“Wish I may die,” cried Mr. Riderhood, with a hoarse laugh, “if I warn’t a goin’ to say the selfsame words to you, t’otherest Governor!”

“It chanced so with me,” said Bradley, looking disconcertedly about him.

“And it chanced so with me,” said Riderhood. “But I don’t mind telling you how. Why should I mind telling you? I’m a Deputy Lock-keeper up the river, and I was off duty yes’day, and I shall be on tomorrow.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, and I come to London to look arter my private affairs. My private affairs is to get appinted to the lock as reg’lar keeper at fust hand, and to have the law of a busted B’low-Bridge steamer which drownded of me. I ain’t a goin’ to be drownded and not paid for it!”

Bradley looked at him, as though he were claiming to be a Ghost.