ll, I mean: which I'd set it down that it was a game between
'em, an' Mr Nanjivell just lendin' himself for practice, havin' time
on his hands. First along I'd a mind to join in an' read the man one
or two Practical Hints out o' the sixpenny book; for worse shadowin'
you couldn' see. But when it turned out he was doin' it in earnest
against Mr Nanjivell I allowed as I'd give him a taste o' the real
article, which is what they call 'Scoutin' for Scouts' in the
Advanced Course; whereby he called on Mr Gilbert here, yesterday
afternoon; an' Mr Gilbert's back parlour window bein' open because o'
the hot weather, and me bein' behind the water-butt at the corner--"

"You tarnation imp!" exclaimed the builder.

"Which," continued 'Bert stolidly, "he was askin' if he reckoned by
chance th' Old Doctor's House had any secret hidin' places, an' would
he oblige the landlord Mr Pamphlett by comin' along to-morrow an'
bringin' a hammer? Which I went straight home an' borryed mother's,
an'--an'--"

"An' you've told quite enough," put in 'Beida. "By no means,"
objected Mr Pamphlett. "What have you children done with the money?"

"Oh," said 'Beida wearily, "we're back on the old question, are we?"

But here Nicky-Nan broke in. "Mr Pamphlett," he said, "you tell
that, as landlord, you've a right to walk in an' see to the repairs.
Very well. I don't know the law: but I doubt if the law, when I look
it up, 'll say that the said landlord has power to bring along a
Bobby and a Speckilative Builder. It _may_ be so, o' course.
Any way, you've taken it so, an' walked in; an' the next thing you'll
do is Walk Out." He pointed with his staff to the door. "_Me_--a
German spy! Forth the three of 'ee!"

Mr Pamphlett saw no way but to comply. "You will hear more of this,
Nanjivell," he threatened, turning about in the doorway.

"Gas, again!" said 'Beida. Nicky-Nan stood silent, pointing.
The retreat was not dignified.

"But, o' course," said 'Beida, "the bottom of it all was 'Biades."

"'Biades?"

"He'd caught up with some chatter about your bein' a spy. Oh, bless
your soul, _everybody's_ talkin' about it!" she assured Nicky-Nan
cheerfully. "But little pitchers have the longest ears; an' mother
an' me bein' so busy with the packin', he got ahead of us. He's a
clivver child, too, but"--'Beida shook her head--"I'm harried in mind
about 'en. Quite in a tricksy way he wormed it out o' mother what a
spy was, an' how the way t