“You know about it?” the Pimple asked in surprise. “How did you know? Did the Spook tell you?”
“I have had several communications,” I said guardedly. “You’ve been concentrating on the wrong places.”
(I did not know whether Moïse had been digging or merely thinking about digging. “Concentrating” covered both.)
“We tried the Schoolhouse garden,” said the Pimple, “but did not find it.”
“Of course not,” said I. “Digging at random is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
The Pimple was much struck by the phrase, and made a note of it in his pocket-book, to practise it some days later on a choleric major who wanted his parcel dug out in a hurry. Thus he acquired English—and unpopularity!
“You will grant me a séance?” he asked.
“Oh yes! Let’s see! What’s the best day?” I pondered deeply. “How’s the moon, Moïse?”
“Moon?” said Moïse. “What has the moon to do?”
“Do you want the best results?” I asked.