“I suspect, mister,” said Joe’s friend, with cunning eyes, “that you’ve made the acquaintance of a certain widow that was—­married woman that is.  I remember now, I’ve seen Hindoos about her lodgings, down Shadwell way.”

“Perhaps,” said Lala, “and perhaps not.”  His face showed not the least sign which could be read.  “You can tell me afterward what you know of the woman at Shadwell.”

“Well, then, Joe thinks I know nothing about it.  Else I wouldn’t tell you.  Because I don’t want a fight with Joe.  Is this any use to you?  He is married to the girl as well as to the widow.”

“He is married to the girl as well as to the widow.  He has, then, two wives.  It is against the English custom, and breaks the English law.  The young wife who is beautiful, and the old wife who has the lodging-house.  Very good.  What is the address of this woman?”

Mr. Chalker looked puzzled.

“Don’t you know it, then?  What are you driving at?”

“What is the name and address of this Shadwell woman?”

“Well, then”—­he wrote an address and handed it over—­“you may be as close as you like.  I don’t care.  It isn’t my business.  But you won’t make me believe you don’t know all about her.  Look here, whatever happens, don’t say I told you.”

“It shall be a secret,” said Lala, taking out the bag of notes.  “Let us complete the business at once, Mr. Chalker.  Here is another offer.  I will give you two hundred pounds in discharge of your whole claim, or you shall have a valuation made, if you prefer it, and I will double the amount.”

Mr. Chalker chose the former promptly, and in a few moments handed over the necessary receipts, and sent his clerk to recall the Man in Possession.

“What are you going to do with Joe?” he asked.  “No good turn, I’ll swear.  And a more unforgiving face than yours I never set eyes on.  It isn’t my business, but I’ll give you one warning.  If you make Joe desperate, he’ll turn on you; and Lord help your slender ribs if Joe once begins.  Don’t make him desperate.  And now I’ll tell you another thing.  First, the woman at Shadwell is horribly jealous.  She’ll make a row.  Next, the young one, who sings at a music-hall, she’s desperately in love with her husband—­more than he is with her—­and if a woman’s in love with a man, there’s one thing she never forgives.  You understand what that is.  Between the pair, Joe’s likely to have a rough time.”

“I do.  I have had many wives myself.”

“Oh, Lord, he says he’s had many wives!  How many?”

Lala Roy read the receipt, and put it in his pocket.  Then he rose and remarked, with a smile of supreme superiority: 

“It is a pleasure to give money to you, and to such as you, Mr. Chalker.”

“Is it?” he replied with a grin.  “Give me some more, then.”