And with that he peeled a twenty-dollar bill from the top of a heavy roll that he produced from his pocket and placed it within my palm.
"Very good," said I. "It may cost me dear if Quibble hears of it, but a man must live, and I work at starvation wages."
I placed the bill in my breast pocket and made way for him to enter the store, which he did without more ado. Why this busy gentleman should gratuitously present me with twenty dollars did not at the moment occur to me. I continued on my way northward, pondering upon the question, and passed the street upon which the police court was located and Counsellor Gottlieb had his office. The thought came into my mind that here was the very person to shed light upon the subject and I turned the corner and opened the door. Gottlieb was in his customary position with his feet elevated upon the table before him.
"Well," he said, "I didn't expect you back so soon."
"I've come for free advice this time," I answered.
"Oh," he grunted. "Well, in that case perhaps you won't get it."
Somehow I had taken a shine to the fellow, for all his robbery of poor Toby, and I admired his quickness of perception and readiness of speech. Perhaps he too felt not unkindly toward me. At any rate I told him my story.
"Now," says I, "what d'ye make of it?"
Gottlieb laughed.
"Was he a fat little turkey with gray eyes?" he inquired.