Part 25 (1/2)
”What did you do?”
”Do? Oo-oo-oo! I shouts 'Oo-oo-oo yer, yer young monkey, what yer doin'
there?'”
”Yes?”
”But 'e was off in a flash, and I doubles after 'im prompt.”
”But you didn't catch him?”
”No, sir,” admitted the sergeant reluctantly.
”Did you catch sight of his face, Sergeant?”
”No, sir, 'e was doublin' away in the opposite direction.”
”Did you notice anything at all about his appearance?”
”'E was a long young chap, sir, with a pair of legs on him--feeflee fast 'e run, sir. Oo-oo-oo, feeflee!”
”You noticed nothing else?”
”'E wasn't wearing no cap of any sort, sir.”
”Ah!”
”Bare'eaded, sir,” added the sergeant, rubbing the point in.
”It was undoubtedly the same boy, undoubtedly! I wish you could have caught a glimpse of his face, Sergeant.”
”So do I, sir.”
”You would not be able to recognize him again if you saw him, you think?”
”Oo-oo-oo! Wouldn't go as far as to say that, sir, 'cos yer see, I'm feeflee good at spottin', but it was a dark night.”
Mr. Downing rose to go.
”Well,” he said, ”the search is now considerably narrowed down, considerably! It is certain that the boy was one of the boys in Mr.
Outwood's house.”
”Young monkeys!” interjected the sergeant helpfully
”Good afternoon, Sergeant.”
”Good afternoon to you, sir.”
”Pray do not move, Sergeant.”