rned from a sailor, who had assured him that in Brazil the
inevitable response was the knife. Ever after, Bindle had a great
respect for the Brazilian, and the laws of a country that permitted the
arbitrary punishment of silent insult.

Henceforward the foreman became the centre of Bindle's thoughts. Too
genial and happy-go-lucky by nature himself to nourish any enmity
against his superior, Bindle was determined to teach him a lesson,
should the chance occur. The man was a bully, and Bindle disliked
bullies. At last his chance came, much to Bindle's satisfaction, as a
result of his own foresight in allowing it to become known that he
possessed some ability as a carpenter.

The third floor corridor, known as No. 1 East, was to be redecorated.
In painting the doors all the numbers, which were separate figures of
gun-metal, had to be removed before the painting was commenced and
replaced after it was completed. This required great care, not only
that the guests might not be awakened, but that the partially dried
paint might not be smeared. The foreman always performed this delicate
operation himself, regarding it as of too great importance to entrust
to a subordinate.

On this particular occasion, however, the foreman had received an
invitation to a beanfeast at Epping. This was for the Saturday, and
the corridor was to be redecorated on the Friday night. As an early
start was to be made, the foreman was anxious to get away and obtain
some sleep that he might enjoy the day to its full extent.

He had done all he could to postpone the work until the next week, but
without success, so it became necessary for him either to find a
substitute, or go weary-eyed and sleepless to his pleasure.

For a man of the social temperament of the foreman to decline such an
invitation was unthinkable.

Just as he had arrived at the conclusion that he would have to go
straight from work, his eye lighted on Bindle, and remembering what he
had heard about his varied abilities, he beckoned him to follow to a
room that temporarily served as an Office of Works. Inside the room
Bindle gazed expectantly at his superior.

"I 'ear you've been a carpenter," the foreman began.

"Funny 'ow rumours do get about," remarked Bindle pleasantly. "I
remember when my brother-in-law, 'Earty's 'is name--ever met him?
Quaint ole bird, 'Earty.--Well, when 'e----"

"Never mind 'im," returned the foreman, "can you 'andle a screw-driver?"

"'Andle