The constables pushed their way through the throng to the point where Susie and the policeman were standing, and the crowd stood in intense silence while a hurried consultation took place. A moment or two later Esther and Susie entered the hansom, which was still waiting in the hope of a case for St. George's, and drove off through the passage cleared by the police.
"Now then, pass along 'ere, pass along," said the police. "There ain't nothing to look at 'ere."
"Well, but aren't you going to bring the girl out?" asked the officious man of a constable.
"Pass along, if you please."
"What is the good of making such a mystery of it?" said the officious man. "That's the way half the crimes go undetected. I daresay it's all simple enough if the truth were known. I maintain the public has a right to be taken into the confidence of the authorities."
"'Ushing of it up," said the woman in a shawl. "'Ushing of it up."
"And I dessay they're well paid to do it," said her companion.
"Well, that's another added to the unsolved mysteries of London," said the respectable-looking working-man, addressing his neighbours, "but it's another nail in the coffin of——"
"Now then, your supper's gettin' cold," said the constable.