'What do you know about bounds?' said Charteris.     

       'I know you ain't allowed to come 'ere, and you'll get it 'ot from your master for coming.'     

       'Ah, but he won't know. I shan't tell him, and I'm sure you will respect my secret.'     

       Charteris smiled in a winning manner.     

       'Ho!' said the man, 'Ho indeed!'     

       There is something very clinching about the word 'Ho'. It seems definitely to apply the closure to any argument. At least, I have never yet met anyone who could tell me the suitable repartee.     

       'Well,' said Charteris affably, 'don't let me keep you. I must be going on.'     

       'Ho!' observed the man once more. 'Ho indeed!'     

       'That's a wonderfully shrewd remark,' said Charteris. 'I can see that, but I wish you'd tell me exactly what it means.'     

       'You're out of bounds.'     

       'Your mind seems to run in a groove. You can't get off that bounds business. How do you know Stapleton's out of bounds?'     

       'I have made enquiries,' said the man darkly.     

       'By Jove,' said Charteris delightedly, 'this is splendid. You're a regular sleuth-hound. I dare say you've found out my name and House too?'     

       'I may 'ave,' said the man, 'or I may not 'ave.'     

       'Well, now you mention it, I suppose one of the two contingencies is probable. Well, I'm awfully glad to have met you. Good-bye. I must be going.'     

       'You're goin' with me.'     

       'Arm in arm?'     

       'I don't want to 'ave to take you.'     

       'No,' said Charteris, 'I should jolly well advise you not to try. This is my way.'     

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