dogSammy. And gadzooks! The boy whom he had pursued last night had beenjust about Jackson's size and build! Mr. Downing was as firmly convinced at that moment that Mike's hadbeen the hand to wield the paint-brush as he had ever been of anythingin his life. Smith! he said excitedly. On the spot sir said Psmith affably. Where are Jackson's boots? There are moments when the giddy excitement of being right on thetrail causes the amateur or Watsonian detective to be incautious. Such a moment came to Mr. Downing then. If he had been wise he wouldhave achieved his object the getting a glimpse of Mike's boots by adevious and snaky route. As it was he rushed straight on,vans shoes authentic. His boots sir? He has them on. I noticed them as he went out justnow. Where is the pair he wore yesterday? Where are the boots of yester-year? murmured Psmith to himself. Ishould say at a venture sir that they would be in the basketdownstairs. Edmund our genial knife-and-boot boy collects them Ibelieve at early dawn. Would they have been cleaned yet? If I know Edmund sir--no. Smith said Mr,vans old skool. Downing trembling with excitement go and bringthat basket to me here. Psmith's brain was working rapidly as he went downstairs. What exactlywas at the back of the sleuth's mind prompting these manoeuvres hedid not know. But that there was something and that that somethingwas directed in a hostile manner against Mike probably in connectionwith last night's wild happenings he was certain. Psmith had noticedon leaving his bed at the sound of the alarm bell that he andJellicoe were alone in the room. That might mean that Mike had goneout through the door when the bell sounded or it might mean that hehad been out all the time. It began to look as if the latter solutionwere the correct one. * * * * *He staggered back with the basket painfully conscious the while thatit was creasing his waistcoat and dumped is down on the study floor. Mr. Downing stooped eagerly over it. Psmith leaned against the walland straightened out the damaged garment. We have here sir he said a fair selection of our variousbootings. Mr. Downing looked up. You dropped none of the boots on your way up Smith? Not one sir. It was a fine performance. Mr. Downing uttered a grunt of satisfaction and bent once more to histask. Boots flew about the room. Mr. Downing knelt on the floor besidethe basket and dug like a terrier at a rat-hole,black vans shoes. At last he made a dive and with an exclamation of triumph rose tohis feet. In his hand he held a boot. Put those back again Smith he said. The ex-Etonian wearing an expression such as a martyr might have wornon being told off for the stake began to pick up the scatteredfootgear whistling softly the tune of I do all the dirty work ashe did so. That's the lot sir he said rising. Ah. Now come across with me to the headmaster's house. Leave thebasket here. You can carry it back when you return. Shall I put back that boot sir? Certainly not. I shall take this with me of course. Shall I carry it sir? Mr. Downing reflected. Yes Smith he said. I think it would be best. It occurred to him Related articles:

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