At this moment he had a cigar in his mouth, and when he entered the room he stood with his back to the fire ready for conversation and looking very unlike a clerk who intended to do any work.

But there was a general idea that Mounser Green was invaluable to the Foreign Office.

He could speak and write two or three foreign languages; he could do a spurt of work,--ten hours at a sitting when required; he was ready to go through fire and water for his chief; and was a gentleman all round.

Though still nominally a young man,--being perhaps thirty-five years of age--he had entered the service before competitive examination had assumed its present shape and had therefore the gifts which were required for his special position.

Some critics on the Civil Service were no doubt apt to find fault with Mounser Green.