“I say,” Mr. Penfound began, holding the revolvers about the level of his top waistcoat button, and with his eyes fixed on the burglars—“I say!”
“Tea or coffee?” asked the stallkeeper shortly, looking up.
“Neither—that is, at present,” replied Mr. Penfound sweetly. “The fact is, I’ve got two burglars here.”
“Two what—where?”
Mr. Penfound then explained the whole circumstances. “And I want you to fetch a couple of policemen.”
The stallkeeper paused a moment. He was a grim fellow, so Mr. Penfound gathered from the corner of his eye.
“Well, that’s about the best story as I ever ’eard,” the stallkeeper said. “And you want me to fetch a policeman?”
“Yes; and I hope you’ll hurry up. I’m tired of holding these revolvers.”
“And I’m to leave my stall, am I?”
“Certainly.”