ace was left howling on the
pavement beside Archie's bicycle.

III

Bindle had discovered at the office that the new occupants of 33
Lebanon Avenue expected to reach Chiswick about six o'clock on the day
following the move. It was nearly a quarter to seven before their taxi
hove in sight. Bindle sauntered up the avenue whistling, and arrived
just in time to see Mr. Daniel Granger open the front door with a key,
enter, and suddenly bolt out very hurriedly and examine the number;
then he looked in again and called to Mrs. Granger, a thin little
woman, with round black eyes and a porcelain smile that deceived no one.

Mrs. Granger tripped up the path and followed the burly form of her
husband through the door. By this time Bindle had reached the gate.

"Want a 'and wi' the luggage, mate?" he enquired of the taxi-driver.

"Maybe yes, maybe no," was the reply.

Bindle examined the man curiously.

"You ain't a-goin' to take no risks, ole card, I can see that," he
retorted with a grin. "I 'ad a mate once 'oo said that to the parson
at 'is weddin', an' 'is missis is never quite sure whether she's a
respectable woman or ought to be a widder. You'll 'ave to get out of
that 'abit; it's as bad as stutterin'."

The taxi-driver grinned.

"I knew a cove," began Bindle, "wot----"

At that moment Mr. Railton-Rogers's omnibus drew up behind the taxi,
and before it had stopped Mr. Rogers bounced out, followed by his
entire suite of wife, progeny, and retainers. Into the house he
dashed, and as he recognised his lares and penates he uttered a howl of
triumph.

The hall was dark, and he fell over a chair, which brought Mr. and Mrs.
Granger out from the dining-room.

"So I've caught you," shouted Mr. Rogers triumphantly, looking up
defiantly at the burly form of Mr. Granger, whose good-humoured blue
eyes wore a puzzled expression. "You're a thief, a daylight-robber;
but I've caught you."

Mr. Rogers planted himself in the doorway. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked
at each other in mute wonder.

"Will you kindly get out of the way?" requested Mr. Granger.

"No, I won't. I've caught you and I mean to keep you," said Mr.
Rogers, making a clutch at Mr. Granger's coat-sleeve. Then something
happened, and Mr. Rogers found himself sitting in the hall, and Mr. and
Mrs. Granger were walking down the path towards their taxi.

"Police! fetch a policeman! Don't let them escape," yelled Mr. Rogers,
and the cry was taken up by