"For many years Skinner has been a father to me," said Jimmy. "Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? Skinner." For all her suspense, Ann could not help warming towards an accomplice who carried off an unnerving situation with such a flourish. She had always regarded herself with a fair degree of complacency as possessed of no mean stock of courage and resource, but she could not have spoken then without betraying her anxiety. She thought highly of Jimmy, but all the same she could not help wishing that he would not make himself quite so conspicuous. Perhaps--the thought chilled her--perhaps he was creating quite a new Jimmy Crocker, a character which would cause Skinner and Lord Wisbeach to doubt the evidence of their eyes and begin to suspect the truth. She wished she could warn him to simmer down, but the table was a large one and he and she were at opposite ends of it. Jimmy, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying himself. He felt that he was being the little ray of sunshine about the home and making a good impression. He was completely happy. He liked the food, he liked seeing his father buttle, and he liked these amazing freaks who were, it appeared, fellow-inmates with him of this highly desirable residence. He wished that old Mr. Pett could have been present. He had conceived a great affection for Mr. Pett, and registered a mental resolve to lose no time in weaning him from his distressing habit of allowing the office to interfere with his pleasures. He was planning a little trip to the Polo Grounds, in which Mr. Pett, his father, and a number of pop bottles were to be his companions, when his reverie was interrupted by a sudden cessation of the buzz of talk. He looked up from his plate, to find the entire company regarding Willie Partridge open-mouthed. Willie, with gleaming eyes, was gazing at a small test-tube which he had produced from his pocket and placed beside his plate. "I have enough in this test-tube," said Willie airily, "to blow half New York to bits." The silence was broken by a crash in the background. Mr. Crocker had dropped a chafing-dish. "If I were to drop this little tube like that," said Willie, using the occurrence as a topical illustration, "we shouldn't be here." "Don't drop it," advised Jimmy. "What is it?" "Partridgite!" Mrs. Pett had risen from the table, with blanched face. "Willie, how can you bring that stuff here? What are you thinking of?" Willie smiles a patronising smile. "There is not the slightest danger, aunt Nesta. It cannot explode without concussion. I have been carrying it about with me all the morning." He bestowed on the test-tube the look a fond parent might give his favourite child. Mrs. Pett was not reassured. "Go and put it in your uncle's safe at once. Put it away." "I haven't the combination." "Call your uncle up at once at the office and ask him." "Very well. If you wish it, aunt Nesta. But there is no danger."