He dismissed his cab, and inquired if his wife was at home. He was somewhat surprised to hear that she was not. He presumed she must have gone to pay a call. But the porter informed him that a boy was waiting to see him--a boy, who it appeared, had called already once or twice during the week when he had been out. He had not the least idea who it could be, the _genus puer_ being one in nowise affected by the Major. However, he would seem to be a youth of no little pertinacity, so he gave orders for him to be shown in. A few moments later the lad appeared--a short, squat, leering creature, somewhere in his teens, and clothed in a tweed suit of aggressively severe design. There was upon his face an expression of extreme sanctimony, which was horribly repellent to the Major. He recognised him at once as Gideon Anab, alias Shorty. "Well, what is it?" he asked sharply. "What can I do for you, lad?" "I ain't arter you're doin' nuffin' fur me, sir; but I ken do a 'eap fur you!" "What the deuce do you mean, you----?" Shorty glanced at the door to make sure that it was fast closed. Then he shifted nervously from one leg to the other, and finally his facial muscles began to describe what he evidently intended for a smile. It was a very weird achievement, and for the moment quite disturbed the Major. "Well, I ken put yer on a lay as you'll be glad to get a 'old of, Mister Major!" "Go on, explain yourself--out with it, or I'll out with you; quick! if you've anything to say." "Guess I 'ave, if I'm treated proper. P'r'aps yer don't know as I was down at that there village when the old 'un was scragged that time? Well, I wos, guvnor, and wot's more, I wus round 'bout the 'ouse on that night, 'cos it wos Chris'mus time, and I wos bloomin' 'ungry, and yer see there's of'en times some pickin's to be 'ad about big 'ouses at them times----" "Go on, go on!" urged the Major, getting excited. "You know who did it?" "No I don't, guvnor; but I know who cobbed that there will!" The Major sat back in his chair. This was not what he had expected. In a flash he saw his position. "Who was it?" he demanded harshly of the boy. "No yer don't, sir, yer not goin' to git it that way. It's worth summat, my little bit o' noos!" "You young devil you! here take this." He took from his pocket a five-pound note and held it out The boy clutched at it eagerly. Then he leaned forward and whispered hoarsely in the Major's ear a name, the mention of which secured for him as thorough a shaking as he had ever experienced in his eventful life. "You young liar!" cried the enraged soldier; "say that again, and I'll break every bone in your wretched body!" "S'elp me, it's true, guvnor," gasped Shorty when he could get his breath, "I seed 'er grab it!" CHAPTER IV. DICKY'S DISCOVERY.