“Have you,” he said, “discussed any plan of action?”
“Lots,” said William. “Douglas wanted to put him in a pit an’ say wild beasts had eaten him.”
“Same as they did Joseph in the Bible,” explained Douglas.
“Ingenious,” commented the stranger, “but impracticable.... Now we want to approach the matter in a scientific frame of mind. Before fixing on a plan of action you should always study the enemy’s weaknesses. Has the egregious Georgie any weaknesses?”
“Has he?” said William bitterly, “he tells tales an’ won’t play games an’——”
The famous cousin raised his hand.
“Pardon me,” he said, “those are vices, not weaknesses. In my sojourn with Georgie I have noticed two weaknesses. He will never own to ignorance even on the most abstruse subjects, and he is passionately fond of chocolate creams. Did you know that?”
“Y—yes. S’pose so,” said William, “but I don’t see how it will help.”
“Ah ... you must somehow make it help. A good general always utilises his enemy’s weak points.... I can’t of course suggest or connive at any plan of action, but I’ll help you. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll offer a two pound box of chocolate creams as a prize for some competition. That brings in one weakness. I leave it to your ingenuity to make good use of the other. Georgie would, I believe, do anything for chocolate creams—I wish you good luck. Good day.”
The famous cousin disappeared leaving the Outlaws gaping and mystified. But his visit had heartened them. The knowledge that one grown up at least saw Georgie the Perfect Little Gentleman as he really was gave them a fresh confidence in the righteousness of their cause. Their despondency dropped from them.