Bunnett said 'e ought to be locked up.'

"'He's been led away,' ses Bob Pretty, shaking his 'ead. 'He's a kind-
'arted old gen'leman when 'e's left alone, and he'll soon see wot a
mistake 'e's made about me. I'll show 'im. But I wish it was something
more useful than a gold watch.'

"'You ain't got it yet,' ses Bill Chambers.

"'No, mate,' ses Bob.

"'And you stand to lose a sight o' money,' ses Sam Jones. 'If you like,
Bob Pretty, you can 'ave your bet back with me.'

"'Never mind, Sam,' ses Bob; 'I won't take no advantage of you. If I
lose you'll 'ave sixpence to buy a rabbit-hutch with. Good-night, mates
all.'

"He rumpled Bill Chambers's 'air for 'im as he passed--a thing Bill never
can a-bear--and gave Henery Walker, wot was drinking beer, a smack on the
back wot nearly ruined 'im for life.


[Illustration: "Some of 'em went and told Mr. Bunnett some more things
about Bob next day"]


"Some of 'em went and told Mr. Bunnett some more things about Bob next
day, but they might as well ha' saved their breath. The old gen'leman
said be knew all about 'im and he never wanted to 'ear his name mentioned