Moggie, the general, was just coming from the public-house with two
foaming jugs, one for Mrs. Bubb, the other for Mr. and Mrs.
Cheeseman, her first-floor lodgers. Miss Sparkes passed her
disdainfully, and entered with the aid of a latch-key. From upstairs
sounded a banjo, preluding; then the sound of Mr. Cheeseman's voice
chanting a popular refrain:
Come where the booze is cheaper,
Come where the pots 'old more,
Come where the boss is a bit of a joss,
Come to the pub next door!
Polly could not resist this invitation. She looked in at the
Cheesemans' sitting-room and enjoyed half an hour of friendly gossip
before going to bed.
CHAPTER V
A NONDESCRIPT
Scarcely had quiet fallen upon the house--it was half an hour after
midnight--when at the front door sounded a discreet but resolute
knocking. Mrs. Bubb, though she had retired to her chamber, was not
yet wholly unpresentable; reluctantly, and with wonder, she went to
answer the untimely visitor. After a short parley through the gap of
the chained door she ascended several flights and sought to arouse
Mr.
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