' says Sam. 'Ho! is it? We want a 'undered quid off of you; an'
wot's more, we mean to 'ave it.'

"'But the tiger's ate 'im,' says Mrs. Reddish, explaining.

"'I know that,' ses Sam, sharply. 'But 'e was our wild man, and we want
to be paid for 'im. You should ha' been more careful. We'll give you
five minutes; and if the money ain't paid by that time we'll go straight
off to the police-station.'

"'Well, go,' ses Ted Reddish.

"Sam got up, very stern, and looked at Ginger.

"'You'll be ruined if we do,' ses Ginger.

"'All right,' ses Ted Reddish, comfortably.

"I'm not sure they can't 'ang you,' ses Russet.

"'I ain't sure either,' says Reddish; 'and I'd like to know 'ow the law
stands, in case it 'appens agin.'

"'Come on, Sam,' ses Ginger; 'come straight to the police-station.'

"He got up, and moved towards the door. Ted Reddish didn't move a
muscle, but Mrs. Reddish flopped on her knees and caught old Sam round
the legs, and 'eld him so's 'e couldn't move.

"'Spare 'im,' she ses, crying.

"'Lea' go o' my legs, mum,' ses Sam.

"'Come on, Sam,' ses Ginger; 'come to the police.'

"Old Sam made a desperit effort, and Mrs. Reddish called 'im a crool
monster, and let go and 'id 'er face on 'er husband's shoulder as they
all moved out of the parlour, larfing like a mad thing with hysterics.

"They moved off slowly, not knowing wot to do, as, of course, they knew
they daren't go to the police about it. Ginger Dick's temper was awful;
but Peter Russet said they mustn't give up all 'ope--he'd write to Ted
Reddish and tell 'im as a friend wot a danger 'e was in. Old Sam didn't
say anything, the loss of his nevy and twenty-five pounds at the
same time being almost more than 'is 'art could bear, and in a slow,
melancholy fashion they walked back to old Sam's lodgings.

"'Well, what the blazes is up now?' ses Ginger Dick, as they turned the
corner.

"There was three or four 'undered people standing in front of the 'ouse,
and women's 'eads out of all the winders screaming their 'ardest for the
police, and as they got closer they 'eard a incessant knocking. It took
'em nearly five minutes to force their way through the crowd, and
then they nearly went crazy as they saw the wild man with 'alf the
winder-blind missing, but otherwise well and 'arty, standing on the step
and giving rat-a-tat-tats at the door for all 'e was worth.

"They never got to know the rights of it, Beauty getting so excited
every time they