“But what I say is—”
“Hold your row, and don’t make a fool of yourself, mate. Get your work done, and then go home and try experiments with a pint o’ paraffin and a rat.”
The man uttered a growl, and attacked the bath lid angrily, screwing it down as the light was held for him, and then going with the others into the sitting room, where he soon restored the old door to its former state, there being no sign, when he had finished, of its having been touched.
Then, after a glance round, with Brettison’s portrait still seeming to watch them intently, the outer door was closed, and the little party returned to Stratton’s chambers, where certain coins were passed from hand to hand, evidently to the great satisfaction of the two men, for Jem began to chuckle and shake his head.
“Well,” said the sergeant; “what now?”
“I was thinking, pardner, about baths.”
“Yes, yes,” said Guest hurriedly; “but that will do.”
“Yes, sir, I’m going; but there’s your gents as goes and breaks the ice in the Serpentine, and them as goes to be cooked in a hoven, and shampooed; and you pull your strings and has it in showers, and your hot waters and cold waters; but this gent seems to have liked his stronger than anyone I ever knowed afore. I say, pardner, that’s having your lotion, and no sham.”
“Pooh!” said the sergeant.
“Look here,” said Guest quickly, and he slipped another sovereign into the sergeant’s hand, “this has all been a foolish mistake. I was too hasty.”