He closed one eye and nodded with great significance at his friend.
“Oh!” said Mr. Chase, waiting.
“She's a rich woman,” said Mr. Teak, pulling the other's ear down to his mouth. “She—”
“When you've done tickling me with your whiskers,” said Mr. Chase, withdrawing his head and rubbing his ear vigorously, “I shall be glad.”
Mr. Teak apologized. “A rich woman,” he repeated. “She's been stinting me for twenty-nine years and saving the money—my money!—money that I 'ave earned with the sweat of my brow. She 'as got over three 'undred pounds!”
“'Ow much?” demanded Mr. Chase.
“Three 'undred pounds and more,” repeated the other; “and if she had 'ad the sense to put it in a bank it would ha' been over four 'undred by this time. Instead o' that she keeps it hid in the 'Ouse.”
“Where?” inquired the greatly interested Mr. Chase.
Mr. Teak shook his head. “That's just what I want to find out,” he answered. “She don't know I know it; and she mustn't know, either. That's important.”
“How did you find out about it, then?” inquired his friend.