It's a bad life, Joe Yare's; I wish 'n' 't would be better to the end"---- He stopped with a wistful look at Holmes, who stood outwardly attentive, but with little thought to waste on Joe Yare.

The old coal-digger drummed on the fire-plug uneasily.
"Myself, 't was for Lois's sake I thowt on it.

To speak plain,--yoh'll mind that Stokes affair, th' note Yare forged?
Yes?
Ther' 's none knows o' that but yoh an' me.

He's safe, Yare is, only fur yoh an' me.
Yoh speak the wured an' back he goes to the lock-up.

Fur life.