The Amateur Gentleman - Page 257/395

"So was I," said Barnabas. "But he will be quiet now, I think. Here

is one of his pistols, you'd better hide it. And--forget your

differences with him, for if ever a man needed a friend, he does. As

for your rent, don't worry about that, I'll send it round to you

this evening. Good-by."

So Barnabas went on down the dark stairs, and being come to the door

with the faulty latch, let himself out into the dingy street, and

thus came face to face with the man in the fur cap.

"Lord, Mr. Barty, sir," said that worthy, glancing up and down the

street with a pair of mild, round eyes, "you can burn my neck if I

wasn't beginning to vorry about you, up theer all alone vith that

'ere child o' mine. For, sir, of all the Capital coves as ever I see,

--'e's vun o' the werry capital-est."