_James_. Honest boy, this one! Looks like it, don't he, sir? What do you think of yourself, you young devil, a decoying of a grey-haired old gen'leman like this? Why, sir, him an' his pals 'ud ha' taken every penny you had about you! Murdered you, they might--I've knowed as much. It's a good thing I 'appened on the spot.--Come along, you bad boy! _Bill_. I didn't, take it. And I won't go. _James_. Come along. They'll change it for you at the lock-up. _Bill_. You didn't see me steal it! You ain't never a goin' to gi' me in charge? _James_. Wrong again, young un! That's? percisely what I am a goin' to do! _Bill_. Oh, sir! please, sir! I'm a honest boy. It's the Bible-truth. I'll kiss twenty books on it. _James_. I won't ax you.--Why, sir, he ain't even one o' the shoe-brigade. He 'ain't got a red coat. Bless my soul! he 'ain't even got a box--nothin' but a scrubby pair o' brushes as I'm alive! He ain't no shoeblack. He's a thief as purtends to black shoes, and picks pockets. _Bill_. You're a liar! I never picked a pocket, in my life. _James_. Bad language, you see! What more would you have? _Tho._ Who'd iver lia' thowt o' sich wickedness in a boy like that! _Bill_. I ain't a wicked boy, no. Nay, doan't thae tell mo that! Thae made gam of mo, and hurried and scurried mo, as iv aw'd been a mak ov a deevil--yo did. _James_. He's one of the worst boys I know. This Timothy is one of the very worst boys in all London. _Bill (aside_). Timothy, eh? I twigs! It's Rainbow, by Peter and Paul!--Look y'e here, old gen'leman! This 'ere's a bad cove as is takin' adwantage o' your woolliness. _I_ knows him. His master guv me the suvering. He guv it to me to tell him where your Mattie was. _James_. Don't you fancy you're g' in' to take in an experienced old gen'leman like that with your cock-and-bull stories! Come along, I say. Hey! Police! _Bill_. Here you are! _(Takes the coin from his mouth, rubs it dry on his jacket, and offers it._) I don't want it. Give it to old Hunx there.--He shan't never see his Mattie! I wur right to chivy him, arter all. _James (taking the coin_). Now look here, Timothy. I'm a detective hofficer. But I won't never be hard on no buy as wants to make a honest livin'. So you be hoff! I'll show the old gen'leman where he wants to go to. BILL _moves two paces, and takes a sight at him_. _Tho._ The Lord be praised! Dosto know eawr Mattie then? _James_. It's the dooty of a detective hofficer to know every girl in his beat. _Bill_. My eye! there's a oner! _Tho._ Tak mo to her, sir, an' aw'll pray for yo. _James_. I will.--If I cotch you nearer than Mile End, I'll give you in charge at oncet. _Bill (bolting five yards_). He's a humbug, daddy! but he'll serve you right. He'll melt you down for taller. He ain't no 'tective. I know him. _Tho._ Goo away. _Bill_. Good-bye, daddy! He don't know your Mattie. Good-bye, skelington! _Exit_. _Tho._ Eh! sech a boy! _James_. Let me see. You want a girl of the name of Mattie?