That was arter he 'ad been with me for three weeks, and when Saturday
came, of course I was more short than ever, and people came and stood at
their doors all the way down our street to listen to the missis taking my
character away.

I stood it as long as I could, and then, when 'er back was turned for
'arf a moment, I slipped out. While she'd been talking I'd been
thinking, and it came to me clear as daylight that there was no need for
me to sacrifice myself any longer looking arter a dead man's watch and
chain.

I didn't know exactly where Joe Peel lived, but I knew the part, and
arter peeping into seven public-'ouses I see the man I wanted sitting by
'imself in a little bar. I walked in quiet-like, and sat down opposite
'im.

"Morning," I ses.

Joe Peel grunted.

"'Ave one with me?" I ses.

He grunted agin, but not quite so fierce, and I fetched the two pints
from the counter and took a seat alongside of 'im.

"I've been looking for you," I ses.

"Oh!" he ses, looking me up and down and all over. "Well, you've found
me now."