possible. This much Tarleton had gathered from his departmental chief,
and there was no doubt that he would have his hands full. He had had
opportunity of gauging the political qualities of Sir Matthew Bale;
at his next interview he was enabled to form an opinion of his
administrative methods. He was again seated opposite the chairman, who
leaned back in his chair with an air of indolent ease. Tarleton was
pointing out to him the considerable difficulty there would be in
staffing the committee owing to the demands upon the department through
the War. There was also, he explained, the troublesome question of
securing accommodation, for which there was no room at the Government
Office. Sir Matthew loftily waved aside these difficulties.

"As to accommodation, Mr. Tarleton," he said, "just tell the Office of
Works that it is the Prime Minister's wish that I should have every
facility, and as to staff, look at these." As he spoke he touched a
bundle of papers which lay on the table. "You have choice enough there,
Mr. Tarleton."

Tarleton had seen the papers; in fact, he had placed them on the table
Himself after carefully going through them. They were applications from
all sorts of individuals offering their voluntary services. There were
letters from retired officers, judges, tea-planters, cowboys, fellows of
the Universities--in fact, the usual heterogeneous collection with which
those who have Government work to do are familiar since the War.

"It is very doubtful, Sir Matthew, whether any of these gentlemen would
be suitable for this sort of work. You will, I am sure, understand that a
certain training--"

"Oh, never mind the training, Mr. Tarleton. I'll soon select somebody for