said much so far, but you're goin' to get
into a bit of a mess if yer ain't careful. If you'll just call orf
Dicky-Bird and Calves, I'll show yer wot an' 'oo I am. I'm a special
constable, I am, and you done a fine thing to-night. P'r'aps yer know
the law, p'r'aps yer don't. But this is a case for 'eavy damages.
Now, Dicky-Bird, leggo!"

With a dexterous movement Bindle wrenched his arm free from Wilton's
clutch, and drew his truncheon, which he flourished under the nose of
his astonished captors. Thomas, fearing an attack, released the arm he
held and retreated precipitately to the door.

"Thomas! Wilton!" shrieked Lady Knob-Kerrick, "hold him, don't let him
escape."

"I'll keep the door, m' lady," said Thomas, his hand on the handle, his
attitude that of a man solicitous as to his own safety rather than
desirous of preventing another's escape.

With great deliberation Bindle produced his armlet and whistle.

"This 'ere, mum," holding the articles of equipment for Lady
Knob-Kerrick's inspection, "is me summer uniform, but as the nights is
a little bit chilly I added a pair o' trousers and a few other things."

Miss Strint tittered, and then, appalled at her own temerity, coughed
violently.

Lady Knob-Kerrick turned upon her accustomed victim.

"Strint," she cried, glaring through her lorgnettes, "have you no sense
of decency?"

"She's got an awful cough, mum. Yer'd better leave 'er alone," and
Bindle grinned in a manner that Lady Knob-Kerrick decided was
intolerable.

"I want you to explain, mum, wot you mean by letting Calves and
Dicky-Bird keep a special constable from the execution of 'is duty."

Lady Knob-Kerrick looked uncertainly from Bindle to Wilton, then to
Miss Strint, and then back again to Bindle.

"You were with the ruffians who have taken my daughter," she said.

"Well, mum, that's where you're sort o' wrong. I've collected white
mice and rabbits and once I had a special sort of jumpin' fleas, but I
never collected daughters. Besides, there's Mrs. Bindle. She's a bit
funny when it comes to another woman. What she'll say when she gets to
know that yer've had me 'eld 'ere, a-givin' of me the glad eye through
them two 'oles on a stick--I tell yer, mum, I jest daren't think."

"How dare you, you vulgar fellow!" Lady Knob-Kerrick had seen the
ghost of a smile flit across Thomas's face. "Hold your tongue!"

"I can't, mum. Lived too long wi' Mrs. B. I'm sort o' surprised at
you