The Napoleon of Notting Hill
In the centre of the parlour stood a large deal table. On it were set rows and rows of the tin and lead soldiers which were part of the shopkeeper's stock. The visitor would have thought nothing of it if it had not been for a certain odd grouping of them, which did not seem either entirely commercial or entirely haphazard.
"You are acquainted, no doubt," said Turnbull, turning his big eyes upon Wayne—"you are acquainted, no doubt, with the arrangement of the American and Nicaraguan troops in the last battle." And he waved his hand towards the table.
"I am afraid not," said Wayne. "I—"
"Ah, you were at that time occupied too much, perhaps, with the Dervish affair. You will find it in this corner." And he pointed to a part of the floor where there was another arrangement of children's soldiers grouped here and there.
"You seem," said Wayne, "to be interested in military matters."
"I am interested in nothing else," answered the toy-shop keeper, simply.
Wayne appeared convulsed with a singular, suppressed excitement.
"In that case," he said, "I may approach you
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