"I haven't made up my mind about them yet," he said. "Better leave them alone."
"You do know where they are, then?" Burton demanded breathlessly.
The auctioneer did not deny it.
"I had them removed," he explained "in a somewhat peculiar fashion. The fact of it is, the new tenant is a very peculiar man and I did not dare to ask him to give me that little tree. I simply did not dare to run the risk. It is a painful subject with me, this, because quite thoughtlessly I endeavored to assume the appearance of anger on discovering the theft. The words nearly stuck in my throat and I was obliged to lie down for an hour afterwards."
Burton drew a little breath of relief.
"I wish I'd asked you about this before," he declared. "I should have enjoyed my luncheon better."
Mr. Waddington coughed.
"The beans," he remarked, "are in my possession. There are only eleven of them and I have not yet made up my mind exactly what to do with them."
"Mr. Waddington," Burton said impressively, "have you forgotten that I am a married man?"
Mr. Waddington started.