A NERVOUS THIEF
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‘ I’d like to see the chair. Is there any danger of fire in the room where you keep it ? I shall have to look at it.’ ‘ Certainly. Certainly.’ Bender thanked the hostess for her dinner and set off with Alkin to see the chair. They went into the room. No ‘ Primus ’ stoves were used there—there was no stove the chimneys were in good order and cleaned regularly, but to Alkin’s utter amazement the chair was not there. He bustled about looking for it, he searched under the beds and under the garden benches, he moved the harmonium out of its place, he questioned the old women, who looked furtively at Paul, but the chair could not be found. Paul was more energetic than any one in looking for the chair, and when they had all calmed down again he was still wandering in and out of the rooms, lifting up water-jugs, moving tin mugs, and muttering to himself : ‘ Now where can it be ? It was here this morning. I saw it with my own eyes. It’s really too odd ! ’ ' It’s a pity it can’t be found,’ said Bender icily. ‘ It’s simply ridiculous,’ said Paul brazenly. Presently Bender found himself alone with the old women, and they unmediately began to air their grievances to him. . ‘ He’s settled his relations in here and they eat their heads off,’ said one. ‘ He feeds the pigs on milk, but he gives us burnt porridge,’ said another. ’ He’s taken everything out of the place.’
- Gently, gently, young women,’ said Bender, step
ping back. * The labour inspector will come to you about this. I have no instructions from the Senate to attend to this matter.’ The old women would not be quiet. ‘ And that wretch Paul took the chair away this morning. I know, for I saw him.’ ‘ Took it away ? ’ said Bender. ‘ To whom ? 4
