anyone?"

Mr. Blank laughed a laugh that made William's blood curdle.

"Me kill anyone? Me kill anyone? _'Ondreds!_"

William breathed a sigh of satisfaction. Here was romance and
adventure incarnate.

"What do you do now the war's over?"

Mr. Blank closed one eye.

"That 'ud be tellin', wudn't it?"

[Illustration: "DID YOU"--SAID WILLIAM IN A SIBILANT WHISPER--"DID YOU
EVER _KILL_ ANYONE?"]

"I'll keep it awfully secret," pleaded William. "I'll never tell
anyone."

Mr. Blank shook his head.

"What yer want ter know fer, anyway?" he said.

William answered eagerly, his eyes alight.

"'Cause I'd like to do jus' the same when I grow up."

Mr. Blank flung back his head and emitted guffaw after guffaw of