The Kingdom of the Blind

n in various poses. There were a good many photographs, mostly signed, above the mantelpiece; a cigar cabinet, a case of sporting-rifles and shot guns, some fishing tackle, a ca

d that no personal harm was intended to him, however, he presently curled himself up once more. Again the apartment seemed to become the embodiment of repose. The clock, after a hoarse wheezing warning, struck seven. The dog opened one eye and looked up at it. A few minutes later, the peace of the place was broken in a different fashion. There was the sound of a key being hastily fitted into the lock of the outside door. The dog rose to his

clothes, Jarv

water running into a bath was heard. The door was closed, again there was silence. The fox terrier, after a

ic bell from outside rang through the room. In a moment or two the man-servant appeared fr

sir," he explained. "If you will take a seat, howev

-Major T

ith a little bow, he disappeared through the inner door. Major Thomson, who had been fingering the Sketch, laid it down the moment the do

with you in a few mome

ot to hurry," Maj

ainly

his easy-chair, an illustrated paper in his hand. All the time, however, his eyes seemed to be searching the room. His sense of listening was obviously quickened; he had the air, even, of th

is," he remarked pleasantly. "The

his visitor replied, "fo

pausing at his smoking-cabinet and bringing out

st now,

. Major Thomson seemed in

ng a cigarette for himself with some difficulty. "What an

replied, "you were lucky to get out of it so well. Let me expl

self comfortable in an easy-chair and was play

pecially around Ypres, from the marvellous success of the German Intelligence Department. The Provost-Marshal, who is a friend of mine, told me that there was a s

anet looke

gh. The last few nights before our little scrap they knew exactly what time our relief part

hompson

y friend the Provost-Marshal showed me, only a few minutes ago, and although I could not be sure of it

e?" he

"and as you are just back from the Front, and brought dispat

s you have a staff billet, it's wonderful how little the ordinary soldier picks up as to what is going on. As a matter of fact, though," he went on, twisting

ople living in the build

lf upon the first floor. This is the second and above us are nothing but the servants' quarters. I should t

on no

mitted. "It was just

ously, looking up from the dog, "h

s it go out, the other day-I can't re

out a summons. Granet crossed the r

t speaking," he said.

rprise him. He glanced

ind of you.... About a quarter past eight?... Certainly! You'll excuse my not

receiver and tu

Miss Geraldine Conyers who just rang up-asked me if I'd like to meet her brother again before h

ured word non-committal. Granet had approached the d

old of. If he is spending the afternoon down at the Admiralty, he'll have all the latest tips about how they mean to deal with t

ror for a moment to straighten his tie. When he turned around, h

"I did not mean to put you to thi

ing the silver recept

sky and sod

shook

nner-time. I have no doubt that your cocktails are excellent but

n, and a dash of something to give it a

ll black bottle, smel

that?" h

replied. "A chap who often goes to the States brought it b

nodded

e remarked. "We shall meet

door. Granet held it ope

trust," he ob

f extended but his departing guest seemed not to n

"especially, although it sounds

stood for a moment upon the rug in front of the fire, deep in thought. The fox terrier played unnoticed about his feet. His fa

," he repeated quietly

ssed the road and made his way to the Ritz Hotel. He addr

Major Thomson,

waiters who was taken ill afterwards. I should be ve

bowed

. "A Belgian waiter, was it not? He has b

Thomson repe

"She has interested herself very much in the matter of Belgian refugees and is entertaining a great many of them at a

s before he was removed, I

weak and ill, though. In fact he ha

give any reason for

I am awar

deep in thought, then he

s case rather interested me. I think I shall ask Lady Anselma

ocality," the man replied. "I believe, ho

," Major Thomson murmured, as