"It's all right, Millikins, knocked over these 'ere scales I did. Ain't I clumsy? 'Ush!"
Moans and cries could be distinctly heard from below.
"'Ere, 'elp me gather 'em up, Millikins. I 'ope I 'aven't broken the scales."
Having replaced the scales and weights on the counter, Bindle proceeded to pull up the trap-door.
"All clear!" he shouted cheerily.
There was no response, only a moaning from the extreme corner of the cellar.
"'Ere, come along, 'Earty. Wot d'you two mean by takin' my missis down into a cellar like that?"
"Is it gone?" quavered a voice that Bindle assumed must be that of Mr. Gupperduck.
"Is wot gone?" he enquired.
"The bomb," whispered the voice.