My hurry was fruitless. I missed my train in Bradford, and stayed the night at an hotel, thus (with appropriate but improper extravagance) concluding this particular performance in the role of travelling courier to a distinguished invalid. As I sat over a sumptuous table d'hote--this was long before the submarine blockade and the food restrictions--I wondered what Briggs's wife said to Briggs; and I made up a story about it. But what I have written above is not a story, it is the unadorned truth, which I could not have invented and which is perhaps better than the story. In his courier's presence Briggs addressed not one word to his wife, and his wife addressed not one word to him; nor did his sister or his brother-in-law. Nor did any of this trio address one word to me. PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBURY, FOR SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO., LTD. * * * * * Popular 1/-net Novels "_'Arf a Mo', Pinky!_" Private Pinkerton, Millionaire By HAROLD ASHTON The rollicking adventures of Pte. Pinkerton, Millionaire, and his pal, that irrepressible and courageous soldier, Pte. William Bailey--"Bill," to his friends--ex-burglar, humorist, and all-round sportsman. Phillip in Particular By W. DOUGLAS NEWTON (_Phillip, with two "l's" please, and said slowly._) Has delighted thousands of our boys in the Army. Gloria. A South African Story By CHARLOTTE MANSFIELD, F.R.G.S. Author of "The Dupe," etc. Noted Murder Mysteries By Mrs. BELLOC LOWNDES Author of "The Lodger," etc. "Will hold more firmly than the latest novel."--_Sheffield Daily Independent._ Gay Lawless By HELEN MATHERS Author of "Comin' Thro' the Rye," etc., etc. Confessions of a Wife Being the life story of Margaret X. Retold from her diaries and letters by her friend A.C.L. "It reveals something of the soul of a woman."--_Evening News._ Our Famous Boxers By C.F. WARD ("Corinthian" of the _Daily Chronicle_). This book deals with the varied methods by which our famous boxers made their names in the sporting world. _Illustrated._ _To be had from all Booksellers._ * * * * * SIMPKIN, MARSHALL HAMILTON, KENT & CO., LTD. Echoes of Flanders By CHARLES L. WARR Author of "The Unseen Host." 5s. net. By post 5s. 4d. "These stories of the great war make the great tragedy to pass clear and vivid before the reader's eye. His purpose has been to make real to those at home the endurance and the heroism of our soldiers, and in this he has perfectly succeeded. We need books such as this to keep us awake to the horrors of these days. For there is a danger of becoming acclimatised even to the brutalities of war."--_Scotsman._ Mud and Khaki By VERNON BARTLETT 3s. 6d. net. By post 3s. 10d.