Sergeant Hopkins, who had heard with much sympathy and in great confidence Mr. Beedle’s suspicions of Bill Morple, said the pools had done a lot of young fellows a lot of harm, and settled down happily to work out his favourites for the following week.
Presently the 6.25, only a few minutes late, came puffing majestically in. Sir Harry and Leslie got out. The evenings were by now beginning to lengthen and though the cloudy sky gave little light, Mr. Beedle at once saw the arrivals.
“Good evening, Sir Harry; good evening, Miss Leslie,” he said, touching his gold-laced cap. “Dreadful weather. Have you any luggage, miss?”
Leslie said only a small suitcase.
Mr. Beedle looked round. In the distance Doris Phipps and Lily-Annie were exchanging badinage with Guard Crackman and hauling cases ou
