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 a short howl of grief at the sight; then he said: "Which is your 'alf, guv'nor?"

Mr. Gedge-Tomkins came down the staircase, his majestic presence nearly rilling it. "What's that to you, my man?" he bellowed. "Do you think I'm going to spend my day answering the questions of every idle loafer in London?"

The red-nosed man shuffled down the stairs before the majestic advance. There was nothing else to do. In a tweed suit Mr. Gedge-Tomkins filled most of the wide staircase; in his gown he filled all of it. The besieger did not go up the stairs till Mr. Gedge-Tomkins' majestic form had disappeared through the archway on the farther side of the King's Bench Walk. He was too busy shaking his fist at that spreading back and relieving his overburdened heart of the sentiments which oppressed it. He returned to his post more dogged than ever; and thanks to the kindly offices of the vengeful Mrs. Meeken, who for a small, gin-procuring consideration, brought him beer in a jug, he was able to prolong his watch to the very hour at which the king's writ ceased to run.

But the Honorable John Ruffin and his household,