And while the one continued to puff his pipe in a leisurely manner, the other smoked his cigar with equal ease; so that they appeared to be two friends enjoying themselves in a pleasant way in the cool of the evening.
“I suppose I interrupted some sport t’other night, Jack,” said Vitriol Bob, at length breaking the silence. “You and the old o’oman wasn’t out together at that hour for nothink—particklerly in such a neighbourhood.”
“Yes—we were going to do a little business together,” observed the Doctor. “You first twigged me in Sloane Street. I saw you!”
“I knowed you did: but you didn’t suspect that I follered you.”
“Rather,” said Jack Rily. “At least, I thought it very probable.”
“You’re aweer that the old o’oman’s dead, I suppose?”
“I said as much just now. ’Twas in the papers,” remarked Jack Rily.
“Yes—I read it in the Adwertiser,” responded Vitriol Bob.
There was another pause, during which the two miscreants had their glasses replenished. The Doctor also refilled his pipe, and the other lighted a second cigar.
“We’ll make ourselves comfortable, Jack,” said Vitriol Bob, “as long as you like: and whenever you feel disposed to go, mind that I shall be arter you.”