Page:Stalky and co - Kipling (1908).djvu/64

52 'More fool you! Construe,' said M'Turk. 'Those six bargees scragged the Czar and left no evidince. Actum est with King.'

'He gave me that book, too,' said Beetle, licking his lips:

Then irrelevantly:

'He's just come in from dinner,' said Dick Four, looking through the window. 'Manders minor is with him."

' 'Safest place for Manders minor just now,' said Beetle.

'Then you chaps had better clear out,' said Stalky politely to the visitors. ' 'Tisn't fair to mix you up in a study row. Besides, we can't afford to have evidence.'

'Are you going to begin at once?' said Aladdin.

'Immediately, if not sooner,' said Stalky, and turned out the gas. 'Strong, perseverin' man—King. Make him cry "Capivi" G'way, Binjimin.'

The company retreated to their neat and spacious study with expectant souls.

'When Stalky blows out his nostrils like a horse,' said Aladdin to the Emperor of China,