The String of Pearls (1850), p. 523

A roar of laughter testified to the amusement] which this freak of Hector's caused, and Sir Richard said—
"Well, I don't know any one who was so much entitled to be invited to lunch as Hector, and no doubt he thought so too ; and as we had not the courtesy to open the door for him, and properly accommodate him, he has helped himself on the road, that's all."
"Shall I admit him, sir?"
"Yes, and the man who is with him. He is one of the witnesses who I trust will help to bring Todd to justice. Show them all in."
In a very few minutes the captain of the vessel, with whom the reader had some slight acquaintance at the beginning of this most veritable narrative, made his appearance, and Colonel Jeffery warmly shook hands with him. The dog knew the colonol and the captain likewise, and was most vociferous in his joy to see them.
It was an affecting thing then to see the creature pause suddenly in his manifestations of delight, and look sad and solemn, after which he uttered a dismal howl, and catching the colonel by the skirt of his coat, he tried to pull him towards the door of the room.
"Poor fellow," said the captain, "he does not forget his master yet, see."
"No," said Colonel Jeffery, "nor never will. If he had his own way now, and we would follow him, I lay any wager he would take us to Sweeney Todd's shop."
"In course he would, sir," said the ostler. "In course he would. Lord bless you, gemmen, if this here dog as I calls Pison, cos why he was pisoned, was only to get hold of Todd, I would not give much for his chances. You sees, gemmen, as I have kept him in good condition."
"He does look well," said the captain.
"Indeed it does you great credit," said Colonel Jeffery; "but his keep must cost something. There is my guinea towards it."
The colonel placed a guinea in the ostler's hand, and his example was followed by all present, so that the ostler found himself growing quite a man of substance when he least expected it.
"Lor, Pison," he said, "you'll be a fortin for a fellow yet, you will. But I hope, gemmen, as you don't mean to take him away, cos if that's the caper, here's the money agin, and I'd rather keep Pison. He's got fond o'me by this time, poor fellow, and I have got fond on him, as I hav'nt no other brothers and sisters or family of my own."
"It would indeed be unfair," said the colonel, "to deprive you of him. But tell me, are you comfortable in your situation?"
"Lor bless you, sir, it ain't much of a situation. Lots of hard work, and werry little for it."
"Well, if you like to come into my service and bring Hector with you—you are welcome."
"Oh, won't I, sir, above a bit. Why, Pison, we is promoted, old fellor. We is a going to a new place, where there will be no end of grub, old chap."
"You shall not have any complaints to make in that deparment," said the colonel.
"So then," said the captain, "it is quite clear that Mr. Thornhill was murdered by that rascal of a barber?"
"Quite," replied Sir Richard Blunt, "and it is for that murder we mean to try Todd. If, however, by any chance, he should escape conviction upon that, we will be provided with two more indictments against him, so that he is tolerably well cared for; but the murder of Mr. Thornhill is what we mean ostensibly to go upon."
"That's right, sir," said the ostler, "and I'll bring Pison as a witness to all the blessed facts. He'll settle the business, even if the jury is half as stupid agin as usual."