e to be done in a bloody 'urry at
the last minute.'

Presently Harlow--who was very anxious to know what time it was--went
downstairs to ask Slyme. It was twenty minutes to twelve.

From the window of the room where Slyme was papering, one could see
into the front garden. Harlow paused a moment to watch Bundy and the
labourers, who were still working in the trenches at the drains, and as
he looked out he saw Hunter approaching the house. Harlow drew back
hastily and returned to his work, and as he went he passed the word to
the other men, warning them of the approach of Misery.

Hunter entered ii his usual manner and, after crawling quietly about
the house for about ten minutes, he went into the drawing room.

'I see you're putting the finishing touches on at last,' he said.

'Yes,' replied Owen. 'I've only got this bit of outlining to do now.'

'Ah, well, it looks very nice, of course,' said Misery in a voice of
mourning, 'but we've lost money over it. It's taken you a week longer
to do than we allowed for; you said three weeks and it's taken you a
month; and we only allowed for fifteen books of gold, but you've been
and used twenty-three.'

'You can hardly blame me for that, you know,' answered Owen. 'I could
have got it done in the three weeks, but Mr Rushton told me not to
hurry for the sake of a day or two, because he wanted a good job. He
said he would rather lose a little over it than spoil it; and as for
the extra gold, that was also his order.'

'Well, I suppose it can't be helped,' whined Misery. 'Anyhow, I'm very
glad it's done, because this kind of work don't pay. We'll 'ave you
back on the brush on Monday morning; we want to get outside done next
week if it keeps fine.'

The 'brush' alluded to by Nimrod was the large 'pound' brush used in
ordinary painting.

Misery now began wandering about the house, in and out of the rooms,
sometimes standing for several minutes silently watching the hands as
they worked. As he watched them the men became nervous and awkward,
each one dreading that he might be one of those who were to be paid off
at one o'clock.

At about five minutes to twelve Hunter went down to the paint-shop--the
scullery--where Crass was mixing some colour, and getting ready some
'empties' to be taken to the yard.

'I suppose the b--r's gone to ask Crass which of us is the least use,'
whispered Harlow to Easton.

'I wouldn't be surprised if it was you and me, for two,' replied