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"You can then secrete yourself in the cupboard in the drawing-room Perhaps you recollect the cupboard to which I refer, sir?"

"No, I don't remember any cupboard As a -roonett wouldn't let us inside it for fear we should smash her china Is there a cupboard?"

"Immediately behind the piano, sir A nice, roo into it myself in a spirit of idle curiosity only the other day It contains nothing except a few knick-knacks on an upper shelf You could lock yourself in from the interior, and be quite comfortably seated on the floor till the household retired to bed"

"When would that be?"

"They retire quite early, sir, as a rule By half-past ten the coast is generally clear At that tiest that I came down and knocked on the cupboard door to notify you that all ell"

Sa with frank approval

"You know, you're a master-mind!" he said, enthusiastically

"You're very kind, sir!"

"One of the lads, by Jove!" said Sam "And not the worst of them! I don't want to flatter you, but there's a future for you in crilad that you appreciate ard the scheme as passed and approved?"

"I should say ould! It's a bird!"

"Very good, sir"

"I'll be round at about a quarter to eight Will that be right?"

"Admirable, sir"

"And, I say, about that soporific Don't overdo it Don't go killing the little beast"

"Oh, no, sir"

"Well," said Sam, "you can't say it's not a temptation And you knohat you Napoleons of the Underworld are!"