iven a glass.

"Now," said I, "I penetrated to the garden and afterwards I came away
and I can say no more."

The little Doctor was very happy and proud.

"When I saw the man with the blunderbuss," he recounted, "I said
boldly: 'Sirrah, remove that weapon! Exclude it from the scene!
Eliminate it from the situation!' But his behaviour was extraordinary.
He trained the weapon in such a manner that I myself was in danger of
being eliminated from the situation. I instantly concluded that I
would be of more benefit to the cause if I temporarily abandoned the
vicinity and withdrew to a place where the climatic conditions were
more favourable to prolonged terms of human existence."

"I saw you abandoning the vicinity," said I, "and I am free to declare
that I never saw a vicinity abandoned with more spirit and finish."

"I thank you for your appreciation," said the Doctor simply. Then he
leaned to my ear and whispered, barring his words from Jem and Paddy,
who stood respectfully near our chairs. "And the main object of the
expedition?" he asked. "Was there heavy firing and the beating down of
doors? And I hope you took occasion to slay the hideous monster who
flourished the blunderbuss? Imagine my excitement after I had
successfully abandoned the vicinity! I was trembling with anxiety for
you. Still, I could adopt no steps which would not involve such
opportunities for instant destruction that the thought of them brought
to mind the most horrible ideas. I pictured myself lying butchered,
blown to atoms by a gardener's blunderbuss. Then the spirit of
self-sacrifice arose in me, and, as you know, I sent your two servants
to your rescue."

The little man was looking through the window at this moment. Suddenly
he started back, flinging up his hands.

"My soul, he is again upon us," he cried.

I hastily followed his glance, and saw the man Strammers making
peaceful way toward the inn. Apparently he was going to the taproom
for an early pint. The Doctor flurried and dove until I checked him in
fear that he would stand on his head in the fireplace.

"No," said I, "calm yourself. There will be no blunderbusses. On the
other hand, I see here a great chance for a master-stroke. Be quiet
now, and try to hold yourself in a chair and see me deal with the
situation. When it comes to a thing like this, it is all child's play
for me. Paddy," said I. "Jem," said I, "there is a gardener in the
taproom. Go and become his warm friends.