ters. I receive them without exception. On this
occasion, I was talking to a friend when a card was presented bearing
the title of a small such paper. I requested the servant to show the
bearer in the drawing-room.

"Five minutes later I was with the fellow, who asked a couple of
questions. Instead, however, of waiting for complete information, which
I volunteered to give, he very politely withdrew, and only the next day
did I discover that he had removed valuables for about 700 francs."

For how long I might have engaged the great and amiable novelist in
conversation I don't know; but at this point, having listened to him for
more than an hour and a half, I rose to leave.

And now that the heavy door has closed behind me, shall I attempt to
compose a picture of Zola as I have seen him there in his room in his
warm, many-pocketed Tyrolese jacket, braided with green, and buttoned up
to the throat? Perhaps it is unnecessary, for his features must by this
time be familiar to almost all.

[Illustration: ZOLA AT WORK.]

Like all Southerners, Zola helps out his voice with frequent gestures;
but he has none of the exuberant eloquence of his race. In society he is
still, to a certain degree, and must always remain the victim of
bashfulness; and his one attempt at public speaking was a complete
failure. He has in him nothing of the boulevardier, and he is happy only
when at work. Enforced idleness would mean misery to him.

_People I Have Never Met._

BY SCOTT RANKIN.

-----

RUDYARD KIPLING.

[Illustration: "The light that failed."]

_An Ethiopian Cricket Match._

BY EDEN PHILLPOTTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEO. HUTCHINSON.

[Illustration]

After the "Rhine" had been anchored in the harbour of St. Thomas, West
Indies, for the space of two days, our First Officer, more generally
known in these records as the Model Man, received a rather remarkable
communication. It was a letter from a black sportsman, who issued a
challenge to our ship on behalf of a local club. This note reminded the
Model Man of a most successful cricket match in the past, when an eleven
from the "Rhine" was victorious; and it suggested that, during the
present visit of our vessel, a return match might be played. We talked
the matter over, and I said:

"Of course you will accept."

But the Treasure answered:

"You see there is always one great difficulty with black cricketers.
They have a theory you cannot play the game pr