And the strange-looking person continued his way. As he walked through the City, the merchants regarded him with surprise, but there were those amongst the stockbrokers who seemed to receive him with recognition. "I fancy I have seen the Johnnie somewhere before," observed one Member of the House to another. "I am almost sure I know the cut of his suit." And the man walked on until he reached Knightsbridge. There he was stopped by an elderly, well-dressed, well-to-do individual, who had evidently just come up from the country. The two pedestrians started back when they met face to face. "What are you doing in that hideous disguise?" asked the senior of the junior. "It is no disguise, father," was the reply; "it is only the customary get up of a young man of fashion between the hours of nine and eleven when he proposes to walk in the park." And, with these words, the strange apparition crossed over the road, and entered Rotten Row. And here he was soon lost in a crowd quite as eccentrically garbed as himself. * * * * * A WAY THEY HAVE IN THE CITY. SCENE--_Board-room of a Public Company._ TIME--_A few minutes after the close of a General Meeting._ PRESENT--_Chairman of Directors and Secretary._ _Chairman._ Well, I think I got in all that was wanted? _Secretary._ Could not have been better, Sir. You had the figures at your fingers' ends. _Chair. (laughing)._ You mean on a sheet of paper in front of me. _Sec._ And everyone was satisfied, Sir. _Chair._ As they should have been, considering my flaming account of the prosperity of the undertaking. By the way, _is_ it flourishing? _Sec._ Well, Sir, that is scarcely in my department. You must ask the auditors. _Chair._ Oh, never mind; it is a matter of no importance. _Sec._ I daresay if you wanted any information, Sir, I could get it for you. _Chair._ No, thanks, I don't want to increase my work. I am sure I do quite enough for my wretched two or three hundred a year--don't you think so? _Sec._ Certainly, Sir. You do a great deal more than some Chairmen. _Chair._ Yes, I suppose I do. Come here once a year, and preside over an Annual Meeting, and draw my fees. What more _can_ I do? _Sec._ I'm sure I don't know, Sir. A knowledge of the duties of a Chairman of Directors comes scarcely within the scope of my required services. _Chair._ Quite so; and now I will say Good-bye! _Sec._ See you again next year, Sir? _Chair._ Certainly. If I don't sell out in the meantime. And now I must be off. I am due at another meeting, and have to get up the necessary figures in five minutes. Do you think I shall do it in the time? _Sec._ Certainly, Sir. You managed the task in less here. [_Scene closes in upon the valuable pair--and the security of the Public._ * * * * *