Part 30 (1/2)
”Well, if I wasn't sure Mr. Gladwin was across the Atlantic I'd imagine that yez were Mr. Gladwin himself.”
This was said with such laborious canniness that the thief made haste to discover just how the land lay.
”Oh, so you're sure Mr. Gladwin is abroad, eh?”
”Well, I see be the papers.”
A real hearty laugh escaped this time, and he added brightly:
”Well, Mr. Policeman, I'll tell you something to help you make a good shrewd guess--_Mr. Gladwin is not abroad_!”
”Then yez are Mr. Gladwin, sorr!” cried the young man eagerly, as if delighted at the discovery.
The other leaned back against the table, crossed one foot over the other and said musingly:
”You found me out, Officer--I must admit it. Permit me to thank you again for looking out for my house, and if you don't mind I'll double this little reward.”
Again the roll of bills came out and another $20 gold certificate was gathered in by Officer 666, who grinned as he took it.
”Thank ye, sorr!”
The gesture with which this second benefaction was bestowed was a gesture of dismissal and the bestower set off on an easy saunter about the room, humming a tune.
Officer 666 did not move, and after a moment the other casually remarked:
”You don't seem to be in any hurry to get back to your post, officer.”
”No, sorr--I ain't in no hurry.”
”Have a cigar, then,” and one was offered with the same a.s.sumption of good-natured indifference that had accompanied the tender of the bribes. Gladwin accepted the cigar, took off his cap, dropped it in and returned the cap to his head.
The thief was puzzled for a moment, until it occurred to him that it would suit his purpose best to have this thick-skulled copper in his company rather than have him go outside and discuss the matter with a more shrewd superior. Therefore he said quickly:
”Oh, officer, could you be spared off your rounds for, say, an hour?”
”Why, yes, sorr; I think so.”
”Well, I want you to do me a favor. I'll pay you well for it.”
”What is it?”
”You look to me like a chap who could keep a secret?”
”That's part o' me trade.”
”Good! Well, then, I'm expecting a call from a lady.”
”Oh, I see, sorr,” and Gladwin forced another fatuous grin.