He could just make out a dim figure behind the counter, which he believed to be Amelia, when a match was struck and a gas jet threw a sudden light in the shop and revealed Mr.
Jack Nugent standing behind the counter with his hand on the lady's shoulder.
[Illustration: "He could just make out a dim figure behind the counter."] One glance was sufficient.

The next moment there was a sharp cry from Miss Kybird and a bewildered stare from Nugent as something, only comparable to a human cracker, bounced into the shop and commenced to explode before them.
"Take your 'and off," raved Mr.Silk.

"Leave 'er alone.

'Ow dare you?
D'ye hear me?
'Melia, I won't 'ave it! I won't 'ave it!" "Don't be silly, Teddy," remonstrated Mr.Nugent, following up Miss Kybird, as she edged away from him.
"Leave 'er alone, d'ye 'ear ?" yelled Mr.Silk, thumping the counter with his small fist.

"She's my _wife!_" "Teddy's mad," said Mr.Nugent, calmly, "stark, staring, raving mad.
Poor Teddy." He shook his head sadly, and had just begun to recommend a few remedies when the parlour door opened and the figure of Mr.Kybird, with his wife standing close behind him, appeared in the doorway.
"Who's making all this noise ?" demanded the former, looking from one to the other.
"I am," said Mr.Silk, fiercely.