In the meantime the fish basket, with the tails of the six red herrings sticking out, was lying on the top of the old fire-grate which had served his visitor as a seat. It had been placed here by Timmons when he took it from the woman. A quarter of an hour the man remained thus without moving. Apparently he was satisfied at last. He stood upright upon his feet, shook himself, gazed confidently round the store and then walked to the old fire-grate. He was going to get his tea at last. He took up the basket, drew out the wooden skewer by which it was closed, caught the herrings in a bundle and threw them behind him on the gritty earthen floor. He opened the bag wide and peered into it. Holding it in his left hand upon his upraised thigh he thrust his right hand into it and fumbled about, bending his head down to look the better. He was on the point of drawing something out when he suddenly paused and listened motionless. There was the sound of approaching steps. Timmons stood as still as death. Three soft knocks sounded upon the wicket and then, after an interval of a few seconds, two more knocks still softer. "It's Stamer himself," cried Timmons, with an imprecation, in a muffled voice. Then he added: "What does he want? More money? Anyway, I suppose I must let him in." He turned round, caught up the scattered red herrings, thrust them into the bag, fixed it with the skewer, and then threw it carelessly on the hob of the old grate. Then he went to the wicket, opened it without speaking, and admitted his second visitor of that evening. When the new comer was inside the door and the bolt drawn once more, Timmons said, in a slow angry tone, "Well, Stamer, what do you want? Is a bargain a bargain? You were not to come here in daylight, and only in the dark when something of great consequence brought you. I gave your wife all I will give just now, if we are to go on working on the co-operative principle. What do you want?" The low sized, round shouldered man, dressed in fustian and wearing two gold rings on the little finger of his left hand, said in a whisper: "The ole 'oman gev me the coin, gov'nor. I don't want no more till all's right. What I did come about is of consequence, is of the greatest consequence, gov'nor." He glanced round with furtive eyes, looking apprehensively in the dim light at everything large enough to conceal a man. "What is it? Out with it!" said Timmons impatiently. "You're going to see this cove to-night?" "Yes." "At what o'clock?" "That's my affair," said Timmons savagely. "I know it is, Mr. Timmons, but still I'm a bit interested too, if I understand right the co-operative principle." "You! What are you interested in so long as you get the coin?" "In you. I'm powerful interested in you." "What do you mean?" asked Timmons, frowning. "Tell me when you're going and I'll tell you." "Midnight." "Ah! It will be dark then!" "What news you tell us. It generally is dark at midnight."