e ain't no mistake, ole sport," said Bindle confidently. "It's
all down in the delivery-note. The Ole Bird 'as sort o' taken a fancy
to soldiers, an' wants to 'ave a supply on the premises."

Huggles had climbed in through the window and was being followed by
Wilkes. Suddenly Bindle went up to Mr. Wilton and, in a confidential
voice said, jerking his thumb in the direction of John:

"If you wants to see somethink wot'll make you 'appy, you jest make
Calves whistle or 'um, 'Ginger, You're Barmy,' then you see wot'll
'appen. You'll die o' laughin', you will really."

For a moment Mr. Wilton looked uncomprehendingly from Bindle to
Ginger; then, appreciating the familiarity with which he had been
addressed by a common workman, he turned and, with great dignity,
walked from the room on the balls of his feet. Ginger watched him with
gloomy malevolence.

"I don't 'old with ruddy waiters, like 'im," he remarked.

"All right, Ging, never you mind about Dicky Bird, you get on with
your work."

Bindle picked up Wilkes's hat--a battered fawn bowler with a mourning
band--and placed it upon the head of the late Sir Benjamin Biggs, Lady
Knob-Kerrick's father, whose bust stood on an elaborate pedestal near
the window.

"'E's on the bust now all right!" grinned Bindle as he regarded his
handiwork.

In the space of twenty minutes the room was bare, but for an enormous
pile of furniture in one corner. Soon sections of small
japanned-bedsteads and bundles of bedding appeared mysteriously at the
window, and were hauled in by Bindle and Ginger. After the bedsteads
and bedding, there appeared four baths; these were immediately
followed by four tin wash-handstands and basins, a long table, two
looking-glasses, half a dozen towel-horses, and various other articles
necessary to a well-ordered dormitory.

Throughout the proceedings Wilkes's cough could be heard as a sort of
accompaniment from without.

"There's one thing, Ging," remarked Bindle, "there ain't much chance
o' mislayin' pore ole Wilkie. That cough of 'is is as good as a bell
round 'is neck."

At twelve o'clock, work was knocked off. Wilkes entered through the
window carrying a frying-pan, and Huggles with a parcel wrapped in
newspaper. Ginger and Bindle both went down the ladder, the
first-named returning a minute later with a parcel, also wrapped in
newspaper.

From his parcel Huggles produced a small piece of steak, which he
proceeded to fry at the fire. Ginger in