War-time Silhouettes | Page 6

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 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