Breakfast was ordered and served. Nell Fulford joined her two companions, and did the honours of the table.
While partaking of their morning’s meal the detective and his two companions observed throngs of persons passing the window, rushing even at that early hour to the fair.
“They are taking time by the forelock, Miss Fulford,” said the detective, looking towards the window of the parlour.
“Oh, yes; it be always loike this at fair time. People coom from all parts, far and near.”
“There is one thing I wish to impress on both of you,” observed Wrench, “and that is to keep as quiet as possible. We’ll see all that’s to be seen, but we won’t appear to be looking for any one. We are only here to enjoy the fun of the fair—that’s all.”
“Fun!” cried Nelly, with a sigh.
“I don’t expect for one moment, Miss Fulford, that you, or indeed any one of us, will have much enjoyment, but as far as that is concerned it is quite a secondary consideration; but we must appear to be attracted hither for amusement. Let us hope something more important will follow.”
His female companion inclined her head in tacit acquiescence, and Joe said he’d have nuffin’ to say to anybody.
The fair was held at a small market town, which was built on the banks of a river. As far as architectural beauty was concerned, it was not much to boast of, for the streets rivalled those of Cairo, which are said to be the narrowest and dirtiest in the world, and central is the market-place.
In this market-place the fair was held, though many of the booths and canvas-covered stalls extended down the Egyptian thoroughfares, choking them with impassability.