six now. He was wide
awake: it must be nearly time to get up. It would never do to be late;
he might get the sack.

He got up and dressed himself. Ruth was asleep, so he crept quietly
downstairs, lit the fire and heated the tea. When it was ready he went
softly upstairs again. Ruth was still sleeping, so he decided not to
disturb her. Returning to the kitchen, he poured out and drank a cup
of tea, put on his boots, overcoat and hat and taking his basket went
out of the house.

The rain was still falling and it was very cold and dark. There was no
one else in the street. Easton shivered as he walked along wondering
what time it could be. He remembered there was a clock over the front
of a jeweller's shop a little way down the main road. When he arrived
at this place he found that the clock being so high up he could not see
the figures on the face distinctly, because it was still very dark. He
stood staring for a few minutes vainly trying to see what time it was
when suddenly the light of a bull's-eye lantern was flashed into his
eyes.

'You're about very early,' said a voice, the owner of which Easton
could not see. The light blinded him.

'What time is it?' said Easton. 'I've got to get to work at seven and
our clock stopped during the night.'

'Where are you working?'

'At "The Cave" in Elmore Road. You know, near the old toll gate.'

'What are you doing there and who are you working for?' the policeman
demanded.

Easton explained.

'Well,' said the constable, 'it's very strange that you should be
wandering about at this hour. It's only about three-quarters of an
hour's walk from here to Elmore Road. You say you've got to get there
at seven, and it's only a quarter to four now. Where do you live?
What's your name?' Easton gave his name and address and began
repeating the story about the clock having stopped.

'What you say may be all right or it may not,' interrupted the
policeman. 'I'm not sure but that I ought to take you to the station.
All I know about you is that I find you loitering outside this shop.
What have you got in that basket?'

'Only my breakfast,' Easton said, opening the basket and displaying its
contents.

'I'm inclined to believe what you say,' said the policeman, after a
pause. 'But to make quite sure I'll go home with you. It's on my
beat, and I don't want to run you in if you're what you say you are,
but I should advise you to buy a decent clock, or you'll be