ase before making any offensive movement. It was a fortnight before he turned his attention to the education of Mr Bickersdyke. During that fortnight he conversed attractively, in the interval

ll wore next his skin; and who, in the opinion of Meredith, was England's leading politician. These facts, imparted to and discussed with Mr Rossiter, made the progress of the _entente cordiale_ rapid. It was on the eighth day that Mr Rossiter consented to lunch with the Old Etonian.

er ourselves free to attend to Comrade Bickersdyke. Our bright little Mancunian friend would

uisine, and the curiously Gorgonzolaesque marble of its main staircase. It takes all sorts to make a world. It took about four thousand o

he next week it seemed

he stairs after dinner one night. The great man, having received practical proof of the excellence of cuisine referred to above, was coming down the main staircase at peace with all men, when he was aware of a tall young man in the 'faultless evening dress' of which the female n

y with a novel, the waiter

e said. 'Are you a m

uced his eye-glass, through which he

th,' he sa

mber,

perhaps you were too busy working to pay any attention. If so, I respect you. I also am a worker. A toiler, not a flatfish. A sizzler, not a s

k you

and found Mr Bickersdyke

eman says

anager. 'Coffee and Be

s,

mes, and on the day after that seven. Each time the latter's smile

was reading the evening paper in a corner, when Psmith sinki

eeps off,'

ished his employee would imitate

called

l cup of coffee?' he said. 'And fo

growled t

g for Mr Bi

r Bickersdyke became

Town Hall next week. I shall come and hear you. Our politics differ in some respects, I fear--I incline t

, but no reply ca

her this morning,

wered his paper a

hear about your f

rprise and pain cam

ved than I can say. Knowing, as I do, what a genuine respect my father has for your great talents, I can only

own his paper and wa

st. Mr Bickersdyke, never a great performer at the best of times, was so unsettled by the scrutiny that in the deciding game of the rubber h

Bickersdyke's partner did not bear his calamity with manly resignation. He gave tongue on the instant. 'What on earth's', and 'Why on earth

f which every member of a club should posses

ixed on the game when you sit

any way of your ideal of what a stare should be; but I appeal t

bjection to your behaviour. It was absolute carelessness. I should have thought tha

e. He had melted silently

his place

ble man, Mr Bickersdyke, I

nk-manager's late partner. 'Thank goodness he lost

er in the evening to refresh his mind after the labours of the day. When he returned, Ps

' said

was the Gaiet

What about

looke

be giving a spirited imitation of a man about to foam at the mouth. I did my best to entertain him. I chatted. His only reply was to leave the room. I followed him to the card-room, and watched his very remarkable and brainy tactics at bridge, and he accused me of causing him to revoke. A very curious personality, that of Comrade Bickersdyke