Grimes had all the reluctance of his class to be "mixed up" in any matter likely to involve trouble at a police-court; and what was more, he saw himself possibly compromised in the matter of Ogle's stay at the Wharf. But Viney was so visibly concerned by the news that soon the wharf-keeper relented a little--thinking him maybe no such bad fellow after all, since he was so anxious about his friend. "I've heard said," he added presently in a lower tone, "I've heard said it was a blind chap done it out o' spite; but of course I dunno; not to say myself; on'y what I heard, you see. I don't think they'll let you in; but you might see the woman. They won't let her stop long, 'specially takin' on as she was." Indeed it was not long ere Musky Mag emerged, reluctant and pallid, trembling at the mouth, staring but seeing nothing. Grimes took her by the arm and led her aside, with Viney. "Here's a friend o' Dan's," Grimes said, not unkindly, giving the woman a shake of the arm. "He wants to know how he's gettin' on." "What's 'nucleate?" she asked hoarsely, with a dull look in Viney's face. "What's 'nucleate? I heard a doctor say to let 'im rest to-night an' 'nucleate in the mornin'. What's 'nucleate?" "Some sort o' operation," Grimes hazarded. "Did they say anything else?" "Blinded," the woman answered weakly. "Blinded. But the pain's eased with the oil." "What did he say?" interposed Viney, fullest of his own concerns. "Did he say someone did it?" "He told me about it--whispered. But I shan't say nothing; nor him, not till he comes out." "I say--he mustn't get talkin' about it," Viney said, anxiously. "It--it'll upset things. Tell him when you see him. Here, listen." He took her aside out of Grimes's hearing. "It wouldn't do," he said, "it wouldn't do to have anybody charged or anything just now. We've got something big to pull off. I say--I ought to see him, you know. Can't I see him? But there--someone might know me. No. But you must tell him. He mustn't go informing, or anything like that, not yet. Tell him, won't you?" "Chargin'? Infornin'?" Mag answered, with contempt in her shaking voice. "'Course 'e wouldn't go informin', not Dan. Dan ain't that sort--'e looks arter hisself, 'e does; 'e don't go chargin' people. Not if 'e was dyin'."