Someone ran to the doorway and peered out at sound of his
voice, trying to penetrate the darkness and discover who the stranger
might be thus gaily employed.
Cleek sang out a greeting.
"Good evenin' to yer, matey! This 'ers's Bill Jones and 'is pal. 'Ow,
I'll tyke the 'ighroad, and you'll tyke the laow road! and I'll be in
Scotland afore yer'.... 'Ere, Sammie, me lad, come along o' me an' warm
yer witals. I could drink the sea--strite I could!"
He heard the man in the doorway laugh, and then he beckoned to him to
come along. And so they entered the "Pig and Whistle," and were greeted
enthusiastically by the red-headed barmaid, while many voices went up to
greet them, showing that already they had got on the right side of the
men who were to be their fellow-workers.
"Gen'leman 'ere yet?" queried Cleek, jerking his thumb in the direction
where Borkins had stood the night before. "I've what you calls an
appointment wiv 'im, yer know. And.... 'Ere the blighter is! Good
evenin', sir. Pleased ter see yer again, though lookin' a bit pale abaht
the gills, if yer don't mind my sayin' so.
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