London, England, c. 1870and#160; Two Missing Boysand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
The front door was painted black, with a shiny brassand#160;knocker that made a satisfying noise when Alfred used it.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Rat-tat-tat.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Birdie spied a lace curtain twitching in the drawing room window.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Someoneand#8217;s at home,and#8221; she remarked. Alfred said nothing. He looked tired after their long walkand#8212;but then againand#160;he always looked tired. His gray mustache drooped. Hisand#160;shoulders were bent. His brown eyes sagged at the cornersand#160;under his wide, floppy hat brim.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Suddenly the door was flung open. a housemaid in aand#160;and#160;white cap peered at them suspiciously, her gaze lingering on Alfredand#8217;s frayed canvas trousers and baggy green coat. and#8220;Yes?and#8221; she asked. and#8220;Whatand#8217;s yer business?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Alfred removed his hat. and#8220;The name is Bunce,and#8221; he replied in his gravelly voice. and#8220;I came here on account of I were sent for.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Sent for?and#8221; The housemaid echoed.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;A Miss Ellen Meggs sent for me, by passing word through Tom Cobbings.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;Oh!and#8221; The housemaid put a hand to her mouth. and#8220;Are you the Go-devil Man?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;The bogler. Aye.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;And Iand#8217;m Birdie. Iand#8217;m the and#8217;prentice.and#8221; Because Birdie was very small and thin and pale, she was often ignored. So sheand#160;liked to wear the most colorful clothes she could find. This summer her dress was a dull cotton drab, but she had added a little cape made of yellow satin, very soiled and creased, and there were red feathers on her battered straw hat.
and#160;and#160;and#160;Stepping out of her masterand#8217;s shadow, she beamed up at the housemaid, eager to make friends. The housemaid,and#160;however, was too flustered to notice Birdie.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Oh, why did you knock on this door?and#8221; she lamented.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;The hawkerand#8217;s door is down by the coaland#160; hole! Come in
and#160;and#160;and#160;quick, afore the neighbors see you both.and#8221; Hustling Alfredand#160;and Birdie across the threshold, she slammed the door and said, and#8220;Iand#8217;m Ellen Meggs. Iand#8217;m the one as sent for you. My mistress knows nothing oand#8217; this, nor wonand#8217;t neither, ifand#160;I haveand#160;my way.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Ainand#8217;t she in?and#8221; Birdie asked shrewdly, glancing throughand#160;the door to her left. It opened off a handsome entrance halland#160;that Birdie thought finer than anything she had ever seen inand#160;her lifeand#8212;a lofty space with carpet on the stairs and paperand#160;on the walls and a bronze statue in one corner. The cedarand#160;joinery gleamed, and the air smelled of lemon.and#160;But there was a broom propped against the hat stand. And through the door that sheand#8217;d spotted, Birdie could makeand#160;out furniture swathed in dust sheets.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Mrs. Plumeridge is at the seaside for her health,and#8221; Ellen replied. and#8220;Oh, but thereand#8217;s other old cats across the wayand#160;and#160;that never leave their parlor windows, and theyand#8217;ll have seenand#160;you come in, sure as eggs!and#8221; She stamped her foot in frustration, her round, pink face growing even pinker under itsand#160;frizz of sandy hair.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Alfred sighed. His shoulders were slumped beneath theand#160;weight of his sack, which he never let his apprentice carry,and#160;no matter how desperately she pleaded. and#8220;Whatand#8217;s yer particulars, Miss Meggs?and#8221; He inquired. and#8220;Tom Cobbings had noneand#160;to give, save for yer name and where Iand#8217;d find you. Is there aand#160;bogle in this house?and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Ellen opened her mouth, then hesitated. Her gaze hadand#160;fallen on Birdie, whose blue eyes, freckled nose, and flyaway curls looked as delicate as fine china. Birdie knew exactlyand#160;what the housemaid was thinking, because everyone always thought the same thing.
and#160;and#160;and#160;Only Alfred understood that Birdie was a heroine, brave and quick and valiant.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;I ainand#8217;t afeared oand#8217; bogles, Miss Meggs,and#8221; Birdie announced. and#8220;Though Iand#8217;m only ten years old, Iand#8217;ve helped bring down many a one. Ainand#8217;t that so, Mr. Bunce?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Aye, but weand#8217;ve heard enough from you, lass.and#8221; Alfred was growing impatient. Birdie could tell by the way he shifted from one ill-shod foot to the other. and#8220;Whatand#8217;s yer particulars, Miss Meggs?and#8221; he repeated. and#8220;Who gave you me nam?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;A friend,and#8221; Ellen answered. and#8220;Sheand#8217;s Scotch but lives here in London. She said you got rid of a worricow, or some such thing, as lived in a coal hole in Hackney and took a little shoe binderand#8217;s child.and#8221; she threw him a questioning glance. When Alfred nodded, she continued hastily. and#8220;Hearing that made me wonder about the chimney sweepand#8217;s boys. For weand#8217;ve lost two in the past month, and I cannot believe they both ran away.and#8221; By now she was anxiously fiddling with her apron, crushing it between her restless hands, then smoothing it out again. and#8220;In the Dane Hills, where my Ma were raised, a creature they called Black Annis used to eat children. And would tan their skins for its adornment, or so iand#8217;ve heard-and#8221;and#160;and#160; and#160;and#160; and#8220;Tell me about the sweepand#8217;s boys,and#8221; Alfred interrupted. and#8220;They went missing, you say?and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;From this house,and#8221; Ellen assured him solemnly. and#8220;Theyand#160;disappeared up the dining room chimney, and no oneand#8217;sand#160;seen and#8217;em since.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Perhaps theyand#8217;re stuck,and#8221; Birdie proposed. She knewand#160;that sweepand#8217;s boys often became wedged in chimneys, whereand#160;they sometimes died.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;No.and#8221; Ellen shook her head. and#8220;That chimney draws asand#160;well as it ever did, and thereand#8217;s been no stink.and#8221; Lowering herand#160;voice, she added, and#8220;The sweep told me them boys must haveand#160;climbed to the rooftops and run away. they do that sometimes, he said. But he wonand#8217;t come back, which is strange. And Iand#8217;ll not send for another sweep, no matter what theand#160;mistress wants. Not if thereand#8217;s a badand#8217;un up there.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Weand#8217;ll find out soon enough,and#8221; Alfred assured her. Thenand#160;he raised the subject of his fee. and#8220;Itand#8217;ll be fivepence for theand#160;visit and six shillings a bogle, with the cost oand#8217; the salt onand#160;top. Did Tom mention that?and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;The housemaid gave a grunt. she seemed resigned toand#160;the expense, which wasnand#8217;t unreasonable. and#8220;Maand#8217;s paying,and#8221; she admitted. and#8220;She wonand#8217;t have me in any house thatand#8217;s bedeviled, but this is a good situation. If Iand#8217;m to stay, I mustand#160;stump up, for Mrs. Plumeridge never will. Mrs. Plumeridge donand#8217;t believe in bogles or the like. No, not even white ladies.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Sheand#160; stoppedand#160; forand#160; aand#160; momentand#160; toand#160; drawand#160; breath,and#160; givingand#160;Birdie a chance to inform her that the first fivepence hadand#160;to be paid in advance. It was Birdieand#8217;s job to ask, because Alfred often forgot. Once Ellen had agreed to these terms, they all trooped into the dining room, which opened off the hall. It was a very dark room, with maroon walls and a thick Axminster carpet. But the white dust sheets on the tables, chairs, and sideboard lightened the atmosphere a littleand#8212;as did the muslin roses in the fireplace.
and#160;and#160;and#160;Ellen pointed at these roses, saying, and#8220;Mrs. Plumeridge dines in here only at Christmas, or when her nephew comes,and#160;for she likes to eat off trays. so we rarely light a fire in this room.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Then why clean the chimney?and#8221; It seemed like a foolish extravagance to Birdie, who was finding it hard enough to understand why one person would want so many rooms, letand#160;alone so many fireplaces.
and#160;and#160;and#160;Ellen explained that her mistress, who was and#8220;very particular,and#8221; had a morbid fear of ratsand#8217; nests in her unused chimneys. Meanwhile, Alfred was examining the marble mantelpiece and shiny steel grate. and#8220;Have you lit a fire in here since the boys vanished?and#8221; he asked Ellen gruffly.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Only once, to see if it would draw.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Did it smoke?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;No.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Youand#8217;ve smelled nothing? Seen no strange marks, no heard any peculiar noises?
and#160;and#160;and#160;Ellen thought hard for a moment. Finally she said,and#160;and#8220;No.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;It was Alfredand#8217;s turn to grunt. then he surveyed the room, frowning, and told her in an undertone, and#8220;We mustand#160;move that table. and the chairs.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Oh, butand#8212;and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Else Iand#8217;ll catch nothing, and youand#8217;ll have wasted yer fiveand#160;pence.and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;So Ellen helped Afred to shift the table, while Birdieand#160;moved the chairs. All the furniture was extremely heavy. After a generous space had been cleared in front of the fireplace, Ellen went downstairs to fetch Alfredand#8217;s fee, leavingand#160;him to make his preparations.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;First he rolled up the carpet until a wide expanse ofand#160;parquet floor was showing. Then he took a bag of salt fromand#160;his sack and traced a large circle on the ground. But theand#160;circle wasnand#8217;t perfect; he left a small break in its smooth lineand#160;just opposite the hearthstone.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Whenand#160; Ellenand#160; returned,and#160; heand#160; wasand#160;carefullyand#160; unwrappingand#160;a short staff, which had a sharp end like a spearhead. Onand#160;catching sight of it, the housemaid blanched.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Oh, youand#8217;ll not be making a mess in here?and#8221; she exclaimed. and#8220;Iand#8217;ll lose my place if you do!and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Alfred put a finger to his lips. Birdie, who was by theand#160;door, took Ellenand#8217;s arm and nudged her into the hall, saying,and#160;and#8220;thereand#8217;s a puddle or two on occasion, but nothing to fret about.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Oh dear . . .and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;And you must air the room after. And if you stay to watch, you must keep to the hall, quiet as a mouse.and#8221; Though Birdie spoke with confidence, in a calm and steady voice, her stomach was starting to knot and her heart to pound. These familiar symptoms overtook her before every job. But she had learned to ignore them. and#8220;And the door must standand#160;open,and#8221; she finished. and#8220;Open and clear. Whatever you do, donand#8217;t shut the doorand#8212;else how shall I escape when the timeand#160;comes?and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;By this time Ellen was wringing her hands. and#8220;Mustand#160;Iand#160;stay?and#8221; she whimpered.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;No. Some like to, on account of they donand#8217;t trust us and think weand#8217;re running a caper.and#8221; Birdie grinned suddenly, recalling one man whoand#8217;d paid for his suspicions with a bump on the head. Heand#8217;d fallen over in a dead faint and had afterward sicked up all his tea. and#8220;Once they see the bogle, theyand#160;soon change their tune,and#8221; she remarked, and#8220;Though theyand#8217;re in no great danger.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Iand#8217;ll stand clear,and#8221; said Ellen. and#8220;Beside the front door.and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Birdie inclined her head.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;With a poker,and#8221; Ellen added. Birdie didnand#8217;t tell her that a poker would have little effect on a monster, because she knew that Ellen wouldnand#8217;t need to defend herself. No customer ever had, and none ever would. Not while Alfred was in charge. Not while Birdie was his apprentice.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#8220;Thereand#8217;s nothing to fear,and#8221; she insisted, patting the older girland#8217;s apron bow. and#8220;Why, itand#8217;s no moreand#8217;n catching a rat. For thereand#8217;s rats as big as bogles where I come from, and they ainand#8217;t never eaten us yet!and#8221;
and#160;and#160;and#160;Then Birdie laughed gaily, and took Ellenand#8217;s fivepence, and went to help Alfred bait his trap.
and#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;