had it all happened and what did it mean? Events had followed upon one
another so swiftly that he was bewildered. Where were the police?
What did he pay rates and taxes for if he were to be subjected to this?
What would be the end of it all? Would they kill him?

Just as he saw himself being bruised and buffeted by a furious crowd, a
shadow fell across the shop as a pantechnicon drew up outside. It was
one of three, and from the tail-board of the last Bindle slipped off
and began forcing his way towards the shop entrance.

"Now then," he called out cheerfully, "make way there. I'm the brother
o' the corpse. Wot's it all about--a fire or a dog-show?"

The crowd good-humouredly made room. Pushing his way into the shop he
hailed his brother-in-law.

"'Ullo, 'Earty; 'oldin' a levee? What-oh!"

"'E wants a dawg," broke in the dog man, indicating Lily with a jerk of
his thumb.

"I come all the way from Brixton," shouted the would-be housekeeper.

"An' very nice, too," replied Bindle, as he pushed his way to the side
of Mr. Hearty, who was listening with anguished intentness to an eager
group of women whose one desire seemed to caretake for him.

Bindle looked round the shop with a puzzled expression, his eyes
finally resting on Lily.

"Call that a dawg?" he enquired of Lily's owner with an incredulous
grin.

"Yus, I do," replied the man aggressively. "What 'ud you call it? A
rosy kitten?"

"Well," remarked Bindle imperturbably, regarding Lily critically,
"since you arsts me, I'd call it a bloomin' 'istory o' dawgs in one
volume."

"Where'll yer 'ave the coal, guv'nor?" bawled a voice from the fringe
of the crowd.

At that moment Mrs. Hearty entered from the parlour behind the shop.
She gazed about her in mild wonderment.

"We don't want any coals, Alf. We had them in last week." Mrs. Hearty
subsided into a chair. Suddenly her eyes fell upon Lily, who was
trying to shake off her head Mr. Hearty's hat, which someone had placed
there, and she collapsed, helpless with laughter.

"'Ere, get out of it," cried Bindle, giving Lily a cuff, whereat she
yelped dismally. Providence had evidently intended her for doughty
deeds, having endowed her with the frame of an Amazon, but had then
lost interest and given her the heart of a craven.

By dint of threats, badinage, and persuasion Bindle at last cleared the
shop of all save Mr. and Mrs. Hearty, Smith, and the boy. Posting the
staff at the door with i