"Then put the case afore the sergeant as is stayin' at the police-station," said George. There was a moment's pause, then Aaron spoke. "The motion is carried," he said, "an' the meetin' stands adjourned _sinny die_." * * * * * I did not meet any of the members for several days afterwards; then chance took me in the direction of George Hangar's workshop. I found him engrossed in the unheard-of task of arranging and packing his tools. "Well?" I asked. He rasped his chin pensively with a chisel. "Did the interview with the Sergeant take place?" "Ay; the feller's more brains than the rest of us put together. Reckon it's trainin'." "What happened?" "What 'appened? 'If you barrycades, entrenches, enfilades or outflanks 'em outside Amberry,' says 'e, 'the enemy'll wait for reinforcements, an' then smash you with bigger guns. 'Twill be the same at Wream, Bewchester, Lydhirst, Lower Thettley, an' Capper'am.'" "Which brings us to the sea?" "Ezzackly." "Where it's the Fleet's job." "'Twould seem so. But, as the Sergeant pointed out, the Germans is by birth an' natur' land-fighters, an' must so be met, trained man to trained man. Meaning Territorials." "Then your plans came to nothing?" "Only in a manner o' speakin', Sir. In fact, the resolution put afore the meetin' would 'a' been carried _nem. con._ but for the unsatisfactoriness o' Jacob Chittenden's chest-measurement. As it is, 'e's eatin' b'iled bread an' practising three hours a day on the horizontal-bar." I was a little bewildered. "What resolution?" He took a paper from his apron pocket and read as follows:-- "_That it be 'ereby decided, in the joint int'rests of Wheam, Amberry Parva, Great Britain and 'is Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, that the undersigned, bein' between the age limits, sound in wind an' limb, an' not needed at 'ome as much as they thought they was, do 'ereby join the Territorial Army at the earliest possible date. THOMAS FALLOW, AARON WEST, GEO. HANGAR. Also, when 'is chest-measurement do allow of it, JACOB CHITTENDEN._" * * * * * Thus is the burden of the Empire borne by her sons when once they get the idea of it into their heads. * * * * * [Illustration: RULES FOR SPECIAL CONSTABLES. [If a Special Constable finds himself outnumbered he may have recourse to stratagem.] "LOOK OUT, BILL! HERE'S A SPECIAL CONSTABLE. HE'LL COP US WITH THE SWAG IN OUR 'ANDS." "I DON'T MIND 'IM, 'ARRY. 'E'S ONLY A LITTLE UN."] [Illustration: "BUT 'E 'S GOT A BIG UN WITH 'IM."] * * * * * THE SCAPEGOAT. "And what do you do with yourself on your half-holidays?" I had taken courage to address the office-boy who keeps his eye on me while I wait humbly in the vestibule of my Financial Adviser. "Pitchers," he replied affably. "I beg your pardon," I said. "Movin' pitchers," he explained; and I knew that the cinema had another slave.