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"So that vere the end o' the Corp's soldiering!" nodded Mr. Shrig. "Yes," sighed the Corporal, "a one-handed soldier ain't much good, ye see, sir." "So they throwed 'im out!" snarled Mr. Shrig. "Now Jarsper," smiled the giant, shaking his head. "Why so 'ard on the sarvice? They give me m' stripe." "And your dis-charge!" added Mr. Shrig. "And a pension," said the soldier. "Pension," sniffed Mr.
So Barnabas took the letter and broke the seal. It was a very short letter, but as he read Barnabas frowned blacker than ever. "Mr. Shrig," said he very earnestly as he folded and pocketed the letter, "will you do something for me will you take a note to my servant, John Peterby? You'll find him at the 'Oak and Ivy' in Hawkhurst village." "Vich, seeing as you're a pal, sir, I vill.
"Because I've a call thereabouts myself to-day, an' if you vas minded to go along, I'd be honoured, sir, honoured." "Thank you, Mr. Shrig, but " I paused, for among the pile of unopened letters I espied one addressed in a familiar hand and, breaking the seal, read: MY DEAR PERRY: Strong drink is raging, so am I, and London is the devil!
For answer the man smiled, and half drew from his pocket a short staff surmounted by a crown. "Ah!" said Barnabas, "a Bow Street Runner?" "And my name is Shrig, sir, Jasper Shrig. You'll have heard it afore, o'course." "No!" said Barnabas. Mr. Shrig seemed placidly surprised, and vented a gentle sigh. "It's pretty vell known, in London, sir, though it ain't a pretty name, I'll allow.
That 'ere coping-stone vas the signal." "Ha!" said Barnabas, buttoning up his coat. "Now, are ye ready, sir?" "Quite!" "Then keep close be'ind me go!" With the word Mr. Shrig began to run, always keeping close beside the wall; indeed he ran so fast and was so very nimble that Barnabas had some ado to keep up with him.
"It's gone, Dick!" he gasped, "my little reader's been stole." But now, even as he turned towards the door, Barnabas laid a detaining hand upon his arm. "Not stolen lost!" said he, "and indeed, I'm not at all surprised!" Here Barnabas smiled his quick, bright smile. "Sir sir?" stammered Mr. Shrig, "oh, Pal, d'ye mean ?" "That I found it, yes," said Barnabas, "and here it is." Mr.
And then, I knows as your name's Barnabas Barty " "Barty! you know that?" exclaimed Barnabas, starting, "how how in the world did you find out?" "Took the liberty to look at your vatch, sir." "Watch!" said Barnabas, drawing it from his fob, "what do you mean?" "Give it 'ere, and I'll show ye, sir." So saying, Mr. Shrig took the great timepiece and, opening the back, handed it to Barnabas.
Shrig were roving here, wandering there, now apparently glancing up at the strip of sky between the dingy house tops, now down at the cobbles beneath their feet; also Barnabas noticed that his step, all at once, grew slower and more deliberate, as one who hesitates, uncertain as to whether he shall go on, or turn back. It was after one of those swift, upward glances, that Mr.
Shrig, with his placid smile, "there's some traps as is so uncommon smart that they've got an 'abit of arresting innercent parties verever found, d'ye see. But if they should 'appen to lay their 'ooks on ye, jest tip me the office, sir." "Thank you," said Barnabas, "I shan't forget," and, with a final nod to Mr. Shrig, turned and followed the Corporal into Gray's Inn Lane.
Temptation dogs me, but a promise is a promise, so I have scuttled off ignominiously. You will find me at the Chequers Inn, Tonbridge, if I am not there to meet you, wait for me. By the way, ale is exempt from your proscription, of course. Yours to command now as ever, "Mr. Shrig," said I, pocketing this letter, "when, pray, do you propose to start Tonbridge way?" "This werry moment, sir."
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