The farmer burst out in a roar of laughter.
“He must be mad to mek’ such an offer. His hand and heart! Why, the mean hound hasn’t got any. Heart indeed! But ye gev’ him an answer? Ye’d be sure to do that.”
“Oh, yes, he’s got his answer, father.”
“Good gell. It be loike ’is impudence. I hate ’im as I hate the measles or wire worm. An’ he aint o’ no good to man nor woman either.”
CHAPTER LXXXII.
THE NOTTINGHAM SILK ROBBERY—HOW PEACE DID IT.
For some time after his last escapade Charles Peace continued to work industriously at his business. It must not be supposed, however, that during this period he refrained entirely from his evil practices.
He was at work occasionally at night at habitations within a short distance of Sheffield; but he was specially careful, and did not venture upon what he termed a “big job.”
No one at this time suspected that he was carrying on his depredations in such a secret and covert way.
He had refilled his purse by disposing of some plate, which was the private property of a merchant at Hull.