"In this; and wish I hadn't been."
"Never mind that. You know the people who live in these houses, then?"
"Know 'em? By heart! And they know me--rather! Ask any of 'em what they think of Blooming Bess."
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Make it worth my while."
"Will a crown be worth your while?"
"Depends."
"You shall have a crown, and if you hold your tongue, in a fortnight I'll come and find you and give you another crown. I suppose you'll be hereabouts."
"Unless I'm in jail, or dead! I don't much care which."
"It isn't much of a secret, only don't talk about it to any one. You know this street, you say, and everybody in it. Just walk along with me, and tell me who lives in the houses."