He sat with his chin on his hands, gazing into space, till they were
surprised by the opening of the front door and the appearance of a
tall, thick-set, elderly man. William quivered with excitement. The
man went along a path through the bushes. William and Ginger followed
on all fours with elaborate caution. At every almost inaudible sound
from Ginger, William turned his red, frowning face on to him with a
resounding "Sh!" The path ended at a small shed with a locked door.
The man opened the door--the key stood in the lock--and entered.

Promptly William, with a snarl expressive of cunning and triumph,
hurled himself at the door and turned the key in the lock.

"Here!" came an angry shout from inside. "Who's that? What the
devil----"

"You low ole caitiff!" said William through the keyhole.

"Who the deuce----?" exploded the voice.

"You base wretch, like wot she said you was," bawled William, his
mouth still applied closely to the keyhole.

"Let me out at once, or I'll--"

"You mean ole oppressor!"

"Who the deuce are you? What's this tomfool trick? Let me _out_! Do
you hear?"

A resounding kick shook the door.