"'But he took it back,' ses the man, trying to sit up and pointing at
Sam. 'He follered me downstairs and took it all away from me. Your
ticker as well.'

"'Wot?' ses Ginger and Peter both together.

"Strue as I'm 'ere,' ses the lodger. 'You turn 'is pockets out and see.
Look out! He's going off!'

"Ginger turned his 'ead just in time to see old Sam nipping round the
corner. He pulled the lodger up like a flash, and, telling Peter to take
hold of the other side of him, they set off arter Sam.

"'Little-joke-o' mine-Ginger,' ses Sam, when they caught 'im. 'I was
going to tell you about it to-night. It ain't often I get the chance of
a joke agin you Ginger; you're too sharp for a old man like me.'

"Ginger Dick didn't say anything. He kept 'old o' Sam's arm with one
hand and the lodger's neck with the other, and marched 'em off to his
lodgings.

"He shut the door when 'e got in, and arter Peter 'ad lit the candle they
took hold o' Sam and went through 'im, and arter trying to find pockets
where he 'adn't got any, they took off 'is belt and found Ginger's watch,
seventeen pounds five shillings, and a few coppers.

"'We 'ad over nine quid each, me and Peter,' ses Ginger. 'Where's the
rest?'

"'It's all I've got left,' ses Sam; 'every ha'penny.'