A hurry of voices succeeded, in which Mr. Inspector’s voice was busiest; it gradually slackened and sank; and Mr. Inspector reappeared. “Sharp’s the word, sir!” he said, looking in with a knowing wink. “We’ll get your lady out at once.” Immediately, Bella and her husband were under the stars, making their way back, alone, to the vehicle they had kept in waiting.
All this was most extraordinary, and Bella could make nothing of it but that John was in the right. How in the right, and how suspected of being in the wrong, she could not divine. Some vague idea that he had never really assumed the name of Handford, and that there was a remarkable likeness between him and that mysterious person, was her nearest approach to any definite explanation. But John was triumphant; that much was made apparent; and she could wait for the rest.
When John came home to dinner next day, he said, sitting down on the sofa by Bella and baby-Bella: “My dear, I have a piece of news to tell you. I have left the China House.”
As he seemed to like having left it, Bella took it for granted that there was no misfortune in the case.
“In a word, my love,” said John, “the China House is broken up and abolished. There is no such thing any more.”
“Then, are you already in another House, John?”
“Yes, my darling. I am in another way of business. And I am rather better off.”
The inexhaustible baby was instantly made to congratulate him, and to say, with appropriate action on the part of a very limp arm and a speckled fist: “Three cheers, ladies and gemplemorums. Hoo — ray!”
“I am afraid, my life,” said John, “that you have become very much attached to this cottage?”
“Afraid I have, John? Of course I have.”
“The reason why I said afraid,” returned John, “is, because we must move.”
“O John!”
“Yes, my dear, we must move. We must have our head-quarters in London now. In short, there’s a dwelling- house rent-free, attached to my new position, and we must occupy it.”
“That’s a gain, John.”
“Yes, my dear, it is undoubtedly a gain.”
He gave her a very blithe look, and a very sly look. Which occasioned the inexhaustible baby to square at him with the speckled fists, and demand in a threatening manner what he meant?
“My love, you said it was a gain, and I said it was a gain. A very innocent remark, surely.”
“I won’t,” said the inexhaustible baby, “ — allow — you — to — make — game — of — my — venerable — Ma.” At each division administering a soft facer with one of the speckled fists.
John having stooped down to receive these punishing visitations, Bella asked him, would it be necessary to move soon? Why yes, indeed (said John), he did propose that they should move very soon. Taking the furniture with them, of course? (said Bella). Why, no (said John), the fact was, that the house was — in a sort of a kind of a way — furnished already.
The inexhaustible baby, hearing this, resumed the offensive, and said: “But there’s no nursery for me, sir. What do you mean, marble-hearted parent?” To which the marble-hearted parent rejoined that there