re

out of his lair at intervals of three minutes, to see whether they had returned. Constant disappointment in this respect had rendered him decided

t mean?' he cried. 'Where have

aid Psmith

een? Where have you been? I cannot have this. It is preposterous. Where have you been? Suppos

hat with, Comrade Bicke

at you are expected to remain in y

es it a little hard for Comrade Jac

been posti

ashly to the conclusion that we were merely gadding about in pursuit of pleasure. E

leave your place. Jackso

n is not used to the stir and bustle of the City. His nerve failed him. He shrank from going to the post-office alone. So

have taken yo

-strain had left us shaken. Before resuming our more ordinary duties we had to refresh. A br

shall report the matt

the cry. There must be no shirking of painful duties. Sentiment must play no part in busine

this for a moment, then

ng to Psmith's gloves and hat. 'Suppose Mr Bickersdyke

ave said, "All is well. Psmith has not left us. He will c

seem very bu

d Mr Rossiter

ly. They had not heard Mr Bickersdyke approaching. Mike, who had been stolidly entering add

siter was still too confused for speech

y, yes. Mr Rossiter and I were just scheming out a line of work for me as you

. We do not encourage

am a worker. A bee, not a drone. A _Lusitania,_ not a limpet. Perhaps I have not yet that g

ad now recovered himself, and was as nearly calm as it was in his na

the small matter that had been under discussion between the head

ickersdyke. I think he will

suppose that Mr Rossiter's tribute to the earnestness of one of his _employes_ w

kersdyke,'

nager

regards to you,' sai

walked off wi

ionable feller,' murmured Psm

on the point of falling. Ledgers are closed with a bang. Men stand about and talk for a moment or two before going to the basement for their hats and coats. Then, at irregular intervals, forms pass down the central aisle and out through the swing doors. There is an air of relaxation over the place, though some departments are sti

t moment. Mike as he grew familiar with the work, and began to understand it, used to prowl round the other departments during the afternoon and wrest letters from them, usually rece

nished, accompanied him down to the post office and back again to the

have omitted to ask you where you are digging. Wherever it is, of course you must clear out. It is imperative, in this crisis, th

Mike, 'it's all rot.

offer you the post of confidential secretary and adviser to me in exchange for a comfortable home. The duties will be light. You will be required to re

,' said M

duties tonight. Where are

But, loo

aristocrat on the box to drive us to Dulwich. We will then collect a few of your things in a bag, have the rest off by train, come back

p and killed them. After all, Psmith was not like any ordinary person. There would be no question of charity. Psmi

so wrapped up in your work this afternoon that you did not hear my very entertaining little chat with Comrade Bickersdyke, or

of him not to give you away

self, "There must be good in Comrade Rossiter, after all. I must cultivate him." I shall make it my business to be kind to our Departmental head. He deserves the utmost consideration. His action shone like a good deed in

stopped the cab and got out. A brief and somewhat embarrassing interview with the pantomime dame, during which

er, was obviously going to be extremely comfortable, that worked the change. But principally it was due to his having found an ally. The gnawing loneliness had gone. He did not look forward to a career of Commerce with any gr