The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-13
ThePiccadinyP
THE STORY OF 4 TERRIBLE EPISODE
IN THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMAN.
BY F. w. HUME.

%. by r. w. aOmo.
CHAPTER VII.
JUVENILE DETECTIVE
Flip was small, dried-up looking boy,
born and brought up in London slum.
He had no parents-at least, none that he
could remember-and had he been asked
how he came into existence he would
probably have answered. Topsy-like, that
he @growed." His mother and father had
both deserted him at an early age, giving
him nothing to remember them by, not
even o name, SO he was thrown on the
world squalling brat. Nevertheless, he
managed to get along somehow to the age
of fifteen, at which period of his life
Dowker CHANGED on him and his prospects
began to improve.
Dowker underneath his drab exterior
concealed kind heart, and, having met
Flip one night in the rain, had taken
compassion on the miserable morsel OF
humanity and given him cup Of coffee
to warm him and q roll of bread to satisfy
his hunger. Flip was so touched at this
disinterested kindness that he attached
Aimseh with dog-like fidelity to the de-
tective and tried to serve him to the best
Of his small ability. =,
Having had to fight his way in the
world, Flip had developed wonderful
sharpness of intellect at very early age,
and Dowker turned this hunger educated
instinct to good account, for he often set
the little urchin to follow cabs, run mes
sages, and do other small matters which
he required. Flip performed all these
duties 30 well and promptly that Dowker
- kaIr sx,fo ~1ots hsro on6 cot
to work to cultivate this stunted flower
which had sprung up amid the evil weeds
of the slums. He had a meeting place
appointed with Flip in Drury Lane, and
whenever he wanted him went there to
seek him out. Flip listened to his pa
trons instructions carefully, and, having
uncivilized kind, he never forgot what he
Dowker gave him shilling week, and on
this small sum Flip managed to exist, with
occasional help from casual passers-by.
Every one in London knows Drury
lane, that quaint, dirty narrow street
leading to the Strand.
Flip was sitting considering at the
edge of the pavement, with his feet, for
sake Of COO ness, in the gutter, and his
eyes fixed on three dirty pennies lying in
his own dirty drown palm.
"Wot's h'up, guv'nor?" he asked, with
aleer. FGp's leer was not pleasant-it
had such an unholy appearance. More
larks-my h'eye, thort I'd never twig
you agin. Ave you bin hover the gar
din-wall arter prig2"
Hold your tongue" said Dowker,
eharply. Z want you to do something
for me-are you hungry"
Not much" said Flip, coolly, "but ]
don't mind am san'wich."
Dowker cast q sharp glance at the
ragged little figure walking beside him.
2 Where have you been getting money!"
he asked.
MY h'eye, it's rigler game" said
Flip, rubbing his grimy hands together,
% they turned into a ham and beef
shop. I'll tell yer allan I'll ave, an
bread"
Being supplied with these Injuries at
the expense Of Dowker, Flip stuffed his
mouth with liberal portion. and then
began to talk.
SLarst Monday" he began.
"Ba," said Dowker, suddenly recollect-
ing the date Of the murder, yesterday"
1No, the Monday afore," said Flip, 1t
were at mite, h'awful foggy, my h'eye, a
rigler corker it were. was as 'ungry as
bloomin' tyke an couldn't find you no.
how, 50 h'up goes to Soho to see hold
Jem Mu1, you knows i'm, guvnor, the
cove as keeps the Pink 'Un.'"
Yes, the sporting pub, replied Dow
ker.
Same game" said Flip, 4'e gives me
summat to eat when arsks it, 50 goes
h'up to cadge some wictuals. I gifts cold
meat, my h'eye,. prime, an bread an
beer, SO when 'ad copped the grub,
was a-eittin' away h'out Of the bar when
swell cove comes in-lor, what a swell
gal, ses g, is that ere sparrin comm OFF
this evenin'?' Yes, says she, in the
drorin' room Right you hare, ses e.
Twant to see it afore leave Henglsnd.
was a-goin down to my yotsh, ses 3,
but I'll put it orr till tomorrow, as
wants to see this set-to,' then y twigs
me. an' ses e, Are you coldf ses e. Yes,
ses I. ''Ungry2' Not much ses T.
''Ere's some tin for you, you pore little
devil an' I'm blessed if g didn't tip me
SOY, so I've been livin' like dook on it
since / sawr you-nice game, amt 1t,
guv,nor?"
During this recital Dowker had not
paid much attention till Flip spoke Of
the yacht, then he suddedly pricked up
his ears, for it dawned on him that this
unknown benefactor Of Flip's might pos
sibly be Lord Calliston.
Monday night he was going out OF
town" murmured Dowker, but he was
always sporting blade, so perhaps he
stopped for this fight and then went down
ueIt morning. wonder where he met
Lady Balscombe. All, we'll, it's nothing
to do with the murder at all events; but
I'd like to know if he really did leave
town on the night. ''
Then he turned to Flip. =.
Did tine swell see Jem Mux?" he asked
sharply. ,
Rather" said Flip, an Jem e called
i'm my lord, so e must ave been bloom
in blindin' toff."
My lord" repeated Dowker thought
fully. "Oh! no doubt it was Lord CAL
liston. I wonder if he's had anything to
do with the death Of his mistress; it's
curious if he stopped in town all night
that he didn't 90 back to his chambers.
About what time was this:" he asked,
aloud.