"After our interview with Mrs. Warrender," amended the other significantly.
"Command my services," said Cicero, and rapidly put on his frock-coat, battered hat and gloves.
After he had brushed his greasy broadcloth, and dusted his large boots with the red bandana, he announced that he was ready.
The oddly-assorted pair proceeded to the Norfolk Hotel through the Lambeth slums. Cicero seemed to be very well known and very popular. He exchanged greetings with shady acquaintances, patted ragged children on the head, and arrived at the hotel swelling with pride. He felt that he had shown Alan he was a man of consequence. Arrived at their destination, they were shown by a slipshod waiter into a shabby sitting-room on the first floor where they found Mrs. Warrender. She rose, and on seeing Cicero, gave a shriek of surprise.
"Bill!" she cried with a gasp.
"Clara Maria!" exclaimed the so-called Cicero, "my beloved sister! What a surprise!"
[CHAPTER VIII.]
AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW
"Well, I never!" gasped the widow, who, womanlike, was the first to find her tongue. "Is it really you, Billy?--but I might have guessed it, from your writing. Yet it never entered my head!" She stopped and grew suddenly furious. "My husband, you wretch!--have you killed him?"
"No, Clara Maria, no! I came here to give information about his poor body. I did not expect to find my sister--the celebrated Miss de Crespigny--in the person of Mrs. Warrender!"