"It was only a passing thought, which that moment occurred to me; you are just the sort of chap we could very well do with in our force. Would you care to join us?"
"No such idea has ever entered my head, and I don't feel as if I should much care for the life."
"Well, I've no authority to ask you, but you might think it over."
"No harm in my doing that," he replied.
"How old are you, if it is not a rude question to ask?" said the constable.
"Just turned twenty-nine."
"English, I judge?"
"Yes."
"Been long in the Colony?"
"Only about seven months."