“Well, in course I did; but blokes have been ‘pinched’ everywhere and anywhere. As I told yer before, we can none on us guard against that. A cove makes a great haul sometimes at a race-course or railway-station a deal more than he might do in a church, but he runs greater risks, unless he’s very fly indeed; but guess both of you have been working on a different ‘lay.’ I never succeeded in ‘cracking a crib;’ it’s out of my line. Haven’t got the nerve for it I s’pose.”
Peace and Raynton exchanged glances. They were neither of them bright specimens of human nature, far from it; but still it seemed to strike them both at the same moment that they had been listening to a man who spoke of pocket picking and earning a living at it as if it were a recognised and legitimate trade.
They both smiled, after which the conversation appeared to lag.
It was presently brought to an end, or rather turned into a different channel by two passengers who entered the carriage upon the arrival of the train at the next station.
Upon the three discharged prisoners reaching the metropolis they repaired to the nearest and most inviting-looking hostelry about.
They drank each other’s health in a most cordial and convivial manner, which was quite touching to behold.
Mr. Baxter was most profuse in his protestations of friendship and good fellowship, and said he hoped as how they were not going to part for good and for all, but that he hoped to meet them, not on the Rialto, but at some of the accustomed haunts where gentlemen of his profession were wont to congregate.
Peace and Raynton both declared that they hoped to have the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Baxter on a future occasion.
That gentleman thereupon said that he might be able to put them up to a dodge or two, and that if he could it would afford him great pleasure to be of any service to both of them.
At length they succeeded in shaking him off.