'
'Why, what do you mean?'
'Well, one rainy night when I was standing by the theatre door, I
heard a toff ask a policeman about the Essex Street Beauty, and I
thought I knew what that meant very well. So I ran off to find Meg. I
had seen her watching the Beauty all the time. But lo and behold! Meg
was gone and the Beauty too. So I run across here, and found Meg and
the Beauty getting their supper as quiet as possible. Meg had heard
the toff talking to the policeman--though I didn't know she was
standing so near--and whisked her off and away as quick as
lightning.'
'That was I,' I said. 'God! God! If I had only known!'
'There's the same look now on your face as there was then, and I
should know it among ten thousand.'
'Polly Onion,' I said, 'there is my address, and if ever you want a
friend, and if you are in trouble, you will know where to find
assistance,' and I gave her another sovereign.
'You're a good sort,' said she, 'and no mistake.'
'Good-bye,' I said, shaking her hand. 'See well after Mrs. Gudgeon.'
'All right,' said she, and a smile broke over her face.
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