“But has the doctor seen him?”

“Wouldn’t do no good, if he did, sir. Sort of complaint no doctor couldn’t cure.”

“Now, look here, Jerry; do you see that glass of lemonade?”

“See it? Of course.”

“Then take warning: if you begin telling me that nothing will do Mr Lacey any good but a shampoo, I’ll throw it at you.”

Jerry grinned.

“You are getting better, Dick Smithson, and no mistake,” he said; “but you can drink the stuff, for you won’t have to throw it at me, because shampooing ain’t no good for a bit o’ gambling—whether it’s horse-racing or cards.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, this, S’Rich—”

“Hush!”