"I can truly say, I hope you'll be successful, gents," he replied. "We don't want your hopes, we want your help. You must round on Potter." "Must I, gents?" said Leander. "Well, to oblige you, whatever it costs me, I _will_ round on Potter." "Take care you stick to that," said Braddle. "The next pint, Count, is 'ow we're to get her." "Come in and take her away now," said Leander, eagerly. "She'll be quiet. I--I mean the _house_'ll be quiet now. You'll be very welcome, I assure you. _I_ won't interfere." "You're a bright chap to go in for a purfession like ours," said Mr. Braddle, with intense disgust. "How do yer suppose we're to do it--take her to pieces, eh, and bring her along in our pockets? Do you think we're flats enough to run the chance of being seen in the streets by a copper, lugging that 'ere statue along?" "We must have the light cart again, and a sack," said the Count. "It's too late to-night." "And it ain't safe in the daytime," said Braddle. "We're wanted for that job at Camberwell, that puts it on to-morrow evening. But suppose Potter has fixed the same time." "Here, _you_ know. Has Potter fixed the same time?" the Count demanded from Leander. "No," said Leander; "Potter ain't said nothing to me about moving her." "Then are you man enough to undertake Potter, if he starts the idea? _Are_ you? Come!" "Yes, gents, I'll manage Potter. You break in any time after midnight, and I engage you shall find the Venus on the premises." "But we want more than that of you, you know. We mustn't lose any time over this job. You must be ready at the door to let us in, and bear a hand with her down to the cart." But this did not suit Leander's views at all. He was determined to avoid all personal risks; and to be caught helping the burglars to carry off the Aphrodite would be fatal. He was recovering his presence of mind. As his tormentors had sensibly relaxed, he was able to take steps for his own security. "I beg pardon, gents," he said, "but I don't want to appear in this myself. There's Potter, you see; he's a hawful man to go against. You know what Potter is, yourselves." (Potter was really coming in quite usefully, he began to think.) "Well, I don't suppose Potter would make more bones about slitting your throat than we should, if he knew you'd played him false," said the Count. "But we can't help that; in a place like this it's too risky to break in, when we can be let in." "If you'll only excuse me taking an active part," said Leander, "it's all I ask. This is my plan, gentlemen. You see that little archway there, where my finger points? Well, that leads by a small alley to a yard, back of my saloon. You can leave your cart here, and come round as safe as you please. I'll have the winder in my saloon unfastened, and put the statue where you can get her easy; but I don't want to be mixed up in it further than that." "That seems fair enough," said the Count, "provided you keep to it."