said Bindle reassuringly. "Fancy you bein' afraid
of a pretty little bit o' fluff like that."

"But--but--she was in her----"

"Of course she was, she was goin' to 'ave a rinse in there," Bindle
indicated the bathroom with his thumb, "when you frightened 'er. Dirty
trick a-frightening of a pretty gal like that."

With affected indifference Bindle strolled over to the bathroom,
looked in and then stood before the door.

"Look! there she is again!" almost shrieked Mr. Stiffson, dashing for
Bindle and endeavouring to get past him into the bathroom.

"There, there, sir," said Bindle soothingly, "you're a very lucky
cove, only you don't seem to know it."

"But--but--Mrs. Stiffson----"

There was terror in Mr. Stiffson's voice. On his forehead beads of
perspiration glistened.

"What the wife don't see the 'usband don't 'ave to explain," remarked
Bindle oracularly.

"But she's in my flat," persisted Mr. Stiffson.

"Oh! you naughty old thing!" cried Cissie Boye. "It's you who are in
my flat."

"But I came in last night," quavered Mr. Stiffson.

"So did I--didn't I, Mr. Porter?" She turned to Bindle for
corroboration.

"Take my dyin' oath on it, miss," said Bindle.

"But----" began Mr. Stiffson, then stopped, at loss how to proceed.

"Look 'ere," said Bindle pleasantly, "there's been a little mistake,
sort of a misunderstandin', an' things 'ave got a bit mixed. You can
say it's me wot's done it if you like. Now you'd better both get
dressed an' come an' 'ave breakfast." Then turning to Mr. Stiffson he
said, "Don't you think o' meetin' your missis on an empty stomach. I'm
married myself, an' Mrs. B.'s as 'ot as ginger when there's another
bit o' skirt about."

Cissie Boye slowly approached Mr. Stiffson. "You're surely not afraid
of little me, Mr. Man?" she enquired, looking deliciously impudent.

That was exactly what Mr. Stiffson was afraid of, and he edged nearer
to Bindle.

"But Mrs. Stiffson----" he stammered, regarding Cissie Boye like one
hypnotised.

"Oh! you naughty old thing!" admonished Miss Boye, enjoying Mr.
Stiffson's embarrassment. "You come into my flat, then talk about your
wife," and she laughed happily.

"Now look 'ere, sir," said Bindle, "there's been a little mistake, an'
this young lady is willin' to forgive an' forget, an' you ain't
a-goin' to 'old out, are you? Now you jest run in an' get rid o' them
petticoats, come out lookin' like a man, an' then wot-o! for a nice
little break