wanted that two hours with her, and employed these two reverend
gentlemen to detain us at our houses so as to let him have the
field to himself."

"And of course," said the late Mr Shorter apologetically to me, "as
I had to keep a gentleman at home from keeping an appointment with
a lady, I had to come with something rather hot and strong--rather
urgent. It wouldn't have done to be tame."

"Oh," I said, "I acquit you of tameness."

"Thank you, sir," said the man respectfully, "always very grateful
for any recommendation, sir."

The other man idly pushed back his artificial bald head, revealing
close red hair, and spoke dreamily, perhaps under the influence of
Basil's admirable Burgundy.

"It's wonderful how common it's getting, gentlemen. Our office is
busy from morning till night. I've no doubt you've often knocked
up against us before. You just take notice. When an old bachelor
goes on boring you with hunting stories, when you're burning to be
introduced to somebody, he's from our bureau. When a lady calls on
parish work and stops hours, just when you wanted to go to the
Robinsons', she's from our bureau. The Robinson hand, sir, may be
darkly seen."

"There is one thing I don't understand," I said. "Why you are both
vicars."