by W. W. Jacobs
than wicked."
"Much more," ses George.
"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," sesthe skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to letyou off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it'sa credit to you."
I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuckfool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'andsover their mouths and their eyes sticking out.
"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson toyou not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and takingcharge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it."
"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot youmean," I ses, looking at 'im.
"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'ascost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come tothink of it. Very curious."
"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses.
"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us.I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' poundsbesides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lostfive bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same asyou."
Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each otheron the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done.
"Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper.
"No," he ses, shaking his 'ead.
"'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I.
"Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot aclever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't beresponsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, achild o' five wouldn't!"
I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'emcould; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance,I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty.