***

Weird o’ the Pool (MURRAY) may be described as a subterranean book.  I mean that its characters are frequently to be found in secret passages and caves and places unknown to law-abiding citizens.  The scenes of this story of incident are laid in Scotland at the beginning of last century, and Mr. ALEXANDER STUART makes things move at such a pace that for a hundred pages or so I could not keep up with him.  Then two kind ladies had a conversation, and the confusion which had invaded my mind was suddenly and completely cleared away.  The pace after this dispersal is as brisk as ever, but it is quite easy to keep up with it.  All the same, I cannot help thinking that Mr. STUART has overcrowded his canvas, and that his tale would be the better for the removal of a few of his plotters and counter-plotters from it.  I have never yet said a good word for a synopsis, but I do not mind admitting that I could put up with one here.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  "Auntie Madge” (who writes the weekly letter to the darling kiddies in “Mummy’s Own Magazine"). “NOISY LITTLE BEASTS!  I SHALL NEVER DO ANY DECENT WORK IN THIS ATMOSPHERE.”]

* * * * *

SUGGESTED BY THE KAISER-TSAR REVELATIONS.

  Willy-Nilly.  Willingly or unwillingly.
  Willy-Nikky.  Of malice aforethought.