212520_The_Adve ... _Way_Through_The_World.pdf - OUDL Home

588 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
woman more esteemed. And by the word " Gammon," the policeman
expressed his sense of the utter absurdity of the charge against
the good lady.
Hunt still continued to yell out that he had been robbed and
hocussed; and Mary from behind her door repeated to the officer
(with whom she perhaps had relations not unfriendly) her statement
that the beast had gone reeling away from the house the night
before, and if he had lost anything, who knows where he might
not have lost it ?
" It was taken out of this pocket, and out of this pocket-book,"
howled Hunt, clinging to the rail. " I give her in charge. I give
the house in charge ! It's a den of thieves!"
During this shouting and turmoil, the sash of a window in
Ridley's studio was thrown up. The painter was going to his
morning work. He had appointed an early model. The sun could
not rise too soon for Ridley ; and, as soon as ever it gave its light,
found him happy at his labour. He had heard from his bedroom
the brawl going on about the door.
"Mr. Ridley!" says the policeman, touching the glazed hat
with much respect—(in fact, and out of uniform, Z 25 has figured
in more than one of J. J.'s pictures)—" Here's a fellow disturbing
the whole street, and shouting out that Mrs. Brandon have robbed
and hocussed him !"
Ridley ran downstairs in a high state of indignation. He is
nervous, like men of his tribe : quick to feel, to pity, to love, to
be angry. He undid the chain, and ran into the street.
" I remember that fellow drunk here before," said the painter ;
" and lying in that very gutter."
" Drunk and disorderly ! Come along !" cries Z 25 ; and his
hand was quickly fastened on the parson's greasy collar, and under
its strong grasp Hunt is forced to move on. He goes, still yelling
out that he has been robbed.
" Tell that to his worship," says the incredulous Z. And this
was the news which Mrs. Brandon's friends received from her maid,
when they called at her house.