3
‘ Can’t you find something more cheerful to look at than that thing?’ The Midget asked next morning, referring to the Richard portrait which Grant had propped up against the pile of books on his bed-side table.
‘ You don’t find it an interesting face?’
‘ Interesting! It gives me the willies. A proper Dismal Desmond.’
‘ According to the history books he was a man of great ability.’
‘ So was Bluebeard.’
‘ And considerable popularity, it would seem.’
‘ So was Bluebeard.’
‘ A very fine soldier, too,’ Grant said wickedly, and waited. ‘No Bluebeard offers?’
‘ What do you want to look at that face for? Who was he anyway?’
‘ Richard the Third.’
‘ Oh, well, I ask you!’
‘ You mean that’s what you expected him to look like.’
‘ Exactly.’
‘ Why?’
‘ A murdering brute, was
