Browndean was, of course, out of the question, for it would now be a

centre of curiosity and gossip, and (of all things) they would be

least able to dispatch a dead body without remark. John feebly proposed

getting an ale-cask and sending it as beer, but the objections to this

course were so overwhelming that Morris scorned to answer. The purchase

of a packing-case seemed equally hopeless, for why should two gentlemen

without baggage of any kind require a packing-case? They would be more

likely to require clean linen.

'We are working on wrong lines,' cried Morris at last. 'The thing must

be gone about more carefully. Suppose now,' he added excitedly, speaking

by fits and starts, as if he were thinking aloud, 'suppose we rent

a cottage by the month. A householder can buy a packing-case without

remark. Then suppose we clear the people out today, get the packing-case

tonight, and tomorrow I hire a carriage or a cart that we could

drive ourselves--and take the box, or whatever we get, to Ringwood or

Lyndhurst or somewhere; we could label it "specimens", don't you see?

Johnny, I believe I've hit the nail at last.'

'Well, it sounds more feasible,' admitted John.

'Of course we must take assumed names,' continued Morris. 'It would

never do to keep our own. What do you say to "Masterman" itself? It

sounds quiet and dignified.'

'I will NOT take the name of Masterman,' returned his brother; 'you may,

The Wrong Box