Part 28 (1/2)

”To go on with the story” He glanced at the clock ”I've brought it up to date--1115 o'clock this_anno domini_” And as Mr

Slosson continued to drum on the table and to look out of the ard Henry also drummed on the table and looked out of the

The chamber of the senior partner was a very different ured by japanned boxes inartistically lettered in white, as are most lawyer's offices Indeed in aspect it rese but still coar boxes

Moreover, the sun got into it, and there was a view of the comic yet stately Victorian Gothic of the Law Courts The sun enheartened Edward Henry And he felt secure in an uninable suit of clothes; in the shape of his collar, the colour of his necktie, the style of his creaseless boots; and in the protuberance of his pocket-book in his pocket

As Mr Slosson had failed to notice the co, he dru

Edward Henry gazed aht at the back of the rooave on the ashed wall--a nature to a nunored the existence of this ment of the disordered brain or as an optical illusion

”I've nothing to say,” said Mr Slosson

”Or to do?”

”Or to do”

”Well, Mr Slosson,” said Edward Henry, ”your junior partner has already outlined your policy of o to my solicitors But it's occurred to me that as I'm a principal I may as well first of all see the principals on the other side I only came here because it mentions in the option that the matter is to be completed here--that's all”

”You a principal!” exclai way reiven to a Miss Rose Euclid--”

”Excuse me--_the_ Miss Rose Euclid”

”Miss Rose Euclid She divides up her alleged interest into fractions, and sells them here and there, and you buy thehed, not unamiably ”You're a principal about five times removed”

”Well,” said Edward Henry, ”whatever I ao and see this Mr Gristle or Wrissell Can you--”

The hed The man rose

”This is Mr Wrissel,” said Mr Slosson, with a gesture fro,” said the advancing Mr Rollo Wrissell, and he said it with an accent tonian than any accent that Edward Henry had ever heard His lounging and yet elegant walk assorted ith the accent His black clothes were loose and untidy Such boots as his could not have been worn by Edward Henry even in the Five Toithout blushi+ng shame, and his necktie looked as if a baby or a puppy had been playing with it Nevertheless, these shortcos made absolutely no difference whatever to the i said once, ”I put on whatever comes to hand first, and people don't seeed to one of the seven great faovern--England, Scotland and Ireland The members of these families may be divided into two species: those who rule, and those who are too lofty in spirit even to rule--those who exist Mr Rollo Wrissell belonged to the latter species His nose and enerations of art-collectors and poet-patronizers He enjoyed life--but not with rude activity, like the grosser uor He sniffed and savoured the whole spherical surface of the apple of life with those delicate nostrils, rather than bit into it His one conviction was that in a properly--itate the perfect tranquillity of his existing And this conviction was so profound, so visible even in his lightest gesture and glance, that it exerted a anis ever did occur to disturb or agitate the perfect tranquillity of Mr Rollo Wrissell's existing For Mr Rollo Wrissell the world was indeed almost ideal

Edward Henry breathed to hilishman, he was far more impressed by Mr Wrissell than he had been by the much vaster reputations of Rose Euclid, Seven Sachs and Mr Slosson, senior At the saainst Mr Wrissell's silent and unconscious dominion over hiood as anybody else surged up in him--but stopped at his lips

”Please don't rise,” Mr Wrissell entreated, waving both hands ”I'm very sorry to hear of this unhappy complication,” he went on to Edward Henry, with thepoliteness ”It pains ht not to be pained!”) ”I'ood faith--the ested Mr Slosson

”Ah! pardon ement of enormous estates such as Lord Woldo's little difficulties are apt to occur I'm sorry you've been put in a false position You have all my sympathies But of course you understand that in this particular caseI myself have taken up the lease froreat movement The plans ofoperations have indeed begun”

”Oh! chuck it!” said Edward Henry, inexcusably--but such were his words A surfeit of Mr Wrissell's calestures drove hie upon the very fabric of civilization

Mr Wrissell, if he had ever met with the phrase--which is doubtful--had certainly never heard it addressed to hiht have once co dictionary A tragic expression traversed his bewildered features--and then he recovered himself somewhat

”I--”

”Go and bury yourself!” said Edward Henry, with increased savagery