"You mind your own business," said Bet, shaking her off roughly.
"Well—there's a mischief brewing, and I saw what I saw. Don't you say as you wasn't warned; and ef the two little chaps come to grief, it ain't Louisa Perkins' fault."
These last words alarmed Bet.
"Say out yer say at once," she answered, clutching the girl now, and forcing her back against the crowd who were pushing their way into the building,—"say your say and have done," she repeated. "What has come to the lads? I left them safe not an hour agone."
"I saw Granger making off with them."
"You didn't—that's a lie! I left them locked up safe in my room."
"Granger was hurrying off with them," repeated Louisa, "werry red in the face, and mad like. The captain was crying, and t'other chap had a red mark down his cheek—it's not a quarter of an hour by St. Giles' clock as I saw him."
"Where was they going?" asked Bet. "Tell me quick, or I'll shake you."
"Down Castle Street, making for Lime Street and the railway station, I expect."
Bet ceased to push inwards with the crowd. They went past her, and the little police-court was soon filled to overflowing. Isaac Dent almost rubbed against her shoulder as he went by. He winked at Louisa, but Bet never noticed him.