"’Tis terrible clever," confessed Mattacott. "But Jane West wouldn’t never go up past the pool alone on Christmas Eve for a hundred pounds; so us must plan somehow for somebody to go along with her. ’Tis a very tricky business to be drawn into a plot." "All be fair in love," said Mr. Maunder; "else, of course, I couldn’t countenance any such a plan. But the matter is outside the law and therefore I’m not called to take any steps--especially as I very much want to see Mattacott get the woman. He’s the wrong side of forty now, and ’tis more than time he was suited, if it is to be." Mr. Mattacott looked across jealously at the innocent Bart Stanbury. "He’s too young for her even if she’d have him," he said. "’Tis his sandy hair and his blue, silly eyes have made her think twice about him." "Keep to business," interrupted Billy Screech. "Now it’s agreed we get the girl to Crazywell come Christmas Eve next; and that’s nearly two months off, so we’ve got plenty of time to cabal against Bart. The first question is, who shall take her to Crazywell on the day?" They all frowned over this problem; then Screech solved it brilliantly. "Why, Bart hisself, to be sure! What better could happen? He hears his doom come up out of the water; and of course, even if they was tokened, he’d have to release her after that. Any man would have to do it." They applauded and Mattacott was especially enthusiastic. But the policeman acknowledged a doubt. "It don’t strike you as too terrible a thing?" he asked. "For my part, as a tender man, though guardian of law and order, I can’t think we should let the fellow hear his own fate. He might believe it and go mad. Stranger things have happened." "Have no fear: he won’t believe it," said Mr. Screech. "’Tis her that will believe it, and ’tis her that we want to believe it." "A fine stroke certainly--to make Bart hear it himself," admitted Maunder; "that is, if I’ve got your word for it the man won’t be hurt in his mind by such an adventure." "That’s settled then; and now there’s the great question of who does the spirit," continued Screech. "Of course, ’tis Mattacott’s job--not mine; yet I must point out that his voice is not well suited to the deed." "I wouldn’t do it for anything," said Mattacott. "I’m nought at a pinch; and if ’twas thrust upon me to do it, fifty to one but I should go and lose my head and very like shout out the wrong name, or some such foolishness." "’Tis true," said Maunder. "With all your good gifts, Timothy, you’re the very man to make a mess of this. Besides, your voice will surely betray you." "I ax this here chap to do it," said Mattacott, turning to Screech himself. "Maunder, no doubt, would do it for me, as my lifelong friend; but he’s a government servant and his time is not his own. Therefore I ax Billy; and, if it goes right, I’ll pay him down a crown; and if it don’t go right, I’ll pay half-a-crown; and who can say fairer?"