War-time Silhouettes | Page 6

at him, silently meditating over the pompous
utterance, and wondering what was coming next.
"I understand, Mr. Tarleton," the chairman continued, "that you have
not hitherto had any experience as secretary of committees?"
"Oh yes, Sir Matthew, excuse me--"
"I mean," interrupted the chairman, "of Government committees. Now,
this one has been appointed by the Prime Minister himself, and I think I
may say, without indiscretion that he has largely consulted me as to its
composition. The--er--terms of reference will indicate to you that the
subject of our deliberations is a delicate one, and that it will be
necessary for us to remember that a grave responsibility rests upon us
in the selection of our witnesses. In other words, Mr. Tarleton"--the
chairman leaned back in his seat and scrutinized his secretary--"we
must, in the true interest of the nation--for of course that is the
paramount consideration--be careful to avoid anything in the nature of
disclosures which at this critical juncture might--er--undermine
the--er--confidence which rightly is reposed in the Government. D'you
follow me, Mr. Tarleton?"
The secretary hesitated for a moment.
"Do you mean, Sir Matthew, that we are not to accept evidence--"
"I mean, Mr. Tarleton, that we must discriminate in the selection of our
witnesses before we decide to call them. You are aware, perhaps, that I
am in the confidence of the Labour Party, and you will notice that
Amongst the members of the committee there are three prominent
Labour Members. Now you will understand that--er--er--while I have
the greatest--er--respect for the views of these--er--er--gentlemen, there
are limits to the influence I possess with them, and it is in the highest
degree desirable that no witness should come before them who would
be likely to prejudice in their eyes those who--er--indirectly perhaps
have--er--associations or connections--er--political or otherwise, in the
highest quarters."
"But excuse me, Sir Matthew, I thought--"
"No 'buts,' Mr. Tarleton; no thoughts except on the lines indicated by
me."

Oswald Tarleton withdrew from this preliminary interview with
mingled feelings, but uppermost there was already vaguely forming
itself in his mind a profound distrust, and still more a cordial dislike, of
Sir Matthew Bale.
* * * * *
A recent and somewhat acrimonious debate in the House of Commons
had Precipitated the formation of this committee, and had unduly
hastened the selection of its members. Sir Matthew had been called in
at short notice as being, in the opinion of the minister who had been
under criticism, the most pliant chairman available.
The proceedings of the Committee were to be hurried on as much as
possible. This much Tarleton had gathered from his departmental chief,
and there was no doubt that he would have his hands full. He had had
opportunity of gauging the political qualities of Sir Matthew Bale; at
his next interview he was enabled to form an opinion of his
administrative methods. He was again seated opposite the chairman,
who leaned back in his chair with an air of indolent ease. Tarleton was
pointing out to him the considerable difficulty there would be in
staffing the committee owing to the demands upon the department
through the War. There was also, he explained, the troublesome
question of securing accommodation, for which there was no room at
the Government Office. Sir Matthew loftily waved aside these
difficulties.
"As to accommodation, Mr. Tarleton," he said, "just tell the Office of
Works that it is the Prime Minister's wish that I should have every
facility, and as to staff, look at these." As he spoke he touched a bundle
of papers which lay on the table. "You have choice enough there, Mr.
Tarleton."
Tarleton had seen the papers; in fact, he had placed them on the table
Himself after carefully going through them. They were applications
from all sorts of individuals offering their voluntary services. There
were letters from retired officers, judges, tea-planters, cowboys, fellows
of the Universities--in fact, the usual heterogeneous collection with
which those who have Government work to do are familiar since the
War.
"It is very doubtful, Sir Matthew, whether any of these gentlemen
would be suitable for this sort of work. You will, I am sure, understand

that a certain training--"
"Oh, never mind the training, Mr. Tarleton. I'll soon select somebody
for you--let me have a look through them. Now, here's one--this is the
sort of man that I like; he telegraphs--he doesn't write. A man with
individuality--an original mind. Try him."
"Excuse me, Sir Matthew, have you noticed the name?"
Sir Matthew put on his eyeglass and examined the telegram.
"Louis Klein," he read, "and a very good name too--what's the matter
with it?"
"D'you think it advisable, Sir Matthew, in the present state of public
opinion--"
"Public opinion, Mr. Tarleton, means the Press, and that doesn't
concern us. The true interests