第151章

The Brigands' Cave One evening in the drawing-room at `The Cave' there was a meeting of a number of the `Shining Lights' to arrange the details of a Rummage Sale, that was to be held in aid of the unemployed.It was an informal affair, and while they were waiting for the other luminaries, the early arrivals, Messrs Rushton, Didlum and Grinder, Mr Oyley Sweater, the Borough Surveyor, Mr Wireman, the electrical engineer who had been engaged as an `expert' to examine and report on the Electric Light Works, and two or three other gentlemen - all members of the Band - took advantage of the opportunity to discuss a number of things they were mutually interested in, which were to be dealt with at the meeting of the Town Council the next day.First, there was the affair of the untenanted Kiosk on the Grand Parade.This building belonged to the Corporation, and `The Cosy Corner Refreshment Coy.' of which Mr Grinder was the managing director, was thinking of hiring it to open as a high-class refreshment lounge, provided the Corporation would make certain alterations and let the place at a reasonable rent.

Another item which was to be discussed at the Council meeting was Mr Sweater's generous offer to the Corporation respecting the new drain connecting `The Cave' with the Town Main.

The report of Mr Wireman, the electrical expert, was also to be dealt with, and afterwards a resolution in favour of the purchase of the Mugsborough Electric light and Installation Co.Ltd by the town, was to be proposed.

In addition to these matters, several other items, including a proposal by Mr Didlum for an important reform in the matter of conducting the meetings of the Council, formed subjects for animated conversation between the brigands and their host.

During this discussion other luminaries arrived, including several ladies and the Rev.Mr Bosher, of the Church of the Whited Sepulchre.

The drawing-room of `The Cave' was now elaborately furnished.A large mirror in a richly gilt frame reached from the carved marble mantelpiece to the cornice.A magnificent clock in an alabaster case stood in the centre of the mantelpiece and was flanked by two exquisitely painted and gilded vases of Dresden ware.The windows were draped with costly hangings, the floor was covered with a luxurious carpet and expensive rugs.Sumptuously upholstered couches and easy chairs added to the comfort of the apartment, which was warmed by the immense fire of coal and oak logs that blazed and crackled in the grate.

The conversation now became general and at times highly philosophical in character, although Mr Bosher did not take much part, being too busily engaged gobbling up the biscuits and tea, and only occasionally spluttering out a reply when a remark or question was directly addressed to him.

This was Mr Grinder's first visit at the house, and he expressed his admiration of the manner in which the ceiling and the walls were decorated, remarking that he had always liked this 'ere Japanese style.

Mr Bosher, with his mouth full of biscuit, mumbled that it was sweetly pretty - charming - beautifully done - must have cost a lot of money.

`Hardly wot you'd call Japanese, though, is it?' observed Didlum, looking round with the air of a connoisseur.`I should be inclined to say it was rather more of the - er - Chinese or Egyptian.'

`Moorish,' explained Mr Sweater with a smile.`I got the idear at the Paris Exhibition.It's simler to the decorations in the "Halambara", the palace of the Sultan of Morocco.That clock there is in the same style.'

The case of the clock referred to - which stood on a table in a corner of the room - was of fretwork, in the form of an Indian Mosque, with a pointed dome and pinnacles.This was the case that Mary Linden had sold to Didlum; the latter had had it stained a dark colour and polished and further improved it by substituting a clock of more suitable design than the one it originally held.Mr Sweater had noticed it in Didlum's window and, seeing that the design was similar in character to the painted decorations on the ceiling and walls of his drawing-room, had purchased it.

`I went to the Paris Exhibition meself,' said Grinder, when everyone had admired the exquisite workmanship of the clock-case.`I remember 'avin' a look at the moon through that big telescope.I was never so surprised in me life: you can see it quite plain, and it's round!'

`Round?' said Didlum with a puzzled look.`Round? Of course it's round! You didn't used to think it was square, did yer?'

`No, of course not, but I always used to think it was flat - like a plate, but it's round like a football.'

`Certainly: the moon is a very simler body to the earth,' explained Didlum, describing an aerial circle with a wave of his hand.They moves through the air together, but the earth is always nearest to the sun and consequently once a fortnight the shadder of the earth falls on the moon and darkens it so that it's invisible to the naked eye.