'False pretences and impersonation, sir. There's five charges against him in different parts of the country, mostly at hotels. He represents himself as a rich man, stays there for some time living like a lord, cashes a big cheque and then goes off. Calls 'isself Sir Solomon Philbrick. Funny thing is, I think he really believes his tale 'isself. I've come across several cases like that one time or another. There was a bloke in Somerset what thought 'e was Bishop of Bath and Wells and confirmed a whole lot of kids ‑ very reverent, too.
'Well, anyway, said Dingy, 'he went without his wages from here.
'I always felt there was something untrustworthy about that man, said Mr Prendergast.
'Lucky devil! said Grimes despondently.
* * *
'I'm worried about Grimes, said Mr Prendergast that evening. 'I never saw a man more changed. He used to be so self‑confident and self‑assertive. He came in here quite timidly just now and asked me whether I believed that Divine retribution took place in this world or the next. I began to talk to him about it, but I could see he wasn't listening. He sighed once or twice and then went out without a word while I was still speaking.
'Beste‑Chetwynde tells me he has kept in the whole of the third form because the blackboard fell down in his classroom this morning. He was convinced they had arranged it on purpose.
'Yes, they often do.
'But in this case, they hadn't. Beste‑Chetwynde said they were quite frightened at the way he spoke to them. Just like an actor, Beste‑Chetwynde said.
'Poor Grimes! I think he is seriously unnerved. It will be a relief when the holidays come.