'Dicky and I were down here yesterday when you were su--' She was going to say sulking, I know, but she remembered manners ere too late so Oswald bears her no malice.

She went on: 'Yesterday, when you were upstairs.

And we saw the water-tender open the lock and the weir sluices.

It's quite easy, isn't it, Dicky ?' 'As easy as kiss your hand,' said Dicky; 'and what's more, I know where he keeps the other thing he opens the sluices with.

I votes we do.' 'Do let's, if we can,' Noel said, 'and the bargees will bless the names of their unknown benefactors.