“He took ’em to a music-’all that night, but he spoilt it all for ’em by taking ’em into the little public-’ouse in Whitechapel Road fust and standing ’em a drink.  He told the barmaid ’e was keeping ’em till they could find a job, and arter she ’ad told him he was too soft-’arted and would only be took advantage of, she brought another barmaid up to look at ’em and ask ’em wot they could do, and why they didn’t do it.

“Sam served ’em like that for over a week, and he ’ad so much praise from Mr. Brown and other people that it nearly turned his ’ead.  For once in his life he ’ad it pretty near all ’is own way.  Twice Ginger Dick slipped off and tried to get a ship and came back sulky and hungry, and once Peter Russet sprained his thumb trying to get a job at the docks.

“They gave it up then and kept to Sam like a couple o’ shadders, only giving ’im back-answers when they felt as if something ’ud give way inside if they didn’t.  For the fust time in their lives they began to count the days till their boat was ready for sea.  Then something happened.

“They was all coming ’ome late one night along the Minories, when Ginger Dick gave a shout and, suddenly bolting up a little street arter a man that ’ad turned up there, fust of all sent ’im flying with a heavy punch of ’is fist, and then knelt on ’im.

“‘Now then Ginger,’ ses Sam bustling up with Peter Russet, ’wot’s all this?  Wot yer doing?’

“‘It’s the thief,’ ses Ginger.  ‘It’s our lodger.  You keep still!’ he ses shaking the man.  ‘D’ye hear?’

“Peter gave a shout of joy, and stood by to help.

“‘Nonsense!’ ses old Sam, turning pale.  ’You’ve been drinking, Ginger.  This comes of standing you ‘arf-pints.’

“‘It’s him right enough,’ ses Ginger.  ’I’d know ‘is ugly face anywhere.’

“’You come off ‘ome at once,’ ses Sam, very sharp, but his voice trembling.  ‘At once.  D’ye hear me?’

“‘Fetch a policeman, Peter,’ ses Ginger.

“‘Let the pore feller go, I tell you,’ ses Sam, stamping his foot. ’’Ow would you like to be locked up?  ’Ow would you like to be torn away from your wife and little ones?  ‘Ow would you—­’

“‘Fetch a policeman, Peter,’ ses Ginger agin.  ‘D’ye hear?’

“‘Don’t do that, guv’nor,’ ses the lodger.  ’You got your money back.  Wot’s the good o’ putting me away?’

“‘Got our wot back?’ ses Ginger, shaking ’im agin.  ’Don’t you try and be funny with me, else I’ll tear you into little pieces.’

“‘But he took it back,’ ses the man, trying to sit up and pointing at Sam.  ’He follered me downstairs and took it all away from me.  Your ticker as well.’

“‘Wot?’ ses Ginger and Peter both together.

“Strue as I’m ‘ere,’ ses the lodger.  ’You turn ’is pockets out and see.  Look out!  He’s going off!’

“Ginger turned his ’ead just in time to see old Sam nipping round the corner.  He pulled the lodger up like a flash, and, telling Peter to take hold of the other side of him, they set off arter Sam.