“My dear Captain,” I interrupted quickly, “I have a sovereign in the savings-bank, and if you come with me to-morrow we’ll draw it out, and do the best we can with the money. But tell me, am I really a member?”
“Of course you are!”
“Then where’s my mysterious button?”
The Captain frowned. “Jessie will have to paint you one, but the ribbon costs a penny.”
“That makes twenty shillings and a penny,” said the Secretary. It was indeed a businesslike Society.
The next day the Captain and I did a lot of miscellaneous shopping, and two days later the button was left at my door by a small boy. Then for a fortnight I heard nothing of the Society or its members, and no sinister invasion of the morning occurred to disturb the far peace in the eyes of my cat. At last I met the Captain in the road, and though she endeavoured to elude me, I succeeded in getting her into a corner.
“Well, Captain,” I said, “how’s the Terror Society?”
The Captain looked gloomy. “Haven’t you heard?” she said. “The Terror Society is all over.”
“Finished already!” I cried in astonishment. “Why, what have you done with the house?”
“It has been given to another society,” she said without a blush.