I stood Ted a pint, and arter he 'ad finished it I told 'im just how
things was. I didn't say anything about the watch and chain, because
there was no need to, and when we came outside agin I 'ad engaged an
assistant-watchman for ninepence a night.
"All you've got to do," I ses, "is to keep me company. You needn't turn
up till eight o'clock of a night, and you can leave 'arf an hour afore me
in the morning."
"Right-o!" ses Ted. "And if I see the ghost I'll make it wish it 'ad
never been born."
It was a load off my mind, and I went 'ome and ate a tea that made my
missis talk about the work-'ouse, and orstritches in 'uman shape wot would
eat a woman out of 'ouse and 'ome if she would let 'em.
I got to the wharf just as it was striking six, and at a quarter to seven
the wicket was pushed open gentle and the ugly 'ead of Mr. Joe Peel was
shoved inside.
"Hullo!" I ses. "Wot do you want?"
"I want to save your life," he ses, in a solemn voice. "You was within a
inch of death last night, watchman.
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