"Do get him, Sir Evelyn," said Beth. "He'd be worth pounds to me in paragraphs. He and the bishops and Mary's actresses all together." Linker went on doggedly and shamelessly with his suggestions. There was scarcely anyone of eminence whom he did not suggest, except members of the Royal Family, and Sir Evelyn fully expected him to ask for a prince or two soon. He seemed to be working up in that direction, and at last, when he was plainly getting to the end of his list, he hesitated and apologised over a final name. It would scarcely have surprised anyone if he had mentioned the King himself. "And perhaps," he said, "we might secure the name of----" He looked round among his listeners as if uncertain to whom he ought to appeal for the man he wanted. "The name of Mr. East," he said at last, "would be of the greatest value to us." "Mr. East?" said Sir Evelyn vaguely. He had never heard of Mr. East. "Mr. E. P. East," said Linker, as if that explained the thing. "Who is he?" said Sir Evelyn. "Mr. E. P. East," said Linker, "is the Head Surveyor of Customs and Excise in this district." Beth and Mary were totally uninterested in this suggestion. The name of Mr. E. P. East would be useless for a paragraph and promised no desirable publicity. Sir Evelyn was still as much puzzled as when he first heard the name. He failed to see the value of Mr. East as a patron. "Of course," he said, "if you really want him I might be able to secure him." Jimmy, after looking hard at Linker's totally expressionless face, turned away and whistled softly. Chapter XIII The interview with Linker dragged itself to an end at last and the man bowed himself out of the room. Sir Evelyn took the two girls out to his rock garden and enjoyed himself. He had long been cut off from the society of cheerful and pretty young women who wanted to be agreeable to him and were clever enough to show an interest, which no one under fifty can really feel, in the names and nature of unattractive plants. Sir Evelyn, though old enough to enjoy rock plants, was not too old to enjoy pretty girls. A happy position and rare, for as a rule rock plants only become interesting after pretty girls have ceased to attract.