“'You'll wake your lodger up if you ain't careful, making that noise,' he ses. 'Wot's the matter?'
“'Sam,' ses Ginger, in a very different voice to wot he 'ad used the night before, 'Sam, old pal, he's taken all our money and bolted.'
“'Wot?' ses Sam, sitting up on the floor and blinking, 'Nonsense!'
“'Robbed me and Peter,' ses Ginger, in a trembling voice; 'taken every penny we've got, and my watch and chain.'
“'You're dreaming,' ses Sam.
“'I wish I was,' ses Ginger.
“'But surely, Ginger,' ses Sam, standing up, 'surely you didn't take a lodger without a character?'
“'He seemed such a nice chap,' ses Peter. 'We was only saying wot a much nicer chap he was than—than——'
“'Go on, Peter,' ses Sam, very perlite.
“'Than he might ha' been,' ses Ginger, very quick.