Page:WW Jacobs--The lady of the barge.djvu/223

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A Tiger's Skin
201

'em in front of 'im like a flock o' sheep and then they gave a cheer and ran after George Kettle, full pelt up the road.

"A few wimmen and children was at their doors as they passed, but they took fright and went indoors screaming. There was a lamp in Bob Pretty's front room, but the door was closed and the 'ouse was silent as the grave.

"George Kettle and the men with the guns went first, then came the pitchforks, and last of all the scythes. Just as George Kettle put 'is 'and on the door he 'eard something moving inside, and the next moment the door opened and there stood Bob Pretty.

" 'What the dickens !' 'e ses, starting back as 'e see the guns and pitchforks pointing at 'im.

" "Ave you killed it. Bob?' ses George Ket- tle.

" 'Killed wot?' ses Bob Pretty. 'Be care- ful o' them guns. Take your fingers off the triggers.'

" The tiger's in your 'ouse. Bob,' ses George Kettle, in a whisper. "Ave you on'y just come in?'

" 'Look 'ere,' ses Bob Pretty. 'I don't want

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