interfere in my affairs, if we are to--to continue--er----"

"Brothers in the Lord," suggested Bindle.

"There is another thing, Joseph," proceeded Mr. Hearty. "I--I
have more than a suspicion that you know something about
those--that--the----" Mr. Hearty paused.

"Spit it out, 'Earty," said Bindle encouragingly. "There ain't no
ladies present."

"If--if there are any more disturbances in--in my neighbourhood,"
continued Mr. Hearty, "I shall put the matter in the hands of the
police. I--I have taken legal advice." As he uttered the last sentence
Mr. Hearty looked at Bindle as if expecting him to quail under the
implied threat.

"'Ave you really!" was Bindle's sole comment.

"I have a clue!" There was woolly triumph in Mr. Hearty's voice.

"You don't say so!" said Bindle with unruffled calm. "You better see
the panel doctor, an' 'ave it taken out."

Mr. Hearty was disappointed at the effect of what he had hoped would
prove a bombshell.

"Now, Joseph, I must be going," said Mr. Hearty, "I am very busy." Mr.
Hearty looked about him as if seeking something with which to be busy.

"So Millikins ain't goin' to be allowed to marry Charlie Dixon?" said
Bindle with gloomy resignation as he rose.

"Certainly not," said Mr. Hearty. "My mind is made up."

"Nothink wouldn't make you change it, I suppose?" enquired Bindle.

"Nothing, Joseph." There was no trace of indecision in Mr. Hearty's
voice now.

"Pore little Millikins!" said Bindle sadly as he moved towards the
door, "I done my best. Pore little Millikins!" he repeated as he
reached for the door-handle.

Mr. Hearty's spirits rose. He wondered why he had not asserted himself
before. He had been very weak, lamentably weak. Still he now knew how
to act should further difficulties arise through Bindle's unpardonable
interference in his affairs.

Bindle opened the door, then closed it again, as if he had just
remembered something. "You was sayin' that you been to your lawyer,
'Earty," he said.

"I have consulted my solicitor." Mr. Hearty looked swiftly at Bindle,
at a loss to understand the reason for the question.

"Useful sometimes knowin' a lawyer," remarked Bindle, looking intently
into the bowl of his pipe. Suddenly he looked up into Mr. Hearty's
face. "You'll be wantin' 'im soon, 'Earty."

"What do you mean?" There was ill-disguised alarm in Mr. Hearty's
voice.

"I see an ole pal o' yours yesterday, 'Earty," said Bindle as he
opened the door again.