Barrington thought for a minute. Then he asked, “Are you a married man?”
“Married, and five nippers, Gawd bless ‘em.”
“Well, look here, put it to yourself: how’d you like to have your wife made ill and your kiddies sent frightened to bed, because a stranger was always staring in at their windows?”
“Shouldn’t like it. I’d get damned peevish, I can tell yer.”
“Good. Then you’ll understand what I’m going to say. I’m a gentleman and you can trust my word. If the man you’re after comes here, I’ll hold him for you. In return I want you to be a little less obvious in your detective work. I can’t have my family scared. Go further away, and watch from a distance. Is it a bargain?”
Just then Barrington turned and saw Peter standing with his satchel across his shoulder. How much had he heard? He was awkward under his boy’s eyes; he often wondered what thoughts went on behind them.
“Run along, Peter. I’ll be with you in a second.”
Then to the man, “Is it a bargain?”
“It ain’t reg’lar,” said the man.
“But under the circumstances, you’ll do it. I’m not trying to interfere with your duty.”