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."
"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!"