You take aunt home, Kate, and I'll follow on as soon as there is any news." As he spoke the door opened a little way and a head appeared, only to be instantly withdrawn at the sight of so many people.

Mr.Wilks stepped forward hastily, and throwing the door wide open revealed the interesting features of Mr.Nathan Smith.
"How do you do, Mr.Wilks ?" said that gentleman, softly.

"I just walked round to see whether you was in.

I've got a message for you.

I didn't know you'd got company." He stepped into the room and, tapping the steward on the chest with a confidential finger, backed him into a corner, and having got him there gave an expressive wink with one eye and gazed into space with the other.
[Illustration: "Tapping the steward on the chest with a confidential finger, he backed him into a corner."] "I thought you'd be alone," he said, looking round, "but p'r'aps it's just as well as it is.