"Good day, Billy," he said, familiarly. He lifted his hat pointedly to
the lady. "'Ow's yerself Jinny?" he asked.

The lady and gentleman stared at him in utmost astonishment for a moment,
then consternation seized them, and they made a dive for the vehicle.
Nickie followed to the door.

"So long, if yer mus' be goin', Willyum," he said, pleasantly. "So long,
Jinny. How's the old man's fish business?"

"Drive on!" gasped the gentleman. He had the scared expression of one who
had seen a spectre.

The liveried menial whipped up, and the carriage was swept away. Nickie
returned to his heap, and for fully two minutes Stub McGuire, his
employer, gazed at him in speechless, open-mouthed amazement.

"Well, of all the blarsted cheeks!" gasped McGuire, when speech came to
him.

"Don't mention it," said Nickie.

"Don't mention it!" yelled Stub. "No, iv course not, but what price his
nibs in the noble belltopper mentionin' it t' th' Johns, an' gettin' you
seven days fer disgustin' behaviour?"

Nickie smiled inscrutably, and continued his work. When the carriage
returned, he made an adroit movement, and courteously opened the door.

"'Low me, Jinny, my dear," he said, offering his grimy hand.