Max Carrados. Bramah Ernest

glanced at the print and returned it to his master’s hand.

      “May I inquire if it is a recent photograph of the gentleman, sir?” he asked.

      “About six years ago,” said the lieutenant, taking in this new actor in the drama with frank curiosity. “But he is very little changed.”

      “Thank you, sir. I will endeavour to remember Mr Creake, sir.”

      Lieutenant Hollyer stood up as Parkinson left the room. The interview seemed to be at an end.

      “Oh, there’s one other matter,” he remarked. “I am afraid that I did rather an unfortunate thing while I was at Brookbend. It seemed to me that as all Millicent’s money would probably pass into Creake’s hands sooner or later I might as well have my five hundred pounds, if only to help her with afterwards. So I broached the subject and said that I should like to have it now as I had an opportunity for investing.”