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"I shall look forward to the day," said the major gallantly, rising and taking up his hat. He was very well satisfied with his little ruse and his success in breaking the ice. "Be George!" he remarked to Von Baumser that evening, "she's got money as well as her looks. It's a lucky man that gits her." "I vill bet dat you ask her for to marry you," Von Baumser said with a smile.
And you, Sandy, can't you bring yourself to your berth without being asked? You should know your moorings by this time. This is my friend, Mr. Von Baumser from Eckermann's office." "And dis, I think, is Mr. Dimsdale," said the German, shaking hands with Tom. "I have heard my very goot vriend, Major Clutterbuck, speak of your name, sir." "Ah, the old major," Tom answered.
Which digression may serve to emphasize the fact that these three burly Hampshire policemen, having been placed upon our friends' track by the ostler of the Flying Bull, and having themselves observed manoeuvres which could only be characterized as suspicious, charged down with such vehemence, that in less time than it takes to tell it, both Tom and the major and Von Baumser were in safe custody.
When circumstances had driven them out of their former abode, it had occurred to the major that by sharing his rooms with Von Baumser he would diminish his own expenses, and at the same time secure an agreeable companion, for the veteran was a sociable soul in his unofficial hours and had all the Hibernian dislike to solitude.
And what sort of firm must this be, which turned so fair a side to the world and in which he had embarked his fortune? All these thoughts flashed through his mind as he listened to the gossip of the garrulous old sea dogs. A greater shock still, however, was in store for him. Von Baumser had been listening to the conversation with an amused look upon his good-humoured face.
"So it may be," Von Baumser answered serenely. "I do but say vat I have heard, and heard more than once on good authority." "If it is true there is villainy in it," cried Tom, with wild eyes, "the blackest villainy that ever was done upon earth. I'll go I'll see him to-night. By heavens, I shall know the truth!" He rushed furiously downstairs and through the bar. There was a cab near the door.
He then calmly drew a very long and bright knife from the recesses of his frock-coat, and having pressed it against Burt's nose to ensure his attention, he brandished it in front of him in a menacing way, as a hint that an attempt at escape might be dangerous. "And who is dis?" asked Baumser, lifting up the dead woman's head, and resting it upon his knee. "Poor girl!
They are rotten, useless whoo! He blew an imaginary feather up into the air to demonstrate the extreme fragility of the house in question. "You're raving, Baumser," said Major Clutterbuck excitedly. "Why, man, their names are above suspicion. They are looked upon as the soundest concern in the City." "Dat may be; dat may be," the German answered stolidly. "Vat I know, I know, and vat I say I say."
The British Army is going straight to the divil." "Dat's a very bad look-out for the devil," said Von Baumser, filling up a cup of coffee. The major continued to stride angrily about the room. "That's why we niver have a satisfactory campaign with a European foe," he broke out. "Our success is always half and half, and leads to nothing.
"But, my dear vriend, you cannot vait in the street. Come in mit me." "No, I'll wait," the old soldier answered. "They might think I was paying for the clothes if I came in." "Well, but so you " "Eh, would ye?" roared the major, raising his cane, and Von Baumser disappeared precipitately into the shop.
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