ouses
flanked that of Mr. Naylor, engaged upon survey work. The instruments
they had with them seemed to give colour to their words. The apathy of
the workmen who for the last few days had surrendered Apthorpe Road to
others, different from themselves only in that they belonged to another
union and brought with them a steam-roller instead of picks and
shovels, seemed suddenly to develop into an unusual activity.
Immediately after the departure of Mr. Naylor, the asphalt of the
footpath just in front of his gate was picked up with an energy that
merited rebuke from any self-respecting father of the chapel. A few
minutes later a man knocked at Mr. Naylor's door, and stated that it
would be necessary to dig up the path leading to the front door.

At this information a look of fear sprang into Mrs. Naylor's eyes. She
was terrified of deciding anything in Mr. Naylor's absence. When the
men announced that it would be necessary to descend to the basement,
she shook her head violently.

"No, no!" she cried. "Mr. Naylor is away. Come again this afternoon."

It was pointed out to her that the afternoon might be too late,
something had gone wrong with the gas, and if they waited until the
afternoon anything might happen.

The man was respectful, but insistent. He so played upon Mrs. Naylor's
fears by hinting darkly at the possibility of there being nothing for
Mr. Naylor to return to by the afternoon, unless the gas meter were
immediately seen to, that she consented to allow a man to descend to
the basement after being told that it would not be necessary for him to
go into any of the rooms.

First, however, she insisted that she must go down and see that
everything was tidy. After a lapse of five minutes she returned; but
when four men presented themselves prepared to descend the stairs, she
resolutely refused.

"Very well, mum," said the foreman, "we'll see what the police can do.
Just pop round to the police-station, Bill, and bring a copper," he
said to a mate. "Sooner 'ave the 'ole bloomin' street blown up than
let us go down and dirty your stairs." There was in his voice all the
indignation of the outraged British workman.

Mrs. Naylor wavered. The word "police" had for her a peculiar and
terrifying significance.

"You--you only want to go in the passage," she said.

"That'll do us, mum," said the foreman. "You stay up 'ere, Bill," he
added, turning to the man he had instructed to go for the police.