through the American Embassy, rather argued that England felt the
necessity for prompt action.

The barber almost cut his ear off when James came to announce the fact
than an officer of the Royal Household was downstairs and that Mr.
Black and Mr. Stanton had returned from Grosvenor Square with the
apparatus and films, and when Edestone stopped him long enough to say
through the lather: "Tell Mr. Black that I will be at the Palace and
shall want everything in readiness by 4:30 at the latest," the man
gave such a start that he almost dropped the shaving mug. He set it
down with a bang on the marble washbasin.

"I go," he said. "My nose bleeds. I will send you another barber." And
he rushed out of the room.

"What is the matter, James?" exclaimed Edestone indignantly. "Why
didn't you insist on their sending up the head barber instead of that
fool? Come finish this thing up yourself, I can't wait." Recovering
his equanimity he added: "Time flies and the King waits."

James, who in his time had valeted princes, after he had finished
shaving him and had turned him out as only a well-trained English
valet can, glanced with satisfaction at his work. "I think, sir, when
His Majesty sees you, sir, he will ask, sir, who is your tailor,
sir. A buttonhole, sir?"

And so with a light step and buoyant spirit the American went down,
when word came up that Colonel Stewart had called for him.

"Mr. Edestone," said the Colonel, "I am glad to tell you that your