“‘It wasn’t our fault,’ he ses, slowly, while Mrs. Reddish began to cry agin; ‘gin’rally speakin’, animals is afraid o’ wild men, and night before last, as the wild man wot you left on approval didn’t seem to like “’Appy Cottage,” we took ’im out an’ put ’im in with the tiger.’ “‘Put him in with the WOT?’ ses the unfort’nit man’s uncle, jumping off ’is chair. “‘The tiger,’ ses Reddish. ‘We ’eard something in the night, but we thought they was only ’aving a little bit of a tiff, like. In the morning I went down with a bit o’ cold meat for the wild man, and I thought at first he’d escaped; but looking a little bit closer—’ “‘Don’t, Ted,’ ses ’is wife. ‘I can’t bear it.’ “‘Do you mean to tell me that the tiger ’as eat ’im?’ screams old Sam. “‘Most of ’im,’ ses Ted Reddish; ‘but ’e couldn’t ha’ been much of a wild man to let a tiger get the better of ’im. I must say I was surprised.’ “‘We both was,’ ses Mrs. Reddish, wiping ’er eyes. “You might ha’ ’eard a pin drop; old Sam’s eyes was large and staring, Peter Russet was sucking ’is teeth, an’ Ginger was wondering wot the law would say to it—if it ’eard of it. “‘It’s an unfortunit thing for all parties,’ ses Ted Reddish at last, getting up and standing on the ’earthrug. “‘’Orrible,’ ses Sam, ’uskily. ‘You ought to ha’ known better than to put ’im in with a tiger. Wot could you expect? W’y, it was a mad thing to do.’ “‘Crool thing,’ ses Peter Russet. “‘You don’t know the bisness properly,’ ses Ginger, ‘that’s about wot it is. ‘W’y, _I_ should ha’ known better than that.’ “‘Well, it’s no good making a fuss about it,’ ses Reddish. It was only a wild man arter all, and he’d ha’ died anyway, cos ’e wouldn’t eat the raw meat we gave ’im, and ’is pan o’ water was scarcely touched. He’d ha’ starved himself anyhow. I’m sorry, as I said before, but I must be off; I’ve got an appointment down at the docks.’ “He moved towards the door; Ginger Dick gave Russet a nudge and whispered something and Russet passed it on to Sam. “What about the ’undered quid?’ ses pore Beauty’s uncle, catching ’old o’ Reddish as ’e passed ’im. “‘Eh?’ ses Reddish, surprised—‘Oh, that’s off.’ “‘Ho!’ says Sam. ‘Ho! is it? We want a ’undered quid off of you; an’ wot’s more, we mean to ’ave it.’ “‘But the tiger’s ate ’im,’ says Mrs. Reddish, explaining. “‘I know that,’ ses Sam, sharply. ‘But ’e was our wild man, and we want to be paid for ’im. You should ha’ been more careful. We’ll give you five minutes; and if the money ain’t paid by that time we’ll go straight off to the police-station.’ “‘Well, go,’ ses Ted Reddish. “Sam got up, very stern, and looked at Ginger. “‘You’ll be ruined if we do,’ ses Ginger. “‘All right,’ ses Ted Reddish, comfortably. “I’m not sure they can’t ’ang you,’ ses Russet. “‘I ain’t sure either,’ says Reddish; ‘and I’d like to know ’ow the law stands, in case it ’appens agin.’ “‘Come on, Sam,’ ses Ginger; ‘come straight to the police-station.’