looks like the Representative Thief. He is called Patsey, and I
frequently spare him a copper; but his chief patron is Blackey, who
often hands him the dregs of a pot of beer.

Yesterday morning Patsey waylaid me, but I waved him off. At night he
caught me going in at the back gate of The Chequers; his hand trembled
as he clutched my arm, and he said with chattering teeth, "Give me a
dollar, and I'll tell you somethin'."

"Tell me the something first, and then we'll see about the dollar."

"Don't you go near Blackey's place to-night. They're a goin' to ast you
if they kin. Blackey's found out as you've got respectable relations as
wouldn't like to see your name in the papers, and he's goin' to 'ave a
new lay on. 'Taint no bloomin' error neither. The gal--Tilley,
don't-cherknow--she'll say, 'I'll walk home with you a bit,' when
Blackey's out. He meets you, and he says, 'Wot 'cher doin' 'long o' my
wife? Didn't I trust you at home? I'll expose you.' _She ain't no more
his wife than I am_, so you look out."

"That's worth a dollar, Patsey. Now sneak you into the stables, and
don't come near me all night."

I was quite at ease, and became convivial with Blackey and his worthy
father-in-law. The only thing that worried me was the knowledge that I
had one note in my watch-pocket besides my loose spending money. Still I
felt sure of dodging the gang, and I tried to appear innocent as
possible while the artless Blackey offered me liquor after liquor; and
he remarked at about ten, "My missus orfen says to me, 'Why don't you
fetch him home?' she says. If he brings a bottle we'll find our lot, and