"Wait a moment, Mr. 0fficer," Aunt Martha piped in; "have a drop ofrefreshment before you go. Tacks, run in and pour Mr. 0fficer adrink from that bottle on the sideboard!"

Diggs stood there swallowing his palate in delightful anticipationuntil Tacks armed him a brimming glass from which the bravethief-taker took one eager mouthful, whereupon he emitted a shriekof terror that could be heard for miles.

"Water! water! quick! I'm a'burnin' up!" cried the astonishedDiggs.