wed long before you was born, and he'd like to tell yer how he
enjoyed your speech."

A tall man, lean and bearded, and apparently very well dressed, came
forward.

"This is my old pal, Silas Finn," said Bill.

"Delighted to meet you, Mr. Finn," said Paul, shaking hands.

"I too," said the man gravely.

"Silas Finn's a Councillor of the Borough," said Bill proudly.

"You should have been on the platform," said Paul.

"I attended in my private capacity," replied Mr. Finn.

He effaced himself. Paul found himself laughing into Barney Bill's
twinkling eyes. "Dear old Bill," he cried, clapping his old friend on
the shoulder. "How are things going? How's the caravan? I've looked out
for it on so many country roads."

"I'm thinking of retiring," said Bill. "I can only do a few summer
months now--and things isn't what they was."

"And Jane?" He turned to her.

"I'm Mr. Finn's secretary."

"Oh," said Paul. Mr. Finn, then, was an important person.

The drill hall attendant shut the door, and save for the street lamps
they were in gloom. There was an embarrassed little silence. Paul broke
it by saying: "We must exchange addresses, and fix up a meeting for a
nice long talk."

"If you would like to have a talk with your old friends now, my house
is at your disposal," said Mr. Finn, in a soft, melancholy voice. "It
is not far from here."

"That's very kind of you--but I couldn't trespass on your hospitality."

"Gor bless you," exclaimed Barney Bill. "Nothing of the kind. Didn't I
tell yer I've knowed him since we was lads together? And Jane lives
there."

Paul laughed. "In that case--"

"You'll be most welcome," said Mr. Finn. "This way."

He went ahead with Barney Bill, whose queer side limp awoke poignant
memories of the Bludston brickfield. Paul followed with Jane.

"And what have you been doing?" he asked.

"Typewriting. Then Bill came across Mr. Finn, whom he hadn't seen for
years, and got me the position of secretary. Otherwise I've been doing
nothing particular."

"If you knew what a hunt I had years ago to find you," he said, and
began to explain the set of foolish circumstances when they turned the
corner of the drill hall and found a four-wheeled cab waiting.

"I had already engaged it for my friends and myself," Mr. Finn
explained. "Will you get in?"

Jane and Paul and Mr. Finn entered the cab. Barney Bill, who liked air
and for whom the raw November night was filled apparently with balmy
ze