"'I'm not a king,' observed our reporter, 'and you're not a cat.'
"'Call me one, and you'll feel my clors. I'm reckonin' of you up, that's what I'm doing of.'
"'I sha'n't tell if you're going to act mean. 'Ansom is that 'ansom does.'
"Our reporter took the hint, and gave the girl a sixpenny-piece.
"'I say,' cried Sophy, greatly excited, as she tried the coin with her teeth. 'Stow larks, you know. Is it a good 'un?'
"'Upon my honor,' said our reporter, placing his hand on his heart, with a mock heroic air.
"'Change it for me, then. I'd sooner 'ave coppers.'
"Our reporter had some in his pocket, and he counted out six into Sophy's grimy palm. A seventh, by accident, fell to the floor. Sophy instantly picked it up.
"'I'm agreeable. And now what do you make of me?'
"'Wait a bit,' said Sophy. Unblushingly she lifted her frock, and tied the coppers in her ragged petticoat, tightening the knots with her teeth, which were as white as snow. 'That's my money-box, and I've got some more in it. What do I make of you? Oh, I knows what you are. You can't gammon me.'
"'You belong to the _Perlice Noos_, that's what you do. You've come to make pickchers. Pickcher of the 'ouse where the body was found. Pickcher of the room where the body was laid. Pickcher of the body's bed. Pickcher of the body's slippers. Pickcher of Mrs. Middlemore, the body's 'ousekeeper. Oh, I say, make a pickcher of me, will you? I'll buy a copy.'
"'Perhaps, if you're good. But you must answer a question or two first.'
"'You went upstairs last night with your aunt after you had your supper?'
"'Gammon! It'd take more than that to frighten Sophy.' She added, with a sly look, 'Aunty's easily kidded, she is.'
"'Ah,' said reporter, somewhat mystified, 'then you came down and went to bed?'
"'Yes, I did, and precious glad to get there.'
"'Did you sleep better or worse than usual last night?'
"'Thank you, Sophy. That is all for the present.'
"'I say,' cried Sophy, as our reporter was about to leave the kitchen, 'you'll take my pickcher, won't you?'
"'I'll think about it. I'll see you another time, Sophy; and look here,' added our reporter, who is never known to throw a chance away, 'here's my card; take care of it, and if you find out anything that you think I'd like to know about M. Felix, come and tell me, and you shall be well paid for it. You'll not forget?'