his taste. Thus all the details
of the _Watchman_ were left to Henry, the chief articles being
contributed by friends of Mr. Pilkington. A cashier, a clerk, and an
advertising manager were the only members of the office staff; and as
the paper was distributed by a large wholesale house, no business beyond
the editorial and advertising affairs of the _Watchman_ was conducted at
the office. A very humdrum place, in truth, except on the rare occasions
when the lordly proprietor put in an appearance, or Mr. Pilkington
received some political person with an axe to grind, and an eye on the
_Watchman_, as a possible grinder.

For all that, the _Watchman_ made a brave show every Friday, and its
articles were quoted widely in the provincial Press as representing the
weighty opinion of Tory inner circles; and the more the _Watchman_ was
quoted the higher rose the hopes of Mr. Pilkington that Lord Dingleton
would continue to bridge the monthly chasm which yawned between the
income of the _Watchman_ and the cost of its production, for--let us
blab the horrid truth, as yet unknown to Henry--the paper was merely the
expensive hobby of his lordship.

On returning to his office after his encounter with Trevor Smith, the
young journalist was surprised and delighted to find Adrian Grant seated
in his chair, and smoking the eternal cigarette.

"Thought I would just drop in to see how you were getting along," the
visitor said, rising and shaking hands with his protege. "Very
comfortable quarters here," glancing round Henry's well-furnished room.

"I had just been wondering this very day when I should have the pleasure
of seeing you again." The sincerity of Henry's words was apparent on his
face.

"I have only run up to town for a week or two before leaving for another
spell in Sardinia. I am getting restless again, and there flow the
waters of Nepenthe. But the question is: How are you?"

"Pleased with my work, at least, I must say, and fascinated by London.
But only to-day I have had a peep at its under side, and I fear that
the less one knows of that the better for one's peace."

"'See all, nor be afraid.' Surely you will let Browning advise you if
that decadent Adrian Grant is too pessimistic for your healthy British
taste," said the visitor, with the hint of a smile.

CHAPTER XIX

THE PEN AND PENCIL CLUB

THE "Magpie" is, or was, a hotel of the good old-fashioned