Promotion from them to superintendentships in the Indian Police Service would only be given as a reward for special merit to selected individuals.

Twenty magnificent top hats have long adorned the trusty heads of certain important stationmasters on formal occasions; but it has been decreed that, as one by one these toppered heads retire from the service, their successors are to wear a bowler hat.

However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame. At the same time he cast off the chrysalis of a commonplace existence.

There are several upstarts, who, without the genius to invent a style, have been copying yours, and trying to steal your thunder.