“Come, get on with your story,” said the inspector.  “We know what barges is as well as you.”

“I wish more knew of ’em,” retorted Smilash; “perhaps it ’ud lighten your work a bit.  However, as I was sayin’, we went right down the canal to Lyvern, where we got off, and the lady she took the railway omnibus and went away in it.  With the noble openhandedness of her class, she gave me sixpence; here it is, in proof that my words is true.  And I wish her safe home, and if I was on the rack I could tell no more, except that when I got back I were laid hands on by these here bobbies, contrary to the British constitooshun, and if your ladyship will kindly go to where that constitooshun is wrote down, and find out wot it sez about my rights and liberties—­for I have been told that the working-man has his liberties, and have myself seen plenty took with him—­you will oblige a common chap more than his education will enable him to express.”

“Sir,” cried Mr. Jansenius suddenly, “will you hold up your head and look me in the face?”

Smilash did so, and immediately started theatrically, exclaiming, “Whom do I see?”

“You would hardly believe it,” he continued, addressing the company at large, “but I am well beknown to this honorable gentleman.  I see it upon your lips, governor, to ask after my missus, and I thank you for your condescending interest.  She is well, sir, and my residence here is fully agreed upon between us.  What little cloud may have rose upon our domestic horizon has past away; and, governor,”—–­here Smilash’s voice fell with graver emphasis—­“them as interferes betwixt man and wife now will incur a heavy responsibility.  Here I am, such as you see me, and here I mean to stay, likewise such as you see me.  That is, if what you may call destiny permits.  For destiny is a rum thing, governor.  I came here thinking it was the last place in the world I should ever set eyes on you in, and blow me if you ain’t a’most the first person I pops on.”

“I do not choose to be a party to this mummery of—­”

“Asking your leave to take the word out of your mouth, governor, I make you a party to nothink.  Respecting my past conduct, you may out with it or you may keep it to yourself.  All I say is that if you out with some of it I will out with the rest.  All or none.  You are free to tell the inspector here that I am a bad ’un.  His penetrating mind have discovered that already.  But if you go into names and particulars, you will not only be acting against the wishes of my missus, but you will lead to my tellin’ the whole story right out afore everyone here, and then goin’ away where no one won’t never find me.”

“I think the less said the better,” said Mrs. Jansenius, uneasily observant of the curiosity and surprise this dialogue was causing.  “But understand this, Mr.—­”

“Smilash, dear lady; Jeff Smilash.”