The young man took out a latchkey, stumbled over the milk-jug, and entered the hall, followed by the tall lady, the short lady, John and George.
"They can't go with the house," said the young man plaintively. "I took it furnished--but, good heavens, furniture _can't_ include--these!"
"Did you know the man you took it from?" said the short one.
"No; we fixed everything up by letter, and he cleared out this morning."
"There's some _meaning_ in it if only we knew," said the tall one again, mysteriously.
"We're saves," said John. "Willum comin' soon."
"Good Lord! Another!" groaned the young man.
"'Slaves 6½d.,'" she read out. "It must be a code. They may be a--er--plant, don't you call it? A confidence trick ... burglar's trap. I think we ought to take them straight to Dr. Barnardo's Homes."
"But perhaps they aren't waifs," said the stout one. "Are you waifs, darlings?"
"No; saves," said George. "An' Willum comin' soon."
"I see it all," said the stout one suddenly, "it's as clear as daylight. William's the burglar. He's sent them to help him effect an entrance."
His plaint broke suddenly into a loud howl, in which George joined. Their united efforts produced a noise that made the tall lady lean back against the wall with eyes closed and a hand on her head, and sent the young man flying into the kitchen.
"Where's the larder?" he cried desperately. "Food! Food at any price! He said he'd get in necessities. Do something ... anything.... They'll have fits or something!"
"Oh, I can't bear it," moaned the tall lady faintly.
The young man came running back with a pot of honey and a pot of jam. He handed one to each of the twins, and the yells subsided. The tall lady opened her eyes, and the young man mopped his brow.
"I can't stand any more of this," he said. "I've come here to work quietly. If they go with the house, I shan't be able to work any way at all."
"Dear nephew," said the tall lady, "we will never desert you."
"It's awfully good of you, aunt," he said hastily. "But I shouldn't dream of presuming on your kindness. You were only coming to settle me in, you know."
"Before I go," she said with firmness, "I must solve the mystery of these dear children."
She took up their labels again, and studied them with knitted brows.