As he spoke, the ostler embraced Hector, who was not at all backward in returning the caress, although in the midst of it he turned his head in the direction of the back-parlour, and gave a furious bark at Todd.
"There is some mystery at the bottom of all this," muttered Todd; and then raising his voice, he added—"How did you come by the dog?"
"Why, I'll tell you, master. For a matter of two days, you know, he stuck at your door with a hat as belonged—"
"Well, well!"
"Yes, his master, folks said, was murdered."
"Ha! ha!"
"Eh? Oh, Lord, what was that?"
"Only me; I laughed at the idea of anybody being murdered in Fleet Street, that was all."
"Oh, ah! It don't seem very likely. Well, as I was a saying, arter you had finished off his master—"
"I?"