“You came just in the right time, thank you,” returned Diamond. “They've done me no harm.” “They would have if I hadn't been at hand, though.” “Yes; but you were at hand, you know, so they couldn't.” Perhaps the answer was deeper in purport than either Diamond or the policeman knew. They walked away together, Diamond telling his new friend how ill poor Nanny was, and that he was going to let the tall gentleman know. The policeman put him in the nearest way for Bloomsbury, and stepping out in good earnest, Diamond reached Mr. Raymond's door in less than an hour. When he asked if he was at home, the servant, in return, asked what he wanted. “I want to tell him something.” “But I can't go and trouble him with such a message as that.” “He told me to come to him--that is, when I could read--and I can.” “How am I to know that?” Diamond stared with astonishment for one moment, then answered: “Why, I've just told you. That's how you know it.” But this man was made of coarser grain than the policeman, and, instead of seeing that Diamond could not tell a lie, he put his answer down as impudence, and saying, “Do you think I'm going to take your word for it?” shut the door in his face. Diamond turned and sat down on the doorstep, thinking with himself that the tall gentleman must either come in or come out, and he was therefore in the best possible position for finding him. He had not waited long before the door opened again; but when he looked round, it was only the servant once more. “Get, away” he said. “What are you doing on the doorstep?” “Waiting for Mr. Raymond,” answered Diamond, getting up. “He's not at home.” “Then I'll wait till he comes,” returned Diamond, sitting down again with a smile. What the man would have done next I do not know, but a step sounded from the hall, and when Diamond looked round yet again, there was the tall gentleman. “Who's this, John?” he asked. “I don't know, sir. An imperent little boy as will sit on the doorstep.” “Please sir” said Diamond, “he told me you weren't at home, and I sat down to wait for you.” “Eh, what!” said Mr. Raymond. “John! John! This won't do. Is it a habit of yours to turn away my visitors? There'll be some one else to turn away, I'm afraid, if I find any more of this kind of thing. Come in, my little man. I suppose you've come to claim your sixpence?” “No, sir, not that.” “What! can't you read yet?” “Yes, I can now, a little. But I'll come for that next time. I came to tell you about Sal's Nanny.” “Who's Sal's Nanny?” “The girl at the crossing you talked to the same day.” “Oh, yes; I remember. What's the matter? Has she got run over?” Then Diamond told him all.