at the tough stone to watch children playing on the lawn. He was
particularly interested in a tall, `severe-looking, fair-haired woman,
who appeared on the balcony for a moment.

Mr. Crips had been at work for about three hours, during which time he
had perspired a good deal and gathered much dust, for Nickie was
habitually easy going, and his task, although pursued with no diligence,
had "taken it out of him" to some extent. He was certainly a deplorable
scarecrow. A fine, polished carriage, with rubber tyres, drawn by a
splendid pair of chestnuts, was driven down the side drove by a livened
menial. It drew up near the centre gates, and Nickie leaned on his hammer
and waited.

The tall, dignified lady, accompanied by a short, important man in
immaculate black, came along the path, and approached the open door of
the vehicle. Nickie advanced carelessly, and intercepted them. He bowed
grotesquely.

"Good day, Billy," he said, familiarly. He lifted his hat pointedly to
the lady. "'Ow's yerself Jinny?" he asked.

The lady and gentleman stared at him in utmost astonishment for a moment,
then consternation seized them, and they made a dive for the vehicle.
Nickie followed to the door.

"So long, if yer mus' be goin', Willyum," he said, pleasantly. "So long,
Jinny. How's the old man's fish business?"

"Drive on!" gasped the gentleman. He had the scared expression of one who
had seen a spectre.

The liveried menial whipped up, and the carriage was swept away. Nickie
returned to his heap, and for fully two minutes Stub McGuire, his
employer, gazed at him in speechless, open-mouthed amazement.

"Well, of all the blarsted cheeks!" gasped McGuire, when speech came to
him.

"Don't mention it," said Nickie.

"Don't mention it!" yelled Stub. "No, iv course not, but what price his
nibs in the noble belltopper mentionin' it t' th' Johns, an' gettin' you
seven days fer disgustin' behaviour?"

Nickie smiled inscrutably, and continued his work. When the carriage
returned, he made an adroit movement, and courteously opened the door.

"'Low me, Jinny, my dear," he said, offering his grimy hand.

The lady stepped down, and passed him disdainfully. The gentleman brushed
him aside.

"'Ope yeh 'ad er pleasant ride in yer cart, Billy?" said Nicholas.

He followed them to the gate, and called through the bars.

"Very sorry, Jinny, but I carn't haccept yer pressin' invitation ter
dinner, havin' er previous engagement."

He r