"Ready to get on to his hind legs and gas at any moment and on any subject," Hugh had once observed. "Glad he keeps his gas for the Debating Society and don't let it off on us. Bert's a wonder."
He was a distinct surprise on this occasion—at any rate, what might with justice be described as a dark horse. For here was Bert gripping the intricacies of the situation as if he'd been thinking them out for hours. And what was more to the point, though usually content to take third place, as we have explained, he had of a sudden crumpled up all but the feeblest attempts to contradict him, had hurled scorn at his friends, and was now virtually in command of the party. He was a wonder indeed! At last he was being taken seriously.
"So we take it as agreed that these beggars are burglars," he said. "The next question is, how are we going to act?"
"The police. Send for 'em," suggested Clive.
"Yes, we will, in time, as soon as we've proved to our own satisfaction that the thing we've discovered is no mare's nest. Hugh, how long would it take you to nip down by the ivy?"
"To the ground?"
"Of course. Where else, donkey?"
"Two minutes," answered that young fellow when he had squinted from the window.
"Then you stay here and wait for a signal. I hope not to have to send it. But if I do, hop."
"Eh?"