They talked to one another, these six unfortunates, about the weather, about the Midland Railway, about the picture on the wall.

They watched one another as, in obedience to the summons from within, they disappeared one by one through the green baize door, and emerged a quarter or half an hour later with tinged cheeks, and taking up their hats, vanished into the open-air.

Railsford was the only one left to witness the exit of the fifth candidate.

Then the voice from within called, "Come in, Mr Railsford," and he knew his turn was come.

It was less terrible than he expected.