Sir, it is now nine monnth.

I am yoost four tousand five hundred rupees out of my pocket by this gentleman!' To enable me to cope with this astonishing tale I asked Mr.Kauffer for a chair, which he obligingly gave me, and begged that he also would be seated.

The files at my office were my business, and this was not, but no matter of Imperial concern seemed at the moment half so urgently to require probing.

'Surely,' I said, 'that is an unusual piece of enterprise for a photographic firm to employ an artist to paint on a salary.

I don't know even a regular dealer who does it.' Mr.Kauffer at once and frankly explained.