'Zita, where are you going?' asked Drownlands.
'Going to send the general public skipping,' she answered.
'You cannot do it. It is not safe to leave the house.'
'Trust me. I've swept the poultry off, and I'm not afraid of the public. I know how to deal with them as I do with fowls.'
Before Drownlands had time to offer further remonstrance, she had darted out of the office, run to her own room, taken a pair of fencing foils from the stores, had descended the stairs two steps at a time, had unbarred the door and was out in the yard, making for the van.
'Stand still—don't move,' she said to Jewel, as she passed his head; and he turned one of his eyes at her and winked.
'Clear away at once,' she shouted to those around the van. 'You have taken my money, and must let the conveyance alone.'
'Who are you? We've no money of yours.'
'Yes, you have. I sent out ten pounds to you. Go, ask your commander, secretary, treasurer, or whatever you call him. He has pocketed my ten pounds, and you are bound to leave my van alone. I am the Cheap Jack girl.'
'Are you the daughter of the Cheap Jack who died here?'