Slimy told
me as 'ow I was to go to your orffice at ten o'clock last night, 'an
tell you from him as he'd no more 'casion for his room, so he'd sent
yer the key, an' yer'd better come as soon as possible an' see as
he'd left everything square behind him, an' 'cos he was afraid he'd
locked in a friend o' yourn by mistake an' in his hurry."
"And why the devil didn't you come?" exclaimed Abraham, looking at
him in angry surprise.
"'Cos why, Mr. Woodstock? Well, I'll tell yer just the bloomin'
truth, an' charnce it. I loss the key out o' my pocket, through
'avin' a ---- hole in it, so I thought as 'ow I'd best just say
nothink about neither Slimy nor his room, an' there y'ave it!"
Abraham was out of the shop again on the instant.
"I've found him," he said to Ida. "A house round there in the
court."
She walked quickly by his side, a cluster of people following them.
Fortunately, a policeman was just coming from the opposite end of
Litany Lane, and Mr. Woodstock secured his services to keep the mob
from entering the house where Slimy had lived. As soon as they got
inside, the old man begged Ida to remain in a room on the ground
floor whilst he went upstairs, and this she consented to do.
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