Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/135

 hasten to discharge you with my best thanks for your kind attention in order that you may have it out. For the subject will engage your powers worthily; pursue it, and it will take you into strange places. But before I leave you to do so, may I ask where I am?"

"Bottom o' Sydenham 'ill, sir," chimed both constables as one.

"Good morning, my friends. I must leave you to ponder this subject or I shall not get home to breakfast."

The two myrmidons of the law stepped together into the middle of the road to watch this astonishing figure ascend out of their ken.

"Well, if 'e don't beat all as ever I 'eard!" was the comment of Z9.

"'E's not got 'er off yet, and 'e won't nuther," rejoined X012. "She's a wrong un; an' if they let 'er off, it won't be fair to peace."

"Well, 'e can talk. 'E kind of got 'old of me. I could ha' stood there all day."

"'E kind o' did me too, but I should shake him off in court. You'll see the beak will put a muzzle on 'im. He warn't talkin' law, and you're no good in court unless you talk law. The old bloke and them K. C.'s will not stand that sort o' lip, see if they does."

"Well, 'ere's the sergeant comin'. But just to show there's no ill-feelin', I'll 'ave 'arf a pint with you, mate, that 'e gets her off."

"Make it a pint, matey. A pint seems more legal."