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Such was his haste that in passing the corner of the bridge he scarcely observed a knot of children gathered thereby, until 'Beida's voice hailed him and brought him to a halt. "Mr Nanjivell!" "Hey! Is that you, Missy?" Nicky-Nan wheeled half-about. "If you had eyes in your head, you wouldn' be starin' at me," said 'Beida, "but at 'Bert.
"It isn't your stummick, on which you're crawlin' at this moment like Satan in the garden. And only yesterday your askin' to be put into weskits on the ground of your age! A nice business 'twould be to keep your front in buttons!" While admonishing 'Biades, 'Beida continued to bump herself on the sea-chest, her speech by consequence coming in short interrupted gushes like water from a pump.
'Beida dropped her end of the ambulance, seized him as he slid to the ground, shook him up, and told him to behave. "You can't have your tea for another hour: and what's more, if you're not careful there won't be no amputation till afterwards, when Mother's not lookin' an' we can get a knife off the table. You bad boy!" 'Biades howled afresh.
"There's no way to tell a Spy at first," added 'Beida; "an' that's why they're so dangerous. The usual way is that first you have your suspicions, an' then, some day when he's not lookin', you search his premises an' the fat's in the fire." "What's an infirmity?" asked 'Biades. Getting no answer, after half a minute he asked, "What's premises?" Still there was no answer.
"Rat it all!" the constable ejaculated, casting a glance over his shoulder and dipping a hand wide of the basin. "Fetch up some water, my dear," suggested Builder Gilbert. "When a man's in a fit 'tis no time to ask questions, as you'll learn when you grow up." Again he proffered the ewer. 'Beida ignored it.
"You tarnation imp!" exclaimed the builder. "Which," continued 'Bert stolidly, "he was askin' if he reckoned by chance th' Old Doctor's House had any secret hidin' places, an' would he oblige the landlord Mr Pamphlett by comin' along to-morrow an' bringin' a hammer? Which I went straight home an' borryed mother's, an' an' " "An' you've told quite enough," put in 'Beida.
"You won't shut the door on me again?" pleaded 'Biades. "That depends on how slippy you look. I make no promises," answered 'Beida sternly. "'Twas you that first stole Mr Nanjivell's money, and if you ben't doin' it again, well I can only say as appearances be against him eh, 'Bert?" "Fetch it out, you varmint!" 'Bert commanded. "But I don't understand a word of this!" protested the mother.
Mr Pamphlett is a very powerful gentleman: or, as I might put it better, he has influence, unknown to you or me, an' knowledge " "He's a very powerful skunk." "'Beida! . . . 'Beida!" called a voice from the foot of the stairs. 'Beida, after a start of joy, answered with the Penhaligon war-whoop, as her brother came charging up.
"Then what have you done with them?" thundered Mr Pamphlett. "Don't you answer him that," said 'Beida sweetly. "But answer everything else. An' don't you be afraid of him. I ben't." "What d'ee want me to tell?" asked 'Bert, a trifle uneasily. "Everything: 'cept you may leave out 'Biades. He's but a child o' four, an' don't count."
"You will hear more of this, Nanjivell," he threatened, turning about in the doorway. "Gas, again!" said 'Beida. Nicky-Nan stood silent, pointing. The retreat was not dignified. "But, o' course," said 'Beida, "the bottom of it all was 'Biades." "'Biades?" "He'd caught up with some chatter about your bein' a spy. Oh, bless your soul, everybody's talkin' about it!" she assured Nicky-Nan cheerfully.
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