"Nab his ticker!" he yelled.
"No, no; let him go!"
The woman leapt down, and held them both at bay.
"Go," she cried. "Go—the police!"
At which Respectability breathed a heartfelt "Amen."
"Slit 'is bloomin' whistle," said the small boy, who was as uncompromising as he was impolite. He made off followed by the shark. The worthy member of society, assisted by the woman, scrambled to his feet. Then the gloom suddenly became illumined by the rays from a lantern—an unmistakably official lantern.
"Hullo, wot's all this?"
"Constable!" gasped the rescued one, "constable, I have been violently assaulted, and robbed of——"
"No, not robbed," interrupted the woman called Miriam, pointing to his chain.
"Oh, it's your little game, is it?" said the one having authority, bringing his light to bear upon her. "Let's 'ave a look at you—a bad lot 'less I'm much mistaken. Better give 'er in charge, sir."