'Per'aps yer don know—I'm sartin sure yer don know—leastways I'm hinclined that way—as Mrs. Costrell'—he made a polite inclination towards Bessie—''ave been makin free with money—fower—five—night a week at the "Spotted Deer"—fower—five—night a week. She'd used to treat every young feller, an plenty old uns too, as turned up; an there was a many as only went to Dawson's becos they knew as she'd treat 'em. Now she didn't go on tick at Dawson's; she'd pay—an she allus payed in 'arf-crowns. An those arf-crowns were curous 'arf-crowns; an it came into Dawson's [transcriber's note: "Dawon's" in original] 'ead as he'd colleck them 'arf-crowns. 'Ee wanted to see summat, 'ee said—an I dessay 'ee did. An people began to taak. Last night theer wor a bit of a roompus, it seems, while Mrs. Costrell was a-payin another o' them things, an summat as was said come to my ears—an come to Watson's. An me and Watson 'ave been makin inquiries—an Mr. Dawson wor obligin enough to make me a small loan, 'ee wor. Now I've got just one question to ask o' John Borroful.'
He put his hand into his waistcoat-pocket, and drew out a silver coin.
'Is that yourn, John?'
John fell upon it with a cry.
'Aye, Saunders, it's mine. Look ye 'ere, Isaac, it's a king's 'ead. It's Willum—not Victory. I saved that un up when I wor a lad at Mason's, an look yer, there's my mark in the corner—every arf-crown I ever 'ad I marked like that.'
He held it under Isaac's staring eyes, pointing to the little scratched cross in the corner.
''Ere's another, John—two on 'em,' said Saunders, pulling out a second and a third.
John, in a passion of hope, identified them both.
'Then,' said Saunders, slapping the table solemnly, 'theer's nobbut one more thing to say—an sorry I am to say it. Them coins, Isaac'—he pointed a slow finger at Bessie, whose white, fierce face moved involuntarily—'them 'arf-crowns wor paid across the bar lasst night, or the night afore, at Dawson's, by yor wife, as is now stannin there, an she'll deny it if she can!'
For an instant the whole group preserved their positions—the breath suspended on their lips.