War-time Silhouettes | Page 7

of the nation are our concern, and in this
case I see no reason whatever why, because this man's name is
Klein--As a matter of fact, when I was dining with a member of the
Cabinet a few evenings ago, I met a most charming person called
Schmerz, and, I have reason for knowing, a most loyal subject. Indeed,
I understand that my friend the minister finds his advice most useful in
certain cases. No, no, by all means send for this Mr. Klein--let's have a
look at him."
* * * * *
Mr. Klein arrived, and Oswald Tarleton was not favourably impressed
by him. He had thick features and a generally unattractive appearance;
he spoke, too, with an accent which Tarleton distrusted, although Klein
assured him that he was a French Alsatian, and as proof thereof showed
the secretary a letter from the French Embassy which vouched for his
being a devoted citizen of the Republic. Sir Matthew entirely approved
of him.
"Just the man we want, Mr. Tarleton. Make him assistant secretary.
That'll flatter him--then ask anything you like of him and he'll do it.
That's my way."
* * * * *
Presently Klein was installed and Tarleton soon found him a most
assiduous and useful assistant. Without the loss of a moment he got
into touch with various chiefs of subsidiary departments and obtained
stenographers and typewriters, clerks and porters. Urged by Sir
Matthew, he harried the Office of Works till they provided ample

accommodation in a fine building in a central position; from H.M.
Stationery Office he promptly ordered all sorts of indispensable
supplies, and within an incredibly short time Sir Matthew found
himself installed in sumptuous offices with a fine committee-room and
everything in as perfect order as even he could desire. Tarleton was
compelled to admit that Klein had proved to be an acquisition.
"What did I tell you?" cried Sir Matthew triumphantly. "Trust me to
find the right man, Mr. Tarleton, trust me. I always believe in
demanding the impossible and I generally get it. If you're modest, you
get left."
Tarleton could vouch for the truth of this observation, and he disliked
the chairman more than ever.
In due course the committee held its first sitting. On Sir Matthew's right
sat Lord Milford, a wealthy peer of independent political opinions and
great obtuseness, by whose social prestige Sir Matthew was greatly
impressed; on his left Mr. Doubleday, the leader of the Labour Party in
the House of Commons. Ranged on either side, according to their
importance, sat the various other members of the committee.
Sir Matthew's opening address, written for him by Tarleton, met with
an Excellent reception, and the proceedings developed smoothly.
* * * * *
As the weeks passed the work of the committee increased, especially
that part of it which fell to the staff. Tarleton was worked off his legs.
In committee Sir Matthew was indisputably an adroit chairman. He
knew how to assert himself on occasion and play off the members
against each other, and he showed the dexterity of a conjurer in
manipulating evidence. But outside the committee-room, entirely
absorbed by the decorative side of his position, he talked and talked
from morning till evening. Beyond receiving important persons, he did
nothing. He was as incapable of composing a letter as of making a
speech, and Tarleton had to write both for him. He would arrive in the
morning when Tarleton was trying to get on with urgent
correspondence or to frame questions to be asked of witnesses, and so
take up his unfortunate secretary's time that it was almost impossible
for him to get his work finished for the next meeting. He made the most
exacting demands upon his overworked staff, showing as little
consideration for them as he did grasp of the mass of detail they had to

get through between committee meetings. Indeed, had it not been for
the industrious energy of Klein, who had relieved him of practically all
the routine work, ordinary correspondence and office supervision,
Tarleton had to admit to himself that it would have been beyond his
power to carry on.
As the proceedings of the committee advanced, Sir Matthew's opinion
of his own importance increased, and Tarleton's dislike of him grew
into hatred. Gentle, unassuming, and sensitive, he had never so far
encountered an individual like Sir Matthew Bale, who outraged all his
finer feelings and susceptibilities a dozen times a day. And the
secretary swore between his teeth that if he ever got the chance of
tripping him up, once the committee was done with, he would take
good care not to miss it.
Klein, on the other hand, grew in Tarleton's esteem, and he felt he had
done him an injustice, for which he was determined