east of a spy to be in the Major's pay? We did.
Van put a constable on his track; we found him out, and he confessed it.
A fact, Tom! That decided me. If it was only to get rid of a brute, I
determined I 'd do it, and I did. Strike came to me to get my name for a
bill that night. 'Gad, he looked blanker than his bill when he heard of
us two bankrupt. I showed him one or two documents I'd got ready. Says
he: "Never mind; it'll only be a couple of hundred more in the schedule."
Stop, Tom! he's got some of our blood. I don't think he meant it. He is
hard pushed. Well, I gave him a twentier, and he was off the next night.
You 'll soon see all about the Company in the papers.'

At the conclusion of Andrew's recital, Old Tom thrummed and looked on the
floor under a heavy frown. His mouth worked dubiously, and, from moment
to moment, he plucked at his waistcoat and pulled it down, throwing back
his head and glaring.

'I 've knocked that fellow over once,' he said. 'Wish he hadn't got up
again.'

Andrew nodded.

'One good thing, Nan. He never boasted of our connection. Much obliged to
him.'

'Yes,' said Andrew, who was gladly watching Old Tom's change of mood with
a quiescent aspect.

'Um!--must keep it quiet from his poor old mother.'

Andrew again affirmatived his senior's remarks. That his treatment of Old
Tom was sound, he presently had proof of. The latter stood up, and after
sniffing in an injured way for about a minute, launched out his right
leg, and vociferated that he would like to have it in his power to kick
all the villains out of the world: a modest demand Andrew at once chimed
in with; adding that, were such a faculty extended to him, he would not
object to lose the leg that could benefit mankind so infinitely, and
consented to its following them. Then, Old Tom, who was of a practical
turn, meditated, swung his foot, and gave one grim kick at the imaginary
bundle of villains, discharged them headlong straight into space. Andrew,
naturally imitative, and seeing that he had now to kick them flying,
attempted to excel Old Tom in the vigour of his delivery. No wonder that
the efforts of both were heating: they were engaged in the task of
ridding the globe of the larger half of its inhabitants. Tom perceived
Andrew's useless emulation, and with a sound translated by 'yack,' sent
his leg out a long way. Not to be outdone, Andrew immediately, with a
still louder 'yack,' committed himself to an effort so violent