'It's no use trying to 'ide 'im, my dear,'

Said one, in a really fatherly way;

'In course we knows that the gen'leman's 'ere;

And till he turns up we shall 'ave to stay.'

'The gentleman's here? but no one has come;

And no one can come—it is much too late.

Mr. Vane is out—he will soon be home;

But I really must ask you not to wait.'

[pg 76]

The man laid a finger against his nose;

With a horrible slyness look'd at me:

'We understands all that 'ere, I suppose;

But you'd better come to terms,' said he.

I stared at the man with my vacant eyes,

That dreamily question'd him how he dared?

And suddenly saw, with extreme surprise,

It was a policeman at whom I stared.

[pg 77]

The five of us stood in the pleasant hall;

And four were policemen, and one was I;

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