And he gave a sharp whistle, with the result that the door was opened so violently that Mrs Sturt was jerked forward against Sam, the cause being a policeman, who now stood in the entry, with the further effect that Barney leaped off the trunk, and stood looking aghast. Mrs Jenkles gave a sigh of relief, and a gratified look at her husband. "Here's the case, policeman," said Sam. "Ladies here wants to leave these lodgings: they've given notice and paid their rent; but the missus here brings out a bill for things as the lady says she's never had, and wants to stop their boxes. It's county court, aint it? They can't stop the clothes?" "Nobody wants to stop no boxes," said Barney, uneasily. "Only it was precious shabby on 'em going like this." "Then you don't want to stop the boxes, eh?" said Sam. Mrs Sturt gave her husband a sharp dig with her elbow. "Be quiet, can't you!" he snarled; and then to Sam, "'course I don't." "Then ketch hold o' t'other end," said Sam, placing the bag on the trunk. And like a lamb Barney helped to bear his late lodger's impedimenta downstairs, and then to place them on the cab, as Mrs Jenkles led Netta half fainting from the room. Five minutes after, Sam had banged-to the rattling door, shutting in the little party, climbed to his box, and settled himself in his place, with a good-humoured nod to the policeman, who stood beating his gloves together, while Barney stood at the side of his wife. "Here's the price of a pint for you, Barney," said Sam, throwing him a couple of pence--money which Barney instantly secured; and then, vowing vengeance against the donor, he slunk off in the opposite direction; but only to double round by a back street, and track the cab like a dog, till he saw it set down its inmates at the humble little home of Mrs Jenkles. Volume 2, Chapter X. FRANK PRATT'S CROSS-EXAMINATION, AND APRES. Captain Vanleigh had declared solemnly that Penreife was "the deucedest dullest place" he ever saw in his life; and Sir Felix said it was "'nough to kill 'fler;" but, all the same, there was no talk to Trevor of moving; they lounged about the house chatting to each other, and consumed their host's cigars to a wonderful extent; they ate his dinners and drank his wine; and Vanleigh generally contrived to go to bed a few guineas richer every night from the whist table. Pratt protested against the play, but Trevor laughed at him. "My dear boy," he said, "why not let such matters take their course? Van is my guest; surely I should be a bad host if I did not let him win a little spare cash. Have you anything else to grumble about?" "Heaps," said Pratt, trying to put his little legs on a chair in front of the garden seat where he and his friend were having a morning cigar; but they were too short, and he gave up the attempt. "Go on, then," said Trevor, lazily, "have your grumble out." "Hadn't I better go back to town?" said Pratt, sharply. "Why, are you not comfortable?"