He wore a white greatcoat tight buttoned
round his waist, but so arranged as to show the glories of the coloured
handkerchief; and in his hand he carried a diminutive cane with a little
silver knob. He stepped airily into the room, and as he did so he
addressed our friend the policeman with much cordiality.
"My dear Mr. 'Oward," he said, "this is a pleasure. This is a pleasure.
This is a pleasure."
"What is it to be?" asked Gager.
"Well; ay, what? Shall I say a little port wine negus, with the nutmeg in
it rayther strong?" This suggestion he made to a young lady from the bar,
who had followed him into the room. The negus was brought and paid for by
Gager, who then requested that they might be left there undisturbed for
five minutes. The young lady promised to do her best, and then closed the
door. "And now, Mr. 'Oward, what can I do for you?" said Mr. Cann, the
burglar.
Gager, before he answered, took a pipe-case out of his pocket, and lit the
pipe. "Will you smoke, Billy?" said he.
"Well--no, I don't know that I will smoke. A very little tobacco goes a
long way with me, Mr. 'Oward. One cigar before I turn in; that's about the
outside of it.
Pages:
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874
875
876
877
878