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"Seen at the 'Jolly Tar', Ratcliff Highway, a low public-house frequented by sailors. Seen with two men, Dennis Wayman, landlord of the 'Jolly Tar, and a man called Milson, or Milsom. The man Milson, or Milsom, has since disappeared. Is believed to have been transported, but is not to be heard of abroad."
In that elevated position Black Milsom waited until Dennis Wayman happened to look up and perceive the stranger on the threshold. As he did so, Thomas Milsom drew the back of his hand rapidly across his mouth, with a gesture that was evidently intended as a signal. The signal was answered by a nod from Wayman, and then Black Milsom descended the three steps, and pushed his way to the bar.
He left the tavern. The two men looked at each other earnestly as the door closed upon him. "A dangerous man," said Dennis Wayman. "Bah!" muttered Black Milsom, savagely; "who's afraid of a hunchback's bluster? I dare say he wanted the handling of the money himself."
I'm uncommonly glad to see you back again. I've been wondering where you was ever since you disappeared." "You'd have left off wondering if you'd known I was on the other side of this blessed world of ours. I thought you knew I was " Mr. Milsom's delicacy of feeling prevented his finishing this speech. "I knew you had got into trouble," answered Mr. Wayman.
"I think that this girl and these two men, her father, Thomas Milsom, and Dennis Wayman, the landlord of the 'Jolly Tar', are in the secret are, between them, the murderers of your brother. I think that when he broke his promise to me, and came back to this end of London, before the fifth, he came lured by that girl's beauty. It is to the girl we must look for a key to the secret of his death.
Dennis Wayman watched the gesture with eager eyes. All through Valentine's speech, Joyce Harker had been trying to arrest his attention, but trying in vain. When the owner of the 'Pizarro' began to talk, it was very difficult to stop him. The captain bade the landlord a cheerful good day, and departed with his faithful follower. Out in the street, Joyce Harker remonstrated with his employer.
This rather clumsy joke was received with an applauding guffaw by the sailors and women next the bar. "If you'll step through that door yonder, you'll find a snug little room, mate," said Dennis Wayman, in the tone which he might have used in speaking to a stranger; "I'll send you a steak and a potato as soon as they can be cooked." Thomas Milsom nodded.
"Come, Jenny," said Milsom; "I've brought Wayman and a friend of his down to supper. What can you give us to eat? There's a bit of cold beef in the house, I know, and bread and cheese; the captain here has brought the wine; so we shall do well enough. Look sharp, lass. You're in one of your tempers to-night, I suppose; but you ought to know that don't answer with me.
Wayman, for he had a goodish bit of money about him; and there's land-sharks as dangerous as those you meet with on the sea." "So there are, mate," answered the landlord; "and there's some queer characters about this neighbourhood, for the matter of that." "I dare say you're right, Mr. Wayman," returned Joyce; "and I'll tell you what it is.
"Can I have a bed, mate, and a bit of supper?" he asked, in a voice that was carefully disguised. "Ay, ay, to be sure you can," answered Wayman; "you can have everything that is comfortable and friendly by paying for it. This house is one of the most hospitable places there is to those that can pay the reckoning."
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