‘Come back? no. I’ve heerd on her twice as she’s safe and ‘appy, but I ain’t been able to find out where she is. In a re-formeratury or something, I s’pose.’
‘Very likely,’ answered Marston.
‘I thought oncet as somebody had got ‘old on her for to get her to blab about the crib; but I don’t think that, cus they’d a sent her back directly they found out as she know’d nothink. Still it’s a rum go, her hookin’ it like that. I shall come across her some day, I guess,’ added the old dog-fancier, shaking his fist at an imaginary Gertie, ‘and then I’ll make it warm for her, the jade.’
They had reached the end of the Kilburn Road, and were getting to Maida Vale.
‘I’m going off here, Josh,’ said Marston. ‘If we don’t meet again, good-night.’
‘If we don’t meet again!’ exclaimed Heckett, with surprise. ‘What, are you a-goin’ to furren parts?’
‘Perhaps.’
‘That’s ockard,’ growled Heckett. ‘Suppose I might want to see you on business?’
‘I’ve finished with business.’
Heckett contracted his features into something that was meant for a smile.