"Vy then, sir, dooty bein' dooty, I'll take a valk."
"As you will!" said I. "Come, Anthony!" and turning, we began to retrace our steps. But we had gone but a little way when I faced suddenly about, for the man was plodding at our heels.
"Why the devil do you follow us?" I demanded, greatly exasperated.
"Becos' dooty is dooty, sir, an' dooty demands same," he answered imperturbably.
"Who are you, fellow?"
"Jarsper Shrig, Bow Street officer—werry much at your service, sir!"
"And what do you want of me?"
"A piece o' paper, sir, as ewidence to establish i-dentifi-cation of de-funct young party o' the fe-male persuasion in a case o' murder or feller-de-see—"
Here I turned and walked on again in no little perplexity.
"What am I to do, Anthony?" I muttered.