ow, declared it was easy enough--
a mere question of care in superimposing the negatives. He had never
actually made the experiment; his clients (so he called his customers)
preferring to be photographed singly or in family groups. But he asked
to be given a trial, and suggested (to be on the safe side) preparing
two or three of these composite prints, between which the Justices might
choose at their next meeting.

This was resolved, and the resolution entered in the minutes; and next
day the photographer set to work. Some of the prisoners resisted and
"made faces" in front of the camera, squinting and pulling the most
horrible mouths. A female shoplifter sat under protest, because she was
not allowed to send home for an evening gown. But the most consented
obediently, and Jim Tresize even asked for a copy to take home to his
wife.

The Admiral (who had married late in life) resided with his wife and
young family in a neat villa just outside the town, where his hobby was
to grow pelargoniums. The photographer passed the gate daily on his way
to and from the prison, and was usually hailed and catechised on his
progress.

His patience with the recalcitrant prisoners delighted the Admiral, who
more than once assured his wife that Smithers was an intelligent fellow
and quite an artist in his way. "I wonder how he manages it," said Mrs.
Trewbody. "He told baby last autumn that a little bird would fly out of
the camera when he took off the cap, and everyone allows that the result
is most lifelike. But I don't like the idea, and I think it may injure
his trade."

The Admiral could not always follow his wife's reasoning. "What is it
you dislike?" he asked.

"Well, it's not nice to think of oneself going into the same camera he
has been using on those wretched prisoners. It's sentiment, I daresay;
but I had the same feeling when he stuck up Harry's photograph in his
showcase at the railway station, among all kinds of objectionable
persons, and I requested him to remove it."

The Admiral laughed indulgently, being one of those men who find a
charm, even a subtle flattery, in their wives' silliness.

"I agree with you," he said, "that it's not pleasant to be exposed to
public gaze among a crowd of people one would never think of knowing.
I don't suppose it would actually encourage familiarity; at the same
time there's an air of promiscuity about it--I won't say disrespect--
which, ahem! jars. But with the pr