his family and retainers. Mr. Rogers
picked himself up and dashed down the path shouting to the drivers of
the taxi and the omnibus that, if they aided and abetted the criminals
to escape, their doom was certain.

"'As anythin' 'appened, sir?" enquired the taxi-driver civilly.

Bindle had retired behind a tree in order to avoid being seen. He had
recognised Archie Clark.

"He's stolen my furniture----'

"Shut up, you silly little ass," interrupted Mr. Granger. Then turning
to the taxi-driver he said, "Perhaps you had better fetch a policeman."

"Better fetch a Black Maria to take all this lot," muttered Bindle.

The neighbours were now arriving in strong force, and Mr. Rogers
cheerfully told his tale to all who would listen; but none could make
much of what he was saying. At the end of a few minutes the taxi
returned with a policeman sitting beside the driver. As soon as he
alighted Mr. Rogers dashed up to him.

"I give this man and woman in charge for stealing my furniture. You'd
better keep the driver, too. He's probably an accomplice."

The policeman turned to Mr. Granger. "Have you anything to say, sir?"

"I think we had better all go to the police-station," remarked Mr.
Granger coolly. "There has been a mistake, and the wrong furniture has
been moved into my house."

The last Bindle saw of the protagonists in this domestic drama, of
which he was the sole author, was the Railton-Rogerses being bundled
into their omnibus by Mr. Railton-Rogers, and Mr. and Mrs. Granger
calmly entering their taxi, on the front seat of which sat the
policeman. He turned reluctantly away, regretful that he was not to
see the last act.

The epilogue took place on the following Monday, when early in the
morning Bindle was called into the manager's office and summarily
dismissed.

Returning to Fenton Street earlier than usual he was greeted by Mrs.
Bindle with the old familiar words:

"Lorst yer job?"

"Yes," said Bindle, as he removed his coat; "but it was worth it:"

Mrs. Bindle stared.

CHAPTER XVIII

BINDLE ASSISTS IN AN ELOPEMENT

I

When Bindle announced to Mrs. Bindle that he intended to enlist in
Kitchener's Army, she opened upon him the floodgates of her wrath.

"You never was a proper husband," she snapped viciously. "You've
neglected me ever since we was married. Now you want to go away and
get killed. What shall I do then? What would become of me?"

"Well," said Bindle slowly,