er four continents,
and in all manner of places in those four continents. It was composed of
350,000 different kinds of things.

At once Lord Inverforth was again besieged by the rascals. There was an
army of them, composed of many "rings," seeking to buy up these "waste
products of war" at a knock-down price. At the same time came the
blustering contractor, cheated by peace of his contract, with a claim
for millions on one ground or another.

Lord Inverforth made it clear, first, that the stores were to be sold at
a commercial value, and, second, that he would protect the taxpayer
against extortionate claims on the part of contractors. As regards this
second difficulty, pressure was brought against him from the very
highest political quarters to admit certain claims and to avoid legal
action. His reply was, "I will resign before I initial those claims."

He fought them all, and he beat them all. He saved the taxpayer millions
of pounds.

As for the disposal of stores, he has already brought to the Exchequer
over L500,000,000, and before these pages are printed that sum may be
increased to something like L800,000,000.

The least imaginative reader will perceive from this brief statement
that a veritable Napoleon of Commerce has presided over the business
side of the war. Where there was every opportunity for colossal waste,
there has been the most scientific economy; where there was every
likelihood of wholesale corruption, there has been an unsleeping
vigilance of honesty; and where, at the end, there might have been a
tired carelessness resulting in ruinous loss, there has been up to the
very last moment an unremitting enthusiasm for the taxpayers' interest
which has resulted in a credit contribution to the national balance
sheet of L800,000,000.

I have left to the last this not unworthy feature of Lord Inverforth's
labours. Those labours have been given to the nation. He, at the head of
things, and the chiefs of the Disposal Board under him, have refused to
accept any financial reward. One and all they deserted their businesses
and slaved from morning to night in the national interests, and one and
all they gave their services to the State.

What has been Lord Inverforth's reward from the public? From first to
last he has been attacked by a considerable section of the Press, and
has been accused in Parliament of incredible waste and incorrigible
stupidity. Let it be supposed (I do not grant it for a moment)