first in the little crack to
make sure the little bag wouldn't drop to the floor, and then dived
into my pocket and--

And there behind me, stealthily coming up the last turn of the stairs
was Mr. George Moriway!

Don't you hate a soft-walking man, Mag? That cute fellow was cuter
than the old Major himself, and had followed me every inch of the way.

"There's something loose with this hatchet, sir," I said, innocently
looking down at him.

"Oh, there is? What an observing little fellow you are! Never mind
the hatchet; just tell me what number you were sent to answer."

"Number?" I repeated, as though I couldn't see why he wanted to know.
"Why--431."

"Not much, my boy--331."

"'Scuse me, sir, ain't you mistaken?"

He looked at me for full a minute. I stared him straight in the eye.
A nasty eye he's got--black and bloodshot and cold and full of
suspicion. But it wavered a bit at the end.

"I may be," he said slowly, "but not about the number. Just you turn
around and get down to 331."

"All right, sir. Thank you very much. It might have got me in
trouble. The ladies are so particular about having the bells answered
quick--"

"I guess you'll get in trouble all right," he said and stood
watching--from where he stood he could watch me every inch of the
way--till I got to 331, at the end of the hall, Mrs. Kingdon's door.

And the goods still on me, Tom, mind that.

My, but Mrs. Kingdon was wrathy when she saw me!

"Why did they send you?" she cried. "Why did you keep me waiting so
long? I want a chambermaid. I've rung a dozen times. The whole place
is crazy about that old ball to-night, and no one can get decent
attention."

"Can't I do what you want, ma'am?" I just yearned to get inside that
door.

"No," she snapped. "I don't want a boy to fasten my dress in the
back--"

"We often do, ma'am," I said softly.

"You do? Well--"

"Yes'm." I breathed again.

"Well--it's indecent. Go down and send me a maid."

She was just closing the door in my face--and Moriway waiting for me to
watch me down again.

"Mrs. Kingdon--"

"Well, what do you want?"

"I want to tell you that when I get down to the office they'll search
me."

She looked at me amazed.

"And--and there's something in my pocket I--you wouldn't like them to
find."

"What in the world--my diamonds! You did take them, you little wretch?"

She caught hold of my coat. But Lordy! I didn't want to get away a
little