The door-bell jangled in the distance. Mr. Bingle hesitated for an instant and then went on: "Howls around the corners with the fury of the wintry--ahem!--blast. And it snows. 'It snows, cries the schoolboy!' You remember the verses, children. You--See who's there, Diggs. Perhaps it is some neighbour come to wish us--and, Diggs, no matter who it is, ask him--or them--to come right in here. I'll--I'll wait a few minutes. Hurry along, please." Resuming his address he beamed upon the row of wriggling children. "We have before us eleven little ladies and gentlemen, all eager for the Christmas dawn. See the stockings? To-morrow morning you will find that Santy has filled them to the top. Next year Santy will come provided with gifts for twelve, an even dozen. How many are eleven and one, Reginald? Speak up. Eleven and one. Good! That's right, my lad. The year after he will bring gifts for fourteen. We shall avoid the unlucky number thirteen. Remember, children, that next Christmas you are to have a little brother. You--" "I want a sister," shouted Wilberforce. "Sh!" said four nurses at once. "As for you, my faithful servitors, it will not be necessary for you to hang up your little stockings. Santy will find a way to--What is it, Diggs?" "If you please, sir, may I speak with you for a moment?" said Diggs mysteriously, from the doorway. He appeared to be under the strain of a not inconsiderable excitement. Mr. Bingle hesitated. "If it's your grandmother who is ill, Diggs, I'm afraid--" "It's a man, sir, who says he must see you at once," said Diggs, lowering his voice and sending a cautious glance over his shoulder. "If he is seeking food or shelter, do not turn him away. Give freely from my purse and larder. It is Christmas Eve. We--" "I'll step out and see him, Bingle," volunteered Mr. Force, with some alacrity. "Go ahead with the reading." "He says he must see you, Mr. Bingle," said Diggs. "He isn't after halms, sir." "Ask him to come in and hear the story. I've no doubt he would be benefitted--" "Go and see what he wants, Thomas," said Mrs. Bingle. "It may be important. I am sure Mr. and Mrs. Force will not mind the delay. Will you?" "Not at all," said Mrs. Force resignedly. "I shan't mind, if the rest don't," added Mr. Force, turning an ironic eye upon the row of servants. "Well, I'll just step out and see what it's all about," said Mr. Bingle reluctantly. "Better see that the chap isn't a bomb-thrower, come to demand money of you, Bingle," said Force. Mr. Bingle waved his hand airily as he threaded his way among the chairs. "Does he look like a black-hander, Diggs?" "No, sir," replied Diggs. Then he let the truth slip out. "He says he is from a detective agency, but I couldn't catch the name of it." Mr. Bingle halted. "Detective agency, Diggs?" "So he said, sir." Flanders arose. "Perhaps you'd like to have me go with you, Mr. Bingle. I know most of these fellows. If I can be of any assistance--"