But this time an answer was secured in the affirmative, through an act done by the rescued lady.
Drawing the diamond ring off her finger, and taking the gold watch from behind her waistbelt, she handed the first to the boatman’s wife, and the second to the boatman himself—telling both to keep them as tokens of gratitude for the saving of her life!
The gifts appeared sufficiently valuable, not only to cover the service done, but that requested. With such glittering bribes in hand, it would have been a strange boatman, and still stranger boatman’s wife, who would have refused to keep a secret, which could scarce compromise them.
“One last request,” said the lady. “Let me stay aboard your boat till you can land me in Lisson Grove. You are going that way?”
“We are, missus.”
“You will then call a cab for me from the stand. There’s one in the Grove Road, close up.”
“I’ll do that for your ladyship in welcome.”
“Enough, sir. I hope some day to have an opportunity of showing you I can be grateful.”
Bootle, still balancing the watch in his hand, thought she had shown this already.
Some of the service still remained to be done, and should be done quickly. Leaving the lady with his wife, Bootle sprang back upon the tow-path, and once more taking his old horse by the head, trained on towards the Grove Road.