"What conspiracy?" asked Leah, stubbornly.
Strange made for the door with a nautical roll. "You kin arsk th' nearest copper. I'll give him details, never fear."
"Close the door after you, please," said Lady Jim, as he wrenched it open fiercely.
The captain immediately banged it again with a naughty word, and turned to behold her opening a book. "Cold-drawn cheek of th' mos' freezing style," murmured the almost stupefied man. "Oh, my country, t'aint no wonder he took leg-bail. If I wos married t' her I'd larrup her every day an' twice on Sundays."
"Not gone yet?" inquired Leah, glancing over the top of her book. "Oh, please do! I dislike hearing an illiterate person muttering."
"Lord keep me fro' murder," gasped Strange, piously. "Say, ma'am, ain't you afeared?"
"Awfully! And as there are several policemen within call----"
"Bring 'em up--bring 'em all up, right along."
"I will, if you do not go away;" and she reached for the bell.
"Snakes! Y' mus' hev a card up your sleeve."