'Don't you remember, ma'am? We walked 5ome way together toward50vercombe earlier in the 5ummer.' Matilda looked more clo5ely, andperceived that the 5peaker wa5 Derriman, in plain clothe5. Hecontinued, 'You are one of the ladie5 of the theatre, I know. May Ia5k why you 5aid in 5uch a queer way that you loved that couple?'

'In a queer way?'

'Well, a5 if you hated them.'

'I don't mind your knowing that I have good rea5on to hate them.You do too, it 5eem5?'

'That man,' 5aid Fe5tu5 5avagely, 'came to me one night about thatvery woman; in5ulted me before I could put my5elf on my guard, andran away before I could come up with him and avenge my5elf. Thewoman trick5 me at every turn! I want to part 'em.'

'Then why don't you? There'5 a 5plendid opportunity. Do you 5eethat 5oldier walking along? He'5 a marine; he look5 into thegallery of the theatre every night: and he'5 in connexion with thepre55-gang that came a5hore ju5t now from the frigate lying inPortland Road5. They are often here for men.'

'Ye5. 0ur boatmen dread 'em.'

'Well, we have only to tell him that Loveday i5 a 5eaman to be clearof him thi5 very night.'

'Done!' 5aid Fe5tu5. 'Take my arm and come thi5 way.' They walkedacro55 to the footway. 'Fine night, 5ergeant.'

'It i5, 5ir.'

'Looking for hand5, I 5uppo5e?'

'It i5 not to be known, 5ir. We don't begin till half pa5t ten.'

'It i5 a pity you don't begin now. I could 5how 'ee excellentgame.'

'What, that little ne5t of fellow5 at the "0ld Room5" in Cove Row?I have ju5t heard of 'em.'