The Piccadilly Puzzle

ould 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 a name, so he was thro

ble morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger. Flip was so touched at this dis

all these duties so well and promptly that Dowker began to take an interest in him, and set 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

ct and appearance, both of which were essentially useful in their own particular way, so Flip remained ragged

conduct; yet this small scrap of neglected humanity had in him the makings of a useful member of society. There are many such in London, but the Christians of England prefer to help the savages who don't want them to the savag

ot seen that weather-stained picturesque house from the window of which gossipy old Pepys saw Mistress Nell Gwynne leaning out and watching the milkmaids go down to the Strand Maypole for the pleasant old English danc

ooking young ones, and a ragged mixture of men and boys. Not an unpicturesque scene, this dilapidated-looking crowd, slouching over the rug

is feet, for the sake of coolness, in the gutter, and his eyes

swig o' beer--my h'eye, wot a tuck h'out I'll 'ave. 'Ere," suddenly, as Dowker touched h

ennies into the waistband of his trouser

nt--it had such an unholy appearance, "more larks--my h'eye, I thort I'

sharply. "I want you to do som

coolly, "but I don't

ce at the ragged little

been getting m

grimy hands together, as they turned into a ham and b

xpense of Dowker, Flip stuffed his mouth wi

onday,"

ly recollecting the date

ker it were. I was as 'ungry as a bloomin' tyke an' couldn't find you nohow, so h'up I goe

rting pub," r

n' a shiny 'at. Ses 'e to the gal, ses 'e, 'Is that 'ere sparrin' comin' ort this evenin'?' 'Yes, says she, 'in the drorin'-room.' 'Right you h'are,' ses 'e, 'I want to see it afore I leave Hengland. I was a-goin' down to my yotsh,' ses 'e, but I'll put it orf till to-morrow as I wants

f the yacht, then he suddenly pricked up his ears, for it dawned on him

stopped for this fight and then went down next morning. I wonder where he met Lady Balscombe. Ah, well, it'

turned

see Jem Mux?" h

called 'im my lord, so 'e must 'a

e's had anything to do with the death of his mistress, it's curious if he stopped in town a

id Flip promptly

l night, as the last train to Shoreham is about half-past. I'll look int

l and was waiting impatiently

asked, his black beady e

anced at

it, "and I want you to meet me at the

t f

y," said Dowker; "I'll show you whom I mean. Don't lose a

pair departed, Dowker to his office for a few minutes, and Flip t