th

on the front seat of the landaulette, facing Sir Herbert Saun

already

r first," the doctor suggested as they arrived at the door.

not mention my presence. I only want to know your opinion

. Sir Herbert detaine

very much indebted to you for telling me

ating gesture as they shook hands and followed quickly after

always placed in his car. Suddenly he was disturbed.

tered the words in a whis

Sir Herbert got out of his car

stood silently, reverently lo

ay to them: "What a lucky fellow I am to have the