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"Yes, that's it; and those fields where you see the tall poles dotted over in threes and fours are I say, did you ever see hops?" "Yes, often," I said; "great, long, tight, round sacks piled-up on waggons." "Yes, that's how they go to market. I mean growing?" "No." "Those are hops, then, climbing up the poles. That's where the partridges get. Oh, I say, I wish old Magg would sell us that gun.
Magg eyed us for a moment sharply, and then nodded. "Good-day, gentlemen!" he said. "Pleasant voyage!" We found ourselves outside with exactly an hour to catch the boat. "I must buy some things for the steamer," I declared. "I have everything that you will want," Guest declared. "I have sent my luggage down to the boat myself.
The next minute it had received a chop on the back of the neck, ceased struggling, been transferred to Magglin's pocket, and the net was spread over the hole again. "That's a bad farret, ain't it, Master Mercer?" said Magglin, showing his teeth. "You'd best sell un back to me; I should be glad on it for five shillings." "Hush! I thought I heard one, Magg," whispered Mercer, ignoring the remark.
"Look at him, Burr; he has been up to some games, or he wouldn't be so frightened." "Get out!" growled the gipsy-looking fellow sourly. "Doctor don't teach you to behave like that, I know." "Nor the gardener don't teach you to try and cheat people with ferrets." "Well, I like that," cried Magglin in an ill-used tone. "I sells you for a mate of mine " "No, you didn't, it was for yourself, Magg."
Guest said. "Good morning, gentlemen!" Mr. Magg answered. "You do not by chance remember me, I suppose?" Guest said. A faint smile parted the lips of the gentleman in the chair. He rather avoided looking at us, but seemed to be glancing through the letter which he had just been writing. "I never forget a face and I never remember one unnecessarily," he answered. "It is the A B C of my profession.
"Well," he said, "they probably give him credit for knowing more than is good for him." Mr. Magg was thoughtful for a moment. "It will cost you five thousand dollars," he said, "and another five for life insurance." "Agreed!" Guest declared. Mr. Magg made another note upon the sheet of paper in front of him. Then he turned to me.
"You will be prepared to leave practically the whole of your effects there, and take your chance of ever seeing them again." "Certainly," I answered. Mr. Magg nodded and turned towards my companion. "The other parties," he remarked, "do not stick at trifles. What do they want from Mr. Courage?" Guest was serious.
He stooped down and fished up a kodak. "A little more in the light, if you please, Mr. Courage. Thank you! That will do! Now side-face." I was snap-shotted twice before I knew where I was. Then Mr. Magg drew a sheet of paper towards him, and began to make notes. "You are staying?" he asked. "Waldorf-Astoria," I answered.
"Aweel, she kens her ain mind best, gudeman. I hae made a clean house o' Jenny Balchristie, and her niece. They were a bad pack steal'd meat and mault, and loot the carters magg the coals I'm to be married the morn, and kirkit on Sunday." Whatever David felt, he was too proud and too steady-minded to show any unpleasant surprise in his countenance and manner.
"Now I come to recollect, his old ferret had a bit nipped out of the top of its little ear like that has, and Magg said a rat bit it out one day." "If he has cheated you, I wouldn't pay for it," I said. "I don't know how it is," continued Mercer thoughtfully, "but it seems to me as if people like to cheat schoolboys.
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