I have to thank the Editor of the _Athenæum_ for allowing me to
reprint the poem "Detachment" and the first chapter of this book.
The courtesy of the Editor of the _Pall Mall Gazette_ in permitting
me to use again any of my contributions to his paper also enables
me to include in the fifth chapter the tragic incident of the Mad
'Bus.

S.B.





CONTENTS


CHAPTER I

MAGIC COMES TO A COMMITTEE 1


CHAPTER II

THE COMMITTEE COMES TO MAGIC 19


CHAPTER III