"That's right. String. You take this with you----"
"And soften the Mapleton's heart by doing tricks with it, I suppose?"
Bitter, I know. But I was deeply stirred.
"You take this string with you," proceeded Bobbie patiently, "and
when you get into the garden you go through it till you come to a
conservatory near the house. Inside it you will find a lot of flower
pots. How are you on recognizing a flower pot when you see one, Bertie?"
"I am thoroughly familiar with flower pots. If, as I suppose, you mean
those sort of pot things they put flowers in."
"That's exactly what I do mean. All right, then. Grab an armful of
these flower pots and go around the conservatory till you come to a
tree. Climb this, tie a string to one of the pots, balance it on a
handy branch which you will find overhangs the conservatory, and then,
having stationed Clem near the front door, retire into the middle
distance and jerk the string. The flower pot will fall and smash the
glass; someone in the house will hear the noise and come out to
investigate, and while the door is open and nobody is near Clem will
sneak in and go up to bed."
"But suppose no one comes out?"
"Then you repeat the process with another pot. You have the night
before you."
It seemed sound enough.
"You're sure it will work?"
"It's never failed yet. That's the way I always used to get in after
lock-up when I was at St. Ethel's. Now, you're sure you've got it
clear, Bertie? Let's have a quick run-through to make certain, and then
I must be off. String."
"String."
"Conservatory."
"Or greenhouse."
"Flower pot."
"Flower pot."
"Tree. Climb. Branch. Climb down. Jerk. Smash. And then off to
beddy-by. Got it?"
"I've got it. But," I said sternly, "let me tell you just one thing."
"I haven't time. I must rush. Write to me about it, using one side of
the paper only. Good-bye."
She rolled off, and after following her with burning eyes for a moment
I returned to Jeeves, who was in the background showing the kid
Clementina how to make a rabbit with a pocket handkerchief. I drew
him aside. I was feeling a little better now, for I perceived that
an admirable opportunity had presented itself for putting the man in
his place and correcting his view that he is the only member of our
establishment with brains and resource.
"Jeeves," I said, "you will doubtless be surprised to learn that
something in the nature of a hitch has occurred."
"Not at all, sir."
"No?"
"No, sir. In matters where Miss Wickham is involved I am, if I may
take the liberty of saying so, always on the alert for hitches. If you
recollect, sir, I have frequently observed that Miss Wickham, while a
charming young lady, is apt----"
"Yes, yes, Jeeves. I know."
"What would the precise nature of the trouble be this time, sir?"