In a moment Miss Adrian had collected herself. ‘I will call again, my child, about the canary,’ she said to Gertie; then, lowering her veil, she bowed coldly to Marston and walked rapidly out of the room. Marston watched her till the door had closed behind her. He seemed inclined to follow, but he only took a step forward, and then, with an oath, came back again and flung himself down on an empty box. ‘This is a rum go, governor,’ said Heckett, after a pause; what does it mean? ‘Do you know that lady?’ asked Marston, answering his question with another. ‘Never see her afore. Is she a reg’lar cus., Gertie, or only a chance? ‘She comes now and then,’ stammered Gertie, hardly knowing what to say. Marston looked at the child, and then gave a glance at the door. Heckett interpreted its meaning in a moment. ‘Gertie,’ he said, gruffly, ‘get out and have a blow. I shall be at home for an hour.’ Gertie put on her little hat and went out for a ‘blow,’ though what sort of a blow, except one on the head, is obtainable in Drury Lane it is difficult to conjecture. She guessed her grandfather wanted to get rid of her while he talked to the gentleman, and so she took the hint at once. ‘Now then, governor,’ said Heckett, making himself comfortable on a rabbit-hutch, and kicking the foxhound and the spaniel out of the way, ‘perhaps you’ll give us the straight tip about this here affair. Who’s the donner?’ ‘The _lady_,’ replied Marston, with a meaning emphasis on the word, ‘is a friend of mine; that’s enough for you. I knew her when I was a very different man to what I am now.’ ‘I see—old pals—sweetheart, eh?’ ‘Never you mind what we were,’ answered Marston, gruffly; ‘we didn’t come here to talk about sweethearts. What about this business?’ ‘Well, if you think this is the best place to meet, I don’t mind. How many will there be on the job?’ ‘The fewer the better,’ answered Marston; ‘but I don’t see we can do with less than five. There’ll be you and myself, Seth Preene, and Turvey the guard, and Brooks.’ ‘How much will it be, do you think?’ ‘About £20,000. We shall wait till it’s quite that. We must make a good haul, for the chance will never come again.’ ‘It’s worth being in,’ growled Heckett, filling his pipe; ‘but it’s a blessed risky affair. What are the shares?’ ‘Half me, and the rest between the four of you.’ ‘That ain’t fair, I’m dashed if it is,’ said Heckett. ‘Yes, it is. I shall have to scheme the whole thing. You’ll only have to do the rough work. You needn’t be in it, though, if the terms don’t suit.’ ‘That’s right, Edward Marston, Esq., turn up rusty with an old pal,’ growled Heckett. ‘I’m not rusty, Josh, but I risk more than all of you over this affair, and I’m the only man that can carry it out. Haven’t I found out where you were, and come to put a good thing in your way, just because you are an old pal? All the others have agreed to the terms, why should you grumble?’