I know Allingford, and he's rather a hard wall to run your head against." "That confounded old Browse has gone and sneaked!" cried the other, with a flush of passion on his face.

"Let's wait till Ally's gone, and then make a raid on the old stew-pot." Hawley and Gull sprang to their feet with a murmur of assent; Fletcher shrugged his shoulders and remained silent.
"What we'll do is this," continued Thurston.

"He sits with his back to the door.

I'll pop in first and throw this tablecloth over his head; then, while I hold him down, you chaps upset the things and put out the light.

Then we'll rush out all together, and he won't know for certain who did it." Five minutes later the conspirators crept out into the passage, and tip-toed towards the door of the adjoining study.