"What do you want to collect cigar-ends for?" asked Larry at last.
"I smoke them," said Fatty. "They're the ends of the cigars my father smokes. He leaves them on the ash-tray in his bedroom."
"You don't smoke them!" said Pip disbelievingly. "You're just saying that to swank as usual. You just take them to make yourself smell of grown-up cigar-smoke, that's all. I often wondered why you smelt like that."
This was rather too near the truth for Fatty's liking. He pretended not to hear what Pip said. "I shall throw a cigar-end under the cage — on the ground," he said, "and one inside the cage — though I hope none of the cats will chew it and get ill. Two cigar-ends will just about send old Clear-Orf off his head."
Very solemnly the five children spread their "dues." Pip threw a large round peppermint drop into the cage, where the cats eyed it with displeasure. They evidently disapproved of the smell.
Daisy stuffed half a bit of rather grubby blue hair-ribbon into the netting. Bets put in a small blue button. Larry pushed in one of his new brown shoe-laces — and Fatty threw a cigar-end under the cage and one inside as well!
"There," he said, "plenty of clues for old Clear-Orf to find! Hope he comes soon."
Mr. Goon on the Job
"I say," said Daisy suddenly, watching her hair-ribbon flap on the floor of the cage, in a little draught from under the door. "I say, I hope no one will think I've stolen the cat! Mother would know that was a piece of my hair-ribbon if ever she saw it"
"Oh, crumbs! I never thought of that," said Pip.