"No more come here!" said the giant, pointing to the
building and speaking English with an evident effort.
"Master say no one come too close."

"Huh! He didn't go fo' t' mean me!" exclaimed Eradicate.
"I kin go anywheres; I kin!"

"Not here!" and Koku interposed his giant frame between
the old man and the first step leading into the secret
building. "You no come in here."

"Who say so?"

"Me--I say so! I on guard. I what you call special
policeman--detectiff--no let enemies in!"

"Huh! You's a hot deteckertiff, yo' is!" snorted
Eradicate. "Anyhow, dem orders don't mean me! I kin go
anywhere, I kin!"

"Not here!" said Koku firmly. "Master Tom say let nobody
come near but workmen who have got writing-paper. You no
got!"

"No, but I kin git one, an' I's gwine t' hab it soon! I'll
see Massa Tom, dat's whut I will. I guess yo' ain't de only
deteckertiff on de place. I kin go on guard, too!" and
Eradicate, dropping his rake, strolled away in his temper to
seek the young inventor.