Part 25 (1/2)

The Little Liver Pill departed with the message, to return with the information that the caller came with news of ”that there moke.”

”In that case, show him in,” decided Peter.

The informant was a short, thick-set, bowlegged man, with features that had cunning stamped indelibly on every line. His watery blue eyes and stubbly grey moustache contrasted vividly with his reddish complexion, the colour of which reached its maximum intensity at the tip of his turned-up nose. ”The straight tip, guv'ner, an' no questions axed,” began the man, winking solemnly.

”What d'ye mean?” demanded Peter.

”Wot I says,” replied the slightly inebriated one. ”You offers in this 'ere paper a bloomin' quid to any bloke as gives information about your moke. 'Ere's the bloke--me. Na, 'ow abaht it?”

”Can you produce the animal?” asked Barcroft.

”Wot! Tike me fer a bloomin' conjurer? D'ye fink as 'ow I can make a bloomin' moke come outer me 'at like a rabbit?”

”In that case I don't think I'll trouble you any further,” said Peter, placing his hand on the bell.

”'Old 'ard, guv'ner!” interrupted the man. ”You mistakes my meanin.'

Wot I says is this, if you'll pardon my manner o' speech. I knows where your donkey is. A chap wot I owes a grudge to 'as pinched it.

You pay me the quid, I'll give you the straight tip, s'long as you don't bring my name inter it, an' there you are. You gets yer moke back agen an' it's a jimmy o' goblin well spent.”

Peter considered the points raised. He felt disinclined to treat with the rascal. He might have telephoned for the police, but it was hardly a case of blackmail. Quite possibly at the threat of the law the fellow might be cowed; on the other hand he might shut up like an oyster. Again, the whole story might be a c.o.c.k-and-bull yarn with the idea of getting money.

”Very well,” said Barcroft at length. ”I agree. Now tell me where the animal is.”

”Steady on, guv'ner,” protested the man. ”'Ow abaht it?--the quid, I means.”

”I've promised,” said Peter. ”My word is your bond.”

”Sooner 'ave the bra.s.s.”

”When I regain possession of the animal,” decided the lawful owner firmly. ”You give me your name and address and directly I recover my property I will send you the money. You cannot reasonably expect me to trust you, an utter stranger, with a sovereign on the off-chance that I may get the animal back on the strength of your information.

In fact, rather than do so, I would let the donkey go. Now, make up your mind quickly. My time is precious.”

The informer scratched the back of his head. ”Look 'ere, guv'ner,”

he began. ”I don't want to be 'ard on yer----”

”You won't, my man,” interrupted Peter grimly. ”Now, yes or no: which is it to be?”

”Orl right,” exclaimed the man in a tone of virtuous resignation.

”I'll tell, only you might 'ave parted with that there quid on the nail. I won't give yer me name, but p'raps you won't object ter me a-comin' round an' collectin' the bra.s.s when you've got the moke back?”

To this Peter a.s.sented.

”You'll find the donkey at Bigthorpe,” continued the fellow. ”Third archway of the viaduct across Thorpe Beck--Stigler's the name o' the bloke wot pinched 'er, although she trotted into 'is father's place down in Barborough. Stigler's a bad 'un, so yer wants to be pretty fly or 'e'll be sellin' 'er to some one. That's the straight tip, guv'ner, an' don't you ferget it--third archway o' Thorpe Beck Viaduct. Supposin' I looks in fer that quid this day week?”

”Very good,” agreed Peter, as he showed his visitor to the door. ”By the bye, what sort of man is this Mr. Stigler?”

”I reckon as 'ow 'e's a bit of a bruiser,” was the not unexpected reply.

When his caller had taken his departure Barcroft reviewed the situation. Bruiser or no bruiser Mr. Stigler had to be tackled, and Peter was not a man to be intimidated. He would go at once to Bigthorpe. But perhaps it would be as well to have some one with him. He thought of Philip Entwistle; he remembered his new-found friend remarking that he was not particularly busy.