"That's what I thought, Sir."

"Ha! Well, of course the writers' anonymity must be observed—that's a point of honour. Still, I think, Williams—I have been asked to recommend an intelligent officer for a staff appointment—that if I were to name you I should not go far wrong. And—er—if you are ever asked for an opinion of the destruction of Ypres—"

"I shall remember to give the reference, Sir. Thank you, Sir."

W.B.


A TROPICAL TRAGEDY.

On the tesselated slopes

Of the Isle of Tapioca,

Where the azure antelopes

Haunt the valley of Avoca,