s went to the door, protesting and muttering to himself.

"Stay! one word more! It is wrong of me, perhaps, to hint that your
zeal requires any stimulus, Mr. Faulks."

"Hardly, I hope. I have endeavoured for the last five-and-thirty
years--"

"Yes, yes, we know all about that. But I have been told that you
looked for some special recognition of your services--a decoration,
the Order of the Bath--from the last Administration. Now, unless you
bestir yourself, don't expect anything of the kind from us."

"I do not pretend to say that I have earned the favour of my
Sovereign; but in any case it would depend upon her most gracious
Majesty whether--"

"Don't make any mistake about it. You can only get the Bath through
the recommendation of your immediate superiors. There's stimulus, if
you want it. But don't let me detain you any more."

Mr. Faulks went slowly downstairs, and still more slowly resumed his
out-of-door frock-coat; he took up his hat and stick in the same
deliberate fashion, and started at a snail's pace for round the
corner.

He drawled and dawdled through the business, which five minutes' sharp
talk could have ended, and it was nearly lunch-time before he returned
to his chief.

"Well, you might have been to the Crimea and back!" said Sir Humphrey,
impatiently.

"Matters of such moment are not to be disposed of out of hand. Haste
is certain to produce dangerous confusion, and it has been my unvaried
experience during five-and-thirty years--"

"Which it has taken you to find the shortest way next door. But there!
let us get on with our work. Now, about this expedition to Kertch?"

And Sir Humphrey proceeded to discuss and dispose of great questions
of supply in a prompt, off-hand way that both silenced and terrified
Mr. Faulks.

CHAPTER V.

MR. FAULKS TALKS.

Mr. Faulks was rather fond of good living, and, as a rule, he never
allowed official cares to interfere with his lunch, a meal brought in
on a tray from an eating-house in the Strand. To make a proper
selection from the bill of fare sent in every morning was a weighty
matter, taking precedence over any other work, however pressing.

But to-day he scarcely enjoyed the haricot of lamb with new potatoes
and young peas that he found waiting, and slightly cold, when he went
downstairs to his own room.

"For two pins I'd take my retirement; I can claim it; where would they
be then?"

This estimable personage shared with thousands