It was an
idle jest. And now for your poachers. You do not know who they were? I
will tell you. The two who sat on the one side the fire were Professors
Hanky and Panky from the City of the People who are above Suspicion."
"No," said George vehemently. "Impossible."
"Yes, my dear boy, quite possible, and whether possible or impossible,
assuredly true."
"And the third man?"
"The third man was dressed in the old costume. He was in possession of
several brace of birds. The Professors vowed they had not eaten any--"
"Oh yes, but they had," blurted out George.
"Of course they had, my dear; and a good thing too. Let us return to the
man in the old costume."
"That is puzzling. Who did he say he was?"
"He said he was one of your men; that you had instructed him to provide
you with three dozen quails for Sunday; and that you let your men wear
the old costume if they had any of it left, provided--"
This was too much for George; he started to his feet. "What, my dearest
mother, does all this mean? You have been playing with me all through.
What is coming?"
"A very little more, and you shall hear. This man staid with the
Professors till nearly midnight, and then left them on the plea that he
would finish the night in the Ranger's shelter--"
"Ranger's shelter, indeed! Why--"
"Hush, my darling boy, be patient with me.
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