besides
being a professional pugilist. You will be the better for protection
there, sir. I would advise you not to go alone. If you can wait for
five or ten minutes," added Giles, "I shall be off duty and will be
happy to accompany you."

Sir Richard agreed to wait. Within the time mentioned Giles was
relieved, and, entering a cab with his friends, drove towards
Whitechapel. They had to pass near our policeman's lodgings on the way.

"Would you object, sir, stopping at my house for five minutes?" he
asked.

"Certainly not," returned the knight, "I am in no hurry."

Number 666 stopped the cab, leaped out and disappeared through a narrow
passage. In less than five minutes a very tall gentlemanly man issued
from the same passage and approached them. Little Di opened her blue
eyes to their very uttermost. It was _her_ policeman in plain clothes!

She did not like the change at all at first, but before the end of the
drive got used to him in his new aspect--all the more readily that he
seemed to have cast off much of his stiffness and reserve with his blue
skin.

Near the metropolitan railway station in Whitechapel the cab was
dismissed, and Giles led the father and child along the crowded
thoroughfare until they reached Commercial Street, along which they
proceeded a short distance.

"We are now near some of the worst parts of London, sir," said Giles,
"where great numbers of the criminal and most abandoned characters
dwell."

"Indeed," said Sir Richard, who did not seem to be much gratified by the
information.

As for Di, she was nearly crying. The news that _her_ boy was a thief
and was born in the midst of such naughty people had fallen with
chilling influence on her heart, for she had never thought of anything
but the story-book "poor but honest parents!"

"What large building is that?" inquired the knight, who began to wish
that he had not given way to his daughter's importunities, "the one
opposite, I mean, with placards under the windows."

"That is the well-known Home of Industry, instituted and managed by Miss
Macpherson and a staff of volunteer workers. They do a deal of good,
sir, in this neighbourhood."

"Ah! indeed," said Sir Richard, who had never before heard of the Home
of Industry. "And, pray, what particular industry does this Miss Mac--
what did you call her?"

"Macpherson. The lady, you know, who sends out so many rescued waifs
and strays to Canada, and spends all her time