He really seemed to be less indignant with us, than with the banjo-player. Burglary was a smaller offence in his eyes than "disturbin' the peace,"—with a banjo.
He soon had the names of Edward Mason, James Rogers Toppan, and
Samuel Edwards added to his list.
"Name?" he snapped to Mr. Daddles.
"Richard Hendricks."
"Why!" exclaimed Ed Mason, "I thought your name was Daddles!"
"Hear that? hear that?" put in Gregory the Gauger, "that's his
Elias!"
"No, it's not an alias,—in the sense that you mean. It's a nickname. There is no use in going through this again. What I told you in the first place is all true,—and we'll prove it to you in the morning. I know, or used to know, a number of people here. I know Mr. Littlefield, my uncle's neighbor, but if he's gone away, that won't do any good. But I know an old lady down the street here, who lets rooms, and sells sweet-peas, and painted shells, and things. Isn't there such a woman?"
"What's her name? S'pose there is,—what of it?"
"I can't recall her name now. She could tell you who I am. But if you're determined to lock us up until the morning you might as well do it. We're all tired out, and we've got to sleep somewhere. I warn you that you're making a mistake and that we're not the burglars you are looking for. We came in here this afternoon in a boat, as I told you."
"I told you they come in a boat," said a man.