The general impression was that it was a police raid, although how they reconciled Sallie with the police was difficult to understand.
Just as we were knocking at Bindle's door, Tom Little and Bill Simmonds arrived in a ninth vehicle, out of which they hauled two large suit-cases.
The door of Bindle's house was opened by Ginger, who looked his astonishment at seeing Sallie with some sixteen men behind her.
"Is Mr. Bindle in?" enquired Sallie.
Without attempting to reply Ginger called over his shoulder, "Someone to see yer, Joe."
"Ask 'im in," came the cheery voice of Bindle from within.
"It ain't 'im, it's a lady."
"Come along in, Martha, I know 'oo it is."
Sallie passed by the open-mouthed Ginger, and we trooped in behind her. Bindle was lying on a horse-hair couch with one ankle heavily bandaged. His back was towards the door; but he called out over his shoulders, "Come in, Martha, come in. 'Ow's yer breath and 'ow's 'Earty?"
"It's me," said Sallie, regardless as to grammar.