Legs is legs when stairs are about, whatever you may say," said Mrs.Pill, leading the way, "an' you'll excuse me, Mr.Policeman, if I don't stop, me 'avin' a lot of work to do, as Susan's gone and Geraldine with 'er, not to speak of my 'usbin' that is to be, he havin' gone to see Mrs.Herne, drat her!" "Why has he gone to see Mrs.Herne ?" asked Jennings quickly.
"Arsk me another," said the cook querulously, "he's a secret one is Thomas Barnes, whatever you may say.

He comes and he goes and makes money by 'is doin's, whatever they may be.

For not a word do I 'ear of 'is pranks.

I've a good mind to remain Pill to the end of my days, seein' as he keeps secrets." Jennings said no more, but secretly wondered why Thomas had gone to visit Mrs.Herne.

He determined to call on that lady at once and see if he could learn what message Thomas had taken her and from whom.