rse,' I
said. 'Is it a bad blow?'

'Oh! it ain't over much. I got in with a smeller afore he came right
down with his slogger. But I say, I hope as how you are a friend of
Mr. Falconer's, for you see we can't afford the likes of this in this
quarter for every chance that falls in Slicer's way. Gentlemen has no
business here.'

'On the contrary, I mean to come again soon, to thank you all for being
so good to me.'

'Well, when you comes next, you'd better come with him, you know.'

'You mean with Mr. Falconer?'

'Yes, who else? But are you able to go now? for the sooner you're out of
this the better.'

'Quite able. Just give me your arm.'

He offered it kindly. Taking a grateful farewell of my hostess, I put my
hand in my pocket, but there was nothing there. Job led me to the mouth
of the court, where a cab, evidently of a sort with the neighbourhood,
was waiting for us. I got in. Job was shutting the door.

'Come along with me, Job,' I said. 'I'm going straight to Mr.
Falconer's. He will like to see you, especially after your kindness to
me.'

'Well, I don't mind if I do look arter you a little longer; for to tell
the truth,' said Job, as he opened the door, and got in beside me, 'I
don't over and above like the look of the--horse.'

'It's no use trying to rob me over again,' I said; but he gave no reply.
He only shouted to the cabman to drive to John Street, telling him the
number.

I can scarcely recall anything more till we reached Falconer's chambers.
Job got out and rang the bell. Mrs. Ashton came down. Her master was not
come home.

'Tell Mr. Falconer,' I said, 'that I'm all right, only I couldn't make
anything of it.'

'Tell him,' growled Job, 'that he's got his head broken, and won't be
out o' bed to-morrow. That's the way with them fine-bred ones. They lies
a-bed when the likes o' me must go out what they calls a-custamongering,
broken head and all.'

'You shall stay at home for a week if you like, Job--that is if I've got
enough to give you a week's earnings. I'm not sure though till I look,
for I'm not a rich man any more than yourself.'

'Rubbish!' said Job as he got in again; 'I was only flummuxing the old
un. Bless your heart, sir, I wouldn't stay in--not for nothink. Not for
a bit of a pat on the crown, nohow. Home ain't none so nice a place to
go snoozing in--nohow. Where do you go to, gov'nor?'

I told him. When I got out, and was opening the door, leaning on his
arm, I said I was