"I want to outdo him," said Mr. Drill, in a voice of much meaning.
Miss Gunnill cast down her eyes and Mr. Drill had just plucked up
sufficient courage to take her hand when footsteps stopped at the house,
the handle of the door was turned, and, for the second time that evening,
the inflamed visage of Mr. Jenkins confronted the company.
"Don't tell me it's a failure," said Mr. Gunnill, starting from his
chair. "You must have been handling it roughly. It was as good as new
when you took it away."
Mr. Jenkins waved him away and fixed his eyes upon Drill.
"You think you're mighty clever, I dare say," he said, grimly; "but I can
put two and two together. I've just heard of it."
"Heard of two and two?" said Drill, looking puzzled.
"I don't want any of your nonsense," said Mr. Jenkins. "I'm not on duty
now, but I warn you not to say anything that may be used against you."
"I never do," said Mr. Drill, piously.
"Somebody threw a handful o' flour in poor Cooper's face a couple of
hours ago," said Mr. Jenkins, watching him closely, "and while he was
getting it out of his eyes they upset him and made off with his helmet
and truncheon. I just met Brown and he says Cooper's been going on like
a madman."
"By Jove! it's a good job I mended your helmet for you," said Mr.
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